CEMENT AND CONCRETE BY LOUIS CARLTON SABIN, B. S., C. E. " ASSISTANT ENGINEER, ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, U. S. ARMY; MEMBER OF THE SECOND EDITION, REVISED AND Enlarged NEW YORK MCGRAW PUBLISHING COMPANY 1907 THAT the use of cement has outstripped the literature on the subject is evidenced by the number and character of the inquiries addressed to technical journals concerning it. This volume is not designed to fill the proverbial "long felt want," for until within a few years the number of engineers using cement in large quantities was quite limited. These American pioneers in cement engineering, under one of whom the author received his first practical training in this line, needed no formal introduction to the use and properties of cement; their knowledge was born and nurtured through intimate association and careful observation. To-day the young engineer frequently finds a good working knowledge of cement one of the essentials of success, and the gaining of this knowledge by experience alone is likely to be too slow and expensive, judged by twentieth century standards. In fact, the variety and extent of the uses to which cement is applied, and the knowledge concerning its properties, have of late increased so rapidly that even the older engineer, whose practice may have directed his special attention along other channels for a few years, finds it difficult to follow its progress. One who wishes only a catechetical reply to any question that may arise concerning cement and its use will be somewhat disappointed in these pages; on the other hand, he who would devote special attention to the subject must, of course, go far beyond them. The author has attempted to take a middle course, avoiding on the one hand a dogmatic statement of facts, and on the other too detailed and extended series of tests, but giving, where practicable, sufficient tests to support the statements made, and endeavoring to show the connection between theory and practice, the laboratory and the field. The original investigations forming the basis of the work were made in connection with the construction of the Poe Lock at St. Marys Falls Canal, Michigan, under the direction |