A NOVEL WAY CO MAKE EMBANKMENTS.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 23, Issue 8, 30 January 1912, Page 2

A NOVEL WAY CO MAKE EMBANKMENTS.

A unique method of concrete embankment construction, in .vhi'ch the concrete blocks are .strung on wires, has been successfully used on the River Yonne, in France. The ide a was originated by an Italian engineer, The bank of 1 lie river is first smoothed to a convenient slope, then the wires are strung the/ proper distance apart, lastcned to a cable at the bottom, and to specially constructed frames at the top. Each frame, 10ft, long, and accomodating 25 wires, is in reality a bench on which the concrete !.locks arc placed and from a inch they are slipped on to the wires.

The sections of these benches are alternately painted red and. white to eliminate error in stringing the blocks, which are made in two shapes and interlock. One shape is fed on to the wires fastened to the red sections of the frame, and the other to the sections painted white. The form of the concrete blocks and the method of operation are shown in the illustrations. When the embankment is completed the frames are removed, and the wires twisted together and wound around piles which serve as anchors. The bottom is held down by its own weight. The concrete protecting curtain thus made for the slope of the River Yonne extended about five feet below the water line.