Analysis of the sealing mechanism of cement-sodium silicate grout in rock fractures with flowing water

Abstract

The diffusion and sealing mechanisms of cement-sodium silicate grout (C-S grout), which is widely used in flowing water sealing projects, are complicated. Based on a large-scale quasi-three-dimensional simulation test platform of fracture dynamic water grouting, an orthogonal experiment of flowing-water sealing of C-S grout was performed. The grout was shown to diffuse in the form of an asymmetric ellipse. The flowing-water sealing process consists of three stages: (1) the grout diffuses to the fracture boundary in an asymmetrical ellipse; (2) the solidified body of grout develops; (3) the stable solidified body forms. The sealing efficiency was evaluated and graded by the reduction of water drainage through the fracture after grouting. Based on the test data, the factors that affect sealing efficiency can be listed in the following order from strong to weak: grout gel time, flowing water velocity, grout take, fracture plane width, and fracture aperture. Finally, a fitting equation was acquired to provide a reference for practical engineering applications.