The Importance of Cement and Its Products in House Building 
is put in place by one of three 
methods. First, a hollow steel 
form, sixteen inches in diameter 
and of the desired length, is driven 
by a pile driver and then is filled 
with concrete, which is rammed 
in the form in layers. The steel 
form is slowly withdrawn as the 
concrete pile takes shape. In the 
second and third methods the pile 
is made wholly above ground and 
sunk either in the usual way, by 
a pile driver, or by a water jet 
through a hole left in the centre of 
the pile. In the former method 
the pile is protected by a steel cap 
while being driven, while the latter 
is applicable only in sand or very 
soft ground. The first method is 
known as the “Simplex” process 
and five thousand, sixteen-inch 
piles from thirty to forty-five feet 
long were recently placed in posi¬ 
tion in a large operation in seven¬ 
ty-six days. The difference in the 
magnitude of the foundation work 
required by the old and the new 
methods is well illustrated by the 
sketch on page 244, and in the 
instance above referred to it was shown that the time 
saved in rental fully paid for the piling foundations. 
PHOTOGRAPH OF THE BLENHEIM DURING ERECTION, SHOWING METHOD 
OF CONSTRUCTION Cement Age 
The strength of the simplex reinforced concrete 
piles is enormous. 
GENERAL VIEW OF THE HOTEL BLENHEIM, ATLANTIC CITY. Price & McLanahan, Architects Cement Age 
The largest example of reinforced concrete architecture in America. This hotel represents the latest methods of concrete construction as adapted to 
the largest operations. All of the structural parts, such as columns, roofs, floors, girders, balconies, devices, are of reinforced concrete. 
The exterior walls are of hollow tiles, plastered inside and out with cement mortar 
24I 
