Compensation Grouting - Soilfrac®
Pictures
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Contact information
- Dominic Gibbon
- 01937 541118
- geotechnique@keller.co.uk
Process
Soilfrac® is a process used to control or reverse the settlement of structures. It consists of the injection of material into the soil between the foundation to be controlled and the process causing the settlement. The material injected is forced into fractures thereby causing an expansion to take place counteracting the settlement that occurs or producing a controlled heave of the foundation.
Soil types
Because the process requires that the soil is fractured and not permeated, Soilfrac® may be used in most soil types ranging from gravels to clays or weak rocks.
Advantages
The control of settlement is carried out from outside the building and hence there is no disruption to the occupants.
The process can be repeated allowing continuing settlement to be controlled.
Control can be very selective inducing very small level changes of varying amounts over the space of several metres.
Grout types
As the intention is to open fractures, generally cement-based grouts are used which are environmentally acceptable and durable.
Method
The Soilfrac® process involves:
- Installing grout injection tubes to a pre-determined pattern.
- Monitoring movements by either precise levelling or the use of special settlement systems.
- Injection of grout through sleeves with careful process control to induce compensating movements.
Product
Protection of buildings and other structures from damaging movements caused by sub-surface processes.
Quality Control
All stages monitored from installation of tubes to actual injection.
Grout mix, injection pressure, volume and pump rate carefully designed and computer monitored.
Computer monitoring of movements. Full documentation for every stage.
