EARTHWORK SLIPS AND SUBSIDENCES UPON PUBLIC WORKS:
Their Causes, Prevention, and Reparation.
_ESPECIALLY WRITTEN TO ASSIST THOSE ENGAGED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OR
MAINTENANCE_
OF
RAILWAYS, DOCKS, CANALS, ROADS, WATERWORKS, RIVER-BANKS, RECLAMATION
EMBANKMENTS, DRAINAGE WORKS, &c.
BY
JOHN NEWMAN, _Assoc. M. Inst. C.E._
AUTHOR OF
“NOTES ON CONCRETE AND WORKS IN CONCRETE;” “IRON CYLINDER BRIDGE PIERS;”
“QUEER SCENES OF RAILWAY LIFE.”
[Illustration]
LONDON:
E. & F. N. SPON, 125, STRAND,
NEW YORK: 12, CORTLANDT STREET.
1890.
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PREFACE.
The absence of any but fragmentary information on EARTH-SLIPS AND
SUBSIDENCES UPON PUBLIC WORKS, one of the most annoying and expensive
occurrences in engineering construction, has prompted the author to
write this book as a vade-mecum for those in charge of such undertakings
as _Railways_, _Docks_, _Canals_, _Roads_, _Waterworks_, _River-banks_,
_Reclamation embankments_, _Drainage works_, &c., and also to fill,
however imperfectly, somewhat of an hiatus in engineering literature.
The theory of the lateral pressure of earthwork is not examined, as it
is well understood; the intention being to concisely describe the chief
causes of slips and subsidences in different earths and many points
requiring attention, to call to remembrance some soils especially
treacherous and unstable, and to name various preventive measures and
effectual remedies.
A reference to the table of contents and the index will demonstrate the
comprehensiveness of the subject, for it involves in the various
practical applications the science of geology, physical geography,
meteorology, the laws of pressure of earth, some chemical and botanical,
and other scientific knowledge.
It is scarcely necessary to observe that no exhaustive treatise is
herein attempted, for that would indeed be an Herculean task; but in
this volume the endeavour has been made to present reliable information,
the result of experience, research, considerable labour, and lengthened
observation.
J. N.
LONDON.
_March, 1890_.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
PAGES
INTRODUCTION—GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS—ENUMERATION OF THE PRIMARY
CAUSES OF SLIPS AND SUBSIDENCES IN CUTTINGS AND EMBANKMENTS,
AND EARTHWORKS CONSTRUCTED TO CONTAIN OR EXCLUDE WATER—SOME
DOMINANT PRINCIPLES TO BE REMEMBERED IN DETERMINING THE
LOCATION OF EARTHWORKS 1–12