BIMBAR

INFLATABLE
PACKERS
Instructions for use
Issue March 2008
Test
Each inflatable element is tested with water in a test bench. After assembly, the tightness of each
complete packer is also tested. A test certificate is supplied with each order.

Safety and guarantee

Our packers are guaranteed free from any defect in material and workmanship. Our guarantee is limited
to the repair or replacement of any defective product or parts thereof. This guarantee is void if the
products are used in other circumstances than those described in our technical sheets. The decision of our
technical department is final.

Please contact us for additional information.

Considering the nature of equipement working under pressure, users should be aware of the dangers and
take the necessary precautions relating to the safety of their employees. Our responsibility ends with our
guarantee of good manufacture for the material designed and made according to engineering rules and
techniques available at the time of manfacture.

Bimbar inflatable packers - Instructions for use

Geopro Bimbar inflatable packers are frequently
used for grout injection and other geotechnical
applications for structural reinforcement and/or
water sealing of deep foundations, tunnels, dams
and mines. The two main methods for grouting are
up-stage grouting, where the grout is injected into
the ground below a single inflated packer and
tube à manchettes grouting for which our double
packers type “ ZI ” are usually requested to inject
grout into a PVC pipe .

Whether using single or double packers, both

grouting methods rely on the use of inflatable
packers for efficient and reliable sealing and
reinforcement of the geological formations. We will
consider the general criteria of importance in
selecting and using inflatable packers. The target of
The ‘’Bimbar Inflatable Packers’’
this article is to provide advises to the operators to
solve the most common problems met with
catalogue is available on our
inflatable packers . website www.geopro.be

Summary

1 – Differential pressure and size

2 – Inflation fluid

a – Generalities

b – Inflation with gas

c – Inflation with water

3 – Inflation control

4 – Inflating the packers

5 – Deploying The packers

6 – Packer failure and service life

7 – Conclusions

At rest Inflated Double

Single Packer Single Packer Packer

Bimbar inflatable packers – Instructions for use Page 1

1 – Differential pressure and sizes Maximum working pressure (bar)
In relation with borehole diameter (mm)
The range of Bimbar packers is available in 9 different
diameters from 28mm up to 170mm OD.

These packers are reinforced with two spiraled layers of

steel embedded into natural rubber. One layer is spiraled
clockwise and the other one is anticlockwise. The two
steel layers provide the resistance to the internal and
external pressure. The maximum differential pressure
decreases with the expansion of the packer as per table1.

Do not use the packer at its maximum expansion and

keep a reasonnable clearance between the packer and
the borehole unless very high working pressure is
requested.

2 – Inflation fluid

a – Generalities

A major consideration is the choice of inflation fluid. Most

inflatable packer manufacturers recommend inflation with
water for grouting applications whenever possible.
Generally the only time it’s not possible is in a dry hole or
where the water level is too low. In these circumstances
the column of water in the inflation line is too great to
allow complete deflation of the packer. Even then, use of
special deflation valves (usually requiring two inflation
lines) makes use of water inflation possible. We will
describe later the functionning of these deflation valves.

Water inflation is usually preferred because water inflated

packer , after establishing an initial seal , will remain Table 1
inflated up to the burst pressure of the packer owing to
the incompressibility of the water. In contrast , a gas
inflated packer can only provide a seal if the gas pressure Packer inflated with gas at
is maintained at a level above the sum of the sealing and too low pressure
grouting pressures. Leaks, relaxation, soil movement,
excess grouting pressure, etc… can all lead to bypass of
the inflated packer without the operator’s knowledge.
After some time and hardening of the cement , the
packer will become difficult or impossible to retrieve.
Moreover, quick pressure pulsation of the grout pump can Cement
also generate a packer movement in the borehole if it’s
inflated at a too low pressure causing a fast destruction
of the outer cover of the Bimbar rubber as the packer is Outer cover damage
not anchored properly. See figure 1

In fact, any liquid provide the same inflation benefits as Cement By pass
water and in sub-zero temperatures other water/anti-
freeze solutions (glycol) must be used. Where possible
however, water is the preferred liquid since it’s non-
polluting, readily available and will not damage the Rubber deformation
rubber. (Note : Bimbar packers are made of natural
rubber and are not compatible with oil inflation).

The major drawback with using water for inflation is that

deflation is slower than when using gas and it may be
more inconvenient to operate a manual inflation pump in
some circumstances. When gas inflation is chosen,
operators will use compressed air , nitrogen or any neutral
gas. Figure 1

Bimbar inflatable packers - Instructions for use Page 2

 Example see figure 2
Under no circumstances should
oxygen be used as it may cause Max. grout pressure = 70/10 x 1.3 + 20-50/10 = 24.1 bar
explosive failure of the packer !
Min. gas inflation pressure = 3 + 24.1 x 0.15 + 24.1 = 30.7 bar
The operator should always check and monitor carefully
the inflation pressure when gas is used to inflate the Recommended gas inflation pressure = 30.7 x 1.3 = 40 bar
packer.
Max. working pressure (table 1) : 80 bar ? OK
On the other hand, the deflation ability of the water
inflated packer must be carefully checked before use .

b – Inflation with gas

Gas inflation pressure is of critical importance and must

be carefully calculated and monitored during grouting
operations to avoid premature damage and
destruction of the packer.

For any particular application, the minimum inflation

pressure required (in unit of bar), as read on the surface
pressure gauge , can be calculated as follows:

Min. Gas inflation pressure = pressure to inflate to hole

diameter + sealing pressure + max. grout pressure

Note that the “maximum grouting pressure” is the

grouting pressure below the packer, not the surface Packer : Ø56mm
pressure at the gauge of the pump . It is calculated as Hole diameter : 3” (76mm)
follows: Setting depth : 70m
WSL: 20m
Max. grout pressure = (depth of the packer (m)/10 x S.G Grout S.G : 1.3
of grout) + surface grouting pressure – (column of water Surface grout pressure: 20bar
above the packer (m)/10)

The pressure required to inflate the packer up to the

hole diameter is given by the inflation curves but can be
estimated in the field before starting grouting
operations.

To estimate the sealing pressure (really a safety factor

to assure adequate sealing) , a value of 15% of the
maximum grouting pressure should be used as a rule of
the thumb.

The RECOMMENDED gas inflation pressure = minimum figure 2

gas inflation pressure x 1.3 (safety factor)

This safety factor is used to guarantee the anchoring of Safety

the packer in the borehole.
Another prime consideration with gas inflation is the safety
This value should be compared with the table giving the aspect of dealing with high pressure gas. A gas inflated
maximum working pressure in relation with borehole packer is basically a bomb and should be treated as such.
diameter and should be always inferior to the value If rupture it has potential to do lethal damage. Under no
found in the table 1. circumstance should gas be used to test inflate packer in
open air. Test inflation should always be conducted using
water for inflation in a pipe and with adaquate
protection to personnel against injury by projectiles
ejected from the pipe should the packer fail.

Bimbar inflatable packers - Instructions for use Page 3

c – Inflation with water If static water level (SWL) is located above the packer,
the column of water above the packer in the borehole
Water is not compressible and therefore it doesn’t will help to deflate the packer.
provide the explosive effects of gas. A water inflated
packer will react as a hydraulic seal. Inner (inflation) and Max. setting depth (m) = table 2 value + Packer depth
outer (grouting ) pressures will equilibrate automatically below water (m)
and the control of the inflation pressure is much less
critical. Deflation valve principle

The RECOMMENDED water inflation pressure = If the setting depth of the packer is below the max.
Pressure to inflate to hole diameter + sealing pressure + setting depth and still to benefite the advantages of
maximum grout pressure – packer setting depth (m)/10 water inflation, a deflation valve can be used.
The deflation valve is connected onto the fixed end of
Once again, this water inflation pressure should be the packer using the second inflation port . It requires to
inferior to the value given by table 1 run a second line. To deflate the packer, an air pressure
is set through the second line and the water will escape
through the holes located at the bottom of the deflation
On the other hand, the water column located inside the valve. see figure 3
inflation line will create a hydrostatic pressure and make
the packer sometimes difficult or impossible to retrieve
(in vertical holes, consider ten meter of depth = 1 bar
inflation pressure). The hereunder table 2 shows the
maximum setting depth of water inflated packer in
function of borehole diameter assuming that the
borehole is dry.

Table 2 Figure 3

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3 – Inflation control suitable inflation fluid , inflation control and monitoring
system , it’s time to connect it all up and trial inflate the
Regardless of the type of packer or the inflation packer. If gas inflating, trial inflations should only be
method, it is critically important to have an inflation performed in a pipe of adequate thickness and with
system that provides sufficient control and monitoring appropriate safety precautions. If inflating with a fluid, trial
functions. The assembly shown in figure 4 (or equivalent inflations may be performed free in air but are probably
set-up) is considered to be the minimum for safe, more usefully done in a pipe .
efficient operations. The system basically requires: a Trial inflation allows the operator to check for system
pressure source, an isolating valve, a vent valve, a performance and leaks. Specifically, the operator should
pressure gauge, suitable hose to connect to the packer be checking inflation pressure to firm contact with the test
and between the other items. pipe wall and packer integrity at the maximum pressure.

It is best to perform trial inflations with the full length of

inflation tube that will be run in the hole to reach the
maximum setting depth of the packer. This allows the
operateor to time inflation and deflation, get a indication
of pumping pressures during different stages of inflation
and, for a liquid inflated packer, primes both the packer
and the inflation tube.

The general characteristics of packers whether inflated

with liquid or gas is that the bulk of the inflation volume is
placed into the packer at relatively low pressure and it is
only the last little bit of volume that is placed at
increasingly higher pressure. Charting inflation pressure
against time leads a curve showing low, steady pressure
increase over an extended period followed by a rapid
figure 4 pressure increase (after wall contact is achieved) in a
Remarks relatively very short time. This characteristic takes some
time to getting used to and operators should be
? The pressure gauge cannot be accidentally isoled encouraged to use the trial inflations to accustom
from the packer and so always indicates the packer themselves to the pressure, volumes and times involved.
pressure.
? The pressure source is independently isolated from the 5 – Deploying the packer
packer. This is of great importance with gas regulator
since they can easely be set at very high pressures or The usual deployment methods are via a rigid pipe or a
not be properly shut down. In fact, the temptation is to hose. The later is quicker but provides limited depth
leave the regulated gas connected to the packer at control, no packer hold-down capacity and limited
pressure which may lead to packer over-expansion and support for inflation tubes. It’s also depth limited by the
sub-sequent failure. self-supporting capacity of the hose and it’s connection to
? The vent valve ensures that the packer can be safely the packer for which reason a safety wire is sometimes
deflated. used along with the hose. Depth limitations may also be
? Being small, self contained and portable (if provided due to the handling capacity of the hose raising and
with suitable hose lengths), the gauge set can be lowering system which is frequently manual.
moved to the most convenient location to control and
monitor the packer during inflation and grouting Using a rigid pipe for running the packers offers good
operations. depth control, good support for inflation tubes and some
hold-down capacity. However it generally requires a
Clearly, all components used in the inflation control mechanized system (drill rig or crane) to handle the rods
system must be adequate pressure rating. In the case of due to their length and weigth and thus is much slower
gas inflation, if operating deep in a water filled hole the and more cumbersome.
surface gas pressure may easely be over 70 bar and
adequate precautions are required. The pressure gauge
should be chosen such that the maximum inflation
pressure lies in the middle third of the gauge’s scale.
Pressure gauges are delicate instruments that require
careful treatment and regular calibration to ensure their
reliable operation.

4 – Inflating the packer

Once the packer size has been chosen along with a

Bimbar inflatable packers - Instructions for use Page 5

6 – Packer damage and service life 6 – Deterioration of the rubber in packers due to direct
sunligth or high temperature conditions or solvents
Packer damage during grouting operations is generally exposure. Packers should always be stored in boxes to
due to one of the following reasons: protect the rubber against U.V.

1 – Over-expansion – caused by inflating in too large 7 – Inflating natural rubber packers with oil will cause
borehole or a washed out section of the hole or, excessive swelling and associated softening of the rubber.
occasionally, in a yielding soil such as weak clay. If the
operator expects such geology, water is recommended 8 – Long term inflation with gas (though rarely a criteria in
to inflate the packer so that volume of water requested grouting operations) often cause rubber blistering and
to inflate the packer can be monitored and controlled. delamination after the packer is removed from the
borehole .The gas which has been absorbed into the
2 – Outer cover of rubber cutting – caused by any sharp rubber under pressure will be collected in pockets forming
object in the borehole, eg. end of casing or a casing sometimes ‘’bubbles’’ on the outer cover of the packer.
joint or sharply fractured rock. This problem becomes
more critical in inclined or horizontal holes as rubber of 9 – Cement by pass of packer when used for long grouting
the packer is in contact with the rock formation when periods (several hours) in cracked or fractured rock
run in or out. Protection rings can be used under these formations. Longer packers should be used in this case.
circumstances on both sides of the packer. see figure 5 see figure 6

figure 5 figure 6

7 – CONCLUSIONS
3 – Over-pressurization – Packers are rated for specific
pressures in specific diameter holes and over- Assuming that the packers are well maintained and
pressurization is caused by using packer’s too high adequately stored between uses, and if they are used in
pressure rating . Always refer to manufacturer’s accordance with guidelines given in this manual, then
diameter in relation with pressure rating charst before inflatable packers should provide long term reliable
deciding on an inflation pressure. service for grouting operations.
There is no intrinsic reason why tens or even hundreds of
4 – Moving a packer when it’s still partially inflated can grouting operations may not be performed with a single
damage it either by excessive wear against the hole packer. When such service life is not realized it is frequently
wall or by pulling the steel ends off the rubber, either due to one or more of the factors highlighted above. It is
partially or completely. hoped that this article will serve to remedy these
problems and that, with such knowledge available,
5 – Grout contamination of a sliding end packer contractors will ensure that their operators are
mandrel can prevent the packer end from sliding appropriately trained.
and/or damage the sliding end seals.

Bimbar inflatable packers - Instructions for use Page 6

 Single, double packers and dilatable element - Order references

Dilatable element S
Ø28 up to 170mm

Single packers SP
Ø28 up to 42mm

Single packers SP
Ø56 up to 170mm

Double packers DP
Type ZI
Ø28 up to 42mm

Double packers DP
Type ZI
Ø56 up to 102mm

Double packers DP
Type WTP
Ø56 up to 170mm

How to order ?

Diameter (mm) S, SP or DP Dilatable element Type ZI or WTP Injection zone

length (mm) Or Test zone
Length (mm)

Example : Double packer Ø42, Element length 300mm, ZI Type, Injection zone 500mm

4 2 D P 3 0 0 Z I 5 0 0

42.DP.300.ZI.500

Geopro is constantly improving its products and therefore reserves the rigth to change design, materials, specifications without notice.

Bimbar inflatable packers - Instructions for use Page 7

 Inflation adapters for packers

Converting of inches to millimetres

Bimbar inflatable packers - Instructions for use Page 8

 Different types of packers

WTP TZ ZI

Bimbar inflatable packers - Instructions for use Page 9

Bimbar inflatable packers - Instructions for use