Laboratory study of feasibility of compaction grouting of soil

Abstract

Compaction grouting has been utilized for various ground improvement applications in geotechnical engineering. However, there is no standard laboratory method or experimental procedure to determine the feasibility of compaction grouting of soil. Therefore, decision on the adoption of the technology and choices of operation parameters are based on past experience and empirical rules of thumb. A new laboratory apparatus and new experimental procedures were developed to establish the feasibility of compaction grouting of soil. The concept is analogous to the Proctor test for compaction. The relationship between the input grouting energy and the resulting compaction as a function of initial water content and relative compaction of the soil is quantified experimentally. The quantification can provide the necessary data for the geotechnical engineer to evaluate the viability and applicability of compaction grouting for their specific project needs. The design, fabrication, and assembly of the new apparatus are presented with results to demonstrate the workability of the apparatus.