3

,
X

:

K

:3: 1?

=3

 

\
pl.-

a i.
r .u
“Had;
. ..w

.m. .

..\u

u..- .‘
.b
. .

Q .. ..

. k
.\

\

.. ll

. . H
.H.\..
> .u. t
.. .L
.f
x...‘
. . L

 

UHESOQ

.43‘ .13.?!

. 4:2.12

.. 713.} a; a

(T4,.K... l. (III! 1... (CW.

,v l4!1£..1‘1 :1
.fl. IN I: u. p . lv|

Ll.

RJLIflF MAP
OF

fiMHUflUM}RMUm&S

A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty
of

Michigan Agricultural College

by

Wendell B. Pollock and L. Leigh Smith

Candidates for the Degree
of

Bachelor of Science

June 1924

THESIS

“0).\
c k}

1023355)

PHAFACS.

This map deveIOped from the necessity of having
an exhibit more interesting to the general public during
Farmer's week or other periods of exhibition. Previously
the Civil jmgineering department has not had any models
to exhibit that would interest or attract attention from
any one but the Engineer. The object we have endeavored
to accomplish is to make a model that will show as many
engineering features as possible and appeal to the public
eye as both interesting and demonstrative of the great
things accomplished in the engineering world.

Information in this line of map making is scarce,
and it is necessary for one to use their own ingenuity to
a large extent in such a project. We wrote to the Highway
Board of Education at Washington, D. C.,about some models
they had on exhibit here, but all the information they
could inpart was that the work was done by a skilled cabinet
maker and was very expensive. We received some help from
Mr. Bacons past experience with his relief map in 1922, but
were compelled to go further into the matter as our map is
to hold water, a feature not considered in his work. Professor
C. L. Allen gave some very helpful suggestions in regard to
size and features to be included in the map. He also was
helpful in advising us as to a way to get the contours
built up. We are also indebted to Professor H. K. Vedder
for the valuable information and suggestions he rendered us

during the construction of our model.

The Authors.

REASONS FOR liAiLIllG lull).

It is the aim of each department during Farmers
week to put on an exhibit that will attract the many
visitors tlat come to Michigan Agricultural College at
that time. The exhibits that the Civil angineering
department has previously presented have been made up
mostly of instruments for surveying, current meters,
cement testing devices, etc., which would only appeal
to the Engineer. In as much as our visitors are mostly
farmers or non-technical men it seems advisable that we
have something in our exhibit which they can appreciate
more readily. This fact brought about the suggestion
that a model containing as many engineering features as
possible, and that would hare a river with water in it

and a dam to give it a more live and interesting appearance.

PRELIAINARY IHVJSTIGATION.

As the model is purely original as to contours and
arrangement of the various features, there was not much
preliminary investigation. he made a rough sketch of the
plot we wanted, to get a general idea of the way the
contours would run. We also ran tests with different mat-
erials to get a surfacing material to cover over the
built-up contours. Saw-dust and cement were tried in
various mixes, but it was found that to get a substance
that would hold together made such a rich mixture that the
weight was prohibitive. Papier masche was also eXperi-
mented with but was too difficult to mix and get ready for

use. Asbestos cement was then tried but it was found that

it did not get hard enough to give a strong surface. We
finally used a material called pulp plaster which seemed
to work very well. It set just about fast enough, and
when thoroughly set formed a hard, smooth surface, that
was strong enough and would also take paint nicely.
Having a good idea of what we wanted now and the material

to use we then proceeded to construct the model.

DSSCHIBTION OF CONSTRUCTION.

The first thing we did was to get a working map
for the contours. This was accomplished by patching up
a piece of drawing paper the full size of the model,
namely four feet by seven feet. Contours were then
drawn on the map, each contour representing two and one-
half units. Beaver board was used to build up the contours
and the map used as a pattern. We started at the bottom
and cut out the lowest contours, then using what was left
as a pattern traced it on the beaver board. The board was
then cut to size and shape on the hand saw. This process
was continued until the contours were all cut out.

The next step was to fasten the beaver board to
the base. The base was made of white pine boards 6" - l"
by 7'-O" well braced at ends and one diagonal brace. The
beaver board was glued and nailed to the base wlich made
a very strong and rigid construction. Sideboards were
then built around the model, and the plastering begun.
The plaster as previously stated was pulp plaster mixed
and ready for use with the audition of water.

The plaster was found to bond well with the board,

and also wherever we made a joint where we left off the
day before. he roughed it in first, and then made a
smooth job after the first coat had set. It was found
that the plaster cracked because of the intense dry heat
in the cement labratory which caused the plaster to dyy
out too fast. These cracks did not interfere with the
strength however, and were filled up with putty and
painted over.

The details such as bridges and the dam were made
of wood and painted to represent a concrete structure.

In the case of the dam, however, a thin coat of plaster
was placed over the wood which gave a pleasing represen-
tation of a dam. Some toy track was secured to represent
a railroad, and laid in a bed made of the plaster. This
track leads to a square Opening painted black inside to
represent a tunnel. A pipe was buried under the plaster
that opens in the center of the reservoir to admit the
water, and a basin drain fixed at the base of the river
to take away the water. The reservoir is also equipped
with a pipe to lead the water to the power house and back
to the river again.

The whole model was then painted grass green
except the river which was painted to represent a river
bed as nearly as possible. All wooden parts to represent
concrete were painted a gray. The thing as a whole
presents something new in relief map work, and should
create more interest in future exhibits at Michigan

Agricultural College.

CONCLUSION.

If anything of this nature is attempted in the
future we would recommend highly the use of pulp
plaster for a surfacing material. An attempt should be
made to dry it more slowly and perhaps even water-proof
the beaver board before applying the plaster. This
would keep the board from drawing out the water, and

aid in slowing up the set.

Dan.

Power house.

Concrete arch bridge.
Grade crossing.

Tunnel.

 

6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Railroad.

Reservoir.
Highvry.
Plate girder
Culvert.

 

bI‘ 16.238 0

 

«'11
uUa

1

girl: 3; { g

2",,» :1

iii

 

 

 

‘x‘tu‘lv’ D 1.0)-.ulvl.

 

lf',’o a

ll’lliOll. ‘

v \V‘ ltl‘xl‘fvuViil‘l!‘1dl|!1{I‘ll'4\lJlA Y

75 5097

93 03

 

"
H
l
I
u
H
H
I1
l
I
H
n
“1
fl
""3
H
u