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Use of Grouting Method to Improve Soil Stability Against Liquefaction—A

Review

Article · January 2012

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 Use of Grouting Method to Improve Soil
Stability Against Liquefaction—A Review

Sanaz Sayehvand
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Hormozgan, Bandar abbas, Iran;
e-mail:[email protected]

Behzad Kalantari
Assistant professor, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Hormozgan,
Bandar Abbas, Iran; e-mail: [email protected]

ABSTRACT
Liquefaction is one of principal concern to the geotechnical community as well as those
involved in the building and development of structural foundations. Ground improvement
techniques are often used to strengthen sub soil properties in terms of its bearing capacity,
shear strength, settlement characteristics and drainage. There are various methods for
stabilizing soils with liquefaction. Grouting method is one of the soil improvement methods
that uses to increase strength and reduces the liquefaction potential of soil. It consists three
techniques which can be selected according to loading conditions, nature of weak soil, the
location of project and the expectations of the procedure. This paper reviews these three
techniques of grouting methods against liquefaction.
KEYWORDS: liquefaction, compaction grouting, jet grouting, permeation
grouting, loose soil

INTRODUCTION
It is well known that soil liquefaction describes a phenomenon whereby a soil substantially
loses strength and stiffness in response to an applied stress, usually earthquake. vibration or other
rapid loading, causing it to behave like a liquid. Soil liquefaction is a sudden loss in strength in
loose to very loose saturated granular soils due to ground shaking followed by a rapid increase in
pore pressure. The ground shaking, which is normally due to earthquakes or significant horizontal
shearing and excitation of the loose to very loose soils, momentarily causes dislodgement of the
precarious grain to grain contact of the individual soil grains. A different phenomenon on soft to
very soft cohesive soils, which has been wrongly attributed as soil liquefaction in the past, is

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 Vol. 17 [2012], Bund. K 1560

another mechanism caused by repeated cyclic shearing of the soils. Particularly in very sensitive
soils, the cyclic disturbance causes a significant loss in shear strength which could result in
instability or bearing capacity failures. Rapid increases in pore water pressure normally
accompany this ground shaking. Due to the dislodgement, the superimposed weight on the
ground is momentarily transferred to the pore water because the soil loses its strength due to loss
of grain to grain contact. This momentary transfer further increases the pore water pressure in the
saturated zone further buoying up the already dislodged soil grains. Buoyancy causes the total
collapse of the soil structure resulting in a “liquefied mass” which does not possess any shear
strength or load carrying capacity (Morales & Morales, 2003; Zhang et al., 2002; Sachpazis,
2011).

Liquefaction and soil deformation risk mitigation are based on the following improvement
methods: densification, solidification, drainage, dewatering and consolidation. Densification is a
standard procedure for liquefaction reparation consisting in soil porosity mitigation, which
reduces the volume deformation potential that cause liquefaction. Deformation resistance caused
by shear forces increases with density. Solidification as viable measure of soil remediation
against liquefaction is also considered. Solidification prevents soils subsidence and gives it a high
cohesive force. Drainage method tests show that the layers’ drainage can accelerate interstitial
water pressure dissipation limiting the loss of cohesion and reducing pressures on underground
construction. Declining groundwater by dewatering reduces the degree of saturation preventing
the formation of the interstitial water pressure in excess that could cause liquefaction. The most
available techniques applied for soil liquefaction correction are: vibro-compaction, dynamic
compaction and sand sealing. These techniques improve the soil mainly by densification and are
usually less expensive than other techniques. However, they can cause unwanted vibration levels
during work performance. (Plescan & Rotaru, 2010). Grouting method is a kind of solidification
techniques that can be considered as an effective method to strength weak soil against
liquefaction.

DIFFERENT GROUTING TECHNIQUES

The soil improvement techniques are effective for each of the allowed or required disturbance
of existing structures. The following methods, which imply a low level of vibration, are useful to
improve liquefiable ground by solidification:
(a) Compacting grouting ;
(b) Permeation grouting ;
(c) Jet grouting;

Compaction Grouting
Compaction grouting is a soil injection with low workability cement paste that remains
homogeneous without entering in the soil pores. The cement mass extends, soil is moved and
finally compacted. The liquefaction improvement using compaction grouting divides into the
following categories:
(a) Treatment under existing structures;
 Vol. 17 [2012], Bund. K 1561

(b) Treatment in urban areas with low levels of vibration and noise;
(c) Treatment in narrow areas.

The execution of compaction by injection technology using bottom-up method takes place as
follows. In the first stage, injection pipes set up on the foundation soil of the existing or future
foundations using drilling machines. The injection process begins. Mixture injected through the
pipes pushes the surrounding soil; then the injection pipes raises about 0.3-1.5 m and the process
renews. The “in steps” injection process continues until the whole thickness of the soil layer is
treated. Injection stabilizes soil layer by density and pressure increasing. The injection process is
used when a controlled lifting of the soil surface or existing structures affected by local
settlements are necessary (Plescan & Rotaru, 2010; Morales & Morales, 2003; Welsh et al, 2002).

Orense et al. (2010) reported that Compaction grouting involves the injection of a very stiff
grout (soil-cement-water mixture with sufficient silt sizes to provide plasticity, together with
sand and gravel sizes to develop internal friction) that does not permeate the native soil, but
results in controlled growth of the grout bulb mass that displaces the surrounding soil. The
primary purpose of compaction grouting is to increase the density of soft, loose or disturbed soil,
typically for settlement control, structural re-leveling, increasing the soil’s bearing capacity, and
mitigation of liquefaction potential.

Also Orense (2008) had a review of two case histories on the application of compaction
grouting as liquefaction remediation was presented. One case involved the implementation in an
open unrestricted space such as airport runways, while the second one was under an existing
manufacturing plant. Based on the discussion, several important observations regarding the
effectiveness of the technique were addressed. The post-treatment data suggested that compaction
grouting was capable of producing the improvement in SPT resistance required to mitigate
liquefaction risk. The method of construction, whether “bottom-up”, “top-down” or combination
of the two, affected the level of effectiveness and the resulting ground heave. The method was
most effective on sandy soil with fewer fines content. In addition, compaction grouting also
increased the strength and the lateral earth pressure of the ground. This method is shown in the
Figure 1.

Figure 1: Compaction grouting implementation (Orense, 2008).

 Vol. 17 [2012], Bund. K 1562

Wakeman et al. (2010), demonstrated that compaction grouting was successfully applied to
densify a thick loose sand layer (up to 40 feet) for a large development site in an urban
environment. This densification significantly increased the factor of safety against liquefaction
and reduced potential liquefaction-induced settlement to under 0.5 inch. The compaction grouting
program included automated data acquisition and processing and three-dimensional visualization
components to ensure quality control and assurance. In addition, the site improvement program
was fully verifiable, as the ground improvement program included a comparison of cone
penetrometer tests (CPT) conducted prior to and following treatment. Densification of the loose
sand layer resulted in an increase in cone tip resistance over 100%, which raised the factor of
safety against liquefaction from approximately 1 to over 1.5. Also, the anticipated liquefaction-
induced settlement was reduced from 2 to 5 inches to negligible amounts.

Permeation Grouting
Permeation grouting consists of the injection of a low-viscosity fluid in the soil pores without
changes in the soil physical structure. The main goal of permeation grouting is both to strengthen
soils through particle cementation (to stabilize the links between particles) and to waterproof
ground by filling its pores with injected fluid. This method improves the soil physical and
mechanical characteristics, successfully stabilizes the excavation walls in soft soils, controls the
groundwater migration in order to implement the underpinnings at the existing foundations and
prevents the effects of earthquakes – compaction and soil liquefaction. Permeation grouting is a
technology used to mitigate liquefaction that is suitable for un-compacted soils solidification in
order to reduce the risks of compaction and liquefaction that may occur as result of possible
earthquakes (Plescan and Rotaru, 2010).

The process is quiet flexible and it can be designed with a minimal disruption at the surface
and therefore, it is advantageous for use in urban areas or areas with limited access.
During grouting process, injection pressures are usually limited to prevent fracturing or volume
change in the natural soil/rock formation. Based on the field trials and the soil conditions, the
injection pressures and the grout volumes will be justified to meet the intended performance.

Particulate grouts (e.g. cement or bentonite) are generally used for medium to coarse grained
sands, such that the particles in the grout easily percolate through the formation. Micro fine
cement is also used for fine grained sands where Ordinary Portland Cement cannot percolate
through the formation. Chemical grouts (e.g. silicates) are used in formations with smaller pore
spaces, but are limited to soils coarser than fine grained sands. The process of permeation
grouting is schematically shown in Figure 2. Quality Control & Quality Assurance Like any other
grouting improvement process, the quality control during permeation grouting is very important
to ascertain the effectiveness of the technique. As such, the process parameters such as grout
pressure, flow rate, volume of grout for corresponding depth are monitored throughout the
construction process. Post construction in-situ permeability tests are conducted after sufficient
curing period to validate the effectiveness of permeation grouting (Raju & Valluri, 2010).
 Vol. 17 [2012], Bund. K 1563

Figure 2: Schematic showing process of Permeation Grouting(Raju & Valluri, 2010).

A newly permeation grouting technique using a colloidal silica has been developed to prevent
the liquefaction of sandy ground beneath existing structures. In the case of cyclic torsional shear
test with the treated sand, a relatively large strain is developed in the early stage of loading;
however, both the development of shear strain and the decrease of mean effective stress resulted
without any collapse and liquefaction also the remarkable improvement of cyclic shear strength
by the colloidal silica treatment can be exhibited. This phenomenon leads to the expansion of
dilation region across which it faced the phase transformation line and the failure line. (Ohno et
al, 2005)

In order to study the deformation and the strength characteristics of the treated sand with the
colloidal silica, a series of laboratory tests has been performed on the treated sand such as
monotonic and cyclic torsional shear tests. In the case of cyclic torsional shear test with the
treated sand, a relatively large strain is developed in the early stage of loading; however, both the
development of shear strain and the decrease of mean effective stress resulted without any
collapse and liquefaction. As the results, the remarkable improvement of cyclic shear strength by
the colloidal silica treatment can be exhibited. This phenomenon leads to the expansion of
dilation region across which it faced the phase transformation line and the failure line. When the
performance based design for the silica-treated ground are carried out, it is necessary for the
dynamic deformation analysis to produce the appropriate constitutive model for the treated sand
based on the test results (Oka et al. 2003). Their report indicates that the improved sand exhibited
greater liquefaction strength curves. Based on the results of laboratory studies, a cyclic elasto-
plastic model has been proposed in order to describe the behavior of improved sand. Then, the
cyclic elasto-plastic model has been implemented into the fully coupled effective stress based
FEM program to perform numerical analysis of liquefaction of improved ground. It has been
revealed that the improvement by permeating grouting method is very effective in increasing the
resistance against liquefaction.
 Vol. 17 [2012], Bund. K 1564

Jet Grouting
Applications of the jet grouting system fall into three broad categories: underpinning or
excavation support, stabilization of soft or liquefiable soils, groundwater or pollution control. The
method consists of soil injection of a mixed fluid at high pressure forming jets that erode and
replace the existing soil with the injection mixture. In general this method begins by drilling
small-diameter holes (90-150 mm) up to the final injection depth. Cement mixture is injected into
the soil with a metal rod that runs a rotational and withdrawal motion whilst. This technology is
useful to underpinnings of existing foundations, to support excavations in cohesive less soils, to
control the groundwater migration and to improve the strength of liquefiable soil (plescan &
rotaru, 2010; Geotechnical news, 2008). This method is shown in the Figure 3.

Figure 3: Jet grouting method (Plescan & Rotaru, 2010).

Cooke (2000) studied the use of jet grouting under an embankment slope at existing highway
bridges to mitigate the risk of earthquake-induced liquefaction damage. The jet-grouted zone
helped to limit movements of the abutment by containing and limiting the shear deformations that
occurred in the liquefiable soils under the embankment that were softened due to the development
of excess pore water pressures during shaking. The limitation of the deformations was dependent
on the strength and stiffness of the jet-grouted zone, which in the cases evaluated did not fail, and
its ability to resist the increased overturning forces during shaking. The performance of a jet-
grouted zone is highly dependent on its strength. The strength assumed for the jet grouted
material was high and resulted in no material failure during shaking (Geotechnical news, 2008).

Also Geotechnical News (2008) reported from Olgun (2003), the soils were improved to
increase bearing support for shallow foundations and to reduce liquefaction potential of the sand
layers. Surcharge fills with wick drains were used to improve the soft clays, and jet-grouted
columns were used to provide increased bearing support in the clays and prevent liquefaction of
the loose sands. Jet-grouted column spacing and diameters were selected on the basis of footing
spacing, footing loads, floor slab loads, and judgment. A primary and secondary grid of columns
was installed in a rectangular pattern to provide blanket treatment. In addition Olgun showed that
jet grouted columns do not stiffen the ground by attracting the seismic shear stresses. Moreover
 Vol. 17 [2012], Bund. K 1565

they do not reduce shear stresses on the soft ground. They may still act as vertical support if there
is enough bearing capacity and side resistance from layers that did not liquefy. It is possible rely
on jet grouted columns to provide bearing support and reduce settlements if liquefaction is limited
to a specific zone. It is clear that there could be liquefaction mitigation only if the entire
liquefiable zone is treated. A total replacement of potentially liquefiable material by jet grouting,
will avoid the liquefaction likelihood.

Yilmaz et al. (2008) performed a study on the soil improvement in Beydag dam against
liquefaction of alluvium at the dam site. Peak acceleration on rock was estimated to be 0.32 g for
an earthquake having magnitude of 7. Liquefiable soils, which consisted of two separate layers of
diatomaceous silt and one layer of volcanic ash beneath the downstream toe of Wick up Dam,
were stabilized using 4.3 m diameter jet grouting columns. These liquefiable strata extended to
depths up to 26 m. The dam had a square grid of intersecting jet grout piles at the downstream
side of upstream wall having an area replacement ratio of about 10%. Depending upon the shear
modulus ratio, G, between jet grouted column and soil, it was found that stress reduction
coefficient changes with area replacement ratio. Cyclic stress ratio (CSR) after ground
improvement is calculated by multiplying stress reduction coefficient with CSR before treatment.
Thus, it was possible to calculate the area replacement ratio required to reach the intended factor
of safety. It was found that 10% area replacement ratio may reduce CSR at least about 50%.

CONCLUSIONS
Grouting method increases shear strength of weak soil and therefore reduces the risk of
liquefaction. This method of stabilization is best worked for loose sandy soil. Each of those
techniques is applied in different situations for the same purpose.

Compacting grouting is successfully applied to densify a thick loose sand layer in urban
environment. This method densifies loose sandy soil and mitigates liquefaction of soil by
injection in the soil without entering in its pores. Permeation grouting is very effective in
increasing the resistance of uncompacted soils against liquefaction by injection in the soil pores
without changing its physical structure. Jet grouting is suitable method to underpinning of
existing foundation to improve the strength of liquefiable soil but it neither stiffen the ground nor
reduce shear stresses of soil. Jet columns provide bearing support and reduce settlement if
liquefaction is limited to a specific zone.

REFERENCES
1. Emilio M. Morales, Mark K. Morales, 2003, "State of Practice in Soil Liquefaction
Mitigation and Engineering Countermeasures".

2. Geotechnical News, 2008, "The Grout Line", Germany.

3. Ohno, Y. et al., 2005, "Cyclic shear characteristics of treated sand with colloidal
silica grout", Toa Corporation, Tokyo, Japan.
 Vol. 17 [2012], Bund. K 1566

4. Oka, F. et al., 2003, "Deformation and Strength Characteristics Of Improved Sand

By a Grouting Materials and its Application to Liquefaction Analysis of Manmade
Island", Department of Civil Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.

5. Orense, R, 2008, "Liquefaction Remediation by Compaction Grouting, Dept of Civil

& Environmental Engineering", University of Auckland.

6. Orense, R, Morita, Y, Ide, M, 2010, "Assessment And Mitigation Of Liquefaction

Risk For Existing Building Foundation".

7. Plescan & Rotaru, 2010, "Aspects Concerning The Improvement Of Soil Against
Liquefaction".

8. Raju V.R, Sridhar Valluri, 2008, "Practical Application Of Ground Improvement",

Symposium on Engineering of Ground & Environmental Geotechniques (SEG2).

9. Sachpazis, Costas I, 2011, "Soil liquefaction potential assessment of a coastal

foundation ground and its suitability for a CCGT Power Plant construction in
Greece", Department of Geotechnology and Environmental Engineering,
Technological Educational Institute of Western Macedonia.

10. Wakeman et al, 2010, " Compaction Grouting For Seismic Mitigation Of Sensitive
Urban Sits", Fifth International Conference on Recent Advances in Geotechnical
Earthquake Engineering and Soil Dynamics, California.

11. Welsh .J . P, Burke. G. K, 2002, "Advances In Grouting Technology", Hayward

Baker Inc., 1130 Annapolis Road, Odenton, Maryland, USA.

12. Yilmaz D., Babuccu F., Batmaz S., Kavruk F, 2008, "Liquefaction analysis and soil
improvement in Beydag dam. Geotechical and Geological Engineering".

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