experimental study of chemical grouting of conglomerate foundations

a new chemical grouting method has been developed for conglomerate formations based on the experimental studies. due to the lack of chemical grouting experience of conglomerate formations, the testing programs were performed to evaluate the performance of chemical grouting in the water sealing of part of conglomerate foundation of karkheh earth dam using a combination of field and laboratory tests. first, the chemical grouts alone were examined with regard to viscosity-time behavior, gelation time, temperature-influence, stability, and deformability. these laboratory tests, led to the selection of the final chemical grout which was a solution of sodium silicate, water, and ethyl acetate as reactant. the second step tested grout-soil interaction: the injectability and permeability reduction of the selected chemical grout was examined in field injection tests. in this step two field tests were performed including shallow test holes without hydrostatic pressure and full scale tests under dam real hydrostatic pressure head. based on these two field injection tests, performed in the conglomerate foundation of karkheh dam, a new chemical grouting method for conglomerate formations is proposed and satisfactory results led to the recommendation of this method for eventually successful application.