ure in
appearance, if not in utility. Monolithic concrete construction should
be tied together so well across the supports as to make cracking under
working loads impossible, and, when tested to destruction, failure
should occur by the gradual sagging of the member, like the sagging of
an old basket. Then, and then only, can the structure be said to be
adequately reinforced.

In his advocacy of placing steel to simulate a catenary curve, with end
anchorage, the author is more nearly correct than in other issues he
makes. Undoubtedly, an attempt should be made in every concrete
structure to approximate this alignment. In slabs it may be secured
simply by elevating the bars over the supports, when, if pliable enough,
they will assume a natural droop which is practically ideal; or, if too
stiff, they may be bent to conform approximately to this position. In
slabs, too, the reinforcement may be made practically continuous, by
using lengths covering several spans, and, where ends occur, by
generous lapping. In beams the problem is somewhat more complicated,
as it is impossible, except rarely, to bow the steel and to extend it
continuously over several supports; but all or part of the horizontal
steel can be bent up at about the quarter point, carried across the
supports into the adjacent spans, and anchored there by bending it down
at about the same angle as it is bent up on the approach, and then
hooking the ends.

[Illustration: PLATE III.--JUNCTION OF BEAM AND WALL COLUMN.
REINFORCEMENT IN PLACE IN BEAM, LINTEL, AND SLAB UP TO BEAM. NOTE END
ANCHORAGE OF BEAM BARS.]

It is seldom necessary to adopt the scheme proposed by the author,
namely, a threaded end with a bearing washer and a nut to hold the
washer in place, although it is sometimes expedient, but not absolutely
necessary, in end spans, where prolongation into an adjacent span is out
of the question. In end spans it is ordinarily sufficient to give the
bars a double reverse bend, as shown in Plate III, and possibly to clasp
hooks with the horizontal steel. If steel be placed in this manner, the
catenary curve will be practically approximated, the steel will be
fairly developed throughout its length of embedment, and the structure
will be proof against cracking. In this case, also, there is much less
dependence on the integrity of the bond; in fact, if there were no bond,
the structure would still develop most of its strength, although the
deflection under heavy