DECREASING VIBRATION.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 311, 24 October 1929, Page 7

DECREASING VIBRATION.

USE OF RUBBER PAVING. In automobile vehicle advertising the “ floating on air ” phrase has often been used, but with the development of a new rubber by-product for surfacing roads it seems probable that both the manufacturer’s and the operator’s dream of cosmic riding will have eventual realisation. To reduce vibration and noise a I practical application of rubber-coated paving blocks was made in England, using five different types of blocks, and all gave commendable service. These blocks were used in certain streets of London that are subjected to heavy traffic, and it was reported that there was not only a decrease of 30 per cent, in noise but that vibration was largely eliminated. The first difficulty experienced was that the rubber failed to adhere to the surface beneath and would creep, but the blocks that are now used bear | a coating of rubber up to half an inch. They have been vulcanised to steel webs embedded in concrete blocks or directly to blocks made from a mixture of rubber latex and cement. If it were possible a more ideal method would be to lay a carpet of rubber on a concrete base, provided means .could be developed for preventing the rubber from creeping and for vulcanising points or patches in places where it is necessary to make repairs or gain access to underground piping. It is hoped that further experimenting will eliminate the present deficiencies, as a perfected rubber paving block would undoubtedly be a boon to the nerves of non-riders as well as riders. . sj jtj