Above the level of permanent saturation it is quite possible to consolidate the ground, and excessive settlement of a structure whose foundations do not reach to this level is probably nothing more or less than the compressing of the ground above this level. Mr. Forestier is strongly of opinion that while the bearing pressures usually adopted in Shanghai may be satisfactory when applied below the saturation level, they are far too high when applied to the soil above this level, and that for important structures it is essential to carry the foundations below this level; also, he is of the opinion that the allowable bearing pressure of 1,700 lb. per square foot usually employed in Shanghai is too high if employed without piling. In this case, the press ure worked to was 1,200 Ib per square foot, which is the maximum pressure employed by both the Shanghai-Hangchow-Ningpo and the Shanghai-Nanking Lines, but even so no important structure is usually erected) without the foundations being liberally piled, and results have shown that this practice is sound, as_ settlements have been\small and of no account. More trouble, however, has been experienced with abutments sliding than settling, and a pair of abutments, which were a record as far as sliding was concerned, were also a record as far as settlement was concerned, in so far that after they had moved the settlement was hard-measurable.
The shoes of the bridge rest on two pedestals which form part of two main inverted cantilever ribs, 3 ft. thick. These main cantilevers are connected together and distribute the load to four cross beams, which in turn distribute the load to the main slab. The cross beams are in the form of beams supported at two points with cantilever ends, the points of support being the main cantilevers. The upper part of each main cantilever is merely a wall supporting the concrete cross beams, which carry the track on the? abutment, and which for lightness and appearance, is made in the form of two arches. The wing walls are thin reinforced curtain walls going only 1 ft. below ground level and are made monolithic with the abutment at the high end and at the low end supported by a pillar resting on the end of the rear cross beam. This design was adopted, in preference to carrying the wing walls down to the foundation slab, as it is of lighter construction, and the question of reducing dead-weight was the governing factor of the design.
Horizontal strets are provided between the cross beams supporting; the track to allow for the side bending movement which is introduced in these beams by the longitudinal force created by the sudden applica. tion of the train brakes.
AnorueR change in road nomencloture is announced in the French Concession. thoroughfare hitherto named Rue de Siemen will in future be known as Rue Porte de l'Ouest.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.