A major problem still confronted the Paving Board, that of transporting and unloading Bitumuls at the Jobsite. As a first step, a comparative cost estimate was compiled for handling of the material by bulk
in tankers or in drums.
This study revealed that based on 3-1/3, 55
gallon drums occupying 40 cubic feet of space, the bulk shipment would
result in a considerable saving. Included in the cost of bulk shipment
was the cost of purchase, transportation, and erection of three 10,000
barrel storage tanks, one to be provided for each of the test sites;
and even with this item included, the bulk transportation and handling
showed an estimated saving of approximately five cents per gallon over
transportation in drums.
In view of the savings to be effected, bulk
shipment was adopted, contingent upon the development of a feasible
method of handling Bitumls at the Jobsite.
After conferences with a representative of the Bitumul supplier
and after cost analysis of six different methods of unloading Bitumls
from off-shore tankers, it was decided to unload from ocean going tanker
into a steel barge which was available at the Jobsite, by using the
tanker's pumps and then moving the barge closer in shore, anchoring it
and using a 6 inch pipe with Victraulic couplings(Army “invasion type").
A gear pump was located on the barge, designed for high viscosity liquids,
which pumped the Bituwmls into shore tanks.
It might be noted here that
an attempt was made to utilize as Bitumul storage at the Atoll, a floating dry-dock section which had previously been used as a storage tank.
During the filling of this auxiliary storage facility a leak developed
which could not be plugged and the section sank with a loss of. epproximately fifty thousand gallons of Bitumuls.
On June 1, 1950, the final estimate of Bitumuls to meet all Project
requirements then known was prepared which indicated that 1,705,900
gallons would be needed.
The distribution was as follows:
Roadway paving
263,800 gallons
Roadway dust palliative
26,800
Test area paving
1,061,250
Airstrips
153,100
Dust palliative for scientific stations
45.850
1,550,800
10 per cent for contingencies
355,100
Total
1,705,900 gallons
PAVING OF ROADS, AREAS, AND AIRSTRIPS
In ascordance with criteria as to areas to be paved, and the find-
ings of the Paving Board. estimates were made of the required paving for
the Project.
(Table 5,22=1 shows these eatimates. )
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