(2) Sample. (a) A representative test sample of sand of about 1 pound shall be obtained by quartering or by the use of a sampler. Procedure. (b) A 12-ounce graduated glass prescription bottle shall be filled to the 42-ounce mark with the sand to be tested. (c) A 3-per cent solution of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) in water shall be added until the volume of sand and liquid after shaking gives a total volume of 7 liquid ounces. (d) The bottle shall be stoppered and shaken thoroughly and then allowed to stand for 24 hours. (e) A standard color solution shall be prepared by adding 2.5 cc. of a 2-per cent solution of tannic acid in 10-per cent alcohol to 22.5 cc. of a 3-per cent sodium hydroxide solution. This shall be placed in a 12-ounce prescription bottle, stoppered and allowed to stand for 24 hours, then 25 cc. of water added. Color Value. (f) The color of the clear liquid above the sand. shall be compared with the standard color solution prepared as in Paragraph (e) or with a glass of color similar to the standard solution. (3) Solutions darker in color than the standard color have a "color value" higher than 250 parts per million in terms of tannic acid. E. E. BUTTERFIELD: Mr. Chairman, I move you to the acceptance of the Committee Report and the advancement of the Specifications to letter ballot. A MEMBER: I second the motion. PRESIDENT DALTON: You have heard the motion; all in favor say aye; opposed, no. Motion is carried. REPORT OF CANVASSING COMMITTEE OF VOTES CAST BY LETTER BALLOT Vote on the adoption of the proposed specifications for Portland Cement Concrete Pavements as submitted to the 1925 convention: Yes. 101; noes, 1; not voting or unsigned, 2. E. R. KINSEY, The Committee on Stone Block Pavements held a meeting on the afternoon of Monday, October 26th, at which the matters presented at last year's convention in Boston were considered, together with suggestions and criticisms which have been received during the year. In regard to tests, some progress has been made. The Granite Paving Block Manufacturers Association carried out some tests at the Massachusetts Highway Laboratory using the standard test piece of granite for the toughness test, set in asphalt in a 12-inch brass ring 11⁄2 inches in height with a 1/2-inch cushion of sand. The test cylinders were broken in the Page impact machine with results from 3 to 4 times those obtained in the usual way. The idea was to deal in larger figures in order that the personal equation might be reduced to a smaller percentage. The results were given to the U. S. Bureau of Public Roads and they have checked the above results and are trying this method further, and also trying some variations of this test. It is hoped that something of value may be developed by the next convention. In the matter of the suggested change in width of block from an average of 4′′ to an average of 5′′, in order to materially reduce the price of granite pavements, the Committee voted to recommend the wider block as an alternate standard inserting under the width 31⁄2" to 4" or 41%" to 5", the other dimensions to remain the same and the engineer can then select one of these two widths in writing his specifications. Your Committee recommends that this be passed to letter ballot as an alternate standard size of granite block. Respectfully submitted, CLARENCE D. POLLOCK. THOMAS E. COLLINS, Chairman. MR. COLLINS: The Committee felt in changing this width from 3 and a half to 4 and a half in the recommendation, that we would get the same quality on the pavement and at the same time reduce the cost. The average number of blocks per square yard on the present width is 29 and on the new width would be 25, and it would naturally reduce the number of joints, and would reduce the amount of grout or plastic filler, whichever the engineer uses. I therefore move the adoption of the report and the submission to letter ballot. A MEMBER: I second it. CHAIRMAN POOLE: Is there any discussion upon the motion? You have heard the motion. All those in favor signify by saying aye; contrary minded, no. The motion is carried. REPORT OF CANVASSING COMMITTEE OF VOTES CAST BY LETTER BALLOT Vote on the amendment to the standard specifications on Granite Paving Blocks: Yes, 92; noes, 2; not voting or unsigned, 5. E. R. KINSEY, C. L. HAWKINS. Your Wood Block Committee begs leave to submit the following report: Wood block paving is not being used as much as it was a few years ago, and there are several reasons for its disuse, the principal one being its high cost as compared with other kinds of paving. This higher cost is due principally to the large increase in the cost of lumber used in its manufacture. Another reason is the changed conditions of traffic from steel tires to rubber. One of its principal recommendations was its noiselessness which, of course, is no longer an advantage since the general use of rubber-tired vehicles. Another cause is the fact that as the pavements are getting older, a great many of them being 15 to 20 years in use, the blocks are subject to the absorption of moisture and the consequent swelling and bulging. This difficulty and the applied remedies to correct it, we thought would be of much interest to the Society, so a questionnaire was prepared and sent out to 57 different cities and city officials from which we received 42 replies. Analyzing these replies, we find that 11 cities have used oil or asphalt for treating the surface of the pavement; and 21 cities have used tar and 10 cities have not used anything. The total square yards in these various cities making replies were 9,265,023 This pav ing was put in from 1900 to 1923 and most of it was laid on a sand cushion. The amount of oil or tar used for treatment varied from 1/10 of a gallon per square yard to 34 of a gallon. The cost for oil treatment was from 2 cents to 12 cents per square yard, and for tar treatment it was from 4 cents to 15 cents per square yard, the difference in cost being due principally to varying quantities of oil or tar and sand used. From the replies we find that 16 cities report the results satisfactory and 9 cities are not satisfactory. As to the value of treating creosote wood block paving, the replies vary, but many reply that it decreases buckling 50% and that it is the only remedy, while one reports that it is useless. Summarizing the information received in the replies to our questionnaire and from other information and observation, we would conclude: 1st. That creosoted wood block paving as it increases with age from the time of laying, loses the more volatile part of the oil used in treatment and leaves the pores of the wood more or less open, thereby permitting moisture to enter and cause expansion and consequent buckling. 2nd. That the material used as a joint filler also deteriorates and leaves the joints open so that moisture gets in between the blocks and in under the blocks, thereby increasing the amount of swelling, and sometimes in heavy rains the blocks are washed out. We would, therefore recommend that all creosoted wood block paving be surface treated with either asphaltic oil or tar. That this treatment be used on pavement before it becomes too open and before it commences to expand and bulge. By so doing, we think that much of the trouble with creosoted wood paving will be eliminated. Respectfully submitted, ELLIS R. DUTTON, Chairman, MR. DUTTON: I now move the adoption of the report. It is not an amendment of the specifications at all. A MEMBER: I second the motion. CHAIRMAN POOLE: It has been moved and seconded that the report be adopted; all those in favor signify by saying aye; contrary, no. The report is adopted. |