Transcriber’s Note:
The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.
DESIGN
OF A
STEEL RAILROAD WAREHOUSE
INTRODUCTION
In choosing a thesis subject I have endeavoredto select one that would be of practical use toone in the work that is to follow the collegetraining. I have decided to present the designof a steel railroad warehouse at New Orleansfor the Illinois Central Railroad as I am greatlyinterested in railroad work and intend to makethat my speciality and because the design ofwarehouses has so far received only littleconsideration, but chiefly because a carefulstudy of such a subject will give a knowledgeof steel structural work.
PRINCIPLES APPLICABLE IN THE DESIGN OF RAILROAD WAREHOUSES
Nearly all railroad warehouses are of wood,2but if a warehouse were to be built todayit is certain that, except for small buildingsand in localities where timber is exceptionallycheap, a wooden warehouse would not be considered.At present steel seems to be the materialwhich most nearly approaches the ideal forsuch structures. This use of steel is due to theincrease in the cost of timber and to thedecrease in the price of structural steel,which now makes it possible to build amuch stronger, a better looking, and moreeconomical structure than would have beenpossible ten years ago.
With a steel structure a settlement of acouple of inches would not in the least impairits efficiency, as the members would adjustthemselv