IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BETON OR COMPOSITION APPLICABLE FOR PURPOSES OF COVERING, BUILDING, AND CONSTRUCTION, AND FOR VARIOUS USES, AS ARTIFICIAL STONE
Year: 1859

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Francois Coignet, of 33, Boulevard St. Martin, at
Paris, in the Empire of France, Manufacturer, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BETON OR COMPOSITION APPLICABLE
FOR PURPOSES OF COVERING, BUILDING, AND CONSTRUCTION, AND FOR VARIOUS
USES, AS ARTIFICIAL STONE."
Sealed the 22nd May 1860, and dated the 6th December 1859.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Francois Coignet at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 6th
December 1859.
I, FRANCOIS COIGNET, of 33, Boulevard St. Martin, at Paris, in the Empire
of France, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BETON OR COMPOSITION APPLICABLE TO
PURPOSES OF COVERING, BUILDING, AND CONSTRUCTION, AND FOR VARIOUS USES, AS
ARTIFICIAL STONE," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to the manufacture of beton or composition having
lime for its base, and produced according to my Invention in an agglomerated
and plastic state, with but a comparatively small quantity of lime. It may be
used as artificial stone, as material for erecting various structures, and for
numerons purposes of paving, covering, building, and constructing articles,
structures, surfaces and works; and it is especially adapted for erecting sea
walls and other sea works, and for purposes generally where resistance is
desirable to frost, damp, rough weather, wear and friction, concussion,
crushing pressure, streams, and absorption of liquids and vapours, and
chemical action of sea water, and neutral and alkaline salts. Hitherto the
large quantity of water used in slacking the lime has prevented due agglome-
ration, and if the proportion of water were to be reduced in ordinary pro-
cesses, the product would not be of sufficient strength and tenacity. Now,
[Price 8.1

page_text: according to my invention, the line is obtained in a desirable condition, and
for this purpose is taken slightly or partially slacked, and in a state of powder,
and the slacking" is completed, and the lime brought into a thick, pasty,
adhesive, and plastic condition, by crushing it with a very small quantity of
water by forcible and sustained mechanical means before adding any other
ingredient; thus the amount of water necessary for the complete slacking of
the lime is reduced, and an unctuous plastic binding paste obtained, which is
then combined with the other constituent materials. Lime may be taken
within two or three hours of slacking it. Sands, gravel, and sandy matters
before being added to the lime are dried or desiccated, and heated when
desirable, preferably by forcing through them currents of superheated air, or
of steam superheated, or otherwise, or by extracting the excess of moisture,
by combining in proportions corresponding to such excess puzzolanos, or like
substances, cinders, coal dust, pounded bricks, baked clay, or similar materials
as absorbents; from one-eighth to one-twentieth of puzzolanos suffices in
ordinary cases. For certain uses the beton may be manufactured of the lime
and desiccated sand, with or without puzzolanos, or similar absorbents, and
without adding stones, provided the agglomeration has been duly performed;
but in cases where beion is to be exposed to sea water, frosts, &c., where
rapid setting is required, or otherwise, where desirable cements may be com-
bined with the mass in a proportion of not more than ten per cent. of the
volume at most. The ingredients when united are subjected to an excessive,
forcible, and sustained combined crushing, mixing and pressing operation by
machinery instead of by hand, which is kept up until the composition is
obtained in a plastic and homogeneous condition. The crushing, the mixing,
and the pressing together of the materials are thus effected in the same
operation; and I prefer for this purpose to force the beton in a continuous
stream through an injection orifice, like potter's clay through a pug mill.
Earth may, in certain cases, be combined with the lime; double-headed nails
or other pieces or irregular fragments of iron may be introduced in the body
of the composition as additional binding agents. These betons are applicable
for constructing sea walls, embankments, and other works exposed to the
waves, tunnels, monolyth surfaces and structures, turntable, wells, and other
railway works; dykes, piers, and other waterworks; mine gallery columns,
pavings, roadways, roofings, facings for ramparts, and other fortifications
(which may be filled in with a particular clay beton); elevated structures,
lighthouses, telegraph wire protectors, tubes, tanks, steps, ornamental
mouldings, and for many other uses.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Francois Coignet in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
6th June 1860.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, FRANCOIS
COIGNET, of 33, Boulevard St. Martin, at Paris, in the Empire of France,
Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Sixth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, in the twenty-third year of Her
reign, did. for Herself. Her heirs and successors. give and grant unto me
the said Francois Coignet, Her special licence. that I, the said Francois
Coignet, my executors. administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Francois Coignet, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
"IMPROVE-
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BETON OR COMPOSITION APPLICABLE FOR PURPOSES
OF COVERING, BUILDING. AND CONSTRUCTION, AND FOR VARIOUS USES. AS ARTIFICIAL
STONE," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Francois
Coignet, my executors 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 Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the
said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Francois Coignet, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, that is to say:
My Invention relates to the manufacture of improved beton or composition
having lime for its base, which I obtain according to my Invention in an
agglomerated and plastic state with but a comparatively small quantity of
lime. It may be used as artificial stone, as a material for erecting various
structures, for numerous purposes of paving, covering, and building, and for
constructing articles, structures, surfaces, and works, and it is especially adapted
for erecting sea walls and other sea works, and for purposes generally where
resistance is desirable to frost, damp, rough weather, wear. friction, concussion,

page_text: weight or crushing pressure, currents, and absorption of liquids and vapours,
and the chemical action of sea water, and neutral and alkaline salts. Hitherto
the large quantity of water used in slacking lime employed in the manufacture
of beton has prevented due agglomeration, and yet, if the proportion of water
were to be reduced where the ordinary processes of manufacture are employed,
the product obtained would not be of sufficient strength and tenacity. Now,
according to my Invention, the lime to be used is obtained in a desirable con-
dition, and for this purpose is taken slightly or partially slacked, and in a state
of powder, and the slacking is completed and the lime brought into a thick,
pasty, adhesive, and plastic state by crushing or grinding it with a very small
quantity of water by forcible and sustained mechanical means before adding
any other ingredient; thus, the amount of water necessary for the complete
slacking of the lime is reduced, and an unctuous plastic binding paste obtained,
which is then combined with the other constituent materials for the manu-
facture of the beton. Lime may be taken within two or three hours of
slacking it. Sands, gravel, and sandy matters before being added to the lime
are dried or desiccated, and heated when desirable, preferably. by forcing
through them currents of superheated air. or of steam superheated, or other-
wise, or the excess of moisture may be extracted by combining in proportions
corresponding to such excess puzzolanos, or like substances, cinders, coal dust,
pounded bricks, baked clay, or similar materials acting as absorbents, from
one-eighth to one-twentieth of puzzolanos suffices generally. The beton may
be manufactured of the line and desiccated sand with or without puzzolanos,
or similar absorbents, and without adding stones, provided agglomeration is
duly performed. In cases where beton is to be exposed to sea water, frosts,
&c., or where rapid setting is required, or otherwise where desirable cements
may be combined with the mass in a proportion of not more than ten per cent.
of the volume at most; cement thus used acts as an absorbent. The ingredients
when united are subjected to an excessive, forcible, and sustained, combined.
crushing, mixing, and pressing operation, effected by machinery instead of by
hand, which operation is kept up until the composition is obtained in a plastic
and homogeneous condition. The crushing, mixing, and pressing together of
the materials are thus effected in the same operation; and I prefer for this
purpose to force the beton in a continuous stream through an injection orifice,
like potter's clay through a pug mill. Earth may, in certain cases, be com-
bined with the lime, double-headed nails, or other irregular fragments or
pieces of iron may be introduced in the body of the composition as additional
binding agents. My improved betons admit of agglomeration, and they are
applicable for constructing sea walls, embankments, and other works exposed

page_text: to the waves; tunnels, monolyth surfaces and structures, turntable wells, and
other railway works, dykes, piers, and other waterworks, mine gallery columns,
pavings, roadways, roofings, facings for ramparts, and other fortifications (which
may be filled in with a particular clay beton); elevated structures, lighthouses,
telegraph wire protectors, tubes, tanks. steps, ornamental mouldings, and for
many other uses.
Before proceeding to describe more particularly the mode of performing my
Invention, I may mention that an opinion has been hitherto generally ex-
pressed that the required tenacity of lime mortars and betons is induced by a
chemical action or change taking place in the mass, such as production of
silicate of lime and alumina, for facilitating which puzzolanos and other
materials tending to that end have been introduced in the manufacture of
the beton, whereas I have come to the conclusion that the strength, rapidity of
hold, setting, imperviousness and durability of beton proceeds from the crystal-
lization of the lime. a process which I propose to assist by producing the com-
position with the smallest possible quantity of water, and subjecting it to the
most considerable degree of agglomeration possible (for which the condition
into which bring it adapts it) after a preliminary intimate admixture of the
ingredients. Betons produced according to the processes at present in use are
too soft and pulpy; they contain an excess of water, which separates from the
lime, and they slip away from under the ram and resist agglomeration, the
molecules being separated crystallization is prevented and vacua left, which fill
with water, and the beton becomes porous and liable to crack, and is ineffective
to resist destruction. The chief principle of my Invention may then be
defined as consisting in the theory that the quality of lime betons depends on
the crystallization of the lime and not on chemical combinations, such crystalli-
zation being brought about by dispensing with a large proportion of the water
usually employed by sustained and forcible crushing and pressing admixture
which induces a firm plastic pasty condition, and by agglomeration.
In carrying my Invention into effect, I may observe that the proportions
and nature of the ingredients and the mode of preparing the composition may
be varied in some respects according to the quality of beton required. The
excess of moisture contained in the lime after slacking it, and which is always
in excess even when slacked with less quantity than usual can be eliminated
by either or both of the following means, viz.:-1st, by adding sand dried by
natural causes, such as sand during summer heats, or else artificially desiccated,
as by passing down through it currents of hot air or superheated steam, or by
other means; or, 2nd, by introducing in contact with the lime and other
ingredients, pounded puzzolanos, or absorbents, such as natural or artificial

page_text: puzzolanos, baked earth, tiles, or other such substances that will extract excess
of water from the lime. According to this theory, the puzzolanos become
hygrometric or absorbing agents, and should be used not in arbitrary quantities
as hitherto, but in proportions regulated according to the amount of moisture to
be extracted for rendering the beton firm and plastic, and according to the degree
of plasticity required. In hot dry seasons, and warm climates, a tolerably firm
beton may be obtained for inferior works by first slacking lime on the usual
plan (viz, throwing limestones in thin layers in an excess of water) and then
correcting the excess of moisture and softness of the product by adding sand in
a naturally or artificially dry condition and large quantities of dry puzzolanos;
(I may mention that a satisfactory product would not be obtained by reducing
the quantity of water used at first, when lime is slacked according to the
ordinary method, for the slacking would then be imperfect, and particles would
be left unslacked); dry puzzolanos are readily procurable in volcanic countries,
in places where coal is consumed, as its cinders are excellent puzzolanos, and
in the vicinity of tile and brick fields; the sand and puzzolanos thus act as
absorbents. However, the mode before described will not answer in wet
seasons, rainy districts, or places where puzzolanos are expensive, and generally
where a superior structure is desired. When, therefore, superior erections or
products are required, I propose to adopt the following mode:-The lime is
first taken in a state of fine powder, or is reduced thereto thus, viz., it is slacked
by sprinkling water upon it, and then sifted to remove incompletely slacked
particles. The slacking is completed by sprinkling the powder with a certain
quantity of water. using, however, less water than usual, whereby a hard
pulverulent block will be obtained, instead of a soft paste easily crushed. I find
the quantity of water to be employed should not exceed from 44 to 70%, pints,
at most to 2 bushels powdered lime (regulated between these limits according
to the nature of the lime) instead of from 88 to 105 pints, as usual. In this
state of damp powder (not paste) the lime will not combine with other ingre-
dients, not even with sand, though used in excess, and I therefore subject it to a
preliminary independent crushing operation, whereby the molecules of the lime
are brought together, and the mass converted from a condition of damp powder
into very firm plastic paste, so firm indeed, that it would retain its shape
when cut by a spade. This novel condition of plastic firmness differs from that
of lime not previously so crushed or taken some time after being slacked
on the old plan, as is evidenced in this respect, viz., that if lime having water
in excess were crushed, it would drop into a clear fluid paste, without consis-
tency, and its crystallization being prevented it would be unfitted for use;
whereas lime when brought into a firm and plastic paste according to my

page_text: Invention will readily combine with and agglutinate, the other ingredients, so
that the quantity of lime to be used may be very considerably reduced and the
sand and other constituents are combined in such proportions as to produce
when the whole is crushed or mixed together, a firm beton which may be
readily agglomerated, the proportion of lime which is employed on the ordinary
or known plans is th, rd, or, and the beton so produced is too soft and
slips from under the ram, whereas in my process the quantity used never
exceeds th or 7th, and is sometimes only 12th of the mass, which reduction
is not only economical, but also facilitates agglomeration, accelerates set and
tenacity of hold, and prevents contraction and cracking, which is a special
advantage for sea works; the proportion of lime should vary according to the
results required and the nature of sand employed. When the sand is of large
grain and not clayey, such as river sand, and when a rough structure is required,
a capital beton may be obtained with
and somewhat clayey, the quantity may be reduced by one part; when the sand
is very fine, such as sand of marine formation, sand of the "Landes" (in France).
Fontainbleau sand, &c., it does not readily combine with lime; and I therefore
recommend two separate crushing operations; in the first, the lime is mixed
with the puzzolana, and three paris of the sand, and a soft glutinous mixture
results, which cannot be agglomerated, the remainder of the sand is then added,
and the whole undergoes a second crushing, whereby a firm beton is obtained
fit for being agglomerated. For impervious hydraulic works, where con-
siderable resistance is required, I propose to reduce the proportion of sand by
one part, if of superior quality, and add a small proportion of cement, say,
6 to 7 parts sand,
1
1
0.25
baked earth,
lime in paste.
cement,
and then press, crush, or combine the ingredients till a very firm plastic paste
is produced of such consistency, that if a little were taken in the hand and
kneaded into a ball, it would not be easily torn asunder. This state resembles
that of potters' clay or loam, and is thus obtained, notwithstanding the minimum
of water used, it constitutes a novel condition of beton, which is an important

page_text: is used, and two separate crushings or mixings adopted in the first all the
lime puzzolana and cement are introduced with half the sand, and an interval
of half an hour is left before proceeding to the second crushing or mixing; in
which the remaining sand is added, were the beton left in a state of pasty
powder or pulverulent paste, instead of being brought into this condition,
excellent works might be constructed, but they would not be impervious. In
order to obtain beton of maximum rapidity of set, tenacity, imperviousness,
hardness, and durability, pure sands of large grain without clay should be used
with the finest lime and cements procurable, increasing the proportion of the
latter. For a very hard beton, take
7 parts sand fine quality.
1
1
0.75
puzzolanas.
lime in state of firm paste.
cement.
First take all the lime and puzzolanas with 3rds sand and 3rds cement (or ths
if more than 0'75 is used), and combine them in a first pressing or crushing.
and then leave the mass at rest for or of an hour, in order that the
puzzolanas and cement may absorb the water in excess, then add the remaining
sand and cement and proceed to the second crushing; had there been only one,
the cement would be too absorbent and yield too dry a product; the two render
the mass more homogeneous and plastic, and the interval between them
imparts additional plasticity and imperviousness and prevents the cement and
puzzolanas from continuing their absorbing action in the structure itself (which
might be injurious) plasticity, setting, tenacity, hardness, imperviousness, and
resistance are obtained, and the quantity of cement may be much increased
without adding water, thereby obtaining additional tenacity; if 150 cement
were used, puzzolanas might even be dispensed with, the cement becoming an
absorbent instead. This is a novel mode of applying cement which is usually
employed alone swamped in excess of water, so that the mass is run or cast
instead of being, agglomerated as I propose; by this double crushing also, the
proportion of lime may be reduced, all the lime and puzzolanas being taken in
the first crushing with half the sand, and the rest of the sand in the second,
after the lapse of an interval. A beton which is very inexpensive, where sand
is cheap, may be composed of
10 parts sand,
1
puzzolanas,
1
lime in paste.

page_text: without earth cements, puzzolanas, or other materials, moisture being elimi-
nated or reduced as much as possible, and the mass mixed and compressed
together, as described, and the betons when prepared as herein set forth,
agglomerated and moulded, rapidly set, and acquire a vigorous tenacity and a
hard, compact, dense, and durable character; the sand may be dried prefer-
ably by placing it in a close chamber and forcing hot-air currents down through
it. The agglomeration of my beton is performed by repeated blows or shocks
of a hard and heavy instrument or body actuated by hand, or machinery, or
suitable means, and is effective because exerted on the composition prepared
as explained.
Among the numerous uses to which my improved betons may be applied
are, 1, structures for workshops, dwellings, stables, sheds, cellars, and other
purposes; these should be built on an impervious floor of beton prepared
according to my Invention, and used in a plastic state, their side walls having
no openings, and they may be erected on marshy soils without pile work.
2, floorings and roofings, forming ceilings on their under and floors on their
upper surfaces. 3, flagging, paving, and covering surface for roads, paths,
yards, houses, stables, and other purposes. 4, flagging for railway or mono-
lithic surfaces, forming length and breadthwise permanent way on which rails
or other appliances may be fixed, wood sleepers and chairs being dispensed
with. 5, trenches, ditches, drains, conduits, &c. 6, continuous protective cover-
ings for telegraph wires. 7, foundation blocks for fixing machinery. 8, pits
for preserving grain and other matters. 9, columns or uprights for supporting
or enlarging mine galleries. 10, monolyth roofs of large pitch. 11, elevated
structures having to sustain considerable weight or downward pressure at the
base, as lighthouses, towers, chimneys, &c. 12, railway works, as tunnels,
viaducts, bridges, turntable wells, monolyth tanks, tank columns, &c. 13, arti-
ficial stone of various shapes and degrees of hardness for pavements, troughs,
sinks, foundations, balusters, door and window jambs, and cross beams, mould-
ings, and other ornamental and useful works. 14, monolyth ramparts and
fortifications, trenches, talns, &c., the filling in whereof may be of beton, having
clayey earth instead of sand for base to deaden shock of projectiles, with
facings of hard impervious beton. 15, structures faced with hard impervious
beton and filled in with beton of inferior and more yielding character, for
bridges, pillars, ramparts, dykes, retaining walls, &c. 16, monolyth hydraulic
works, for resisting rapid streams, infiltrations, weight, dust, &c., as dams.
dykes, locks, piles, abutments, arches, culverts, viaducts, waterclosets, sewers,
gasometer wells, aqueducts, tanks, and other liquid receivers, &c. 17, mono-

page_text: lyth roadways, the upper surface forming a road and the under surface an
arched ceiling for a subterraneous road, longitudinal passages being provided
in the thickness to form fluid-tight channels for gas, water, &c., instead of the
tubes now used. 18, tubes for gas, water, and the like. 19, seaworks, the
lime being brought by my process into a molecular condition resembling that
of natural hard and compact limestone; those limes which are now rejected
from marine works, and all hydraulic limes may be employed.
My agglomerated betons set so rapidly and firmly that the blocks may be
submerged eight days after completion, and the structure built directly in the
sea, first erecting on the shore a starting point or mole-head of monolyth beton,
the blocks for the works being first completed on the mole, and then propelled
into the sea as fast as constructed.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same may be performed, I declare that my Invention relates to
the manufacture of beton or composition suitable for purposes of covering
building and construction, and for various uses as artificial stone, and that
I claim as follows:-
First, the improved mode of or combination of processes for manufacturing
improved beton, substantially as herein described, wherein excess of moisture is
obviated and absorbed, and the mass brought by a combined crushing, mixing,
and pressing operation, and by agglomeration into the required condition; and
I declare that I claim this, though the precise proportions or ingredients stated
as to be introduced into the beton in combination with the lime and sand,
the precise form or details of machinery for performing the processes, and the
exact means of reducing the quantity of water or moisture may be varied,
provided the general character of the Invention, as herein set forth, be
retained.
Second, I claim the obtaining of the beton or composition in the condition
of pulverulent or plastic paste herein described, by employing means for
reducing the quantity of water (used in the manufacture or contained in the
ingredients thereof) considerably below what is usual, such as by the prelimi-
nary preparation of the lime with much less water than usual, previous
desiccation of the sands used, and the employment of natural or artificial
puzzolanas or such like moisture-extracting agents as absorbents.
Third, the subjecting of the combined ingredients to a sustained and forcible
operation or process performed by machinery instead of by hand, whereby they
are in one operation pressed, crushed, and mixed together, and the whole
brought into the necessary plastic or pasty condition, notwithstanding the

page_text: minimum of water used, and by the employment of which operation the pro-
portion of lime hitherio used in the manufacture of lime beton may be
considerably reduced.
Fourth, the employment in preparing the beton of lime brought into a state
of a very firm plastic paste by means of a preliminary grinding or crushing
operation exerted on the said lime, such lime having been previously slacked
with the least possible quantity of water, whereby the proportion of lime usually
employed in such betons may be considerably reduced.
Fifth, the drying or desiccating of sands and gravel before combining them
with the lime in the manufacture of beton, for the purpose of reducing excess
of water or moisture.
Sixth, the employment of natural or artificial puzzolanas or such like matters
(matieres pouzzolaniques) independently of their chemical qualities, but in
such proportions as may absorb the excess of moisture introduced into the
beton with the lime, sand, or other ingredients, and as may be regulated by
the quantity of moisture to be extracted, in order to obtain the beton after sub-
jecting it to the forcible mixing, crushing, and pressing operation before
referred to in the condition of consistency, in which it is fitted for being
agglomerated.
Seventh, the employment in beton, having lime for its base, and prepared
according to my Invention, of cements in proportions much less than hitherto,
and never exceeding oth part of the mass, and sometimes not over oth or 1/30th,
whereby to accelerate and increase the solidification of the beton and absorb
excess of moisture therein (acting in this respect as puzzolanas).
Eighth, the introduction into the mass of the composition, when desirable, of
double-headed nails and other irregular fragments or pieces of iron as binding
agents, that is, agents to resist disruption.
In witness whereof, I, the said Francois Coignet, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Thirty-first day of May, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty.
FRANCOIS COIGNET. (L.S.)