A NEW PROCESS IN PROSPECT

Waipa Post, Volume 44, Issue 3183, 28 May 1932, Page 4 (Supplement)

A NEW PROCESS IN PROSPECT

NOISELESS BUILDING. Buildings with a structure of welded steel framed up without noise, and rivetless, noiseless shipyards are dreams of the future that will come true in our own time if the claims made at a demonstration on 22nd March at Walthamstow welded steel frame building can be proved in practice on a big scale, says the London correspondent of the “ Manchester Guardian.” Steel welding is, of course largely used for tanks, and piping, and for structural work it has been done on a small scale. But so far London County Council regulations still prohibit its use in higher buildings. It is believed, however, that the London County Council advisers have been convinced, of the practicability of steel welding, and that their new regulations will sanction it to a large degree. Lloyd’s Corporation have both agreed this year to its use in ship’s structures within their regulations. Welding has been used for a number of years in the converting of ship’s coal bunkers into oil tanks, and in an experiment in the hull of a submarine. It is believed that the Admiralty intends to use it soon in cruiser construction. In America steel-welded skyscrapers have been put up in many cities, but New York and Chicago have still to be converted. It is said that by the welding process there is a saving of about 20 uer cent, in steel, and. the structure is stronger, as well as lighter. Visitors at Walthamstow were shown girders of 150 feet in length without a rivet in them, the whole being welded together in four sections. and the case for cheapness, speed and convenience of transport was put very, strongly, although it might not have convinced the riveters.