Experimental Study on the Mechanical Performance of Grouted Specimen with Composite Ultrafine Cement Grouts

Abstract

An experimental investigation was conducted in order to understand properties of grouts and grouted specimens. Three different cement types, i.e., composite ultrafine cement (CUC) that was independently developed, ultrafine cement (UC), and Portland cement (PC) were injected into broken red sandstone specimens on the basis of a self-designed grouting test equipment. After the grouting test, the effects on the mechanical behavior of grouted specimens were studied using an uniaxial compression test, macroscopic failure analysis and mesostructure analysis, as well as a comparison of the mechanical and structural properties of three types of grouted specimens was presented. The test results show that the compressive strength of grouted specimens improved in comparison to the rock residual strength, and the compressive strength of PC, UC and CUC grouted specimens increased by 23.0%, 59.6% and 101.5%, respectively. The failure modes of all grouted specimens were brittle failure, but only the CUC grouted specimen was failed along the new failure surfaces, indicating that CUC grouts can better bond the original cracks. The mesostructure characteristics obtained through the Digital 3D Video Microscope reveal the superior filling effect of the CUC grouts as well as verifying the macroscopic mechanical behavior.