CONCRETE FOUNDATIONS 



127 



other purposes in the building itself. If an extra-high frame is 

 built, it is necessary to brace it above ground with diagonal stakes 

 to prevent bulging. 



Concrete Foundations. — For the construction of the wall itself, 

 the following materials will be necessary: cement, sharp coarse 

 sand, and some material which will serve as aggregate or filler, 

 as coarse gravel, stone, or cinders. For making the mixture, a 

 mixing board should be made, large enough to allow room for 

 shoveling the mixture over and over in two different piles (Fig. 

 82). A floor 10 x 12 feet will give ample room for the work. A 

 desirable mixture for the wall itself is what is known as 1-3-5, or 

 one part cement, three of sand, and five of the aggregate. These 

 should be measured, and should be mixed on the board in alternate 



Fig. 82. — Placing fresh concrete in completed forms for foundation wall. 



layers. A wheelbarrow of known capacity is very desirable. After 

 the ingredients are on the mixing board, the entire batch should be 

 shoveled over to insure a perfect mixing. To facilitate mixing, it 

 is desirable to have a man with a garden rake do this work during 

 the shoveling. After the mixing, all the water should be added 

 that the mixture will hold; but not enough should be put on to 

 allow any to run off; this would be a waste of cement and weaken 

 the mixture. When thoroughly mixed with water, the concrete is 

 ready to put into the trench, which may be done with a wheel- 

 barrow or shovel. While the concrete is being poured, long bolts 

 are placed about ten feet apart to later hold the sill. Thorough 

 tamping is important, and to be complete the concrete should be 



