Some Historical Information about Reinforced Concrete
These links to the history of reinforced concrete have enhanced my pride in practicing an old craft.
Parc Buttes des Chaumont
This viewpoint of Paris opened in 1867 and is still there today.
It is a fabricated stone and concrete "mountain" that includes grottos with waterfalls and fake stalactites.
It has pathways, handrails and footbridges of false wood made using rods of iron, mesh, and concrete.
This was built before the first patent for reinforced concrete.
They called their product "faux bois" (fake wood).
The artisans were called "rocailleurs" (Rock Makers).
This viewpoint of Paris opened in 1867 and is still there today.
It is a fabricated stone and concrete "mountain" that includes grottos with waterfalls and fake stalactites.
It has pathways, handrails and footbridges of false wood made using rods of iron, mesh, and concrete.
This was built before the first patent for reinforced concrete.
They called their product "faux bois" (fake wood).
The artisans were called "rocailleurs" (Rock Makers).
At Chateau Chazelet in 1875, Joseph Monier builds the first bridge of reinforced concrete after expanding his patents to include bridges.
Links for History of Faux Bois / Ferro Concrete / Reinforced Concrete:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Monier#Further_details_of_career_and_projects
Joseph Monier - In 1873, he expanded his earlier patents to include bridges. In 1875 he designed his first reinforced concrete bridge resembling rustic logs and timbers (faux bois) to cross a moat for an old stone chateau!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parc_des_Buttes_Chaumont
Parc Butte Chaumont - A fabricated stone mountain and lake with faux bois handrails, steps and footbridges opened to the public in 1867 in Paris, France
http://www.new-territories.com/ZOO/?page_id=431weeblylink_new_window
"Rock Makers" - Some incredible information here from distant past to the present day....includes information about the earliest known uses of faux bois concrete and the "rocailleurs" of the "Parc des Buttes Chaumont" - 1866-69
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph-Louis_Lambot
Joseph Louis Lambot made the first verifiable discoveries for what will evolve to become reinforced concrete by using common iron materials of bars and mesh.... by building a concrete rowboat in 1848!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/François_Coignet
François Cognet - In 1853 he constructed a house for himself... the first building to use iron to reinforce concrete.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_L._Ransome
Ernest Ransome - By twisting square iron bars, he revolutionized reinforcement of concrete by using bars with deformation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvord_Lake_Bridge
Alvord Lake Bridge - This bridge (and pedestrian underpass) was built by Ernest Ransome in 1889 with reinforced concrete in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California. It survived the Earthquake of 1906 and is still there today.
The "twisted" rebar used at the Huntington was invented and patented in 1884 by Ernest L. Ransome in San Francisco, CA.
He discovered that by twisting square iron bars, it forms a "lock" with the concrete. It was was the world's first true "reinforcing bar" and it revolutionized concrete structures after his buildings survived the earthquake and fire of 1906.
This was the commonly available rebar stock from the steel mills in North America into the 1920's.
During this time there were many other shapes that could be purchased through Carnegie Steel Mills, but all of them except Ransome's were a special order as other patented reinforced concrete systems were being developed.
He discovered that by twisting square iron bars, it forms a "lock" with the concrete. It was was the world's first true "reinforcing bar" and it revolutionized concrete structures after his buildings survived the earthquake and fire of 1906.
This was the commonly available rebar stock from the steel mills in North America into the 1920's.
During this time there were many other shapes that could be purchased through Carnegie Steel Mills, but all of them except Ransome's were a special order as other patented reinforced concrete systems were being developed.
