To protect the citizens

Subject: Re: To protect the citizens Thu Jan 07, 2010 2:49 pm

Today I must have hauled nearly a ton of bags of the new formula cement into my workshop. There's a bit of sand and the burlap bags filled with the new compound. Water, or more precisely, the exact amount of it, is the key to this. Too much and it will weaken the walls, too much and it will flake and fall apart. I've learned that much with my experiments. That wall that crumbled to dust, that was disheartening. It needs to be strong enough to hold tons of waste product until it breaks down but flexible enough to withstand the frost heaves of spring and winter. Perhaps I'll speak with the royal blacksmith about some flat steel stock to reinforce it. Maybe an X?

Subject: Re: To protect the citizens Wed Dec 30, 2009 9:55 pm

I spent the day recovering from the ordeal with Caillie and Aly. But to relax I started experimenting with cement formulas. I've contracted a company from the south to produce the gypsum for the cement compounds I am looking for. It takes crushed stone and sand to make up the cement but I've been working on the formula and I think I've got it. I'll know with the first shipment.

Subject: Re: To protect the citizens Mon Dec 28, 2009 10:32 pm

My research had turned up a number of methods to construct the chambers he wanted. The problem was making it cost effective to build a system in every town. Putting people to work was one thing, we had to have an aggragate that would withstand time and the constant flow of water and waste through it. There had to be drainage yet keep the waste from entering the drinking supply.

After several months of experimenting, I've hit upon the combination of materials to make this happen. The Egyptians used calcium carbonate and gypsum for a formula to make cement. I tried it and it seemed to take too long to dry. I mixed it with crushed rocks from the main quarry and some sand from the beaches.

It still wasn't what I was looking for so I tried a process the Greeks and Romans used. Calcium carbonate and limestone. This process worked much better and allowed for drainage holes yet still allowed the waste to be contained. Cement is the key to making this work but I still want heavy rocks in it to make sure it's strong enough. There had to be a reason why it's not been used since Rome collapsed.

Subject: Re: To protect the citizens Mon Dec 28, 2009 8:32 pm

((A Grand idea Sire! This would improve the general cleanliness of the streets and greatly reduce the risk of Cholera and Diarrhea among the citizens especially in the summer!))

Subject: Re: To protect the citizens Mon Dec 28, 2009 12:47 pm

((What a novel idea. ::winks:: Smile

)

Subject: To protect the citizens Mon Dec 28, 2009 12:45 am

Mel had been working on a plan that would save lives withiin the realm. Aside from the many roads, which were still being constructed, the biggest problem was the sewage system with the realm. The castle would be the first to try this new system. Flushing toilets would be utilized as had been done in Crete as far back as 1500 bc. Running water from the many rivers and streams would run through channels built into the castle to each garterobe. But until now it had run back off into the streams. This could not be tolerated any longer.

Mel had designs for chambers built into the lands outside the castle, much like a cistern, which had been also built to catch rains and overflow of the rivers. These chambers would take the waste, break it down and drain clear waters into the ground. Not perfect but still, much better than what we have had thus far.

It would be implemented as soon as the last snows left the land and frozen ground became more pliable.