Permeation grouting, also known as cement grouting or pressure grouting, fills cracks or voids in soil and rock and permeates coarse, granular soils with flowable particulate grouts to create a cemented mass.
Process
Depending on the conditions, Portland cement or microfine cement grout is injected under pressure at strategic locations through single ‘port’ or multiple ‘port’ pipes. The grout particle size and void size must be matched properly to allow the cement grout to permeate. The grouted mass has an increased strength, stiffness, and reduced permeability.
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Common uses
- Create barriers to groundwater flow
- Underpin foundations
- Provide excavation support
- Stabilise and strengthen granular soils
Advantages
- An economic advantage for underpinning applications over alternative approaches such as removal and replacement or piling
- Allows you to maximise the footprint of excavations compared with piled solutions
- Can be done where access is difficult and space is limited
- Since effectiveness of permeation grouting is independent of structural connections, is readily adaptable to existing foundations
- Can typically be accomplished without disrupting normal facility operations
Quality assurance
Keller has provided permeation grouting solutions for decades. Its fleet of low headroom, tight access rigs minimises disruption to normal facility operations. Automated digital systems can also be used to monitor and record flow rates, grout volumes and grout pressures ensuring the grouting specification is achieved.
Related techniques
Related projects
Institutional/public
National Gallery
The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, is one of London's most iconic buildings and is a major tourist attraction. It underwent a £41m renovation to coincide with its bicentenary in 2024.
Infrastructure
New Cross shaft
Keller was called in to reduce the permeability of the chalk in a shaft which was to be a starter pit for a new power cable tunnel beneath the River Thames.