Improving rock mass quality using chemical grouting

• Main Author: Lee, Hazel Mel Hong
• Other Authors: Wu Wei (CEE)
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2022
• Subjects: Engineering::Civil engineering::Geotechnical
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/158821
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The aim of this project is to explore the improvement of rock mass quality through the usage of chemical grouting. Rock mechanics testing was carried out on 2 samples that was injected with chemical grout, one with sand and another without. Tri-axial testing was done on the samples to determine their permeability and in doing so, to deduce whether the samples are able to reduce seepages underground. To fully understand the influence of chemical grouting and the influence of sand on the grout, the flow rates and circumference extension of the sample was also recorded. The samples are subjected to varying confining pressures and pore pressures to explore the influence of effective stress on the mechanical and hydraulic properties of the grouted rock sample. The experiment has indicated that chemical grouting does improve the rock mass quality through the low permeability and flow rates recorded. However, there was a significant difference in the data recorded for the sample injected with chemical grouting only as compared to the sample injected with chemical grouting and sand. This showcases the influence of the sand on the properties of the chemical grout. There was also no notable difference in the circumference extension across various inlet pressures whereas the varying inlet pressures and confining pressures affect the flow rate and permeability of the sample drastically. Further research is recommended to be conducted to be able to understand the influence of different sand types on the properties of the chemical grout on a deeper level.