Pressure Grouting 

Purpose-

 To improve geo materials (soil and rock).

 Either to strengthen or reduce water flow through a formation.
 To correct faults in concrete and masonry structures.

Process-

 Pressure grouting is the process of pumping cement grout into the soil beneath
structures that are experiencing abnormal settlement.

 Grout is pumped through steel pipe injectors (needles) that have been jetted or driven
into the weak soil beneath a building or other structure.

 The depth of each injection is dictated by the exact soil condition at that location, and by
the weight of the structure being supported.

 Typically, grouting depths vary from 4 feet to 25 feet below the surface.

 Deeper injections could be required to fill sinkholes or support tall buildings.

 Grouting depths beneath typical homes normally do not exceed 15 feet.

 The pressure at which the grout is injected also depends on the soil and the weight of
the structure, and usually are between 50 psi and 500 psi.

Pressure grouting is a very powerful tool when performed

by qualified personnel under the direction of an engineer
who is experienced in this field. Pressure grouting can be
disastrous when performed by inexperienced personnel.
It is easier to break things with high pressure grout than it
is to fix things. It is common for inexperienced grouting
crews to hump up floors, fill plumbing lines, and crack
swimming pools. If you have a building or pool that may
require pressure grouting make sure that the contractor
you choose is state licensed, insured and working under
the direction of a Professional Engineer. The smart
building owner will require proof of license, insurance
certificates specifically directed to them, and the name,
license number and phone number of the engineer
supervising their work.
 Mud Jacking 
Mud jacking is also the process of pumping cement grout under pressure, however, instead of
pumping grout down deep into the soil it is pumped directly beneath a floor slab or pool deck to
fill voids and/or lift to lift the slab. The grout acts like a hydraulic fluid to lift (mud jack) the slab
back to its original position, or as close as possible. The grout then hardens to support the slab
or pool deck.

Pressure Crack Injection

Pressure Crack Injection can be used to stop leaks, seal cracks and restore strength of
cracked concrete. There are two types:
 Epoxy Crack Injection utilizes epoxy grout to structurally “weld” cracks to permanently restore
the integrity of a structure. Once cured, the epoxy is stronger than the existing concrete, yet can
be formulated to retain flexibility to compensate for future movement. Knowles introduced this
technology to Northern New England in the late 1970′s, and has more experience with it than
anyone else in the region.
 Urethane Crack Injection is used to treat water leakage at joints or cracks. After injection
into a joint or crack, the flexible urethane grout reacts with water and expands, creating a tight,
permanent seal against water flow. Modified urethane grouts can also be used successfully to
seal cracks or bond cracked surfaces together.

Slab Jacking, Settlement, Mitigation/Stabilization

Slab Jacking is the injection of grout under controlled pressure through a predetermined series
of cored holes to lift a settled slab to a new desired location.

Penetration Grouting
Penetration Grouting is mainly used to fill joints or fractures in rock or large pore spaces in order
to strengthen the existing mass and eliminate movement or water flow, without disturbing the
formation. It requires a slurry mix design of water, Portland cement, fly ash, sand or any
combination thereof.
 Consolidation Grouting
Consolidation Grouting is the injection of a fluid grout, usually Portland cement and possibly
sand, into a compressible soil mass in order to displace it and form a lenticular grout structure
for support.

Chemical Grouting
 Structural chemical grouting is the pressurized permeation of sands and loose soils to provide
sandstone-like masses to carry loads.
 Water control chemical grouting is the permeation of soils with fluid (chemical or cementitious)
grouts to fill voids and control water flow.

Permeation Grouting
Permeation Grouting penetrates voids in a mass, replacing water or air between grain particles-
at low pressure to prevent fracturing-then stiffens the mass as a whole. Chemical grouts or
micro-fine cement grout, alone or in combination, work well for this method.

Compaction Grouting

Compaction Grouting involves the injection of a very stiff mortar-like grout that is designed to
stay in a homogeneous mass, thereby displacing and compacting the existing soil mass.

Micropiles

Micropiles are small diameter piles that can be installed in almost any type of ground where
piles are required, with design loads as small as 3 tons and as high as 500+ tons. Also known
as mini-piles, needle piles or root piles, micropiles can offer a viable alternative to conventional
piling techniques particularly in restricted access or low headroom situations.