US357A

US357A - Constbuctiost of rain-water cistern s

Info

Publication number: US357A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1837-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 1854-08-18

Description

iran err-ica.;

eno. oBLENis, or saLiNA, NEW YoRx.

' vconstemarron or RAIN-.warns cissims.

Specification of Letterslfatent Vdated August 18,

and State of New York, have invented a new and useful improvement in the construction of rainwater cisterns built of Roman or American cement intermixed with sand in such proportions as the earth where said cistern is to be built may require, and that the following is a description of the mode of constructing said cisterns as invented and constructed by me.

Excavate a circular hole a in the earth the diameter and depth required to contain the requisite quantity of water, sloping the sides one inch to the foot more or less as the earth and time of season may require. The bottom b, must be formed concave from one to three feet in depth from the chord to the center of the inverted arch, varying in proportion to the size of the cistern to give sufficient strength to resist the pressure upward on the bottom lands Where the earth becomes saturated or filled with water on the rising of streams and when said cistern is empty at such time. Where a cistern is built in dry land sufcient concavity only is necessary that the water may run to the center s0 that it may be nearly all drawn out without the settlings and thereby much easier cleaned out. The excavation being completed place a suflicient number of props or bearers within the same, with the necessary cross pieces, and covering to sustain a quantitiy of earth which is shaped convex for the centering. This convexity commences from six to twelve inches below the surface as the earth may require to sustain the top. That part of the side of said cistern which'is above the base of the convex top must be taken off to an angle of from thirty to Vforty five degrees. This being done proceed to spread the cement on the angle embedding the first layer of brick therein. Now find the center of the cistern and strike a circle the size which may be desired for the neck. Then set up a layer of brick on said line making use of cement mortar and lay the required courses of brick. Then commence on the outer circle upon the centering until the space between the two circles is 'completely filled. Then lay three or four courses cf brick in mortar around the neck to prevent the earth from falling in while plastering the same. A

granting ,isH then Vmade; of cement and sand,

and the' topV completely 'igroiited so y'that all the apertures that may be between the bricks are filled and the Vends ofthe bricks are completely covered. N ow take out through the neck the earth 0r centering on which the top has been formed, likewise the scaolding used to support the earth or centering. There should be from six to twelve inches of earthput on the top of the arch c toprevent injury while in a green state. This being done mix the cement with the sand in the proportion of oneefourth cement and three-fourths sand, then add the water and mix the same well. This proportion I have found to answer `the purpose very well, except in wet land, where a greater proportion of cement is necessary for the first coat. The cement mortar 4being thus made, the different coats (with the exception of'the last) must be put on with a float that will leave a rough surface so that the several coats will unite and form a solid body. The cement lining l should not be less than two inches in thickness for a cistern to contain l0() barrels and as the size is increased so must be the thickness of the cement wall. The required thickness being obtained with the exception of the last coat, which is to be put on with a trowel, this being done mix cement in a'pail of water until it is the thickness of whitewash then with a trowel and brush rub it down as in case of a hard n- Y ish until all the pores are filled and a smooth surface is obtained which will make it perfectly impervious towater. The sides and bottom are to be finished in the same manner. The neck e must now be raised by adding courses of brick to the desired height; then plaster inside and outside and the. outside to be floated using the brush as before described which will prevent contraction in the open air. The cistern is now complete and ready to receive water.

Among the advantages arising from my discoveries is one of introducing the Roman and American cement with success in the Southern States and on the river bottom lands where the water line cannot be used in consequence of the great length of time required for petrefaction to take place in case the Mississippi or its tributaries rise before obtains a sulicient hardness to resist the pressure Vfrom Without in a few days. Like- Wise the slope of the sides, the concave Vloottom,V the manner of constructing the top, and the application of the cement with a Wooden float, which is a preventive against scaling off are highly important improvements in the construction of rain Water cisterns for the southern country along the 10 sides of rivers.

The invention claimed lhy the subscriber and desired to he secured 'by Letters Patent consists irl- The before described method of constructing` rain Water cisterns With the bottom so 15 formed as to constitute an inverted dome for the purpose of resistingthe upward pressure of Water in Wet lands. GEORGE OBLENIS.

Witnesses:

S. MUTGHISON, HARRISON DoGAL.