Improvements in or connected with the Construction of Ships or Vessels and other Floating Structures of Reinforced Concrete

117,098. Fougner, N. K. May 1, 1917. Concrete vessels.-In constructing reinforcedconcrete floating craft, such as lighters, barges, ships, motor-boats, sailing-vessels, floating-docks, colliers, pontoons, landing-stages, and the like, all formwork or centering is elminated by the use of metal lath, or sheets of perforated or expanded metal or meshwork G, which is attached to both sides of the main reinforcement A, E and plastered with cement so as to produce a hollow mould or form to receive later the main mass or filling of concrete. The detail members, such as frames, beams, stanchions, and bulkheads, as well as the hull are formed in this way, and' the plastered meshwork becomes a permanent part of the structure. The meshwork provides surface reinforcement which prevents cracks. The coating for the metal meshwork consists of a rich mixture of high water-resisting quality about half an inch thick. The meshwork is laid in horizontal strips or bands G, as shown in Fig. 1, leaving open intervals through which, in succession, the concrete is poured until that part of the form below the interval is nearly filled up. These intervals are subsequently covered in, in succession, with the meshwork. Alternatively, the meshwork is left unplastered and a thick concrete filling is used, the surface plastering of the meshwork being completed after the inside concrete has hardened.