212 On Concrete as a Building Material for 



the cost of buikling operations has been much discussed of late, 

 in consequence of the hig^h price that all kinds of building mate- 

 rials and skilled labour have recently attained. 



To some extent I believe it will have such an effect, but 

 I would not go so far as to say that concrete will prove cheaper 

 than brick or stone in all situations and under all circumstances. 

 I would rather treat concrete as an auxiliary material, to fall 

 back upon in situations where the usual building materials must 

 be brought from a distance, and where those adapted for making 

 concrete are readily obtained upon the spot. 



I would also adopt it in cases where the greatest possible 

 economy is absolutely necessary. 



The plain face of a concrete wall, it must be borne in mind, 

 would not please every eye, especially where economy is the 

 chief consideration and farm labourers are the workmen. Of 

 course, concrete-buildings can be made ornamental, but their cost 

 then would be equal to, if not greater than, that of erections of a 

 similar character in brick or stone. The adoption of concrete, 

 beyond its use as the cheapest and most reliable material for 

 foundations (as it unquestionably is), will therefore depend 

 entirely upon the taste and means of the proprietor. 



Concrete is not a new material ; but its modern use is of 

 recent date, and was first revived in this country by the late Sir 

 Robert Smirke, who used concrete extensively in the foundations 

 for most of his principal buildings ; and his example has been 

 extensively followed with signal success. 



In addition to its being used for foundations it has also been 

 used with varying success in the erection of docks, sea walls, 

 breakwaters, and similar purposes ; and also, to some extent, 

 in the erection of warehouses and domestic dwellings. 



Where care has been bestowed in the selection, preparation, 

 and method of using the materials, there is abundant proof of its 

 adaptability, great strength, and durability ; but it is in the 

 selection of the materials, and in the care bestowed on their 

 preparation and use, that the whole secret of concrete-building 

 lies. Neglect in these respects causes failure, and failure in 

 concrete means something more than failure in brick or stone 

 work. In the former case, it is more difficult to detect a defect 

 in one day's work during the progress of the works ; if not 

 remedied at once, the defect would cause partial, or even total, 

 destruction of the entire work ; hence the reason of concrete not 

 being more generally adopted for building purposes. 



However, these remarks are not intended to detract from, or 

 lessen, the value of concrete as a building material, but merely 

 to show that great care is requisite in its use, so as to secure that 

 strength for which it is so famous. 



