Shell Bitumen Slip Layer Compound

S
ince Shell developed their bitumen slip layer for piling, marketed under the name of
Bitumen Compound SL, large quantities have been used for piles and buried structures.

Whilst the product has been used primarily on piling where downdrag forces are likely to
develop, it has also been used on buried structures such as concrete culverts under earth
dams, where earth movement could create unacceptable stresses within them.

Despite the detailed and exhaustive tests carried out by Shell during the product development
programme, there still exist in the minds of some engineers nagging doubts as to whether
bitumen slip layers do all that is claimed for them. Bearing in mind the importance of secure
foundations, it is understandable that engineers should seek some independent reassurance on
such a fundamental matter.

Evidence of the effectiveness of this type of application is now available in Technical Note 109
issued by the Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA), a 56-page
report on the performance of the piled east bridge abutment at Newhaven, Sussex. The
programme of measurements was designed to provide a case history of the behaviour of a
typical foundation with particular reference to load distribution in the piles. It also investigates
the effects of downdrag on the piles caused by load shedding of the consolidated upper
deposits as a result of the embankment load.

Determining the effectiveness of the bitumen slip layer was not one of the primary objectives of
the project; but the results obtained from instrument readings showed that it could be expected
virtually to eliminate downdrag loadings.

When using an appropriate thickness of Bitumen Compound SL, downdrag will normally be
reduced by at least 90% so that even if negative skin friction assumes twice the proportions
anticipated, consequential loading transmitted to the pile will still remain well within the capacity
of the latter. its use, therefore, does in such circumstances constitute a valuable 'insurance
policy".

Page 1 of 12
BITUMEN COMPOUND SL
SLIP LAYER FOR BEARING PILES AND BURIED STRUCTURES
Development of Bitumen Compound SL
Bitumen Compound SL was developed in the 1960's by
Shell Research to meet the need for a dependable and
economical counter-measure against the effects of
negative skin friction on bearing piles. Increasing use of
reclaimed land and filled sites for building and
construction resulted in a much wider use of piled
foundations, but introduced a hitherto little recognised
phenomenon - negative skin friction.
Settlement of fill, or similar soil movement due to
superimposed loadings, was found to be capable of
increasing the effective loading on piles by as much as 1
00% or more of their design capacity. The Shell
approach was to design a bitumen compound which,
when applied at a suitable thickness, would shear within
itself under the slow soil movements associated with
ground settlement. In shearing, the compound must
transmit only a negligible proportion of the "downdrag" to
the pile or other supporting surface.
Although this was the primary aim, a number of other
criteria had to be met to produce a practical and
technically suitable material for general site use. These
included:
• The coating must be applicable on site with a
minimum of equipment.
• It should resist flow at ambient temperatures for long
enough to install the piling without significant sagging
of the coating.
• The coating should resist detachment when piles are
hammered.
• The coating should not shear off the pile during
driving through soil of the nature expected to cause
negative skin friction.
• It must resist possible upward flow due to horizontal
soil pressures.
• The coating must resist significant penetration of
coarse angular soil particles after driving.
• It must not reduce the effective soil support needed
to prevent buckling of a pile.
After considerable research and trials, a compound was
developed which conformed sufficiently closely to the
range of requirements to be acceptable from both the
practical and technical points of view.
Shell showed their confidence in the compound by
incorporating it in the foundations of the new Shell
Nederland Chemie Plant at Moerdijk in Holland where
some 9 000 precast concrete piles of 15 - 19m length
were coated with the compound, now known as Bitumen
Compound SL - its first large-scale use.
Since then, Bitumen Compound SL has been used
internationally for many projects - primarily as a slip layer
on piling but also for other buried structures where
loadings due to soil movement must be effectively
eliminated. A list giving brief details of many of these
projects is available on request.
How does it function ?
Bitumen Compound SL is a hot-melt bituminous
compound which does not contain solvents. It is applied
hot to pile surface and piles can be driven as soon as the
compound has cool to ambient temperature.
The material has visco-elastic properties. As a result, it
acts like a hard rubber under the short loading times of
piling hammer blows. This properly enables it to be
driven through a variety of soils without significant
damage to or stripping of, the coating so that the full
thickness remains intact throughout installation of the
pile.
Once in position and when subjected to the much slow
loadings resulting from consolidating or moving soil, the
product assumes fluid properties and shears within itself.
It is this visco shearing action which all but eliminates
load transmission through the coating, caused by relative
movement between its two surfaces.
It is pointed out, however, that use of Bitumen Compound
in no way reduces the friction occurring between soil and
pi during driving. it functions purely by shearing within
itself aft the pile has been installed.
A summary of Shell's research into this subject can be
ma available to interested parties.
Although primarily intended for precast or other driven
piling Bitumen Compound SL is equally suitable for in-situ
piling where application is feasible.
Two grades are available - Standard and Tropical - coveri
most conditions except extreme heat and extreme cold.
How effective is it?
A later section deals with calculation of loading
transmitted through a layer of Bitumen Compound SL.
As a guild, however, the reduction of downdrag load
due to negative skin friction, or other soil movement,
Page 2 of 12
when using an appropriate thickness would exceed
90%.
Downdrag loadings on uncoated surfaces due to soil
movement are difficult it not impossible to predict with
accuracy, a these can in practice considerably exceed
the anticipated value. By using Bitumen Compound SL as
a slip layer, the effect any excess loadings is largely
eliminated as the coating would transmit only a small
percentage of any extra load. In this way, its use
constitutes a valuable "Insurance policy" against t
potentially serious effects of loadings beyond the design
limit of the piling.
Practical post-installation evidence of the effectiveness
Bitumen Compound SL is contained in a report on the
instrumented performance of coated piles supporting a
road bridge abutment at Newhaven, Sussex. Details are
given in C.I.R.I.A. Technical Note No. 109, and a
summary of the relevant part is available from Shell on
request.
However, in order to avoid complicated calculations for
every individual situation, a range of constants (K), which
take into account the flow characteristics of the coating,
have been calculated. These, when incorporated into the
appropriate formula, enable a close approximation of the
downdrag, or other type of loading transmitted through a
coating of Bitumen Compound SL, to be obtained.
In devising the formula, it has been assumed that there is
100% bond between the soil and the coating, and
between the coating and the surface to which it is
applied. This is the worst situation and anything less
than 100% bond at both faces will result in a reduced
load transmission from the moving soil through the
coating to the structure.

Uses

Typical conditions where the use of Bitumen Compound

SL can prove highly effective include:

• Piling subject to negative skin friction and

superimposed soil loadings,

• Prevention of structural load transfer from piling to

adjacent sensitive underground structures (eg. rail
tunnels).

• Prevention of frictional loading on buried surfaces

e.g. basements, tunnels, old foundations and sheet
piling.

• "Clay-heave' situations in piled building foundations.

and many more where relative movement between soil

and buried surfaces can cause unacceptable additional
loading,

Load transmission through Bitumen Compound SL

Where a pile or other structure is to be coated with

Bitumen Compound SL, the frictional drag, caused by
moving soil, transmitted through the coating, is a function
of:

1. Temperature of coating (i.e. soil temperature).

2. Expected rate of settlement or movement of soil.
3. Thickness of coating.
4. Flow characteristics of the coating under load.

Items 1, 2 and 3 are generally relatively easily obtained,

or assumed. Item 4 is more complex and involves
detailed knowledge of the behaviour of the Compound
under different conditions.

Page 3 of 12
DANGER OF UPTHRUST AND DOWNDRAG ON
PILING CAUSED BY SEASONAL SHRINKING AND
SWELLING OF CLAY NEAR TREE ROOT ZONE
Formula
Stress transmitted through a coating of Bitumen
Compound SL
Anticipated rate of ground
= K x settlement or movement (mm/year) N/ml of
coating thickness (mm) surface area
To obtain the total load transmitted, the resultant figure is
been multiplied by the surface area over which the soil
movement is expected.
Please note that although the settlement (or movement)
is expressed in terms of mm/year, this may not be the
amount of settlement occurring over 12 months. If for
example most of the settlement were expected in the first
6 months, amounting to say 10Omm, this would be
entered in the formula as 20Omm/ year i.e. the rate of
settlement, expressed in terms of mm/year.
VALUES FOR CONSTANT K
These are related to the temperature of the coating, i.e.
the anticipated soil temperature. Soil temperatures in the
U.K. are generally of the order of 10'C. However the
tables below provide K values for a range of soil
temperatures, applicable to the Standard and Tropical
grades of Bitumen Compound SL respectively.
6 4 0
EXAMPLE OF CALCULATION
Using the Standard grade of Bitumen Compound SL on
end-bearing piles in a region where the average soil
temperature is 10'C, and where a rate of ground
settlement of 25Omm/ year is anticipated:
• From Table A, K for 100C = 5.0
• A coating thickness of 6mm is assumed.
• The downdrag stress transmitted. Through the coating
is therefore:
5.0 x 250 = 208N/m2
6
If the surface area of the pile subject to soil movement
were say, 25m2, the total downdrag load on the coated pile
would be 25x208 = 55.2kN
It is suggested that a factor of safety of 2 is used to take
care of temperature and other variations, so in the above
example a total downdrag load of say 1OkN would
represent a safe working figure. This, in practical terms,
would be considered negligible.
The downdrag load on uncoated piles is difficult to predict
accurately, but in general the reduction in downdrag
loading by using an appropriate thickness of Bitumen
Compound SL would exceed 90%.

As far as coating thickness is concerned, for maximum

security (resistance to mechanical damage, resistance to
long-term penetration of soil particles, applicational error
etc.), 1Omm can be considered. However, according to
the degree of ground settlement, constituents of the soil,
Test-loading of coated piles
anticipated duration of settlement and other factors, this
can be reduced, but should never be less than 3mm. Where piles which have been coated with Bitumen
Generally a thickness of 6mm is regarded as a suitable Compound SL are to be test-loaded, the following points
optimum. should be borne in mind:
TABLE A - BITUMEN COMPOUND SL (STANDARD 1. This should always be done in comparison with an
GRADE) identical uncoated pile installed to the same depth
and in the same soil location as the coated one. The
Average 5 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 two piles should, however, be far enough apart for
soil there to be no loading influence between them.
temperat
ure 0C 2. The coated pile should be in the ground for a long
K value 16 13 8. 5. 3. 1. 0. 0. 0. enough time to allow the temperature of the coating
.8 .4 4 0 0 7 95 5 33 to stabilise with the ground temperature, before
loading. This is especially important where test piles
TABLE B - BITUMEN COMPOUND SL (TROPICAL are constructed in situ, the coating having been pre-
GRADE) applied to a permanent casing. Heat created by
hydration of the cement during setting can raise the
Average 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 temperature of the coating well above that of the soil.
soil If test-loading is carried out before the coating
temperat temperature has reverted to the soil temperature, the
ure oC results are likely to be of little value unless the actual
K value 43 23 14 86 56 40 25 17 10 coating temperature can be measured.

Page 4 of 12

3. The formula for calculating the anticipated rate of pile
settlement under loading should be regarded as a
guide to performance rather than an accurate
prediction. This is because:
• Of necessity loading is carried out over a relatively
short time and the relationship between load
transmitted and the time during which it is
transmitted, is not necessarily straight-line.
• Relatively small variations in coating temperature can
have a significant effect on load transmitted (see
Tables A and B). Although when performing in service
any total load variation from this cause is likely still to
be negligible, it can be wrongly interpreted when
measuring actual values recorded during short-term
loading tests. These cannot of course correspond to
the conditions to which the piling will be subjected in
service.
• It is virtually impossible to ensure a precise and
uniform coating thickness. As the load transmitted
through the coating is directly proportional to its
thickness, any variations in uniformity and/or
thickness are likely to reflect in the test results.
Other structures
Many other situations occur where relative movement
between soil and structure creates excessive loadings.
In the majority of cases, these loadings can be virtually
eliminated by the use of a slip layer of Bitumen
Compound SL. Stress transmission calculations are
made according to the formula previously indicated.
Suitable piling systems
Bitumen Compound SL can be used with most piling
systems either as they are, or with appropriate
modifications.
As a hot-melt compound which solidifies by cooling, it
has to be pre-applied before piling is installed. This can
be carried out on such piles as:
• Precast concrete (including "shell' piles)
• H section steel piles
APPLICATION GUIDE
Area to be coated
Normally, only that part of the pile upon which negative
friction is anticipated need be coated.
Those parts of a pile which rely primarily upon positive
friction for their bearing capacity should be left
untreated. A distance of about ten times the pile
diameter (or width) from the bottom should be left
untreated to avoid adverse effects on the pile bearing
capacity. This is not so important if piles are driven to set
on rock, i.e. are purely end-bearing.
• Circular steel casings
• Steel sheet piling
and is usually applied on site.
It cannot be used on continuous flight auger or similar in
situ piling unless some form of precoated liner can be
installed in the shaft prior to concreting. Such a liner
need only be substantial enough to support the coating
until concreting has been completed.
In situ vertical surfaces
Bitumen Compound SL has been successfully applied to
in situ vertical surfaces such as concrete walls and
columns and on brick walls and piers (e.g. to isolate them
from externally superimposed loadings).
A practical technique has been established for this, which
consists of "casting' panels of Bitumen Compound SL on
the kraft paper, then applying them while still warm to the
primed surfaces.
Installation through hard ground
In most cases, Bitumen Compound SL is required to be
installed through relatively soft, compressible soils, which
are the ones most likely to create negative skin friction.
In some cases however, the coated piling has to be
installed through denser layers of sand/gravel due to the
characteristics of the strata concerned.
Firmly adhered Bitumen Compound SL provides a tough
abrasion-resistant coating under hammer-blow loading
times, and when driven through sand of medium density
should suffer little damage except at the leading edges.
The denser the sand or the harder the ground, the
greater is the possibility of damage to the coating and
where doubt exists, it is safer to drive test piles and/or
consider alternative methods of installing the piles. The
latter might for example consist of preboring using a
C.F.A. rig and injecting bentonite slurry instead of grout to
maintain the bore. The coated piles are then installed
through the slurry.
Whatever the conditions, however, where coated piles
have to be driven, the most important requirement is that
the Bitumen Compound SL is firmly bonded to the pile
surface. It is always wise to test the adhesion before
driving the pile.
Condition of surface to be coated
CONCRETE
Concrete should have cured sufficiently to achieve its
required strength.. Concrete piling should also be
allowed to cure out of the moulds as long as possible
prior to coating, to permit maximum dissipation of internal
moisture. Excess moisture, if trapped, could adversely
affect adhesion of the hot-applied Compound.
Page 5 of 12
Surfaces should be clean, dry and free from laitance prior
to priming.
STEEL
Steel surfaces should be clean, dry and free from any
poorly adhered coating, loose rust or millscale.
It is important that any surface (including primed
surfaces) to which Bitumen Compound SL is applied
should be dry, as the presence of free moisture could
impair adhesion. This includes frosted surfaces
which may appear dry but become wet as the hot
Compound instantaneously melts the ice particles.
When and how to prime
Bitumen Compound SL will bond tenaciously to most
completely clean dry surfaces without a primer. in
practice, however, such a clinical condition is rarely
achieved, so concrete and steel surfaces should always
be primed first with one exception:
If steel surfaces are grit-blasted down to bare clean steel,
and all remaining dust/power removed, Bitumen
Compound SL can be applied without primer provided
this is done immediately i.e. before the cleaned surface
has started to oxidise or collect dirt.
To prime steel or concrete surfaces, apply Shell Super
Penetration Primer by brush or spray at about 0.2
litreS/M2 and allow to dry completely before over-coating.
The primer normally dries in several hours but it is
probably safer to allow it to dry overnight before applying
the Compound. A separate data sheet provides further
information on Shell Super Penetration Primer.
Application of Bitumen Compound SL
By pouring at about 1500C. The Compound should first
be melted by heating gently. Localised over-heating
must be avoided and a double-skinned melter should be
used. Techniques of application will vary according to
such factors as:
• shape and type of pile
• length
• number to be treated
whether to be treated on site or elsewhere. However,
methods to be considered are:
SQUARE SECTION
Piles (having been primed) are laid horizontally in rows
supported on timber baulks at sufficient intervals to avoid
sag. The top surface of each pile is coated by pouring
the molten Compound along the centre line of the top
face. A single pass would normally achieve a thickness
of about 3mm and further passes can be made as
required to build up the required thickness. The lower
the pouring temperature, the thicker the coating that can
be achieved in one pass. Alternatively, rope of
appropriate diameter (e.g. 6mm) can be dipped in the
molten Compound and stretched along each edge of the
top pile face to which it will bond when the Compound
cools. This will act as an edge shutter and the
Compound can then be poured in one pass up to the full
thickness.
When the coating is firm enough, the rope can be
removed and re-used for the other faces.
Some overspill is inevitable but this is usually largely
eliminated after experience in pouring. Some contractors
lay siliconesurfaced paper under the piles to collect any
spillage which can easily be removed uncontaminated,
and re-used.
When one face has been completed, piles are rotated
through 900 to treat the next face, repeating the process
for the reminder. Any bare areas at corners (possible if
using the rope shutter techniques) can be filled in
afterwards by pouring from a small can.
Paper should be laid on the timber baulk supports to
prevent coated faces sticking to the timber when piles are
roated.
Moulds
If moulds are used, a release agent such as glycerin with
talcum powder or limestone flour as filler, must be used
to prevent sticking.
• Pour into moulds larger than the pile to give the
required coating thickness.
• Pour one face at a time, opposite faces first, then
filling remaining faces level, turning the pile for each
application.
• Pour and spread on each face. More than one pass
may be needed to build up the required thickness.
Use lowest temperature possible to make Compound
just spreadable,
CIRCULAR SECTION
The simplest practical technique has been found to be
similar to that described for square piles.
For circular sections (e.g. steel casings), the Compound
is poured uniformly along the centre line of the top of the
section from where it spreads down each side at a
reasonably consistent thickness. Again some overspill or
dripping is inevitable but is minimised with experience, or
especially if the rope shutter technique is employed.
In this case the rope is stretched along the half
circumference at each side where it forms a dam for the
Page 6 of 12
Compound. When the top half of the casing has been
coated to the required thickness and has cooled, it is
rotated through 180' to coat the remaining section. The
rope shutter can be removed after coating the first half as
the latter will act as a dam for the second operation.
Other techniques such as rotating casings mechanically
while applying the coating have been used, but it has
generally been found that they are more costly in the end
than the simple pouring technique described.
H-SECTION STEEL PILING
These are generally coated by pouring the faces in
sequence, using rope shuttering to provide the
dam/depth gauge. Piles are laid out horizontally and
level on timber baulks as for square section piles.
If they are laid out initially with the webs vertical, the
pouring sequence would be:
• Pour top of top flange and top of each lower half
flange, using rope shutters at outside edges of all
flanges.
• Rotate 90' and pour web to required thickness.
• Rotate 90' and pour top of top flange and each half of
lower flange (using rope shutters).
• Rotate 90' and pour remaining face of web.
Flange edges will still be left largely bare but these can
be coated subsequently by pouring from a small can. It
is not necessary to build up the full thickness on flange
edges, but continuity of coating is desirable at these
points.
IN-SITU PILES
Application of a slip layer to cast in-situ piling can be
achieved by using a sleeve which forms a permanent
shutter for the appropriate length of pile. Such a sleeve
can be of light gauge steel, or fibreboard placed within an
oversize hole or within an oversize casing which is
subsequently withdrawn. The sleeve is coated with
Bitumen Compound SL before placing. Alternatively a
heavier gauge steel sleeve is coated and driven or
placed to the required depth. The pile is constructed
within and below it, leaving the sleeve in place and
obviating the need for a temporary casing.
Vertical surfaces
These cannot be satisfactorily coated by pouring in situ.
A practical technique has, however, been established for
coating any vertical surfaces, curved or straight.
This basically consists of 'casting" plates of Bitumen
Compound SL on a kraft paper backing and applying
these while still warm to the primed surfaces. The
method works and has been successfully used on
important contracts.
Specialist Applicator Service
Where possible, application should be carried out by
specialist contractors on site.
General Information
HOT WEATHER
In hot weather, coated piles may need to be kept in the
shade to prevent creep of the coating. If this is not
possible, the coating should be painted with Shell Alubit,
a bituminous aluminium paint to reflect heat. If
temperatures are such that, despite precautions,
excessive creep of the coating occurs, piles can be
sprayed with water and/or rotated periodically.
Piles should be driven as soon as possible after coating
once the Compound has cooled to ambient temperature
to avoid sagging during prolonged storage.
COLD WEATHER
Where weather conditions have resulted in the
temperature of the Bitumen Compound SL coating being
reduced to approximately O'C or below, some cracking of
the coating may occur during driving. If this results in the
detachment of significant areas of coating, pre-warming
of piles about to be driven will normally prevent this.
TRANSPORT
Where coated piles have to be transported, they should
be separated to prevent the coatings sticking together.
If piles are to be transported in hot weather, the coating
should be painted with Shell Alubit as a precaution
against prolonged exposure to heat from the sun which
may result in excessive creep.
MINOR DAMAGE
Minor damage to the coating (e.g. from slings or small
scrapes), or localized surface irregularity has no
significant effect on overall reduction of downdrag. If,
however, the coating is completely removed over small
areas it is advisable to fill these in to ensure continuity of
coating.
SURFACE IRREGULARITY
Because of the nature of the Compound and methods of
application some 'runs" or drips are bound to occur.
Although they may mar an otherwise smooth-looking
surface, they have no adverse affect on the performance
of the application.
Minor variations in coating thickness, e.g. ±1 mm for a
6mm thickness are not important provided that an
average thickness as specified is maintained.
Safe Handling Precautions
• Bitumen Compound SL is flammable when
overheated. Do not exceed recommended material
temperature.
• Ensure paper is fully removed before melting the
Compound.
• Do not allow water to come into contact with molten
Compound as this may cause it to boil over.
• Wear suitable protective clothing. Face shields should
be worn if there is danger of slashing.
• If molten Compound accidentally comes into contact
with the skin, take the following action:
Page 7 of 12
 − Do not attempt to remove Compound from the
skin.
− Immerse the injured part under running cold
water.
− If the Compound completely encircles a finger
or limb, sprit the cold Compound to avoid a
tourniquet effect.
− Obtain medical advice without delay.
• In the case of fire use a dry powder, carbon dioxide
(CO2) or foam extinguisher, sand or earth. Never use
water.

Page 8 of 12
Page 9 of 12
 Ref: A.I.M. Claessen, J.J Gelok
Bitumen slip layers for Bearing Piles
Shell Bitumen Review 35, July 1971

The shear in the bitumen layers was measured at regular intervals over a period of about four months after driving.
Figure above gives, for one of the test piles, the shear in the bitumen layer at about 8 mm from the concrete surface
and at different depths below the surface of the soil, as a function of time. In this figure the settlement of the surface is
also represented. From the measurements it appears that, after a short time, the shear of the bitumen layer proceeds
almost linearly with time, i.e. in the circumstances (long loading time) the bitumen practically behaves as a viscous
liquid.

The relationship between the shear in the bitumen layer and the distance to the pile surface is only by approximation a
linear one. In the trial on the KSLA site the shear rate at the surface of the 10-mm thick slip layer was found to be a
factor of about 1.3 greater than the date at 8 mm distance from the pile surface. Using the same factor the shear stress
was calculated at different depths along the slip layer of the pile previously mentioned. Calculating the total shear force
(negative friction) by integrating the shear stress over the total layer surface a value of about 3X104 N, i.e. about 3 tons,
was found.

Page 10 of 12
CONCLUSIONS

Theoretical studies and field trials have demonstrated that negative friction on bearing piles can be reduced to an
acceptable level if the piles are provided with a slip layer of a suitable grade of bitumen approx. 1 cm thick. Such a
bitumen layer can be applied fairly easily. The lower part of the pile, in general 4-6 m from the point, must remain
uncoated in order not to affect the point-bearing capacity of the pile adversely. By using piles provided with a bitumen
slip layer it is possible to reduce the number of piles required by 1 550% or even more, depending on the type of
foundation and the structure of the soil. The additional cost of the bitumen slip layers involved will amount to about
10% of the cost of constructing the pile foundation by conventional methods. Bitumen slip layers can be applied to
other foundation elements subject to negative friction such as shafts, abutments, and sheet piling. They can also be
applied to tunnels and other similar structures.

Typical Technical Data

Standard Tropical
Bitumen Compound SL
Colour Black Black
Method of application By heating and pouring
Maximum heating temperature (0C) 180 190
Typical application temperature (OC) 150 160
Product weight 1 000kg per m3 1 000kg per m3
Coverage 1 kg/m3 per mm thickness (and pro-
rata)
Flash point in container (OC) (Cleveland open cup) 250 250
Storage life Indefinite

CONTAINER SIZES
Standard Grade 12.5kg Easy-strip cartons
Tropical Grade 142kg light gauge steel drums

Typical Specification for application of Bitumen Compound SL for Inclusion in a Bill of Quantities:

(a) The length of pile to be coated shall be extending from

point ________ to ________ point

(b) Steel surfaces should be cleaned free of any loose rust and scale. Concrete must have cured sufficiently to
achieve its required strength and should be clean and free from laitance. Surfaces to be treated must be dry.

(c) (Where priming is required) A priming coat of Shell Super Penetration Primer is to be applied by brush or spray
at about 0.2 litres/m'. The priming coat must be dry before the Bitumen Compound SL is applied.

(d) The slip layer shall consist of Bitumen Compound SL manufactured by Shell Eastern Petroleum (Pte) Ltd. It
shall be heated gently at a temperature not exceeding 180'C until melted, without any localised overheating.

it shall be applied by pouring, or spreading by towel or squeegee, or by casting in moulds, or by a combination of these
methods, whichever is most appropriate to the circumstances. Rotation of circular piles may assist in even distribution.

More than one coat may be required to achieve the necessary thickness. Checks will be made by the Engineer on the
thickness of the completed coating which shall be a minimum of ___________ mm.

(e) Piles should be driven as soon as possible after the coating has cooled to ambient temperature to avoid
sagging during prolonged storage of coated piles.

If coating has to be carried out in wet or other weather conditions which may adversely affect adhesion of the slip layer
or primer, a weather-proof cover shall be erected over the appropriate length of the pile during coating.

Certain precautions may need to be taken for hot or cold weather working or transporting coated piles, and the
recommendations of Shell Eastern Petroleum (Pte) Ltd should be followed where appropriate.

Page 11 of 12
First large commercial application
Following the success of the field trials described in this article the first large-scale commercial contract using Bitumen
slip layers was awarded to the Dutch firm, N.V. Nederiandse Bouw - Maatschappij NBM at the beginning of 1 971 for
driving 2000 foundation piles for Shell Nederiand Chemie plants at Moerdijk. Each pile was treated with a 9-m long
bitumen slip layer, and up to 75 piles were treated per day. The first contract was completed in June and a further
contract for another 3000 piles treated with bitumen slip layers was then placed with NBM.

Shell Vietnam – Bitumen Business – Specialities Department

Ha Noi Office: Ho Chi Minh City Office:
th th
5 Floor, Sun Red River Bldg 15 floor, Sofitel Plaza Building
23 Phan Chu Trinh St., Hanoi City 17 Le Duan St., Dist. 1, HCMC
Tel: (84-4) 934 2144 Tel: (84-8) 829 2932/3
Fax: (84-4) 934 2149 Fax: ( 84-8) 823 6575
E-mail: flintkote.vietnam@shell.com

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