IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING BETON, AND IN THE METHOD OF APPLYING BETON FOR CERTAIN CONSTRUCTIVE OR STRUCTURAL PURPOSES
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Michael Henry, of 68, Fleet Street, in the City of
London, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE
OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING BETON, AND IN THE METHOD OF
APPLYING BETON FOR CERTAIN CONSTRUCTIVE OR STRUCTURAL PURPOSES "-A
communication from abroad by François Coignet, of 33, Boulevart
Saint Martin, Paris, France.
Sealed the 9th July 1867, and dated the 11th January 1867.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Michael Henry at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
11th January 1867.
I, MICHAEL HENRY, of 68, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Patent
Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MODE OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING BETON, AND IN THE METHOD
OF APPLYING BETON FOR CERTAIN CONSTRUCTIVE OR STRUCTURAL PURPOSES," com-
municated to me from abroad by François Coignet, of 33, Boulevart Saint
Martio, Paris, France, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the beton respecting which Patents were obtained
by the said François Coignet, respectively dated 26 November 1855, and
6 December 1859, and also a Patent in my name as a communication from
the said François Coignet, dated 29 April 1863.

page_text: The main principle of manufacture of this beton consists in bringing the
mixed ingredients into a pulverulent paste or pasty powder by considerably
reducing the quantity of water as compared with what is used in ordinary
mortars, betons, or concretes, so that the said improved beton may be
agglomerated into moulds by ramming.
The present improvements relate, first, to the apparatus for mixing and
triturating the materials; secondly, to an improvement in the mode of manu-
facturing the beton; and, thirdly, to various modes of applying the beton to
constructive purposes.
The improved machine is a long horizontal chamber in which are two
parallel revolving horizontal shafts geared together and carrying a number of
arms or blades, each shaped like a seginent, section, or portion of a screw, and
some of those of one shaft are alternated with and work between some of
those of the other shaft. The chamber is conical at the ends, where the blades
are shorter; at one end is a charger or feed chamber. The chambers have
removeable covers, so that they may be opened for cleansing and repair. At
one end of the chamber are conical discharge openings opened and closed by
adjustable valves on the shaft axes. An adjustable end plate may be used to
give more room to the beton. The apparatus is raised on feet, and it may
be mounted on a carriage, which may be thus contri-,
inge suans
are fastened by frame bars resting on a cranked axle by forked brackets con-
nected with the spring guides. The blade shafts rest in bearings, and are
held in place by a bolt head kept on the shaft by a cap piece having an oil
socket at back.
The improved mode of manufacture consists in producing the beton by a
direct mixture of damp sand or damp gravel with powdered lime slaked by
sprinkling, a very small quantity of water being added; the materials are
then triturated; or powdered cement may be used with damp sand or damp
gravel with very little water and without lime.
The improvements in applying the beton for constructive or structural
purposes are as follows:-In constructing siloes or repositories for grain a
surface is first levelled and a beton floor laid down; on which beton walls or
raised, forming an enclosure of hexagonal or other shape, and terminating at
top in a neck closed by a plate; a number of these chambers are built
together, wall against wail, and the whole surrounded by an outer beton wall,
the intervening space is filled with earth, clay, or other substance, and the
whole is roofed over with beton.
For arches for bridges, viaducts, aqueducts, foundations, or other construc-

page_text: tions, an arch may be constructed of a number of monolith beton voussoirs
or blocks, each as long as the breadth of the bridge and as deep as the space
between the intrados and extrados; each arch thus consisting of a small
number of large monoliths, or even of one monolith. The arches may be
made each of a single monolith block resting on the piers at the spandrel by a
stepwise arrangement, or each arch may consist of a number of agglomerated
layers of beton.
Abutments, piers, or buttresses may be made on dry hard foundations of a
single monolith block of beton, having the external form of the buttress or
pier, but made hollow, and if desired filled with clay or other material.
Trenches or channels may be formed in the ground and closely filled to the
edge with beton. When piers or buttresses are to be built upon shifting
subaqueous or submarine beds tubular piles, buttresses, piers, or supports
(herein-after called support only to avoid repetition) are formed as follows:-
A bed is raised round the place in which the support is to be driven for the
cranes, crabs, or other machinery used; a hollow or tubular structure of beton
is then formed on or in a metal ring or tube of the intended external shape of
the support, and is fixed to the surrounding piles or stilts; the tubular piece
thus formed is raised above watermark, and then immersed either at once or
gradually; on the top is a metal platform fixed by bolts which pass down
through the support and rest on the ring, a caoutchouc band making a tight
joint; an air-tight chamber is thus formed. From the platform a metal tube
descends to the supporting ring. In the chamber an elevator, noria, dredger,
or chain of buckets may be used for excavating; also if desired a shed for
workmen may be added. Air is forced into the chamber, thereby driving out
the water, and the excavation is proceeded with, the tube sinking till it comes
to a solid foundation. The pile or support may consist of several beton blocks
or pieces fitted together by dovetail or other fittings. For great depths a
diving bell or an exhausting receiver may be sent down the tubular support.
Metal rods or wires may be introduced as binding agents into the layers of
beton. Sometimes rows of such hollow piles or supports are constructed and
connected by a large monolith block of beton which descends a little way into
each tube.
For dykes, dams, sea walls, embankments, and other hydraulic works no
preliminary foundation work is required. Hollow blocks or beton tubes are
used, excavations being made within them till they sink to the solid and the
water is exhausted from within them; they may be arranged in rows and fitted
together by grooving the adjacent sides and filling the grooves with cement

page_text: or other fittings may be used. Over the whole a monolith beton platform
may be superimposed.
For structures above watermark, or on dry ground, arched or hollow blocks
of beton may be used. A "brest-summer" wall inay be raised and a ground
sill formed of blocks of beton fitted or jointed by dovetail or other fittings, so
as to form two corbels or spandrels in a piece with the piers; the hollows
may be filled with clay.
Bridges, viaducts, aqueducts, foundations, or other structures may be made
thus: A block or structure of beton is made in the form either of a pier or of
a wall having a top projecting on both sides, making it something of a T-shape;
this projecting top forms a spandrel, corbel, or half arch on either side, or two
projections, spandrels, or half arches, one on each side balancing each other.
A row of these erections may be placed together, the outer end of each pro-
jection, spandrel, or half arch being close against the end of the next, the two
fitting together by rib and groove joint, dovetail fitting, or other joint or fitting;
the whole may rest on a beton foundation and have a beton platform at top;
the arches or hollows may be filled up. Structures may be made of hollow
supports up to the solid, and blocks fitting together above water line. The
piers may have each two spandrels balancing each other, though not of the
same shape. The axes of the spandrels may be vertical, or each pier may
have a single spandrel centred as it were on a fixed point, and continued to
any desired length to form supports for roofs and other structures. At the
end of a row of arches may be blocks or piers with a single spandrel or
projection on one side of the top.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Michael Henry in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
11th July 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, 1, MICHAEL
HENRY, of 68, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Patent Agent, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eleventh day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirtieth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Michael Heury, Her special licence that I, the said Michael Henry, my

page_text: executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Michael
Henry, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and 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
MODE OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING BETON, AND IN THE METHOD OF
APPLYING BETON FOR CERTAIN CONSTRUCTIVE OR STRUCTURAL PURPOSES," commu-
nicated to me from abroad by François Coignet, of 33, Boulevart Saint
Martin, Paris, France, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said Michael Henry, 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 Michael Henry, 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 as communicated to me, reference being had to the accom.
panying Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to
say:
This Invention relates to the beton respecting which Patents were obtained
by François Coignet, respectively dated 26th November 1855, No. 2659,
and 6th December 1859, No. 2757, and also a Patent in my name as a
communication from the said François Coignet, dated 29th April 1863,
No. 1086
The main principle of manufacture of this aforesaid beton consists in
bringing the mixed ingredients into a pulverulent paste or pasty powder by
considerably reducing the quantity of water as compared with what is used in
ordinary mortars, betons, or concretes, so that the said improved beton may be
agglomerated into moulds by ramming.
The present improvements relate, first, to the apparatus for mixing and
triturating the materials; secondly, to an improvement in the mode of manu-
facturing the beton; and, thirdly, to various modes of applying the same for
constructive or structural purposes.
The improved machine is a long horizontal chamber, in which are two
parallel revolving horizontal shafts geared together, and carrying a number of

page_text: arms or blades shaped like sections or portions of a screw, and alternated so
that those of one shaft work between those of the other shaft; the chamber is
conical at the ends, at which part the blades are shorter. At one end is a
charge or feed chamber. The chambers have removeable covers, so that they
may be opened for cleansing and repairs; at one end of the chamber are
conical discharge openings, opened and closed by adjustable valves on the
shaft axes. An adjustable end plate may be used to give additional room to
the beton or material treated in the apparatus; the apparatus is raised on
feet, and may be mounted on a carriage thus contrived. The carriage shafts
are fastened by frame bars resting on a cranked axle by means of forked
brackets connected with the spring guides. The blade shafts rest in bearings,
and are held in place by a bolt head kept on the shaft by a cap piece, having
an oil socket at back.
The improved mode of manufacture of the beton consists in producing the
beton by a direct mixture of damp sand or damp gravel with powdered lime,
slacked by sprinkling, a very small quantity of water being added; the mate-
rials are then triturated or powdered. Cement may be used with damp sand
or damp gravel with very little water and without lime.
The improvements in applying the beton for constructive or structural
purposes are as follows:-In constructing siloes or repositories of grain a
Burface is first levelled, and a beton floor is laid down on which beton walls
are raised, terminating at top in a neck closed by a plate; a number of these
chambers or cells are built together wall against wall, and the whole is sur-
rounded by an outer beton wall, the intervening space is filled with earth, clay,
or other substance, and the whole is roofed over with beton.
For arches for bridges, viaducts, aqueducts, and foundations, or other
constructions, an arch is constructed of a number of monolith voussoirs or
blocks, each as long as the breadth of the bridge, and as deep as the space
between the intrados and extrados, each arch thus consisting of a small number
of large monoliths or even of one monolith; the arches may be made each of a
single monolith block, resting on the piers at the spandrel by a stepwise
arrangement, or each arch may consist of a number of agglomerated layers
of beton.
a
Abutments, piers, or buttresses may be made on dry hard foundations of
single monolith block of beton, having the external form of the abutment,
buttress, or pier, but made hollow, and if desired filled with clay or other
material; trenches or channels may be formed in the ground, and closely filled
up to the edges with betou. When abutments, piers, or buttresses are to be

page_text: built upon shifting subaqueous or submarine beds, tubular piles, abutments,
buttresses, piers, or supports are formed as follows:-A bed is raised round
the place in which the pile, abutment, pier, or support is to be built, such
bed being intended to support the cranes, crabs, or other machinery used;
a hollow or tubular column of beton is then raised upon a metal ring or tube
of the intended external shape of the abutment, pile, or support, and is fixed
to the surrounding piles or stilts; the tubular column thus formed is raised
above watermark, and then immersed either at once or gradually. On the
top is a metal platform fixed by bolts, which pass longitudinally down the
substance of the column, and rest on the ring, a caoutchouc band makes a
tight joint therewith; an air-tight chamber is thus formed. From the bed
or platform a metal tube descends to the bottom of the supporting ring. An
elevator, noria, chain of buckets, or dredger for excavating, and a shed or
passage for workmen may be added. Air is forced into the chamber, thereby
driving out the water. The excavating then goes on, and the tube sinks
until it comes to a firm foundation. The pile or column may consist of several
blocks or pieces fitted together by dovetail or other fittings. For great depths
a diving bell or exhausting receiver may be sent down the tubular support.
Metal rods, ties, or wires may be introduced as binding agents into the layers
of beton. Sometimes rows of such hollow piles are constructed and connected
by alarge monolith block of beton, which descends a little way into each tube.
For dikes, dams, embankments, and other hydraulic or submarine works
no preliminary foundations are required, hollow blocks of beton are employed,
excavations being made within them, and the block sinks gradually to the
solid, and the water is exhausted from within; the hollow blocks may be
arranged in rows, and fitted together, as, for example, by grooving the adjacent
sides and filling in the grooves with cement. Over the whole a monolith
beton platform may be superimposed.
For structures above water or on dry ground arched or hollow blocks of
beton are made thus:-A brest summer wall is raised, and a ground sill
formed of blocks of beton fitting or jointed together by dovetail or other
fittings so as to form two corbellings or spandrels in a piece with the piers;
the hollows may be filled in with clay or earth.
Bridges, viaducts, aqueducts, foundations, or other structures are made
thus A block or structure of beton is made in the form either of a pier or
of a wall, having a top projecting on both sides. making it something of a
T-shape this projecting top forms a spandrel, corbel, or half arch, one on
each side. or the top may have two projections, spandrels, or half arches, one

page_text: on each side balancing each other. A row of these erections are placed
together, the outer end of each projection, spandrel, or half arch being close
against the end of the next, the two fitting together by rib and groove joint,
or dovetail fitting, or other joint or fitting, it may rest on a beton foundation,
and have a beton platform at top, and the arches or hollows may be filled up;
thus foundations may be made of hollow blocks up to the solid, and of
blocks fitting together when above low-water line. The piers may each have
two spandrels, whereofone balances the other, though not of the same shape;
the piers may have spandrels, having their axes vertical, or each pier may
have a single spandrel, contred as it were on (or extending about) a fixed
point, and continued to any desired length to form roofs or other struc-
turės. At the end of a row of arches may be blocks or piers having a single
spandrel or projection on one side of the top.
I now proceed more particularly to describe in what manner the Invention
may be carried into effect.
When according to the methods of manufacture described under the three
previous Patents above referred to the ingredients are brought to the required
condition of pasty powder or pulverulent paste lime is employed in a firm plastic
state, there is sometimes an excess of water in it, which is counteracted as
described in the Specifications of those Patents by using puzzalanas, coal ash,
baked clay, or sand dried by natural or artificial means. But Monsieur
Coignet has discovered that the required condition of pasty powder or
pulverulent paste may be produced by effecting a direct admixture of damp
sand with powdered lime, slacked by sprinkling, and combined with a
very small quantity of water regulated according to the degree of dampness
of the saud; this mixture being hardly, so to speak, damp at all is fed into
the mixing machine, and is caused to travel along it readily during a sus-
tained triturating operation effected by pressure, it is thereby brought to the
required condition of pulverulent paste or pasty powder. Also powdered
cement may be mixed with damp sand and with very little water without using
lime, and the ingredients after being mixed and pressed as above described
produce a pasty powder capable of being rammed or agglomerated; but this
composition is less plastic than the lime betons, and therefore less capable
of being rammed or agglomerated; it is also more expensive and more slow
to set than are such betons.
The accompanying Drawings represent a machine constructed according to
this Invention.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal elevation of the machine, the fore wheel being

page_text: removed; Figure 2 is a plan, and Figure 3 a horizontal section on the
line X, X, of Figure 1; Figure 4, section of the receiver or open chamber
taken on the line Z, Z, of Figures 1 and 3; Figure 5 is a section taken on
the line Zx, Zx, of Figures 1 and 3, shewing the rollers in the covered chamber
or part in which the materials are mixed. Figure 6 is a back elevation of
the machine,
Mr. Coignet desires it to be stated that he was assisted in the Invention
of this machine by Monsieur Franchot..
The machine contains two horizontal shafts D', D³, geared together so as
to revolve in opposite directions or in the same direction and carrying spiral
blades or vanes. A, A, are two iron girders or frame bars which connect
the fore portion B of the frame with the back portion C thereof, the fore
frame B is supported on twin feet J, J; I is a foot for supporting the back
frame C. D, D, are core barrels mounted on horizontal shafts D', D², these
shafts carry vanes or blades S disposed spirally and forming sections or segments
of screws or helices. They are so placed that if the line of their spiral or
pitch were continued it would form a continuous screw thread of gradually
decreasing pitch or gradually decreasing projection at this end of the machine
which is enclosed in a casing Q' of oval or ovoidal shape. The colored lines
of this part of the Drawing explain aud illustrate the disposition of the spiral
line or path of the blades or vanes S, as also that of the blades or vaness, s,
about to be described, the line of the spiral of which latter may be described
as forming an interrupted spiral; the core barrels D also carry vanes or
blades s, 8, s, forming sections or segments of screws, these blades are bolted
by lugs thereon in slots formed in the whole length of the core barrels D;
these core barrels are enclosed in a casing Q secured to the frame bars A, A;
P is an open charge chamber into which the materials to be triturated
are fed. P1, P2, P3, are removeable covers by opening which the interior of
the machinery may be readily got at to be cleansed or repaired; 9, 2,
are discharge mouths or conical outlets whence the materials are expelled
after having been treated in the machine; these openings are opened and
closed by conical valves or plugs S2 secured by screws s² on the axes D² at
such distances and in such manner that their positions thereon may be
regulated as required, so that they open and close the mouths q, q, to the
required extent, and thus afford greater or less sectional area of outlet.
The back frame C may be moved forward or backward, to give greater
or less space for the beton when heaped up at that part. O is a driving pulley
mounted on an axis and carrying a toothed pinion n in gear with a toothed

page_text: wheel mou a shaft L which drives a wheel M by means of a toothed
pinion N; the shaft of this wheel M carries one of the core barrels D and
a toothed wheel K' geared with a toothed wheel K on the axis of the
other core barrel whereby it transmits motion thereto.
The blue lines, Figures 1 and 6, shew the arrangements for fixing the
apparatus on a carriage. R, R, are the carrying wheels of the carriage;
H, shafts fixed to the bars A which rest on the cranked axle G by their
forked ends E, E', fixed to springs. attached to the axle G. The shafts D
rest in bearings, and bolt heads I* abut against them, being kept on the
shafts by means of brass caps V. t, t, are uuts on the bolts 1* to fix the
shafts in position as required though leaving them sufficient freedom to turnin
lubricating chambers U behind the caps V.
Siloes. To carry this part of the Invention into effect the highest point
of the locality on which the silo is to be erected is first selected, and this
highest part is levelled and a floor of the beton laid thereon. On this floor
beton walls are raised forming a hexagonal, round, square, or otherwise sbuped
chamber; these walls terminate at top by an elongated neck closed by a
cast-iron cap. These hexagonal or otherwise shaped chambers or cells are
built up closely together like the cells of a bee hive; and around the whole
at a distance of about a yard and a half an enclosing wall of beton is raised
.to the level of the tops of the chambers or cells. The space between this
wall and the chambers is filled up with earth or clay, so that a reliable
equal temperature may be obtained, and then the whole is covered over
with a layer of beton to protect the chambers or cells from rain and snow,
and on this layer a roof of earth, clay, or other like material is placed.
When the siloes are dry, the corn or other grain to be stored therein
is placed in them after having first dried them by artificial means until not
more than ten per cent. moisture remains. The corn or grain may be
withdrawn from the siloes by a vertical elevator with a swing trough or by
other ordinary means.
Bridges and Viaducts and like Structures.-The homogeneous condition
hardness, impermeability, and strength of this beton render it especially
applicable for various works of engineering and constructive and architectural
arts, and especially for bridges and viaducts, for which it is better adapted
by reason of its strength than other materials or materials otherwise prepared.
These bridges or viaducts consist mainly of arches, abutments, or piers and
buttresses; each of these main portions may be constructed of agglomerated
beton.

page_text: For arches cubical blocks of betou are prepared of any size and form, for
example, arches for bridges may be made of a certain number of monolith
voussoirs of the same length as the width of the bridge or viaduct or like
structure, and of the same height as the interval between the intrados and
extrados, and the thickness is regulated according to what the engineer may
think desirable. By these meaus the arch of a bridge even of great span
may
be constructed of a small number of large monolith blocks, and thus
considerable strength is obtained which will be increased by constructing
the whole arch of a single monolith block of beton which will thus, so to
speak, act like beams and offer considerable resistance to outward thrust.
At the same time on account of the homogeneous nature of the mass, and
the resistance which it offers to disruption and crumbling the bulk may be
considerably reduced, which will render the mass very strong and prevent it
from yielding laterally. This mode of construction has moreover this
advantage that as the monolith condition of the block reduces outward thrust
the volume of the span may be reduced and considerable saving obtained, an
arch thus constructed of a single block of agglomerated beton may thus be
formed of a continuous series of thin parallel stepwise layers of beton
agglomerated and welded together by ramming, the first layer supports the
next, the second the third, and so on, abutments, piers, or buttresses have
to be constructed either on dry firm foundations or on shifting or damp
ground. In the former case the pier, buttress or abutment is made according
to this Invention of a single monolith block or column having the external
form and size of an ordinary stone pier, buttress, or abutment, but hollowed
out internally so as to reduce the weight, mass, or material by one-half or two
thirds. The block thus constructed may be strengthened by filling up the
hollowed part thereof with earth, clay, or other heavy substance. When
building on firm and dry ground trenches or channels are first dug in the ground
until a firm basis be reached and beton is rammed into them until they are
filled up to the level of the ground so that the beton pressing against their sides
will lump together with them and form a solid mass with the ground so that the
volume of the pier or abutment may be considerably reduced. If the piers or
abutments are built on shifting ground containing a considerable quantity of
water, and on beds of rivers, or the like foundations are built as follows:-
Piles Supporting. Columns or Foundations.-Improved piles or foundations
are built up to the surface or up to firm ground without requiring the use of
cofferdams, pile planks, &c. Suppose, for example, a bridge is to be built
on piles raised on the shifting bed of a river, or on a bed of sand or like material,

page_text: first a scaffold or platform is erected round the place on which the column
or foundation is to be raised, such scaffold being built on piles or struts
driven into the river bed or sand; this platform forms a support for the
cranes, crabs, and other machines used, and a fixed point for the attachment
of chains, ropes, or cords, rods,bolts.or other appliances for retaining the tubular
beton ring, whereon the pile or column is formed as herein-after described.
A beton tube is formed on a ring or annular frame made by preference of
sheet iron, and shown in Figure 7; this ring or frame is of the shape of the
intended external form of the pile; on this ring or frame which is suspended
to the crabs or cranes and fixed to the post which surrounds it a ring tube
or hollow colum of beton is built upon the river bed to a level above the
low-water mark; when this level is attained then the beton is sunk by
crabs, windlasses, or other appliances. If the river be deep, say, more than
nine or twelve feet, the beton is sunk a little portion at a time, and the beton
ring, or tube, or hollow column is raised a little at a time as fast as the sinking
takes place. When the bottom metal ring or frame rests on the river bed,
and when the thickness of the shifting soil on the firm layer of the river has
been ascertained, the hollow column of beton is raised to such a height that
the top shall reach beyond low-water mark at the termination of the
work. When the beton columnis finished, see Figure 8,a sheet-iron platform p
is secured to its surface by bolts/* which pass vertically through the substance
of the column from top to bottom thereof and rest on the bottom ring; these
bolts are tightened by nuts so as to tighten the platform, a ring of caoutchouc
being interposed to form a stanch joint with the top of the beton column,
the interior of which thus forms an air-tight closed chamber; on the bottom
of this metal platform is a metal tube which extends to the bottom of the
ring T which forms the base, and in this tube is an elevator or dredger N; a
shed for the workman is also raised on the platform p; when the platform
is fixed in place air is forced by ordinary means into the chamber formed by
the interior of the column closed by the platformp; when the water is
expelled from within the chamber by the pressure of the air the workmen
are set to work to throw up the soil or excavate in the usual manner, and the
hollow column descends gradually in the sand or bed until it reaches the firm
bottom S. By these arrangements piles or columns of medium size may be
erected on a single ring; but when larger piles or columns are to be constructed
they may be made of anumber of superimposed tubular blocks or columns, con-
nected together by joints or fittings on their sides, such as used in carpenters'
works or they may be connected by making grooves in their sides and filling the

page_text: grooves in with cement so as to hold the columns together. The mode above
described is applicable for piles at depths of about 24 feet or 30 feet, but
for greater depths in which agglomerated beton would have to undergo
considerable pressure the hollow columns are made as above described,
but instead of adding a sheet-iron platform at top to form a tight chamber,
a diving bell is used which works in the interior of the column, and
by means of which the soil and rubbish are removed. While the column
is being made and whatever the means employed iron wires or ties may
be worked up in the beton layer by layer. The same methods may be
applied for constructing piers, buttresses, or abutments on shifting subaqueous
or wet foundations. So as to give them the necessary bulk or volume they
may be formed of several piles or hollow blocks or columns constructed as
above described and placed in the ground side by side, being raised to a level
above water mark or to the level of the shifting ground. As soon as the piles
or columns are placed one on the other they are all connected together by a
monolith block of the beton, which sinks to a slight depth within the top of
each pile or hollow column and renders them strong and massive.
Dikes, Dams, Jetties, Quays, and Submarine or Hydraulic Works.-The
great difficulty in submarine construction is the building of foundations which
are frequently very expensive because cofferdams, pile planks, excavators, &c.
are used, and even these contrivances are not always successful, so that
frequently these structures are built without proper foundations, and their
security is frequently risked or impaired. Whereas by using hollow blocks or
columns of agglomerated beton all preliminary apparatusmay bedispensed with,
and the block or column may be built up on the intended spot, the excavations
made, and the block or column sinks gradually to a firm foundation. If there
is water in the ground the above described means are employed; air is forced
in so as to drive the water out, and the work finished off as usual. If a dike,
quay, dam, or other like work has to be erected on a shifting or wet foundation
a row of hollow blocks or columns are sunk side by side, and the whole row is
connected together by forming grooves in their nearest outer sides, and filling
up these grooves with cement so as to key or fix the columns or blocks
together; on the top surface of the hollow blocks or columns a monolith of
beton is laid so as to connect the whole row together.
I have already explained that the foundations of submarine works may be
readily raised up to the firm surface by using hollow blocks of agglomerated
beton, and if required by employing compressed air, but it often happens that
works of this kind may have to be made on dry firm ground and raised above

page_text: the level of the water or of the shifting surface.
In these cases all these
upper portions may be made according to the plan in which, as above explained,
hollow blocks or columns of beton are used for abutments, buttresses, and
piers, and as shewn in Figures 9 and 10.
In these Figures A is a brest summer wall; B, bed or floor formed of
blocks connected together at D by groove and feather joint; these blocks
form two corbellings whereof the axis is vertical, and they are made in a
piece with buttresses or strengthening pieces, the form of which is shown in
Figure 11; these blocks, which may be as large as desired, may be of the size
even of 300, 600, 1,500, to 3,000 cubic feet, and they may be made so as to
attain a maximum of strength against a minimum of volume by raising a
number of blocks or columns of this character on a bed of agglomerated
beton; the power is due to the monolith arrangement of the corbellings which
are balanced so as to distribute the mechanical resistance equally. It is
sufficient to fill up all the recesses or hollows with earth, clay, or other filling
material so as to give the necessary amount of specific gravity, and by these
means strong structures will be cheaply obtained. This method may be
applied on a progressive scale for the largest and smallest structures, that is to
say, to dams of 60, 90, 150, to 180 feet in height, and to dykes and quays of
less height; hence these structures may be built with foundations of hollow
beton blocks up to the firm surface for shifting ground or in submarine works,
and continued with hollow blocks jointed or fitted together at the parts of the
structure which are above water.
Arches for Bridges and Viaducts.-The mode of building corbellings, span-
drels, or springs of arches connected together and attached to a strengthening
piece or buttress may be applied in various mauners if raised on upright
columns or supports whereof the axis is horizontal. In Figure 12, Sheet 2,
A is a pier, on which is a block B, 1, ", B being the central part
having on each side parts or projections, ", of the shape of a corbelling,
spandrel, or spring of an arch. The parts, balance each other, and in
this manner a row of piers may be erected carrying monolith blockscomposed
of two corbellings, as shown in Figure 18. In this method there is no
thrust, the only power that can be exerted is the weight, so that no buttress
(contrefort) is required, and if even one arch were to fall it would not pull
down the other arches with it, nor would it destroy the whole structure. The
above method is based on the circumstance that beton made according to this
and the before-mentioned Patents resist disruption and the effects of crushing
action, and have the practical advantage of monolith formation.

page_text: According to this method bridges are constructed as shown in the Figures.
A is a buttress or pier consisting of a block having at the upper part a pro-
jecting top b, balanced by a similar projecting top 6 on the adjacent side of a
similar block D, which, however, is of different shape; B, B, are piles or
supports, and C are the springs or spandrels of the first arches of the bridge;
D, D, are corbels or balancing blocks. In this arrangement the buttresses
have no thrust to resist, which is different to what has been hitherto done.
For viaducts and aqueducts this plan is even more advantageous because
they can be of any desired length. At the end of the row of arches formed
by the junction of the adjacent spandrels is a block with a single spandrel
balanced by a mass of material of sufficient weight so that there is no thrust
even when the buttresses only serve as piles, as in Figure 4. The connection
between the spandrels may be made by forming horizontal grooves and filling
them with cement.
пр
Instead of raising blocks with spandrels connected
with the spandrels of the next block and resting on a row of piles or
abutments or piers, a general corbelling or spandrel were made on a fixed
supporting or ceutral point there would thus be constructed a large
corbelling or spandrel of from 30 to 100 feet, and even more surface, care
being taken to make the spring of the spandrel of due thickness. Several
of these blocks with continuous spandrels may be arranged in a row side
by side, and structures of any size may thus be built in beton, such as
roofs of great span resting even on slender walls and requiring no further
support.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same may be performed, I declare that I claim,-
First the manufacture of beton by using lime and cement in a state of
powder with a small quantity of water so as to obtain the required condition
of pulverulent paste or pasty powder,substantially in the manner herein-before
described.
Second, the mode of manufacturing agglomerated beton in a state of
pulverulent paste or pasty powder in which cement is employed without lime,
as described.
Third, the machine for mixing and triturating the materials for the manu-
facture of beton, in so far as regards the arrangement and combination
of parts of which the same cor.sists, as described.
Fourth, the construction of beton siloes or repositories for grain or other
matters, substantially as described.
°
Fifth, construction of beton arches for bridges, viaducts, and like

page_text: structures with monolith voussoirs, whereof the length corresponds with the
width of such bridge, viaduct, or structure, and the height corresponds with
the space between intrados and extrados and arches, as described.
Sixth, constructing beton arches for bridges, viaducts, and like structures of a
single monolith beton block resting on abutments at the spandrel or spring of
the arch by a series of stepwise layers, as described.
Seventh, the construction of hollow or tubular beton abutments or supports
on firm or dry ground, in which beton is agglomerated or rammedin trenches
or chauuels and pressed against the ground so as to form a firm massive
foundation, as described.
Eighth, the construction and employment of hollow or tubular beton blocks
or columus resting on a metal ring or annular base so that excavations and
similar works may be proceeded with on dry or comparatively dry foundations,
the block or column sinking gradually by its weight as the work proceeds, as
described.
Ninth, the construction and employment of hollow or tubular blocks or
columns of agglomerated beton to form foundations under water or on shifting
ground, compressed air being employed in the hollow of the block or column
which is closed by a metal platform so as to form a stauch chamber, as
described.
Tenth, the use of high or long hollow or tubular blocks of agglomerated
beton in which a diving bell is employed instead of compressed air, as
.described.
Eleventh, the construction and employment of foundations consisting of a
number of hollow or tubular beton blocks or columns connected by feather
and groove cement filling or other joints, as described.
Twelfth, the construction and employment for dykes, wears, tanks, and
reservoirs of beton corbellings or spandrels connected together and balanced,
and having vertical axes, as described.
Thirteenth, the construction of dykes, quays, piers, and other submarine
works in which the lower parts or foundations are built up to a firm or dry
surface, being constructed of hollow or tubular beton blocks or columns (in
which the excavating work may be carried on), and the upper part or that
above water line or on firm surface being constructed of voussoirs composed
of a series of connected balanced beton corbellings or spandrels with vertical
axes, forming with the buttresses in effect a monolith structure, as described.
Fourteenth, constructing arches of connected and balanced beton corbellings
or spandrels, of which the strength is due to the weight, as described.

page_text: Fifteenth, the construction and employment of supports in which a main
or general continuous beton corbelling or spandrel extends round or about
a fixed point, and the application of a number thereof for the construction of
roofs or other structures of large span or surface, as described.
Lastly, I generally claim all the various applications of beton for con-
structive or structural purposes herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Michael Henry, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eleventh day of July, One thousand eight hundred
and sixty-seven.
o Witness,
E. DE PASS,
68, Fleet Street,
London, E.C.
M. HENRY. (L.S.)