6G8 THEOKY OF AltCHITECTUKE.

Book II,
Crete, finished flat on both sides, forming a solid block of one thickness, absolutely inde-
structible.
1903o. Homan and Eodgers' flat brick fireproof floors. They are constructed with hard
burnt bricks, jointed in cement, and bonded on the upper face with tough concrete. The
depth of the finished floor is 6 to 9 inches. "By the method of laying, the ironwork
is protected from the action of fire. The brick soffit forms a key for the plaster; no
laths or counterceiling are necessary, but, where desired, wood blocks can be fixed in the
sotfit to receive the ordinary lath and plastered ceiling, then making the most perfect
sound-resisting fireproof floor known. The concrete being tough instead of friable, the
boarded finish may be nailed down without the use of sleeper joists ; but, since serious
failures show that wood embedded in concrete, asphalte, or pitch, is liable to decay, it is
recommended to use an inch strip as a sleeper fillet, which will also provide veutilatijn
and space for gas and water pipes." The floor is stated to have no thrust.
190'?jo. Lindsay and Co. 's patent system, wherein a steel decking is introduced, and
also their patent trussed concrete flooring. The steel flooring is manufactured of two
diflFerent strengths, varying from 4 inches to 14 inches in depth, and suitable for spans of
from 15 teet to 50 feet clear. It is stated as perfectly and equally distributing the floor
loads to the surrounding walls, and as acting as a complete tie to the building; not
affected by settlements of the walls
;
and is 30 per cent, lighter than ordinary arched floors.
The trussed fireproof flooring is laid with pum-ce concrete, enclosing small joists joined
by steel truss rods twisted together every 18 inches; or formed as an arch underneath
between girders to 14 feet span. A slab of this concrete, 2 feet span and
4^
inches thick,
was loaded to 22 cvvt on the foot without injury. For a space of 30 feet the depth of the
decking is only 5 in. to support a load of Hewt. per foot super. Brick partitions can be
placed on this decking and concrete in any position, independent of walls or girders under-
neath. This flooring has been largely used in the National Liberal Club, by R. AV. Edis,
architect. The top table is made thicker than the sides, and the sectional strength is
thereby greatly increased, and the various sections are riveted together at a point which is
very close indeed to the neutral axis. Tha concrete is called
"
pumice concrete," as it is
very light and tough
;
considered to be a good material for constructing roofs, domes, &c.
1903g. The
''
Doulton-Peto
"
patent fireproof flooring, in principle consists of a series of
lioUow blocks of stoneware placed between rolled iron joists, making a flat ceiling, which
niay be plastered or not. The iron girders are fixed in the ordinary way, but not so
close together as usual. The tile next to the side of the girder is specially shaped to set
K2Z^^^^
'l
I i r= I
=
B
Fig. 617/.
against and beneath it, so as to isolate it completely. The
fy.
6171. shows tiles
made for a flat ceiling, and set in cement ; if no ceiling, then the under side is made
smooth to receive whitewash, &c. The
tiles for ordinary floors aie 6 inches
high and about 1 foot thick. The floor
is stated to be one-third lighter than
concrete or brickwork. A flat roof cau
also be formed with them. AVhere an
arch is desired between each girder,
another form of springer (Jig. 617;).
has been adopted. It has stood the
test of upwards of 6 cwt. to the foot
dead weight on material only, and with
iig.6i7iii. an arch of 6 feet span and quite flat. On
an arch of 8 feet span a cask of graphite weighing 7 cwt. has been rolled and rocked, the
vibration doing no injury. A fire has been lighted beneath, making it red hot in parts,
and while in that state a hose has been turned on with a considerable pressure of -water
without the least eflTect. It has also been tested with unevenly distributed weights, and
with vibration and concussion, all which it has successfully withstood. This flooring has
been used throughout at the London Pavilion, where it was found very advantageous
from its lightness, the speed with which it was constructed, and its cleanliness. A
large
building cf four stories at Messrs. iJoultun's factory has been similarly constructed
by