Observations on Limes, Calcareous Cements, Mortars, Stuccos, and Concrete
And on Puzzolanas, Natural and Artificial

An 1838 work outlining the experimentally determined properties of various building materials, with a view to their practical application.

Charles William Pasley (Author)

9781108070560, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 22 May 2014

492 pages, 24 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 2.8 cm, 0.62 kg

An officer in the Royal Engineers, Sir Charles William Pasley (1780–1861) wrote on matters ranging from military sieges to architecture. In this substantial work, first published in 1838, he outlines the experimentally determined properties of various building materials, with a view to their practical application. Offering guidance on how to decide between different calcareous mortars and cements, Pasley discusses how to judge their comparative strengths. Heeding advice from the Institution of Civil Engineers, he made this work a broad overview, rather than simply focusing on his special area of interest: natural and artificial cements. His research on cements led to the large-scale manufacture of products such as Portland, patent lithic, and blue lias. Pasley discusses the research of other authors in the appendix. Also reissued in this series, in English translation, is Louis-Joseph Vicat's Practical and Scientific Treatise on Calcareous Mortars and Cements, Artificial and Natural (1837).

Preface
1. Preliminary observations
2. Of the pure lime stones and their mortars
3. Of gypsum, alabaster or plaster stone
4. Of the water limes or hydraulic limes
5. Of concrete for foundations, etc.
6. Of grouting
7. Of magnesian limestones
8. Of the water cements of England
9. Experiments on artificial water cements, on a small scale
10. Experiments on artificial cement on a greater scale
11. The subject of concrete continued
12. Experiments on artificial cement tried at Chatham, in 1836
13. Experiments on the cohesiveness of various stones
14. Rules for judging of the quality of the cement supplied by a manufacturer
15. Rules for judging of the comparative cohesive strength of different sorts of cement
16. Experiments on artificial cement continued
17. The subject of concrete resumed, experiments on its resistance, when made into small artificial stones
18. Experiments on the comparative resistance of various natural stones, bricks and chalk
19. Experiments both with natural and artificial cement
20. Examples of the application of cement
21. General observations on fire-proof constructions
22. That cement, judiciously applied, may do away the necessity of timber chain bond and wooden lintels
23. Experiments on the comparative strength of natural and artificial cements continued
24. The subject of water limes continued
25. Of puzzolana
26. Of artificial puzzolana
27. Experiments on artificial puzzolana
28. Description of the common and puzzolana mortars used in the construction of the docks of Kingston upon Hull
29. Hasty experiments tried at Chatham
30. Of the comparative accuracy of measurement and of weight
31. Four modes of measuring lime
32. Experiments continued
33. Farther experiments on the strength of cement
34. Experiments on the resistance of two brick beams
35. Final resistance of Messrs Francis's experimental brick beam
36. Downfall of Mr Brunel's semi-arches
37. Experiments on the strength of hoop iron
38. Experiments chiefly on the comparative resistance of Yorkshire stone and other building materials
39. Final remarks upon the resistance of cement joints
40. Of wharf walls with or without counterforts
41. Remarks on trass
42. Description of the methods adopted in undersetting the foundations of the new Custom-house at London
43. Precautions necessary for preventing settlements in the walls of buildings on concrete foundations
44. Further remarks on Messrs Francis's brick beam
45. One of the uses of cement not before mentioned
46. Rules for making an artificial cement
47. Of kilns for building cement
48. Rules for making an artificial cement, when only hard lime stone is to be procured
Appendix.

Subject Areas: History of science [PDX]