BANGKOK METROPOLITAN ADMINISTRATION

BUENG NONG BON DRAINAGE TUNNEL PROJECT

METHOD STATEMENT
FOR
PRIMARY GROUTING

Submitted to

SINO-THAI ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION

PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED

PREPARED BY

UNDERGROUND MATERIAL AND TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LIMITED

JULY 2016

CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. Specification
2.1

Specific gravity of Liquid A

2.2

Bleeding Rate of Liquid A

2.3

Consistency (Flow Rate) of Liquid A

2.4

Gel (Setting) Time of Liquid A and Liquid B

2.5

Compressive Strength

2.6

Usable Life of Liquid A

3. Proposed Mix Design

4. Testing Method
4.1

Liquid A mixing procedure

4.2

Measurement of Liquid A specific gravity

4.3

Measurement of Liquid A bleeding

4.4

Measurement of Consistency

4.5

Measurement of Gel Time

4.6

Measure of Compressive Strength

5. Testing Results

6. Appendix
Test Photo
Primary Grout Material Test Form
Compressive Strength Test Result
Technical Data Sheet
ASTM Standard Test
Reference Project

1. Introduction

This document was prepared to present the design approach and the testing method of the grouting
material that will be used for shield tunneling from Bueng Nong Bon to Chao Phaya River. In order to
secure the maximum effect of filling in the void between the excavated profile and the permanent linings
to the underground works, Thixotropic-gel grouting material is proposed. A Thixotropic-gel grouting
material provides enough strength against the ground pressure and recovery of fluidity of the grouting
material within one hour after grouting this ensuring a continuous and impermeable void filling. The
required properties of Thixotropic-gel grouting material are:
Non shrinkage after grouting void
High resistance to underground water before setting
High controllability of grout flow
Suitability for a long distance pumping
No separation of solid material from solution during storing and pumping
Long usable time
Thixotropic-gel grouting materials consist of two solutions A and Liquid B. The following section presents
the specifications of Liquid A and B and the mixed grouting material.

2. Specification

Following are the specification of properties of the Thixotropic-gel grouting material to secure the
maximum effects.

2.1 Specific gravity of Liquid A

Specific gravity of Liquid A is specified between 1.18 and 1.22

Grouting Material of theoretical density should be equal to actual measured density. The most
appropriate specific gravity in mud balance equipment is specified between 1.18 and 1.22.

2.2 Bleeding Rate of Liquid A

The bleeding rate shall be less than 5% at 1 hour after mixing

Grouting Material with high bleeding rate does not have long usable life because much bleeding
cause separation of grouting material blockage of Liquid A in the pipeline from the grouting plant to
tunneling face. The maximum bleeding rate of Liquid A is from the grouting plant to tunneling face.
The maximum bleeding rate of Liquid A is specified nit greater than 5% within 1 hour after mixing.

2.3 Consistency (Flow Rate) of Liquid A in P-Type Funnel Test

Consistency of Liquid A shall not be greater than 11 seconds

If Liquid A has high consistency, it may cause a blockage. The maximum value of the consistency
of Liquid A in P-Type funnel is specified as 11 seconds.

2.4 Gel (Setting) Time of Liquid A and Liquid B

Gel Time is specified between 4 and 12 seconds

Grouting material will be exposed to ground water during grouting while it has fluidity. If the gel time
is too long, the grouting material will be diluted and lose the expected properties. Conversely, is the
gel time is too short, the void will not be fully filled because the grouting material cannot be flow from
the grouting point to the whole void. The resulting insufficient grouting cause round settlement and
poor water tightness.

From the above points, the most appropriate gel time is specified between 4 and 12 seconds.

2.5 Compressive Strength

The designed compressive strength is shown as below:

Table-1 Required Compressive Strength

Curing Time

Compressive Strength

Mixing after 1 hour

0.03 N/mm2

Mixing after 1 days

0.40 N/mm2

Mixing after 7 days

0.80 N/mm2

Mixing after 28 days

1.50 N/mm2

2.6 Usable Life of Liquid A

Usable life Liquid A shall be minimum 24 hours for long distance pumping from the mixing plant on
ground to tunneling face.

3. Proposed Mix Design

The mix proportion of the Thixotropic-gel grouting material for Tunnel is proposed as below.

Table Mix Design

Solution

Liquid A

Liquid B

Material

Quantity (per 1 m3 mixed grout)

Cement

240 kg

Bentonite

30 kg

Water

830 litre

Stabilizer

1.8 litre

Special Sodium Silicate

80 litre

4. Testing Method
Trial mixing and the grouting mix tests for the grouting material to be used for Tunnel Section I are
carried out as follows.
4.1 Liquid A mixing procedure
We were separated liquid of cavity grouting to 2 parts, one part is Liquid A component, bentonite,
stabilizer and water, another part is Liquid B. It is accelerator. The density of Liquid B will be
measured by volume of weight, actual measured density and theoretical density should be
compare.
Equipment
Electric Balance
Hand Mixer
Bucker of 20 litre
Procedure
1. Put water in bucket 20 litre amount according to design mixed.
2. Put bentonite in bucket mix by hand mixing, start stop watch.
3. At time 1.30 minutes put stabilizer in bucket.
4. At time 2.30 minutes put cement in bucket.
5. Mix grout until at time 5.30 minutes stop mixing and used Liquid A in other testing.

4.2 Measurement of Liquid A specific gravity

To measure actual density of Liquid A compare to theoretical density
Equipment
Bucket of 1 litre
Towel
Mud balance equipment
Procedure
1. Mixed Liquid A in bucket.
2. Put Liquid A in mud balance equipment
3. Clean Liquid A around the equipment by towel
4. Record specific gravity

4.3 Measurement of Liquid A bleeding

Due to keep good pumpability of grout, bleeding of grout material is unavoidable. Bleeding seams
a kind of segregation of mixed grout material.
Equipment
Mess cylinder 1000 ml.
Hand Mixer
Bucket of 20 litre
Stop watch
Procedure
5. Mixed Liquid A in bucket.
6. Put Liquid A in mess cylinder 1000 ml.
7. Measure the bled water quantity at one hour later.
8. Bleeding procedure formula is
Bleeding percentage = (Bled water volume (ml.)/1000 ml.)*100

Remark
Limit of Bleeding is defined as 5% and for laboratory test 2%
In air entraining type grout the bleeding is less than ordinary grout.

4.4 Measurement of Consistency

Equipment
Bucket of 20 litre
Hand Mixer
Pre pact flow cone
Stop watch
Procedure
1. Mixed liquid A in bucket of 20 litre
2. Fill Liquid A in bucket
3. Discharge grout, stop watch until the grout was empty record time by sec.

4.5 Measurement of Gel Time

Gel time check in relate to the performance of accelerator. It is defined by a time (sec)
since start mix Liquid A and Liquid B until it become harden (no flowability). Gel time is
measured by Two cup method
Equipment
Beaker of 2000 cc made of plastic w/side hand 2 pieces.
Stop watch.
Procedure
1. Prepare Liquid A (850 cc 950 cc) and Liquid B (50 cc 150 cc) in the beaker.
2. Liquid A pour to Liquid B, start watch and Liquid B pour to Liquid A repeat this until no flowability is
observed and measure this time.
3. Record gel time.

4.6 Measure of Compressive Strength

Test cube (5 cm.* 5 cm.) are normally use for this test, 3 test cube are tested and water curing
method is used.
Equipment
Beaker of 1000 cc. made of plastic w/side hand 2 pieces.
Test piece mould for mortar.
Compressive strength machine (small capacity 20 kg.More or less).
Electronic balance.
Procedure
1. Prepare Liquid A and Liquid B same quantity as gel time check.
2. Liquid A pour to Liquid B and Liquid B pour to Liquid A repeat 2 time and pour Liquid A+B in
test piece mould for mortar before it hardens.
3. Allow half hour and then smooth the surface.
4. Check compressive strength at time 1 hour, 1 day, 7 days, and 28 days.

5.

Testing Results

We have done testing by used Mix designed and Material as we propose and show the result as
follow:
Table Testing Result

Test

Specification

Result

Specific Gravity

1.18-1.22

1.19

0-5%

0.5%

< 11 seconds

8.62 seconds

4-12 seconds

9.63 seconds

0.03 N/mm2

0.23 N/mm2

0.40 N/mm2

1.06 N/mm2

0.80 N/mm2

1.38 N/mm2

1.50 N/mm2

1.63 N/mm2

Bleeding Rate
(1 hour after liquid A mixing)
Consistency
(Flow Rate)
Gel (Setting) Time
Compressive Strength
(1 hour after mixing)
Compressive Strength
(24 hours after mixing)
Compressive Strength
(7 days after mixing)
Compressive Strength
(28 days after mixing)

Conclusion
Primary grouting is one part of tunneling work. It is an important element of Tunneling Work and in
particular in soft ground conditions such as in Bangkok. The specification as we propose in reliable and
considered suitable for tunneling in this project. Furthermore, we have confidence in the quality of the
material selected, and from the test results, it is show that design mix meets the requirements and make
cavity grouting work become successful.

TEST PHOTO

Cement : Siam Cement

Stabilizer : UMAT CBS

Bentonite : Volcon

Modified sodium silicate :

UMAT PGA1

Mud Balance Test

Bleeding Test

Consistency Test (Flow Rate)

Gel Time Test

Mortar casting

Compressive Test

PRIMARY GROUT MATERIAL TEST FORM

COMPRESSIVE TEST RESULT

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET

UMAT CBS
Stabilizer for Primary Grout

DESCRIPTION
UMAT CBS is a liquid retarding agent with plasticizing
effects which inhibits cementitious grout setting times,
to be use in cementitious mixes for injections.

FIELDS OF APPLICATION
UMAT CBS is specifically designed for use in
cementitious mixes that need long workability.
Such retardation to the setting time is often
required to offset long transportation time or
pumping from surface, delay in injecting etc.

CONSUMPTION
The dosage of UMAT CBS depends on the mix
composition, in particular on the amount of water
and cement present in the mix, and on the final
characteristics requested in the mix, such the
workability maintenance period.
Generally the dosage in volume of UMAT CBS is
between 1.5 and 8 litres each cubic meter of mix
to be batched.

UMAT CBS is for injection of cementitious mixes

PACKAGING

used in back-fill grouting behind the concrete

lining in tunnels excavated by means of TBM
(Tunnel Boring Machines)

UMAT CBS is supplied in 200 litre drums, containers or

in bulk 1000 litre tanks.

UMAT CBS is particularly suitable to be used in

cementitious mixes whose setting time should be

then accelerated with UMAT PGA1
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
The maintenance of workability using UMAT CBS

minimizes risks of choking pipelines and grout cars

PRECAUTIONS
UMAT CBS is not hazardous according to the ruling
standards on the classification of mixtures. It is
recommended to take the usual precautions of handling
chemical products
For further information refer to Material Safety Data
Sheet

TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE DATA

Form

Liquid

Colour

Reddish- Brown

Density (at 20C)

1.20 1.30

pH

8 -12

UNDERGROUND MATERIAL AND TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LIMITED

97/10 Moo 1, Thanamnon Road, Bangsrimuang , Muang, Nonthaburi 11000
Phone/Fax: +662 624 4505, Email: info@umat.co.th

UMAT PGA1
Liquid accelerator for primary grout
CONSUMPTION

DESCRIPTION
UMAT PGA1 is an accelerator used mainly for primary

Dosage of UMAT PGA1 can be varied to achieve the

grout in Tunnels driven by TBMs.

desired Gel time as well as early and final strength of

the Grout Mix.

FIELDS OF APPLICATION

The gel time of the grout will depend on the grout mix

UMAT PGA1 is suitable for use in Tunnelling where an

design, type of cement used, as well as the dosage of

early strength is required of the backfill grout after 1-2

UMAT PGA1.

hrs.

Performance tests should always be carried out before

use.

Tunnelling with Tunnel Boring Machines.

Used for primary tail-shield grouting.

PACKAGING

Used for secondary grouting through segmental

linings.

UMAT PGA1 is supplied in 200 litre drums, containers

or in bulk 1000 litre tanks.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

PRECAUTIONS

Improves Gel Time of grout.

UMAT PGA1 is an irritant fluid; any contact with skin

Helps achieve an early strength within 1-2 hrs.

and eyes must be avoided. It is essential that safety

glasses and rubber gloves always be worn during

TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE DATA

handling. The use of a protective cream, eg. Ketodex

Form

Liquid

1, is recommended, In case of contact with eyes or

Colour

Slightly grey to colourless

skin, flush immediately with plenty of water and seek

Density (at 20C)

1.32 1.35

medical advice.

pH

10 -13

Viscosity

50 110cps

For further information refer to Material Safety Data

Sheet

APPLICATION
UMAT PGA1 is introduced to the backfill grout mix at or
near the nozzle of the grout line.

UNDERGROUND MATERIAL AND TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LIMITED

97/10 Moo 1, Thanamnon Road, Bangsrimuang , Muang, Nonthaburi 11000
Phone/Fax: +662 624 4505, Email: info@umat.co.th

ASTM STANDARD TEST

REFERENCE PROJECT