Washington D.C. Paper - Iron and Steel considered as Structural Materials – A Discussion, Papers and Remarks by (85659c7d-686a-419d-a7d9-5f009012a9ec)

I desire to state briefly my views respecting the great practical value of the Watertown testing-machine, and the necessity that exists, for an able permanent commission to supervise its operations, in order that the results of all tests made thereon may be properly worked out and rendered available for public use. It is doubtless known to the Institute that this machine has, for the past two years, been placed at the service of the public upon payment of a per diem charge. It was my privilege to be among the first to use the testing-machine, and the results of my first experiments were of such importance, owing to the great capacity and extreme accuracy of the machine, that it has since become my practice to have tests of all materials used in constructions that came under my charge, made at Watertown. As a conseqnence, nearly one hundred tests have been made on my account directly, and some two hundred and forty additional for work built from my designs. It may be confidently affirmed, that the factor of anxiety on all these structures is exceedingly small .m far as the quality of material is concerned, and it is undoubtedly a very great advantage for parties interested in construction to have