Bentonite – Hong Ha Bridge and Ngoc Duong Bridge Projects

Bentonite API 13A Section 11 is a critical material in bored pile construction, especially for major bridge projects such as the Hong Ha Bridge and Ngoc Duong Bridge, where strict requirements are imposed on borehole wall stability and foundation quality.

Bored pile construction for key transportation infrastructure projects always demands high standards for bentonite slurry quality. This material directly determines borehole wall stability during drilling and affects borehole diameter, cleanliness, and final concrete quality. In the context of large-diameter piles and complex geological conditions, API 13A–compliant stabilizing slurry becomes a mandatory requirement to ensure construction safety and schedule adherence.

In this article, Hanoi Vietnam provides an in-depth analysis of the technical aspects, practical performance, operational costs, and comparisons with other drilling slurry materials, helping engineers and investors make well-informed decisions.

Dự án đường dây 500 kV NMNĐ Nam Định I – Phố Nối

The content is illustrated through two representative projects: Hong Ha Bridge – Hanoi Ring Road 4 and Ngoc Duong Bridge – Hai Duong, both utilizing Bentonite API 13A Section 11 supplied by Hanoi Vietnam Co., Ltd.

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The Role of Bentonite API 13A Section 11 in Bored Pile Construction

Bentonite API 13A Section 11 plays a vital role in forming a durable filter cake along the borehole wall, maintaining internal pressure, and minimizing the intrusion of loose soil and sand. During bored pile construction—particularly in water-saturated soils or river-crossing locations—borehole collapse is a constant risk in unconsolidated layers. Bentonite forms a surrounding gel layer that both prevents collapse and regulates slurry viscosity for efficient drilling.

Its long-term stability makes Bentonite API 13A Section 11 suitable for extended drilling operations, even when work must be temporarily suspended due to weather or technical conditions. Maintaining a stable gel structure also reduces the risk of water separation, a common cause of borehole instability.

Use of Bentonite API 13A Section 11 at the Hong Ha Bridge – Component Project No.3, Hanoi Ring Road 4

The Hong Ha Bridge is one of the key structures of the Hanoi Ring Road 4 project, implemented under a PPP model. Crossing the Red River, the project faces complex geology with alternating sand, silt, and high groundwater levels, requiring bentonite materials that meet strict quality standards to ensure foundation safety.

Hanoi Vietnam Co., Ltd. supplied Bentonite API 13A Section 11 – Kutch Bentoclay (India) for the bored pile works of the project. During construction, the bentonite was highly evaluated for:

Standard-compliant viscosity and excellent borehole wall retention under strong groundwater flow.
Time stability without water separation or abnormal sedimentation.
Ease of density adjustment within the circulation system, optimizing drilling speed.
Full compliance with technical specifications and slurry tests before drilling and before concrete placement.

The stability of Bentonite API 13A Section 11 played a crucial role in maintaining continuous bored pile construction progress while ensuring a high level of safety.

Application of Bentonite API 13A Section 11 at the Ngoc Duong Bridge – Hai Duong

The Ngoc Duong Bridge project is part of Package No.26 under the provincial road 391 upgrading and expansion project. The area features mixed geology, including sand, silt, and loose soils—conditions where drilling slurry quality directly determines construction success.

Project Owner: Hai Duong Provincial Construction Investment Project Management Board Contractor: MK Infrastructure Investment Joint Stock Company

At this project, Hanoi Vietnam Co., Ltd. continued to supply Bentonite API 13A Section 11, fully meeting testing and acceptance standards specified in the bidding documents.

Thanks to its stable properties, the bentonite helped the contractor:

Maintain borehole wall stability throughout drilling.
Effectively control key parameters such as density, viscosity, and sand content.
Minimize risks of borehole collapse or excessive diameter enlargement.
Ensure borehole cleanliness before reinforcement cage installation and concrete pouring.

Field tests confirmed that the bentonite maintained all critical parameters within acceptable limits, ensuring schedule compliance and consistent pile quality.

Comparison of Bentonite API 13A Section 11 with Local Bentonite and Drilling Polymers

In bored pile construction, contractors often consider imported API bentonite, local bentonite, or polymer alternatives. Practical experience from major bridge projects shows that imported API 13A bentonite remains the preferred option due to superior stability.

Criteria	Bentonite API 13A Section 11	Local Bentonite	Drilling Polymer
Borehole wall retention	Excellent	Average	Geology-dependent
Slurry stability	Long-term, minimal water separation	Prone to separation	Poor long-term stability
Suitability for large piles	Optimal	Limited	Limited
Slurry control	Easy	Moderate	Difficult
API 13A compliance	Yes	No	No

The results show that Bentonite API 13A Section 11 is particularly suitable for large-diameter, deep bored piles or environments with strong groundwater flow.

Why Contractors Choose Hanoi Vietnam as Their Bentonite API 13A Supplier

Hanoi Vietnam Co., Ltd. has become a trusted partner for many bridge and infrastructure contractors thanks to:

Supplying genuine imported Kutch Bentoclay bentonite from India.
Batch-by-batch quality inspection in accordance with API standards.
On-site technical support for slurry mixing, circulation, and control.
Complete CO and CQ documentation for acceptance procedures.
Fast and reliable delivery schedules for large-scale projects.

By strictly adhering to import, storage, and transportation processes, Hanoi Vietnam ensures that bentonite quality remains at the highest level upon delivery to site.

Conclusion

Bentonite API 13A Section 11 is a highly stable drilling slurry material suitable for bored pile construction in major bridge projects.
Through the Hong Ha and Ngoc Duong bridge projects, materials supplied by Hanoi Vietnam have proven their effectiveness in quality, stability, and borehole wall retention.
Using the correct bentonite type ensures construction progress, pile quality, and risk reduction.
Hanoi Vietnam is committed to accompanying contractors on all infrastructure projects, providing durable, standard-compliant, and high-performance materials.

Contact Information

Hanoi Vietnam Co., Ltd. Head

Office: No. 35, Lot BT3, Dang Xa 2 New Urban Area, Dang Xa, Gia Lam, Hanoi

Warehouse: Phu Duc 1 Village, Phu Dong Commune, Gia Lam District, Hanoi

Hotline: +84 906 601 755

Website: https://mayxaydunghanoi.com

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