Economy Dictates Reclamation Design

Reclamation design, in its evolution through service experience, coupled with analysis and tests, has always given full consideration to costs. Economy has been realized by permissible uniformity of design, especially for smaller structures, by standardized concrete forms and reinforcing, by adjustments to take advantage of available materials, by justifiable increased allowable stresses, and by adaptations to large-scale construction operations. Design, however, did not stand alone in the advance of construction economy, but was powerfully aided by better tools and machinery, and by the construction industry's remarkable progress in capacity and skill. Refinement of specifications and contract practice supplemented these developments. The combined effect is to produce lower cost reclamation works, with more service value and permanence.