Prefabrication experiments - 332 - Conzelman Wall Construction

Some names are synonymous with the history of reinforced concrete. Hennebique, Monier, Lambot are three figures that stand out as the great influencers and French pioneers. All three developed processes to reinforce a cement based concrete mixture with iron or steel to harmonize compressive and tensile stresses through the hybrid monolithic material. The Italian lineage owes its development to Hennebique’s licensees throughout Italy. Attilio Muggia being the most prominent who handed the reigns to Pier Luigi Nervi with his version of ferrocement inspired by both Lambot and Monier’s tighter reinforcing meshes. Wayss and Freytag and George Wimpey marketed systems in Germany and the UK as reinforced Concrete construction became the go to material for multi-unit building recognized as durable, strong and fireproof, its most sought-after property for building densely populated buildings in industrial cities. In North America, Ernst Ransome and Julius Kahn are commonly identified with early reinforced concrete frame building. 

 

One name is often absent from historical narratives but is particularly important to the development of systemic ideals of unit or elemental construction applied to concrete edifices. John E Conzelman of St. Louis Missouri applied for multiple patents to protect his innovative approach to both reinforcing, joinery (GB191013782A), and to unitized concrete (US1045521) in his patent for wall construction.  Along with publishing his ideas for post and beam or post and slab construction, Conzelman pioneered precast systems. He proposed and illustrated a veritable concrete kit of parts for every component of the building’s structural frame and external bearing components. Elements were uniquely grooved or profiled to fit together as in a large-scale puzzle assembly. Joints were then filled with mortar and cured forming a monolithic structure.  The structural concept was composed of unit slabs that spanned over precast beams which were then supported by posts crowned by angled capitals. Concrete panels filled-in the structural skeleton and were laid in layers, joined together and to the foundation with beds of mortar as in masonry construction. Internal reinforcing steel bars were protected from the elements and concrete covering ensured adequate fire protection. The precast kit of parts was invented in 1911 foreshadowing industrialized building kits and building platforms that today are considered innovative.

Patent drawings