BUILDING MOVES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21708, 25 January 1934, Page 12

BUILDING MOVES

WAIKATO HOSPITAL

SHRINKAGE OF HILL SITE P 1 1 EFFECT OF STEAM HEATING r MEASURES TO MEET POSITION [FROM OUR OWN CORUKSPONDENT] HAMILTON, Wednesday Considerable concern has been felt by the Waikato Hospital "authorities owing to the weakening of the foundations of the main hospital buildings, and the

consequent movement in the alignment of the walls.

An investigation showed that the trouble was caused by tho heat emanating from the steam pipes running throughout the length of the buildings under the floor. The heat has caused an absorption of the moisture in the clay on which the foundations rest, and tho clay has been pulverised into dust. An extensive area of the hill on which the hospital is situated has shrunk in consequence of the heat from the hospital steam system. Many of the foundation pillars were found to be floating, and the floors and walls of the main part of the hospital buildings were in danger of collapsing. To counteract the effect of the shrinkage workmen have been employed for nearly a year in laying new brick and concrete foundations. The work has been done in cramped conditions in a narrow tunnel in temperatures ranging

up to 132 degrees. Twenty-minute spells were worked and 30,000 bricks and many cubic yards of concrete were laid.

The work has been done under tho supervision of the board's architect, Mr. J. H. Edgecumbe, who states that

the task has been completed as far as he can judge. Mr. Edgecumbe states that he believes the measures taken will prove satisfactory.