SILICATES FOR GROUND CONSOLIDATION

Silicate based grouts usually contain three

main components:
Sodium silicate
Hardener or reagent
Water

CHEMICAL REACTION BETWEEN SILICATE AND HARDENER

hydrolysis

(CH2)m(COOCH3)2 + H2O

(CH2)m(COOH)2 + 2 CH3OH

gel formation

(CH2)m(COOH)2 + SiO2, Na2O

n SiO2 + x H2O +
(CH2)m(COONa)2

FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED

Initial grout viscosity and the viscosity profile during gelation

Setting time of the grout

Effect of temperature

Degree of neutralization of the gel

Nature of treatment required e.g. water proofing, short or long term

consolidation

Nature of the grout to be treated

GROUT VISCOSITY
For a given temperature, the initial viscosity of a silicate grout depends on:
Type of silicate used (ratio, % solids)
Ratio silicate/water
Amount of hardener

INITIAL VISCOSITY

INITIAL VISCOSITY

SETTING TIME
The grout setting time depends on:
Nature of silicate; the higher the ratio the longer the setting time. The
higher the solid content of the silicate the shorter the setting time,
assuming a constant degree of neutralization
Concentration of the silicate; at constant volumetric dosages of hardener,
the setting time increases with increasing silicate levels.
Type of hardener and concentration of hardener
Grout and soil temperature; the higher the temperature the shorter the
setting time
Nature of the soil; acidity of the soil, calcium/magnesium content in the soil
could influence the setting time

SETTING TIME

TEMPERATURE VS. SETTING TIME

DEGREE OF NEUTRALIZATION
In general the higher the degree of neutralization the higher the mechanical
strength (compressive strength) the higher the durability.

Degree of Neutralization = (VH * dH * 6200)/(VS * dS * NA) * MH

VS = silicate volume (l)
dS = density of silicate (S.G)
NA = weight % alkali (Na2O) in silicate
MH = molecular weight of hardener
VH = volume of hardener (l)
dH = density of hardener (S.G.)

DEGREE OF NEUTRALIZATION

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH

INITIAL VISCOSITY VS. COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH

SYNERESIS

Syneresis is the phenomenon of the reaction of

silanol groups whereby a siloxane bond will be
formed and water will be released. This loss of water
leads to shinkage and/or distortion of the silica gel
structure.
HO
2

O-H
Si

HO
Si

Si

Si

DEGREE OF SYNERESIS

Main factors influencing degree of syneresis:

Silicate ratio (ratio > = Syn <)
Degree of neutralisation (neutralization > = Syn <)
SiO2 content of the grout formulation
(SiO2 content > = Syn >)

DEGREE OF SYNERESIS