126 TOWERS AND TANKS FOR WATER-WORKS 



cost of the tower and tank with foundations was approximately 

 $7000. It replaced an old wrought-iron standpipe which gave an 

 insufficient pressure and storage. R. D. Cole Manufacturing Com- 

 pany, of Newnan, Georgia, were the builders of the new structure. 



Record of Failures. During the year 1894, Prof. W. D. 

 Pence, M. Am. Soc. C. E., published his monograph, " Stand- 

 pipe Accidents and Failures," comprising a record of such occur- 

 rences from the earliest procurable data to the time of publication, 

 and a careful investigation of the facts from every procurable 

 source, systematically classified in convenient form and con- 

 cluding with a general discussion concerning current practice 

 of design, material, and construction. These studies are of 

 great value and interest and comprise the history of 45 accidents 

 to stand-pipes, of which 23 were total wrecks, 14 were slightly 

 damaged, and 8 were partially injured. As far as determined, 

 the cause of the accident was in 22 cases due to water; in n 

 cases water and ice; n were reported as due to the wind, while 

 a number of accidents were from failure of foundation. 



Of these recorded failures, 7 were small wooden tanks, TQ 

 were of steel, and 9 of wrought iron. For a further study of 

 these failures, their underlying causes, and the lesson taught 

 by each the reader is referred to Prof. Pence's admirable work. 



Believing that it would be of general interest that this record 

 be brought up to date, the following contains such facts as the 

 author has been able to gather from many sources: 



Griswold, la., April 13, 1895. A few hours after the stand- 

 pipe filled for the first time it began to settle to the northwest 

 and cracks opened between foundation and ground on east side 

 and clay compressed on west side. On emptying as soon as 

 possible the top was found at least 13 inches out of plumb. Foun- 

 dation concrete, about 7 feet deep, not concentric with foundation 

 and manhole vault of concrete extends 6 feet beyond standpipe, 

 but is virtually part of concrete foundation. Load per square 

 foot 3,600 Ibs. The pipe was continued in use. When about 

 half full, leans 12 to 13 inches; full, 16 inches. Dimension 



