Innovative Ground Improvement with Chemical Grouts: Potential and Limits of Partial Saturation with Polymers

Abstract

Nowadays, polymers are well-established in geotechnical applications, for example as grouting material for soil and rock stabilization, or as grouting material for anchorages. Concerning ground improvement, the polymers act as a binder that, if cured, holds the grains together by adhesive and cohesive forces. This special characteristic enables the use of less material and therefore saves costs but requires detailed knowledge of the material behavior to avoid application errors. The subject of this research work are two different polymers, which are used for partial saturation of the ground. For the investigation of the mechanical and hydraulic properties of the ground improvement, the geotechnical testing program on the composite material of polymers and gravel is extended by special tests, such as rheometer tests, for chemical grouts. If the polymers are used correctly, the composite material can achieve a load-bearing capacity comparable to that of concrete while the material remaining permeable. This is highlighted by strength tests on the composite material. Finally, the numerical calculation of a track ballast stabilization, using PFC-FLAC3D coupling, demonstrates the potential of the polymers for practical application and that even difficult ground conditions can be handled with it.

Stress Path Efforts on Palm Fiber Reinforcement of Clay in Geotechnical Engineering

“…Ground improvement concerns of geotechnical engineers are addressed by many different methods, such as mechanical, chemical, and physical methods [1][2][3]. Soil reinforcement with discrete fibers is garnering more attention from the geotechnical community [4][5][6][7][8][9][10].…”

Guest Editorial to the Special Issue: Novel Technologies for Grouting, Jet Grouting and Soil Deep Mixing

“…When used to forecast ground displacement, the IRF model performs better than the benchmark models. Pratter et al (2022) present tests on two different polymers employed in order to partially saturate the ground. The geotechnical testing program on the composite material of polymers and gravel is expanded by special experiments, such as rheometer tests, for chemical grouts in order to investigate the mechanical and hydraulic properties of the ground improvement.…”