Abstract: In a method of galvanizing a portion only of a ferrous metal article, in particular for galvanizing one side only of a thin flat ferrous metal strip, the material used for forming a protective coating on the part of the article not to be galvanized is a suspension comprising a liquid suspending vehicle consisting of water and from 5 to 20% by weight, preferably from 6 to 16%, of the powdered hydrated form of magnesium silicate known as talc. The suspension preferably also includes a bonding or etching agent to increase the adherence of the coating to the article, a wetting agent to facilitate spreading of the coating, a thickener to facilitate the suspension of the powdered material and a defoamer if necessary.

Abstract: In a process for producing a chromium protective coating on a zinc/iron alloy surface the surface has applied thereto an aqueous composition including chromium, perchlorate and fluoride ions with the chromium ion being the only metal ion present before application to the surface.

Abstract: In a metal building wall construction intended especially for house basement walls, the walls consist of edge interlocked metal panels resting on the web of an upwardly-open perimeter channel that delineates the basement floor. A flange on the channel inner side sets the depth of a poured concrete floor and acts as a screed for levelling the concrete. The perimeter channel web is wider than the panels are thick and they are supported at their inner face by spaced tabs struck up out of the perimeter channel web to leave internal drain holes which permit escape of water received in the perimeter channel. Since the thin passsage between abutting edge webs unavoidably promotes capillary action whereby water can be drawn into it from the adjacent soil, the passage is provided along its length with an enlargement forming a vertical longitudinal drain passage that will trap the water moving into the passage and cause it to travel downwards to the perimeter channel and through the drain holes.

Abstract: In a metal building wall construction intended especially for house basement walls, the walls consist of edge interlocked metal panels resting on the web of an upwardly-open perimeter channel that delineates the basement floor. A flange on the channel inner side sets the depth of a poured concrete floor and acts as a screed for levelling the concrete. The perimeter channel web is wider than the panels are thick and they are supported at their inner face by spaced tabs struck up out of the perimeter channel web to leave internal drain holes which permit escape of water received in the perimeter channel. Since the thin passage between abutting edge webs unavoidably promotes capillary action whereby water can be drawn into it from the adjacent soil, the passage is provided along its length with an enlargement forming a vertical longitudinal drain passage that will trap the water moving into the passage and cause it to travel downwards to the perimeter channel and through the drain holes.

Abstract: A new building construction is intended especially but not exclusively for use in areas with "active soils", i.e., soils in which drastic dimensional changes occur with the seasons, owing principally to changes in water content. Such soils heave considerably particularly, within the confines of the building footing, causing severe cracking of any floor laid directly thereon and possibly of the floors above. In this new construction the lowermost floor structure is supported by one or more trusses, each of which is supported at its ends on the footing. The ends of the truss or trusses slide freely on the footings so as not to be affected by movement of the latter and are therefore clear of any direct earth movements.The truss or trusses support vertical loads only, while the floating floor structure is arranged to withstand the horizontal forces applied by the active soil.

Abstract: In a wall structure comprising parallel sole and head members and vertical stud members a wiring channel of C cross-section is fastened to the structure and constitutes a raceway for electrical wiring. The open face of the channel is closed by the sheet applied to the corresponding face of the wall member to permit the use of ordinary unarmored cable therein. A bridging channel is used to convey the cable between two walls abutting at right angles to prevent sharp bends in the cable.

Abstract: In a method of testing for and preventing the possibility of cracking, spalling or like defects in a rolling mill roll surface the surface is scanned to provide a representation of the hardness and/or the magnetic conductivity. The presence at a location of a rate of change of this characteristic of greater than a predetermined amount foreshadows the possibility of the occurrence of such a defect at this location. The roll is then subjected to an operation consisting of removal of the surface portion or heat treatment until the rate of change is below another predetermined amount. Preferably the method used to measure magnetic conductivity is eddy current testing. The removal operation may take place in steps until the rate of charge is below the another rate of charge.

Abstract: In a process for producing a chromium protective coating on a zinc or cadmium surface the surface has applied thereto an aqueous composition including chromium, perchlorate and fluoride ions with the chromium ion being the only metal ion present before application to the surface. The apparatus by which the composition is applied to a strip moving through an application station includes a provision for rinsing the surface if the strip is stopped for longer than a predetermined time in the station.