Field Study of the Effect of Grout Used on

Tensile Strength and Creep Behavior of Grout

Nails in Green Marl

Gholam Moradi
Associate Professor at Faculty of Technical & Engineering, Tabriz University, Iran
gmoradi@tabrizu.ac.ir

Siamak Zadkarim
Ph.D. Candidate in Civil (Geotechnical), Department of Civil Engineering, University of
Tabriz, Iran; s_zadkarim@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
Tabriz one of the most important cities of Iran, covers an area of 135 square kilometers in the
northwest of the country on site most of the alluvial sediments and marl Soil is located. In recent years,
Due to growth and urban development Increasing population density and the value of land, the optimal
use of deep underground as useful for the construction of urban spaces, much attention that It was
noted the large excavation raises, how to contain and stabilize them, especially in the marl soils due to
the injection of a low, high plasticity properties of their gender, have added to the problem. Using the
Soil Nailing due to its numerous advantages, the traditional approach is to stabilize the excavation
walls fitted. Regarding the different behavior of marl soil in long-term and short-term and basic role of
friction between cement grout with its surrounding soil in nailed walls, this research studies the tensile
strength and creep behavior of nails in a kind of this soil which is generally accessible. In this regard, 4
nails in 11cm-diameter and 4-m length in vertical mood and 4 nails with same details in horizontal in
15 degree angle to horizontal in real scale is constructed in research site and executed in university of
Tabriz and studied the effect of Standard cement grout and cement grout with the expansion material
on tensile strength and creep behavior of nails by nail Anchoring which is made especially for this plan
and equipped with measurement tool in 0.01-mm accuracy data logger for registering the data values;
the results indicate 15% increasing in tensile strength of nails in vertical mode and 35 to 40%
increasing in a horizontal mode implemented by cement grout with An additive expansionary
Compared to Standard cement grout. Nails improved creep behavior in case of expansion grout was
observed in both cases.
KEYWORDS: Field Study; Green Marl; nailing; expansionary material; pull out; creep.

INTRODUCTION
One of the most important problems and challenges in civil engineering is constructing structures,
protecting excavation and the building in their surrounding and stabilizing embankments. Non-
observing proper methods for protecting deeps and also constructing slopes will lead to irreparable
damage and the risks resulted from probable subsidence and reducing the bearing capacity and lateral
displacements will cause cracks in neighboring structures of deep [1].

- 521 -
 Vol. 21 [2016], Bund. 02 522

For preventing the occurrence of mentioned cases, it is necessary to use proper lateral anchoring
methods before starting the excavation operations to continue the cooperation in stable and secure
environment. In this regard, several lateral protective systems are used in this study due to proper
function and using nail in soils rather than other mentioned methods such as implementing in
neighboring of available structures, construction method conforming the environmental criteria
(without vibration and noise), easy implementation, compatibility with land charges and plan and
setting status (method flexibility), deformations of low wall, economic saving compared to other
construction methods especially fixed retaining structures, possibility of working in limited spaces,
occupying less spaces compared to anchors due to shorter nails, high speed of work, more confidence
of nails compared to anchors, manipulating and improving design without losing the safety level and
properness for temporary and permanent uses, and studying nailing systems [2].
The concept is designing a nailed retaining structure based on transferring tensile force produced
in reinforcement. The Mechanism of transferring the load between nails and soil by the capacity of
final extension depend on many parameters such as installing technique, drilling method, type of used
grout, grouting method, grouting pressure, size and shape of reinforcement, geometrical properties of
soil place (especially relative density of soil or pre-consolidation ratio), soil permeability, and soil
shear strength. In these structures, it is necessary in lateral displacement for mobilization interaction
of nail soil and producing tensile force in nails. Therefore in urban regions, the distance shall be
considered between nailed mass and its neighboring structure to prevent the extra load on neighboring
structure [3].
The numerical analysis show that the nailed slope behavior depends on details of contacting
surface on reinforcement and surrounding soil rather than belonging the final conditions of
reinforcements and one of the very effective factors is the effect of grouting pressure on tensile
strength of nails [4].
Nailing embankments for excavation operations are very proper especially when there needs
vertical or near vertical shears in soil. This technique has been very successful in the operations of
highway construction, excavation, stairs foundation, keeping excavated walls for constructing
underground structures in urban settings, repairing, consolidating and restoring old retaining
structures and also tunnel entry. Totally, the nailed walls are used in stability of trenches in
constructing highways and railways, mountain digging in road constructing, stability of tunnels walls,
underground structures, stability and protecting deep in urban regions structures, buildings
neighboring the deep, metro underground stations, repairing and restoring old maintenance systems,
stability of carryings surrounding bridges in loose and falling land as temporarily and permanent [6].
By now, many experimental studies has been done in many real and software scale related to
overhead effects, grouting pressure, pore water pressure on tensile strength of grout nails in saturated
and non-saturated states which has remarkable results [9], [8], [7], [12], [11].
Studying the nails behavior in marl and clay soils which are considered as fine-grained soils with
different properties compared to grained soils are the subjects which has been considered less. High
plastic properties, semi-saturation state, changing its behavior in long-term, very low grouting and
other similar cases are among the problems which necessitates studying the nail function in these
types of soils.
In recent years, regarding the urban development and growth and increasing population density,
the number of underground floors and excavation depth has been increased. Regarding the land price
and its value in mentioned regions which mostly comprises the top-dominated part of the city, it is
inevitable to optimal use of it and using the depths of lands as spaces for urban constructions; in this
regard, the discussion of big excavations and manner of their control was the main problem and soil
properties of place which are generally marble and weathered and has its special behaviors are added
 Vol. 21 [2016], Bund. 02 523

to the problems. The stability of excavations walls soils and stability of embankments are raised as
important issue in geo-technique engineering in constructing roads and tunnels and main artery.
Therefore it is necessary and obligatory to identify and implement methods by which it can be
possible to solve the problems with least cost and as soon as possible.
Regarding the diversity of marl in surface (yellow, green, olive green) it is not possible to study
all of them in low time and it needs more time and more cost while due to multiplicity of olive green
soil which is observable in most civil projects in the city and in lower depth of lands, this research
studies the behavior of nailing systems in these types of marls.

MARL SOIL
Marl is a term for depositions which is formed by combination of Rousseau sodium carbonate.
Marls are exposed in eastern, northern and southern districts of Tabriz and in most city areas, it forms
bedrock, in other words, they are under alluvial deposits. These marls are seen in different colors such
as yellow, olive green, brown and gray. The yellow and green layers are usually put in surface and
gray marls are in deep and mark soils are mechanically classified in the group of clays or silty with
high plasticity. The marls' smoothness and plasticity index is in an extended area which shows the
variability of carbonate calcium percent and type of clay composing marls.
Tabriz marls have wide diversity in different areas. Such diversity is observed in their appearance
and in engineering properties and compositions. These marls show different geo-mechanical behavior
in different conditions such as depth, the amount of overhead, natural humidity, saturation, clay
percent and also gypsum and coal lines. Regarding the importance of these marls and their expansion
in Tabriz and their different function, the studying is don on behavior of this type of marls against
nailing system (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Images of Soil samples in the study plan

 Vol. 21 [2016], Bund. 02 524

TEST EQUIPMENT

For doing tests, it needs a device which can measure and register the force, pressure values and
displacements with high precision, in this regard; a nail anchoring was made which can measure the
force by 50 tons and measure the deformations in 0.1-mm precision equipped with data logger for
registering the data automatically per 6 seconds. The mentioned device is equipped with creep lock
system for fixing the force value during the time and if the force reduces for any reason, it controls
the force's value to the defined fixed value of device via exerting oil pressure. Pressure load cell,
pressure valve, drain valve, two-way leverage for exerting pressure, USB gate for memory record,
monitoring systems (force, pressure and deformation) and panel of internal settings of device with
base jack, system of connecting jack to nail, ohm marking are the main parts of mentioned device.
Regarding the recommendation of FHWA standard and other valid standards for measuring the
displacement with 0.01-mm precision, two gauge with mentioned precisions were installed for
measuring the nail and foundation displacements under jack for reading data precisely in defined
intervals according to related criteria.
Regarding the low sensitivity in borehole drilling and repeatability of tests, the drilling systems
shall has high precision and quality and low and acceptable vibration, in this regard, the drilling
equipment’s were prepared which can do vertical and horizontal drilling with defined angle and 360
degree circulation, grout set with pressure exertion by 10 times, mixer of primary and secondary
mixing and also special packer for grouting (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Images of Nail tension Jack with accessories

 Vol. 21 [2016], Bund. 02 525

PRESENTING THE PLAN AND DOING TESTS

The geo-technique plan based on a hypothesis for predicting the behavior of a system is used
according to the expected precision with low or high details depending on the type of work. With
small-scale physical model, the different parameters and their effect can be studied with proper
precision and under controlled conditions while using models with real scale will present realistic
results [5], [10]. Regarding the kind of used soil that is olive green marl, preparing an intact sample of
this soil is very difficult regarding its structure and stratification. In this research a studying site on
given field is constructed instead of preparing intact sample of marl soil and using it in laboratory
which will have big and effective errors such that at first a site with definite dimensions and necessary
depth was constructed in site of the University of Tabriz (Figure 3) and for preventing the soil
weathering, its walls and floors was coated by a proper material and then physical, chemical,
mechanical and mineralogical tests were done on it and having enough knowledge of the site soil and
in fact identifying the soil, the nails were implemented on the floor and some of them were done on
deep walls. Regarding the diversity of olive green marl, only one type of marl was studied, the
properties of which was obtained via related tests (table 1) it shall be noted that since the effect of
overhead is not the studying issue in this research and regarding the structure of marl soil which has
joints with different aspects, the nails were implemented horizontally in the pre-defined field for easy
work and enough precision in establishing and doing desired tests and creating similar conditions in
samples and the tests were done on them. Meanwhile, some nails were implemented horizontally on
wall in southern part of the site for comparing and creating the connection among several values. In
continuing, the nails' behavior is evaluated in this type of soil against creeping phenomena. One of the
available limitations is scale, since it is not possible to do tests in laboratory scale due to the kind of
studied soil and non-accessibility of intact sample, the nails has been implemented in real scale in
field.
For reaching the predicted aims of recent project, 6 nails in real scale with injected length of 4m
and free length of 60cm in mentioned field with different injection grouts vertically and 4 nails
horizontally with 15 degree angle to horizontal with the same details were implemented for studying
the effect of grouting pressure on friction behavior and their effects on tensile strength and creeping
behavior of nails. The current research studies the effect of grouting pressure on tensile strength and
its effect of creeping behavior of nails as one of the effective factors (table 2).

Figure 3: Aerial images of the site studied at the University of Tabriz

 Vol. 21 [2016], Bund. 02 526

For doing this research, a site was prepared with definite dimensions and depth and its floor and
walls will be coated with proper coating to prevent weathering. Then required physical, mechanical,
chemical and mineralogical tests will be done on soil site. In continuing, the place for nails
implantation were determined and having marked their implementing place, the single foundations in
120×120 cm dimensions with 30 to 40-cm thickness were implemented in their structure, in their
middle part, a hole with 5-inch diameter was exerted for drilling nails and grouting operations. The
foundation implementations aims at raising the level of work due to their protection from surface
waters, probable rainfall and creating surface for implementing long-term locking operations of nails,
implementing smooth surface and balance for lodgment of nail anchoring jack and preventing
Heterogeneous subsidence and controllable subsidence value while exerting loan (Figure 4). The
contracted foundation were 300kg/cm3-grade concrete which armed with reinforcement network in
its middle part and has enough loading capacity against the loads.

Figure 4: preparing studying site and manner of implementing reinforced concrete

foundations

In continuing, the equipment’s for nail implementing such as (drilling device, pneumatic
compressor, three-phase generator for electrical supply of equipment’s, primary and secondary
injection set and required materials) were logged. In this regard, 6 nails were drilled horizontally in
floor of pre-prepared site from middle of single foundations in which a hole in 15-cm diameter is put
in its middle part. Meanwhile, 4 nails were drilled and injected horizontally with 15 degree slope to
horizontaly in southern wall of site and having completed the implementation operations and
preparing the nails end, their opening were closed with a reinforced concrete cushion in 100 ×10 cm
and a metal sheet in 30×30cm dimension is put with a 5-cm diameter hole in its middle part which
provides the necessary conditions for bolstering the nail anchoring jack opening and exerting force on
it and prevent unpredicted and waste subsidence during test (Figure 5) it shall be noted that the
 Vol. 21 [2016], Bund. 02 527

subsidence value at different parts are measured by several gauge in proper precision during test by
its completion. Before putting the rebar in drilling borehole, their end in 15 to 20-cm thread and
necessary space providers are put per one meter on then and then grouting is done as the planning
(Figure 6).

Figure 5: Run the nails of vertical and horizontal drilling with drill site by elapsed

Figure 6: overview of the study site and the location of Nails

 Vol. 21 [2016], Bund. 02 528

In nails drilling, the customary method of shield drilling which is most used in implementation
works is used. Two types of standard cement grout and standard cement grout plus additive expansion
called Cebex100 Based on manufacturer's suggested it is used. Due to the uses of an additive
expander, increasing the involvement of the grout curtain wall Because of price and availability, as
well as the multiple use of the additive in other administrative projects as concrete expander, have
been selected.
Material to a powder and then mixed with cement grout according to standards can increase the
volume of grout from 5 to 7 percent. Expansion, according to the manufacturer's recommended
amount equal to 227 grams per 50 kg cement is used the expansion will increase 5 to 7 percent. The
material was examined in laboratory also predicted that the expansion was achieved.

Table 1: Specification for the design and parameters of the Olive Marl
Angle of Internal Cohesive Plastic Limit Liquid Limit Humidity Wet Density Depth
Friction Ф(Degree) C(kg/m2) PL (%) LI (%) w (%) (kg/m3) D(m)
19 1.1 51 75 36.6 1860 2
20 1.2 60 78 41 1900 4

Table 2: Dimensions Studs and grout used

Additives Cement Bar Size final diameter of the Free length of the Injection Along the
Grout (mm) Nail (cm) Nail (m) Nail (m)

Cebex 100 II2 32 11 0.6 4

Table 3: The real test Result, Dimensions and details of their implementation

Free length of the Nail (cm)

Start unacceptable creep (ton)

Injection Along the Nail (cm)

Nail Diameter(cm)
Maximum Pullout
Reliable force to

Resistance(ton)

Drilling Type
perform(ton)

Nail number
Grout Type

Run mode

14 17 19 Cement(Type II) Elapsed Vertical 60 400 11 1

14 16 20 Cement(Type II) Elapsed Vertical 60 400 11 2
15 18 20 Cement(Type II) Elapsed Vertical 60 400 11 3
16 18 21 Expansionary material+ Cement (Type II) Elapsed Vertical 60 400 11 4
16 18 21 Expansionary material+ Cement (Type II) Elapsed Vertical 60 400 11 5
17 19 21 Expansionary material+ Cement (Type II) Elapsed Vertical 60 400 11 6
12 14 15 Cement(Type II) Elapsed Horizontal 60 400 11 7
12 14 16 Cement(Type II) Elapsed Horizontal 60 400 11 8
18 19 21 Expansionary material+ Cement (Type II) Elapsed Horizontal 60 400 11 9
17 18 20 Expansionary material+ Cement (Type II) Elapsed Horizontal 60 400 11 10

At first, water and cement were mixed in 1 to 2 ratios in primary mixer and then transferred to
secondary mixer, in this stage, the expansion material is added to it and stirred for 10 minutes and
 Vol. 21 [2016], Bund. 02 529

then injection operations are done. It shall be noted that the maximum used time of the mixture is 30
minutes for better function. Since the time of starting local tests depends on getting compressive
strength of injected grout, so for confidence of the compressive strength of used grout in nails, the
grout of all nails in special sampling in 2-inch diameter was sampled and after passing 3 and 7 days,
they were broken and their compressive strength is determined and having obtained required strength
by grout, the real tests were done in site. in continuing, having used excavation equipment’s and
mixing and injecting with high precision, the nails were implemented in marl soil upon changing in
the type of grout and necessary tests were done for determining the tensile strength of nails and
studying creep behavior of these type of soils. For example, the results of tests 8 and 9 are provided in
following figures.

24

20
pullout Force(ton)

16

12

4
Nail N9 Nail N8

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
pullout Displacement(mm)

(A)

(B1)
 Vol. 21 [2016], Bund. 02 530

(B2)

(C)

Figure 7: (A) diagram of the displacement axial pull out load nails up to failure in Nail N8
& N9, (B1): Axial displacement diagram nail against the logarithm of time under different
pull out loads in Nail N8, (B2): Axial displacement diagram nail against the logarithm of
time under different pull out loads in Nail N9 (C): Diagram pull out load nails against
moving at different steps f in Nail N8 & N9

CONCLUSION
The results of test indicate 15% rise in tensile strength of nails in vertical mode and 35 to 40%
rise in a horizontal mode implemented by cement grout with An additive expansionary Compared to
cement grout. When using expansionary materials to the cement grout that may be due to the
expansion of cement grout wall involvement with cross drilled and compensate for the shrinkage of
cement grout after setting it in the nails implemented. In the vertical Nails, due to its position and
influence over under its own weight into the wall grouting drilling and low shrinkage caused by
 Vol. 21 [2016], Bund. 02 531

cement grout after setting it, the effect of the additive is less than the horizontal position. Improving
creep behavior of nails is observed via using the additive expansionary in both horizontal and vertical
states Which delays the onset of unacceptable creeping (above 2-mm) and shows more acceptable
long-term behavior it is shown in Table 3.
The nails implemented in marl soil show different behavior compared to other soils due to
humidity, smoothness and high plasticity which causes change in behavior of implemented structures
in this kind of soil. Studying and scientific experiences show reduction of tensile power of nails in
marl soil during the time which can be due to creeping behavior of this type of soil and aligning the
clay grains under load. Improving the nail behavior in marl soil with different methods and increasing
the tensile capacity and improving its creeping behavior especially in long-term is considered as aims
of this paper. After the initial set, cement grout Began to shrinkage and Cause to reduce friction
between Cement grout and surrounding soil. Using a certain percentage of the Expansionary material
can provide more proper conditions due to establishing proper involvement of grout with soil of nail
wall and Prevent from shrinkage of grout after setting. It shall be noted that regarding the types of
marls with different capabilities and behaviors, the results are changeable upon changing the type of
marl type and its physical properties and strength parameters and cannot relate the results to all marls.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This is to sincerely appreciate the struggles of supervisor and co-supervisor for guiding and
supervising this project and technical office and security of University of Tabriz for preparing proper
conditions for doing tests and cooperating in constructing studying site.

REFERENCES
[1] FHWA (1998) Manual for Design and Construction Monitoring of Soil Nail Walls.
Federal Highway Administration, US Department of Transportation, Washington, D.C.,
USA, Report No. FHWA-SA-96-069R, 530 p
[2] CLOUTERRE, (1991) French National Research Project Clouterre- Recommendations.
English Translation, Federal Highway Administration, FHWA-SA-93-026, Washington
D.C., USA.
[3] GEO (2008) Geoguiding 7–Guide to Soil Nail Design and Construction, Published by
Geotechnical Engineering Office, Civil Engineering and Development Department, The
Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. ISBN: 978-962-02-0375-
6, GEO REPORT, 197.
[4] Zhou, Y., C., & Tham, L(2008) Numerical modeling of soil nails in loose fill slop under
surcharge loading, Computers and Geotechnics, PP 837-850.
[5] Franzen G. (1998) Soil Nailing – A Laboratory and Field Study of Pullout Capacity,
Ph.D. thesis, department of Geotechnical Engineering, Chalmers University of
Technology, Goteborg, Sweden.
[6] Byrne, R.J., Cotton, D., Porterfield, J., Wolschlag, C., and Ueblacker, G. (1998) “Manual
for Design and Construction Monitoring of Soil Nail Walls,” Report FHWA-SA-96-69R,
Federal Highway administration (FHWA), Washington, D.C.
[7] Zhou W.H. (2008) Experimental and Theoretical Study on Pullout Resistance of Grouted
Soil Nails, Ph.D. thesis, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 263 pages.
Vol. 21 [2016], Bund. 02 532

[8] Pradhan, B., Tham, L., Yue, Z., Junaideen, S., and Lee, C. (2006) ”Soil–Nail Pullout
Interaction in Loose Fill Materials.” Int. J. Geomech., 6(4), 238–247.
[9] Su, L., Chan, T., Yin, J., Shiu, Y., and Chiu, S. (2008) ”Influence of Overburden Pressure
on Soil–Nail Pullout Resistance in a Compacted Fill.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron.
Eng., 134(9), 1339–1347.
[10] CY Hong, JH Yin, WH Zhou and HF Pei. (2010) Analytical Study on Progressive
Pullout Behavior of a Soil Nail. ASCE Journal of Geotechnical and Geo environmental
Engineering (Accepted on 02/08/2011)
[11] Akhtar Hossain M., Yin j. 2012. Influence of Grouting Pressure on the Behavior of
Unsaturated Soil-Cement Interface. American Society of Civil Engineers.
[12] Bayoumi, A., Bobet, A., & Lee, J. 2008. Pullout capacity of a reinforced soil in drained
and undrained Conditions. Finite Elements in Analysis and Design, 525-536.

© 2016 ejge