Tank base mastic cushion using flintkote 3

by | May 31, 2021

Download Methodology
Materials
  • flintkote type 3 bituminous emulsion.
  • Ordinary Portland Cement: fresh and free of lumps.
  • Clean river or crusher sand: no pit or Berea Red sands to be used.
  • Clean potable water: free of salts which would adversely affect the performance of the mix composition.

 

Mixing

 

Mixing may be carried by hand or by use of a concrete mixer depending on the size of the work required.

Add all the materials to the required quantity of flintkote type 3 and continue mixing until all the materials are suitably coated and a plastic mortar consistency is achieved. Prolonged mixing, after the aggregates are well coated and consistency obtained, must be avoided.  Should additional water be required for workability then add the quantity to the aggregates prior to introduction to the bitumen emulsion.

Laying
  • Due to the relatively long setting time of the mastic do not apply the material greater than 20 mm in thickness.
  • For layers greater than 20 mm in thickness it is recommended that the application be performed in a number of layers.
  • The mix may be placed over an insulating material such as rigid sheets of polystyrene – if required – providing that this will not result in collapse under load and is applied in accordance with the Engineer’s specification.
  • The mastic may be applied using conventional mortar methods;  employing screed rails where possible in order to achieve required levels and tolerances.
  • The placing and striking off of the excess mortar should be completed within 30 minutes of mixing.

 

Setting

Setting time is dependent on the thickness of the mastic, relative humidity, wind, temperature and the absorption factor of the subbase. In local summer conditions a 13 mm thick application will set in approximately 3 to 4 hours on a sub-base having no absorption properties.

 

Limitations
  • The flintkote bitumen base mastic should not be laid if rain is imminent. Should there be doubt about the setting time then thinner layers must be applied, also adequately cover the areas concerned in the event of precipitation.
  • Un-set mastic must be protected against frost in cold climates.
  • In petroleum tank installations the bituminous mastic should not come into contact with the liquids contained therein and detail work should be so performed so as to alleviate this possibility.
  • Good housekeeping should be employed for optimum performance.

 

 

Datasheets

Technical information may be found in the a.b.e.® technical site manual and it is recommended that particular attention be paid to the following:
• Surface preparation.
• Mixing.
• Pot life.
• Over coating time.
• Curing time.
• Safety precautions.

 

Yield Determination

The total on the absolute yield, under mix proportion guide, is the approximate volume you will obtain when mixing in those proportions.
Allow approximately 10% for waste.

Example:
Tank base diameter = 2.0 metres.
Tank base mastic = 13 mm thick.
Volume of material required = π/4 x 22 x 0.013 x 1000 = 40.8 litres say 41 litres, add 10% waste = 45 litres.
Therefore 45 litres divided by 71 litres, from the mix proportion guide under the absolute yield, equates to +63% of the proportions in the table, parts by
mass or parts by volume.

Mix proportion guide
Materials Parts by Volume Parts by Mass Absolute Yield
Fine Aggregate 100 litres 110.00 42.31 litres
Cement (OPC) 2 litres 3.32 1.06 litres
flintkote type 3 28 litres 28.00 28.00 litres
Total 130 litres 141.32 71.37 litres
Water Quantity required to adjust for workability
One cubic metre = 1000 litres
Assumptions
Fine aggregate – loose bulk density 1.0 litre = 1.1 kg
Fine aggregate – relative density 2.65
Cement – loose bulk density 1.67 (i.e. 30 litres = 50 kg)
Cement – relative density 3.14
flintkote type 3 – relative density 1.0
Water – relative density 1.0
Bulking factors may vary according to moisture content and handling of materials.
Suggested Sand Grading
Sieve Size (mm) Accumulative % Passing
4.750 85 – 100
2.360 69 – 90
1.180 45 – 70
0.600 30 – 50
0.300 18 – 30
0.150 10 – 21
0.075 5 – 15

Note: It is important that the 0.075 mm sieve specification limits are adhered to, marginal variations on the other sieve sizes could be tolerable.

Products required
  • flinkote 3.
  • Ordinary Portland Cement.
  • Sand as grading above.
Equipment needed
  • Festo mixer with a helical coil mixing head.
  • Steel float.
  • Steel Trowel.
  • Suitable 25 litre steel can for mixing.
    OR
  • 50 litre Pan mixer.
Important Note

This data sheet is issued as a guide to the use of the product(s) concerned. Whilst a.b.e.® endeavours to ensure that any advice, recommendation, specification or information is accurate and correct, the company cannot – because a.b.e.® has no direct or continuous control over where and how abe products are applied – accept any liability either directly or indirectly arising from the use of a.b.e.® products, whether or not in accordance with any advice, specification, recommendation, or information given by the company.

Further Information

Where other products are to be used in conjunction with this material, the relevant technical data sheets should be consulted to determine total requirements.