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Problems Associated With The Use of Compaction Grout For Sinkhole

This document discusses problems that can occur with the use of compaction grouting for sinkhole remediation and provides recommendations to address these issues. Specifically: 1) Compaction grouting is commonly used for sinkhole remediation but can cause issues if not done properly, such as hydraulic fracturing of soil from high grout flow rates, which can damage structures. 2) The document recommends determining the critical flow rate that causes hydraulic fracturing in different soil types and using a lower flow rate (5-7 cubic feet per minute) to prevent issues. 3) It is important to consider variable subsurface conditions like depth to sound rock when determining appropriate grout application methods to account for different soil properties
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100% found this document useful (1 vote)
126 views4 pages

Problems Associated With The Use of Compaction Grout For Sinkhole

This document discusses problems that can occur with the use of compaction grouting for sinkhole remediation and provides recommendations to address these issues. Specifically: 1) Compaction grouting is commonly used for sinkhole remediation but can cause issues if not done properly, such as hydraulic fracturing of soil from high grout flow rates, which can damage structures. 2) The document recommends determining the critical flow rate that causes hydraulic fracturing in different soil types and using a lower flow rate (5-7 cubic feet per minute) to prevent issues. 3) It is important to consider variable subsurface conditions like depth to sound rock when determining appropriate grout application methods to account for different soil properties
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© © All Rights Reserved
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PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF

COMPACTION GROUT FOR SINKHOLE REMEDIATION


IN WEST-CENTRAL FLORIDA

Edward D. Zisman, P.E., P.G., M ASCE, and Daniel J. Clarey


Cardno ATC, 5602 Thompson Center Ct., Ste. 405, Tampa, Florida 33634 USA, [email protected],
[email protected]

Abstract (Warner, 2004). In theory, the volume of grout placed


Compaction grouting is a widely used method for in the ground will cause an increase in density in loose
sinkhole remediation. It is generally less costly than sandy soils as the expanding grout displaces soil and
other methods of remediation and provides a less thus compacts and increases the strength of soil between
intrusive method of repairing adverse subsurface the successive grout columns. Although some benefit
conditions. However, we believe that many engineers in will be obtained from the compressive strength of the
preparing specifications and contractors in construction grout columns placed typically six to ten feet apart but
practice have improperly applied compaction grouting terminated 10 to 15 feet (3.0 to 4.6 meters) below the
as a method of remediation. In some cases, improper use ground surface; however, the primary use of this method
of compaction grout has resulted in the deterioration of is for soil densification through compaction. Another
marginal subsurface conditions significantly increasing function of the grout is to seal any seepage paths that
the cost of repair and inconvenience to the homeowner. may exist at the rock soil interface.
Another consideration in the selection of compaction
grout is the occurrence of subsurface conditions in which Grout Application Problems
deep foundation support should be used rather than the Detracting from the benefits of compaction grout are
seemingly less expensive compaction grout method. problems that occur when grout is placed at a high flow
This manuscript discusses techniques in the proper use rate causing hydraulic fracturing of the soil. In this
of compaction grouting and the precautions that should instance, high pore pressures develop that cause the soil
be taken before, during and after compaction grouting. to fail in an undrained state, remolding the soil into a
It also discusses potential conditions when compaction liquefied mass that moves in response to the high pore
grouting should be supplemented or replaced with deep pressures generated by the rapidly expanding grout front
foundations. Included in the manuscript are compaction (see Figure1).
grouting case studies and recommendations for the
proper application of compaction grout. The hydraulic fracturing interferes with the orderly
compaction process and can cause damage in the
Introduction building under which grout is injected and in nearby
Compaction grouting is a common method used to buildings. Damage to overlying structures can be caused
remediate homes affected by sinkhole activity. It generally by the increase in overburden weight from the soil that
provides a relatively fast, effective and economical has been intruded by lenses of grout as shown in Figure
method of soil improvement. The compaction grouting 1. The increase in soil weight can sometimes result in
process consists of injecting, under high pressure, a stiff settlement of the building being remediated. Nearby
mortar-like grout into the ground to displace, fill voids buildings can also be damaged from the intrusion of
and compact the surrounding soil. The common practice grout into utilities and into the building.
is to apply compaction grout from the rock surface
upward (upstage grouting) by building successive Some assert that contactors monitor heave while
segments of grout such that one segment rests on the pumping and pumping can be stopped when movement
segment below until the grout reaches the desired depth. is seen. This sounds reasonable in theory but in practice
Fundamental to the success of the grouting procedure there are a number of problems. First, there is a time lag
is deposition of the grout in a globular mass (typically from the time the inspector happens to notice movement
either columnar or tear-shaped) at each injection location till the time he communicates that to the pump operator.

13TH SINKHOLE CONFERENCE NCKRI SYMPOSIUM 2 23


Grout Flow < 2 - 5 cf/min Grout Flow > 5 cf/min

Downward Movement of Unsupported Grout and Soil

Downward Movement of Unsupported Grout and Soil


Figure 1. Adverse effects of high flow rates.

Second, once movement starts it may continue for wrong such as damage to the home, grout deposited in
a period because of pressure in the formation. Third, a neighboring property or settlement sometime after
when movement occurs, even if it stops when pumping completion of remediation is the grouting procedure
is stopped, it may be too late, the building can be questioned. By that time it is too late to correct the
immediately damaged. problem; all that can be done is deal with the difficulty and
conclude that this is one of the shortfalls of compaction
These problems, in many cases, pale relative to the grouting. The delay in determining if the grouting was
greatest impetus to increase grout flow rates, to the successful is a concern for all and is minimized by the
highest possible rate. This is the increased cost for procedures discussed.
pumping grout at low flow rates. The lower flow
rate increases the time required to complete the Recommended Methods of
grouting hence labor and equipment costs increase Resolving Grout Flow Problems
for the grouting contractor and for inspection. A solution to the dichotomy of cost verses compaction
Costs for supply of grout also increase because of grout quality that considers both technical and economic
the increased time to use the grout. Typically, most factors is to determine the critical flow rate at which
contracts adhere to ASTM C94 requirements for hydraulic fracturing occurs in soft soil areas. This is done
discharge of the concrete within a 1½ hour period by increasing the flow rate until a decrease in grouting
from batch to placement. If this time is exceeded pressure occurs (presumed to be the onset of hydraulic
the concrete cannot be used. This means that instead fracturing of the soil). The procedure is performed in
of the grout supplier providing 10 cubic yard trucks known areas of soft soil found in existing borings or at the
they must deliver grout in 5 cubic yard trucks. This location of soft soil conditions found in the newly installed
obviously decreases the supplier’s efficiency and grout holes. The production flow rate is determined based
therefore increases cost. on a value of 90% of the flow rate that causes a decrease
in pressure or in any area where an increasing flow rate
A significant part of the grouting procedure is that no results in a decrease in pressure. In other areas, with
one actually sees the completed product—it is unseen different soil properties, a flow rate of 5 to 7 cubic feet per
below the ground surface. Only when something goes minute (0.142 to 0.198 cubic meters per minute) is used.

24 NCKRI SYMPOSIUM 2 13TH SINKHOLE CONFERENCE


Variable Soil and Rock Conditions
It is important to use all subsurface information that is
available to analyze the diverse conditions that occur in
karst terrains. To determine potential areas where soft soil
conditions may be present for use of the low flow rate, it
is recommended that consideration be given to the depths
to sound rock found in the grout drill holes. Figures 2
through 5 show two sites where grout hole information
is known. The point in illustrating this data is to show
the stark difference in the interpretation that occurs
when additional information is available. Compare the Figure 2. Depth (in meters) to sound rock from
differences in the depth to rock found from grout holes borings in Site 1 (no horizontal scale).
where rock information is on 10-foot (3.0 meter) centers
as opposed to information obtained from SPT borings
where distances between data points are very great. The
grouting data points show the extreme variability in the
rock surface that was not found in the SPT data. Therefore,
the advantage in using grout hole data is that one can
anticipate where soft soil conditions may occur—in karst
areas this is common in locations of abrupt changes in
depth to rock. The lower grout flow rates should be used
in areas of abrupt changes in depth to limestone.
Figure 3. Depth (in meters) to sound rock from
When Not to Use Compaction Grout grout holes in Site 1 (no horizontal scale).
If more than several inches of settlement have occurred
in a structure, lifting a building component should be
accomplished through means other than compaction
grouting such as by use of pin-piles (small diameter piles
commonly referred to as mini-piles, micro-piles and pin-
piles having a diameter from approximately 0.3 to 1 feet
[0.1 to 0.3 meters]). Small adjustments for settlement
can be accomplished by the use of chemical grout
(polyurethane foam in low viscosity liquid form pumped
at low pressure into cohesionless soils) where loads and
the amount of lift are small. However, larger lifts may
be accomplished with chemical grout on some slabs with Figure 4. Depth (in meters) to sound rock from
borings in site 2 (no horizontal scale).
moderate loads depending on geometry and loading.

As a side note, an often-overlooked property in the use of


pin-piles is the quality of the rock material used to support the
piles. The limestone rock surface tends to be highly solutioned
and weathered resulting in a surface of questionable integrity
to support a load. Unfortunately, the quality of the limestone
rock used to support the pin-piles is often not properly
investigated to determine its competency. Figure 6 provides
an illustration of a typical limestone surface that may be
encountered for support of pile loads. When these conditions
are anticipated, an additional subsurface investigation should Figure 5. Depth (in meters) to sound rock from
be performed to determine the integrity of the rock. grout holes in Site 2 (no horizontal scale).

13TH SINKHOLE CONFERENCE NCKRI SYMPOSIUM 2 25


3. The net increase in soil weight, due to a high
flow rate injection, can cause settlement of the
underlying soil and the building foundation
supported by the soil (Warner).

4. Compaction grout is not a process where the


weight of the building is supported on a column of
grout; it is a process where compaction of the soil
occurs from the inclusion of a volume of grout
between successive grout columns compacting
the soil and increasing soil strength. The strength
of compaction grout is only required to meet or
Figure 6. Typical limestone surface. exceed the in situ soil.

When large thicknesses of very soft (weight of hammer/


weight of rod, WH/WR) soil conditions are found in References
the order of greater than 20 feet (6.1 meters), a cost ASCE. 2010. Compaction grouting consensus guide.
comparison should be performed to determine which Reston (VA): ASCE/GI 53-10.
method is economical. The analysis should include the Warner J. 2004. Practical handbook of grouting. John
cost for pumping grout at reduced flow rates and the cost Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Smoltczyk U. 2003. Geotechnical engineering
for additional investigation of the quality of the rock
handbook, Vol. 2: Procedures, Ernst & Sohn.
surface to support a pile load.
ASTM C94/c94M-11a. 2011. Standard specification
for ready-mixed concrete. Annual Book of ASTM
Other Considerations Standards, Vol. 04.02: Concrete and Aggregates.
The use of compaction grouting is directed to remediating
soft soil conditions; however, in doing so, areas of dense
soil will inadvertently be subjected to compaction grout.
The net result is that the grouting process may loosen
these areas. When large areas of dense soil are known to
be present on a site, the extent of the grouting program
should be re-evaluated after grout hole data is available
to determine the grouting effort to be used in the various
grout holes.

Conclusions
It has been discussed that:

1. The use of high grout flow rates results in


unacceptable lateral displacement of the grout
extending in lens-like fashion to substantial
distances beyond the point of placement. This
causes remolding of the soil greatly adding to
the weight of the composite grout-intruded soil
(Figure 1).

2. A production flow rate should be determined


based on a value of 90% of the flow rate that
causes a decrease in pressure in soft soil areas or
in any area where a decrease in pressure is found.
In other areas a flow rate of 5 to 7 cubic feet per
minute (0.142 to 0.198 cubic meters per minute)
is used.

26 NCKRI SYMPOSIUM 2 13TH SINKHOLE CONFERENCE

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