Concrete Roads
and Their Construction

IN THE UNITED KINGDOM—PROVINCIAL 29 The remainder of this road was laid and completed in September, 1916. The photograph, Fig. 16, shows the trial portion referred to, with concrete kerbs made on the spot. Half a mile of this Marine Drive is an excellent example of the application of reinforced concrete to engineering ends—the piling of concrete reinforced with plain bars, the slope and parapet also of concrete reinforced with expanded metal and faced with limestone, and, as stated above, the roadway of reinforced concrete. The engineer for the whole of the road construction and the half mile of reinforced concrete sea defence was Mr. Samuel Hutton, Engineer and Surveyor to the Exmouth Council. Latest Report.—Mr. Hutton, reporting on the condition of this road in November, 1920, stated that its present condition was very good, and that the cost of maintenance during the whole period since the road was laid has been less than £5, except for tar- spraying, which averages Id. per super, yard per annum. Although the question of expansion joints in concrete roads is debatable, after three and a quarter years’ experience Mr. Hutton is not prepared to advise that they should be dispensed with, since in this particular case the road, which is nearly 40 ft. wide, has a southern aspect and is exposed fully to the sun’s rays. The area so far laid is about 20,000 super, yards, and an extension of another 6,000 yards in the immediate future is in contemplation. This engineer finds that repairs can be done quite easily, and is of the opinion that concrete roads will be more economical than other types. Totnes—Paignton.—An experimental section of reinforced concrete road was laid in December, 1919, on the main road between Totnes and Paignton. I he particular stretch was chosen owing to (1) its vei’y damp nature; (2) no proper foundation; (3) narrowness; (4) The fact of there being a convenient road where traffic could be diverted, thus permitting the section to be dealt with being closed. The road has a length of 100 yds., a width of only 16 ft., with the addition of a 3 ft. wide footpath, and was excavated to a depth of from 6 in. to 2 ft. in order to bring the bed to a gradient of 1 in 42'5. Before concreting was started all drains were laid, these being placed under the footpath where possible.