EEINFOECED CONCRETE FENCING POSTS 139 



Concrete for reinforced work should be mixed rather wet, so that 

 it may flow easily round the reinforcing steel. 



As a simple example of reinforced concrete work, the process of 

 making reinforced concrete fencing posts is described. Chapters XX., 

 XXI., and XXII. deal with more advanced reinforced concrete structures. 



Reinforced Concrete Fencing Posts. — Fencing posts of reinforced 

 concrete are now largely used. They are strong and very durable. 

 They may be made 5 inches square at the bottom, tapering to 3 inches 

 square at the top, reinforced with a length of number 8 plain fencing 

 wire in each of the four corners of the post. 



Should specially strong posts be required, they might be made 5 inches 

 square at the bottom tapering to 5" by 3" at the top, with the same 

 reinforcement as that mentioned above for the lighter posts. 



These posts should be at least 7 feet long. 



The form, or mould (Fig. 118), should be strong and well cramped 

 together, so that the boards are prevented from bulging outwards when 



%" Botrs 



Wood, /^ -t^/ch: 

 Fig. 113. 



the concrete is filled into the form. The inside surfaces of the boards 

 composing the form should be planed smooth, and oiled or greased. 

 Holes, to receive the fencing wires when the fence is erected, may be 

 formed in the posts by round wooden pegs passed through holes bored 

 in the sides of the form. These pegs may be about 9 inches long, and 

 \ inch diameter at one end tapering to | inch diameter at the other 

 end. They should be oiled or greased slightly, to insure their easy with- 

 drawal from the concrete, when the latter has set sufficiently. 



Each length of reinforcing wire should be bent over at the ends to 

 an extent of about 1 inch, so as to anchor the wire in the concrete. 



In moulding the posts, make sure first of all that the mould lies 

 so that its top edges are horizontal. Next, put a layer of concrete, 

 about | inch thick, in the bottom of the mould, working it well into 

 the corners. Then lay in two reinforcing wires keeping each about 

 \ inch in from the sides of the mould. Put in the round pegs to form 



