IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF BITUMINOUS COM- POSITIONS FOR Sanitary and oTHER USEFUL PURPOSES.”
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Arthur Auckland Cochrane, of the City of
Westminster, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF BITUMINOUS COM-
POSITIONS FOR Sanitary and oTHER USEFUL PURPOSES.”
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Arthur Auckland
Cochrane at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 27th February 1871.
I, ARTHUR AUCKLAND COCHRANE, of the City of Westminster, in
the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF BITUMINOUS
COMPOSITIONS FOR SANITARY AND OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
My improvements in the application of bituminous compositions for
sanitary and other useful purposes have reference to the better con-
struction of those parts of buildings, roadways, and other spaces which
are more particularly affected by damp subsoils and subsoils impregnated
with noxious matters or such parts thereof as are subject to the lodgment
of noxious matters on their surfaces from which deleterious gases are

page_text: evolved, injuriously affecting the atmosphere, and thereby rendering it
detrimental to health.
And my improvements consist in applying suitable bituminous com-
positions to dwelling houses, storehouses, stabling, sheds, slaughterhouses,
and market places for animals, and to streets and roadways generally.
In applying my said Invention to these objects I adopt such mixtures
of bitumen (natural or factitious) with other ingredients as I find most
suitable for each particular case. In cases where the exhalations arise
from the dampness or impregnation of the subsoils I apply the com-
position to the under side of the paving to prevent it from rising
therefrom, and in cases where the noxious matters are deposited on
the upper surfaces, part of such deposits being absorbed and part
volatilized, by which latter the atmosphere becomes impregnated with
aumoniacal and other noxious vapours, I apply the compositions so as
to prevent the passage of the noxious matters to the subsoil through
the materials of which such surfaces are composed. In either casc
the compositions are applied to the substances employed in the con-
struction of such works as are herein enumerated in such manner as
to obviate effectually the absorption and retention of matters inimical to
health, producing at the same time a cheap and durable means of effecting
the objects contemplated.
In some instances I apply in combination or otherwise with natural
bitumen and other ingredients gas, pitch, or factitious bitumen for
making concrete or cement for the formation of breakwaters, embank-
ments, and foreshores in blocks or otherwise, and for cementing together
the parts thereof. And I further employ a solution of bitumen (natural
or factitious) for the internal coating of lead (or its alloys) pipes and
tanks in connection with water supply, whereby the surface of the metal
is preserved from oxydation and its deleterious effects upon the water
are obviated.

page_text: •
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of February, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, in the
thirty-fourth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
5 cessors, give and grant unto me, the said Arthur Auckland Cochrane,:
Her special licenso that I, the said Arthur Auckland Cochrane, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Arthur Auckland Cochrane, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and
O at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man,
an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF BITUMINOUS COM-
POSITIONS FOR SANITARY AND OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Arthur Auckland Cochrane, my exe-
cutors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their,
or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was
to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Scal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Arthur Auckland Cochrane, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement thereof, that is to say :-
This Invention has for its object the use and application of bituminous
compositions for sanitary and other useful purposes, and is not only
adapted to the better construction of the pavement or flooring of the
basement of dwelling houses and of the pavement of stables, cattle
sheds, market places, warehouses, slaughter houses, and other buildings
in a sanitary point of view, but to the more permanent character of the
works themselves.
Amongst other also useful purposes to which I apply the bituminous
compositions are roads and other thoroughfares, marine works, such as
foreshores, sea walls, breakwaters, piers, embankments, docks, and other
like structures by which greater permanency and durability is attained.
The bituminous compositions may be classed under four heads :-
Firstly. Bituminous concrete as applicable to the substrata of paved

page_text: foreshores and of roads and paved surfaces generally, and por se, or as
a backing or filling up for foreshores, sea walls, breakwaters, and such-
like structures.
Secondly. Bituminous compositions suitable for the superstrata ór
surface paving of roads, streets, and the like.
Thirdly. Bituminous cement or asphalte for the jointing and pointing
of stones or concrete blocks or paving.
And, fourthly. Bituminous hydraulic cement which I employ for
hydraulic, marine, and other works constructed either wholly or partially
under water by applying the cement either wholly or partially to blocks
of stone or other material previously to lowering them into place or to
the beds and side of blocks previously deposited.
In manufacturing bituminous concrete as a material or substratum
for foreshores, docks, breakwaters, and the like, or for backing for sea
walls, piers, embankments, and the like structures the bitumen should
bo broken into pieces of moderate size to facilitate its melting and then
placed in a cauldron heated by fire or otherwise and the melting
promoted by the addition of a small portion of creosote oil, gas tar, or
other such substance. When rendered sufficiently fluid I mix it with
other ingredients, such as chalk, sand, shingle, or ballast (screened or
unscreened, as the case may require), in various proportions, as herein-
after stated. The chalk, sand, or other material is heated on iron plates
heated from beneath by coke or other fuel, and when the material has
been thus heated a small proportion of gas tar is stirred up with it with
a view to enable the comparatively small quantity of the melted bitumen,
gas tar, &c., to be when added readily amalgamated with the larger
quantity of the heated concrete material. It is preferred where prac-
ticable that the shingle or ballast should be broken instead of being
used in its natural state.
In applying the bituminous composition to the construction of forc-
shores, breakwaters, sea walls, piers, docks, embankments, and other
marine structures, it may be used as concrete either " 'per se" or in
blocks or otherwise, or in the case of foreshores a substratum of
bituminous concrete (such as given in Table No. 1), say at least.
six inches to say sixteen inches thick may be bedded upon the levelled
soil and a thickness of stone pitching, say about nine inches to twelve
inches in depth, such as No. 1 in Table 3. mixtures A, B, C, superposed
thereon, the stones being imbedded and the interstices filled in by hot

page_text: bituminous mortar or cement, such as given at A, B, or C; these
proportions will however vary with the locality and exposure to tho
sen.
As backing to marine structures the concrete may be made with a
minimum amount of bituminous material, &c., such as No. 2, three
mixtures D, E, F, No. 3, as No. 1 B or C, as herein-after stated, say
about 5 or 6 per cent. of the entire mass of material, the chief object
being to obtain masses of sufficient weight to resist the concussive action
of the sea with impermeability to water, mixtures suitable for this
purpose are given at No. 2, D, E, F, No. 3 as No. 1 B or C.
In cases where large and heavy masses of material are required to fill
or back up stone or concrete faced structures I employ blocks of chalk,
coarse concrete, or other materials, and encase or enclose them with a
jacket or covering of bituminous composition or concrete such as No. 4,
such as A, No. 1, of suitable thickness, say from six inches and upwards,
according to the dimensions or weight of the block, and unite them to
each other or to the blocks of the stone or concrete facing so as to
constitute a solid structure capable of resisting the concussive action of
the sea as well as the disruptive action from hydraulic pressure. In
some instances loose shingle may be so enclosed, but I prefer to grout
and set it with lime or bituminous or other cement to render the mass
more solid.
In building piers and breakwaters their hearting or central portion
may be made of ordinary concrete material enclosed between walls of
bituminous concrete forming cellular compartments in the manner
shewn in the plan annexed, Figure 4, whereby great economy and
durability and rapidity of construction will be ensured.
The bituminous concrete may be employed as a filling for any structures
of iron employed for breakwaters and other marine purposes.
Another mode in which I propose to construct foreshores or break-
waters is shewn at Figures 1 and 2, in this case only the lower portion
thereof is faced with stone backed by bituminous concrete and continued
up, say rd of the slope or face. The remaining portion of the
face to be formed of bituminous concrete, the thickness of which must
vary with the exposure of the work to the sca, but I should consider
that a backing of sixteen inches in thickness would be sufficient for the
stone faced portion, and sixteen inches thick for the contiguous third of
the concrete slope, and twelve inches thick for the upper third. The

page_text: surface of the embankment forming the top of the foreshore, sny of a
width of five yards to be formed of six inches thickness of bituminous
concrete conjoined with the top of the foreshore and sloped towards it
the better to discharge water from its surface. The back edge of such
concrete facing of the embankment should be-protected by a steeper wall
of similar material as before in No. 2 D, E, F, sunk into the soil about
eighteen inches to preclude the sea, which may run over the foreshore,
from undermining it. The stones with which the lower portion is faced
I prefer to be set and bedded in about two inches of hot bituminous
mortar, so as the better to adınit of the stones (which may be of varying
depth) being reduced to an even face. The interstices between the
stones may then be partially filled, say, to a depth of two to three inches
with hot bitumen cement and completed to the surface of the paving
with cement of a tougher quality.
The foregoing mode of construction I consider preferable to and could :
be executed at about one-half the cost of granite faced foreshores as at
present constructed in the best manner. In cases where it is found
desirable to lay down the bituminous concrete in blocks or slabs I prefer
to make the joints inclined or bevilled, as in Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, in the
Drawings, so that each block or slab may be interlocked with and be a
supported by those contiguous to it and when jointed with hot
bituminous cement will form a more continuous and combined surface
than when such joints are made at right angles to the surface. Blocks
of stone or other material employed in marine structures may be dipped
into or coated with a more fluid preparation of bitumen or hydraulic 2
cement than that previously described, as for example, No., 5 live
mixtures G, H, I, J, K, before lowering them into place, by which
means a coating will be left on the blocks sufficient to cause them to
fill up the joints and prevent the entrance of water to the joints when
the blocks are permanently set.
3
In applying the bituminous concrete, such as No. 1 A, to such
buildings as stables, cattle, and other sheds, and to open spaces, as
market places and the like the quality of the concrete may be similar
to that used for roadways or other thoroughfares, and its thickness will
in a great measure depend upon the nature of the traffic thereon, but 3
in ordinary cases a thickness of three inches to four inches with a facing
of paving stones or clinkers pointed or otherwise set in bituminous
cement, say such as No. 2 E, will form a durable surface impermeable

page_text: to noxious matters which may be deposited thereon. When clinkers are
used they may be dipped in a hot mixture of bitumen and gas tar, say
such as No. 2 F, by which closer joints are obtained.
For roadways and streets the concrete, say such as No. 1 A, should be
applied about six inches to nine inches in thickness with a superstratum,
such as herein-after described, of about three inches thick, of a quality
more capable of resisting the surface wear and tear, say such as No. 6
five mixtures L, M, N, N¹, N", or successive layers of material may be
substituted of like or varied quality, but the former arrangement is
preferred as the most desirable and easy of application. Where it is
preferred to have a stone surface superposed on a bitumen concrete
substratum it is desirable that the stones should be set on bedding of
bituminous mortar or cement, such as No. 2 D, and pointed with
bituminous cement, such as No. 2 E, so that the strength of the
substratum and superstratum may be combined.
In manufacturing the finer qualities of roadway material such as I
use for the superstrata or surface paving of roads, streets, and the like,
I prefer to employ pounded Portland or other stone, sand, and chalk
either singly or combined, and subsequently to licating them on hot
plates or otherwise with a portion of Stockholm tar or other tar possessing
similar properties to apply the bitumen in a pulverized state (without
previously heating it). The bitumen will in that state absorb quickly
sufficient heat from contact with the heated materials to cause it to
acquire the necessary adhesive and binding quality without having
brittleness induced as by the mode of treatment hitherto pursued in
preparing bitumen by boiling it separately or in combination with other
road materials, a process which usually occupies some hours instead of
a few minutes as found to be sufficient by the above mode of treatment:
The oils and pitch resulting from the distillation of coal may be used
but not with the same advantage as the Stockholm tar or its equivalents,
permits the bitumen to combine more readily with the other ingredients,
and thus assists in rendering high temperature unnecessary for amalga-
mation, at the same time imparting to the material a tougher and moro
tenacious character. A less quantity also of the vegetable tar is found
to be sufficient for the purpose, and has the advantage of not clogging
in the process of mixing. Factitious bitumen could be used and
pulverized in the same manner as natural bitumen, but the latter is
preferred.

page_text: If to correct the brittleness as induced by the great and long continued
heat necessitated by the ordinary mode of manufacture, a large amount
of solvents is employed in the process of manufacture the pavement is
liable to be much and injuriously affected by heat and heavy traffic
thereon, whereas, by the mode of treatment herein recommended a
useful and durable road material is produced.
Bituminous or oleaginous shales or sand or other stones not recog-
nized as coal, and containing oleaginous matter which is evolved by
distillation may be employed in a pulverized state as a road material
when heated in combination with ground Portland, or other stone,
sand or chalk, the bitumen being pulverized and subsequently added
thereto in the manner as before described forming a compound such
as No. 6 N, whereby it is considered that a useful road material would
be obtained.
In the manufacture of bituminous cement (such as No. 2 E) for
the jointing or pointing of stone or concrete blocks for sea walls, &c.
or paving for foreshores, roads, or other thoroughfares it is desirable that
low temperatures be used for the amalgamation of the materials, it
being of great importance in such mixtures that the- bitumen should
retain its plastic and tenacious character in order that its binding
properties may be unimpaired. The bitumen is dissolved in the cauldron
with a small quantity of creosote oil, the other ingredients being added
and well stirred together. It would much facilitate the incorporation
of the ingredients if the chalk and sand used in such mixtures be heated
previously on a hot plate before being mixed with the melted bitumen.
Where wide joints are employed a coarser and consequently cheaper
material may be used, but where close or fine joints are adopted a
better and more fluid mixture is necessary. In all cases the cement
should be applied hot. In preparing hydraulic cement (such as No. 5
G, H, I, J, K,) for marine works the bitumen should be dissolved
and mixed with the Stockholm or other similar tar at a gentle heat
just sufficient to dissolve it and to cause it to mix with the other
ingredients, the object being to apply this cement to the blocks of stone
or concrete in such a state of consistence without being dependent upon
heat to preserve its plastic state during the placing and bedding of the
blocks, thereby avoiding the sudden setting and hardening of the cement
which would be likely to prevent or otherwise interfere with the due
adjustment and setting of the blocks in place.

page_text: Where it is desired to apply the bituminous pointing to existing stone
paving of foreshores and such-like structures the old material should be
raked out of the joints, and the bituminous cement poured in as hot as
possible, so as to ensure complete adhesion to the stones. It is equally
desirable that the stones should be cleaned from slime and water and be
as dry as possible, which may be readily effected by the portable hot air
furnace or stove described in my Patent, 4th of March 1869, No. 654;
as the foreshore is subject to the influx and reflux of the tide only so
much of the work should be undertaken as can be completed in the
tidal intervals.
Bituminous cement or asphalte, such as No. 2 E, is also particularly
adapted for joining or pointing the paving of market places, cattle sheds,
slaughter houses, stables, and the like which are subject to the deposit
and absorption of noxious matters and fluids from which exhalations
arise detrimental to health. It is equally adapted to the damp subsoils
of buildings by preventing the noxious vapours from percolating
through the materials of which the paving is composed, and prejudicially
impregnating the surrounding atmosphere.
Where it is desired to protect the basement of dwelling houses, warc-
houses, and the like from damp the stones of areas and basement floors
may be coated on the under side with bituminous composition, such as
No. 7 or as No. 2 F, made sufficiently fluid to be applied with a brush
or otherwise, or the stones may be dipped into the composition. In
either case it will be desirable to heat and dry the stones to ensure
adhesion. When rendered sufficiently fluid to be used as a paint, No. 8,
I apply it to the internal surface of pipes and tanks when made of lead
or its alloys, and used in connection with water supply, by which appli.
cation the oxydation of the metal is prevented and the deleterious effects
on the water obviated.
As a useful adjunct in the manufacture or preparation of the various
compositions contemplated in this Patent I propose to heat the pans,
hot plates, or other vessels in which the bitumen or other materials are
melted or heated by means of gas or other convenient medium applied
beneath them in the manner of a Bunsen's burner, being a well-known
mode of obtaining heat which can be easily regulated. The gas in most
instances could be readily obtained from the street mains and its
employment would avoid the inconvenience attending the use of coke
or such-like fuel in public thoroughfares.

page_text: The following Table shews in detail the various bituminous composi-
tions which I find well adapted for the purposes therein stated:-
Time of RummonS COMPOSITIONS annexed to Patent No 520

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure 1 is a transverse section of a foreshore constructed on my
improved plan having the lower portion A, about one-third of the whole
slope, faced with stones set in bituminous cement and based on a sub-
stratum of bituminous concrete on which the stones may be set. The
upper portion B is of bituminous concrete without stone facing, and the
top of the embankment C is formed of similar material, being a con-
tinuation of the slope, having the edge or ridge faced with a stone kerb..
L

page_text: The foot or toe of the foreshore is protected in the usual manner by
piling, which may with advantage be strengthened by a retaining wall
of bituminous concrete.
Figure 2 is a part longitudinal section of A showing the facing based
on bituminous concrete.
Figure 3 is a transverse section of a roadway showing three methods
of construction, D, being composed of Belle Vue bituminous facing
based on bituminous concrete; E, Belle Vue bituminous facing based
on ordinary lime, or cement concrete; and F, stone pitching painted
with bituminous cement and based on bituminous concrete, exemplifying
its application to paved surfaces generally.
Figure 4, a sectional plan of part of a breakwater or pier having the
external courses G of stone or other suitable material and lined or
backed with bituminous concrete H, formed by preference into cellular
compartments and filled in with a hearting of shingle or stone chip-
pings I grouted with lime cement or bituminous cement to consolidate
the mass and prevent internal movement of the material from the con-
eussive action of the sca. Should greater strength be desired in very
exposed situations bituminous concrete of strong quality may be applied.
Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, shew slabs of bituminous concrete adapted for fore-
shores having their edges inclined or bevilled so as the better to combine
them by mutual support.
Figures 9 and 10 shew section and plan of the joints of bituminous
concrete blocks for the protection of the basement of marine works by
Alling in hot bituminous concrete and ramming it into contact with the
surfaces of such blocks while hot or by the insertion of cast key blocks
of concrete set with hydraulic cement.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
imanner the samo is to be performed, I would have it understood that I
do not confine myself to the exact proportions herein stated, as they
may require to be varied to suit the varied circumstances of the applica-
tion, nor do I claim the exclusive use of the materials or processes
employed in the various mixtures or compounds herein described or
referred to except when the same are used for the purposes of my said
Invention, which I hereby declare to be as follows :-
-
Firstly. The use and application of bituminous compositions of natural
or factitious bitumens, gas pitch or gas tar, separately or together, com-

page_text: bined with other materials and constituting a concrete for the formation
of substrata for paved, asphalted road, or other faced surfaces, as fore-
shores, docks, and roadways, &c., or as backing for breakwaters or other
marine works, as herein described.
"
Secondly. The use of such concretes "per sc in blocks or otherwise
for the formation of foreshores, sea walls, and other marine works when
treated substantially as herein described.
Thirdly. The use and application of bituminous compositions of
natural or factitious bitumens treated substantially in the manner herein
described, and combined with Stockholm tar or other tars possessing the
same properties, and other ingredients for the formation of super strata
or facings for roadways whether superposed on bituminous or other
concrete substrata or conjoined therewith, such substrata being formed
of one or more layers of materials as may be found most desirable, the
distinctive feature of this mode of constructing the surface material for
roadways being in the mode adopted for the treatment of the materials.
Fourthly. The use and application of bituminous concrete when
employed as a substratum in combination with a stone or other super-
stratum conjoined or otherwise, and where stones are used as a facing
bedding and pointing them with bituminous cement for the better for-
mation of foreshores and other marine structures, roadways, &c., such-
like structures paved or faced with stone or other material.
Fifthly. The use and application of blocks of chalk, concrete, or
other suitable materials or combination of materials herein described
encased or enclosed partially or wholly with bituminous compositions as
a facing or backing for marine or other structures.
Sixthly. The use and application of bituminous compositions sub-
stantially as hercin described of natural or factitious bitumens, gas pitch
or gas tar, separately or together, combined with other materials con-
stituting a cement for pointing the stones, forming a facing to marine
structures, as foreshores, sea walls, and similar structures, for which
the same has not been heretofore employed. Also as a
purpose
hydraulic cement as herein described for filling up the interstices and
for uniting blocks of stone or concrete used in submerged marine works
to be applied wholly or partially before lowering them into place, or for
applying such hydraulic cement wholly or partially to blocks already
deposited.

page_text: Seventhly. I claim the use and application of bituminous or oleaginous
shales or sand or other stones when treated in the manner herein described
and for the purposes herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Arthur Auckland Cochrane, have
hereunto set my hand and scal, this Twenty-fourth day of t
August, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
seventy-one.