SEVENTY TONS

Grey River Argus, 21 March 1940, Page 12

SEVENTY TONS

Concrete Block TIPPED AT GREY BREAKWATER. Probably the heaviest unit of solid composition ever placed in the works of any New Zealand harbour was that which yesterday afternoon was tipped at the north breakwater of the port of Greymouth. It was a concrete block weighing no less than seventy tons. The purpose is to stabilise the, breakwater where, in recent months, it has been found that the action of the seas has tended to shift the smaller blocks of stone that had been there deposited. The undertaking was carried out under the direction of the Harbour Board’s Engineer, Mr J. Kennedy. The block had been formed of reinforced concrete, there being a shell of concrete and a core of quarry spalls and of inferior concrete. Maximum strength density in the block was secured by the use of the most modern method of vibration. The block, which is almost three times the weight of the largest stone hitherto deposited in the harbour works, was fabricated in proximity to the point where it was to be deposited, and yesterday at 3 p.m. with the use of a powerful lever and crane, it was launched on t* ways, and moved accurately and without mishap into position’ at the edge of the training wall. The success of the work has demonstrated the ability of the Board’s staff and equipment to handle blocks of such great size and weight. The Engineer regards the block as an experiment, the object being to stabilise the wall and it may also induce a greater scour.