Sidewalk Construction

SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION It may be said that cement sidewalks are now taking the place of all other kinds of walks in all cities and towns of the country. They provide an even surface for pedestrians, are per manent, and present a pleasing appearance. The cost of the concrete sidewalk makes it competi tive with all other materials; but in construct ing such walks the maker must have an intelli gent knowledge of the process in order to assure a walk that will be satisfactory. C. W. Boynton, chief inspector of one of the principal cement manufacturing companies in the United States, in a treatise on the subject, says: "There are certain rules which should be observed in all cases, and in some cases addi tional precautions are necessary. The location of a walk is determined regardless of the natural fitness of the foundation, the soil and drainage conditions; and it is important, therefore, that these matters be carefully studied. The mate rials available should also receive careful atten tion, and should be selected with reference to quality, and not altogether with reference to cost. The weather condition at the time a walk is constructed has a marked effect upon its be havior, and must be taken into account to assure permanence.

"Poor workmanship, which includes im proper proportioning of materials, the placing of a walk on an improperly prepared founda tion, and failure to take into account weather conditions, are responsible for practically all failures that occur. Failures which can be posi

tively charged to poor materials are few, though frequently materials are used which could be improved by a more careful and intelli gent selection, without adding to the cost of the finished work. The quality of the work should always receive first consideration, and first-class materials should always be used, even though the cost is somewhat increased by the use of such materials. The principal expense in this class of construction is the labor item, and the labor will be the same whether good or poor materials are used.

"It is not uncommon to hear, as an argument to prove proper workmanship in a defective walk, that the same workmen had laid satisfac tory walks by the same methods. Granting that the same workmen may have built two walks in the same manner, does not prove that the neces sary precautions are always observed. The con ditions might vary materially; and unless all points receive due consideration, success could result in one case, while failure would follow in another. The necessary qualifications, there fore, for the construction of sound and lasting work are good materials, proper methods, and careful workmanship. Failure to provide these will often result in disappointment."