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Chapter 2

Finish the Girder Armature

Bottom Angle of Girder

Cut enough one foot (30 cm) strips to span the girder. Strips overlap one foot (30 cm). Bend these pieces into "U" shape. Make the small dimension one inch (2.54 cm). Bend the pieces over a one half inch board (1.27 cm). Work the pieces until they are well shaped.

Make enough 18 inch (46 cm) strip to span the girder. Bend these pieces so that the smaller dimension is 1/2 inch back from the ends of the reinforcing bar stubs. These pieces go outside and under the "L". Cut and bend a 12 inch (30 cm) strip which fits the same way on the inside corner of the "L". Cut and set aside another 12 inch strip of welded wire which spans the girder. When all the pieces are worked into finished shapes, put the "U" shaped strip on the #4 horizontal reinforcing bar (bottom of "L").

Horizontal Reinforcing Bar (Span Direction)

Put three #4 reinforcing bars on top and two or three underneath. Wire or weld in place. Burn two or three small holes in both angle iron surfaces, between each vertical reinforcing bar. Clean off slag.

Finish Welded Wire and Metal Lath

Put the 18 inch strip on the outside corner and the 12 inch strip along the inside corner. When these layers are secured in place, Bend the last 12 inch (30 cm) strip into a "U" that fits over the other wire and steel on the short part of the "L". Make a a nicely squared "U". Place another layer of welded wire on each vertical surface of the girder. Tie the girder securely. The steel should feel tight.

Metal Lath

Start metal lath at the top of the vertical surfaces. The outside piece extends down and under the "L". This piece goes all the way around the bottom of the last "U" It ends one inch (2.54 cm) in at the top of that "U". The top inside corner and the horizontal surface do not need metal lath. The plaster will pack better without it. The inside metal lath surface extends from the top of the girder to just above the inside corner. Leave the inside corner open for good plaster packing.. Stich or hog ring the metal lath in place. The girder is ready to plaster.

Plaster

Start plaster in the center and work towards both ends. Mix and apply plaster as described in the tank section.