Fig. 1.—Characteristic Failures of Reinforced Concrete Beams.
Fig. 2.—Arrangement of Static Load Test for Reinforced Concrete Beams.
The cylinders used in the percolation tests are composed of typical Portland cement mixed with sand, gravel, and broken stone of known composition and behavior, and of cement mixed with sand, gravel, and
broken stone collected in the neighborhood of the Reclamation projects under investigation.
It is also proposed to subject these test pieces, some made with water of known purity, and others with alkaline water, to contact with alkaline soils near the projects, and with soil of known composition near the testing laboratories at Pittsburg. As these tests progress and other lines of investigation are developed, the programme will be extended, in the hope that the inquiry may develop methods of preparing and mixing concrete and reinforced concrete which can be used in alkaline soils without danger of disintegration.
Investigations into the effect of salt water on cement mortars and concretes, and the effect of electrolysis, are being conducted at Atlantic City, N. J., where the test pieces may be immersed in deep sea water for longer or shorter periods of time.
At the Pittsburg laboratory a great amount of investigative work is done for the purpose of determining the suitability and availability of various structural materials submitted for use by the Government. While primarily valuable only to the Government, the results of these tests are of indirect value to all who are interested in the use of similar materials. Among such investigations have been those relating to the strength, elasticity, and chemical properties of wire rope for use in the Canal Zone; investigations of the suitability and cementing value of concrete,