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The feasibility of using crushed limestone instead of sand in cement grout is examined in this work. This study entails performing several tests, including the Brazilian test, the compressive strength test, and the stress–strain correlation test. The curing times used were 7, 14, and 28 days for mixtures with various proportions of cement to limestone (1:1, 1:2, and 1:4). The conventional sand–cement grout laboratory tests were prepared using a similar methodology to examine the effectiveness of the suggested substitute. The findings show that the limestone-based grout has sufficient strength, but that it is less than that of the typical sand material. The values of the tensile strength and elastic modulus were determined. A focus was made on the tensile strength and stress–strain relationship. A special laboratory set-up was used to look at the progress of failure using strain gauges fitted to the cylindrical samples both vertically and horizontally. The angular shape of the particles' ability to interlock is responsible for the material's increase in strength. According to this study, crushed limestone can be used as a substitute for sand in circumstances where sand supply is constrained. The suggested grout can be used in the shotcrete of tunnels and rock surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the use of alkali-activated materials and geopolymer grouts in deep soilmixing. Three types of grouts, incorporating metakaolin and/or slag and activated with sodium silicate solution, were characterized at different scales to understand the development of their local structure and macroscopic properties. The performance of the soilmix was assessed by using combinations of the grouts and model soils with different clay contents. Feret's approach was used to understand the development of compressive strength at different water-to-solid ratios ranging from 0.65 to 1. The results suggested that incorporating calcium reduced the water sensitivity of the materials, which is crucial in soilmixing. Adding soils to grouts resulted in improved mechanical properties, due to the influence of the granular skeleton. Based on strength results, binary soilmix mixtures containing 75% of metakaolin and 25% of slag, with H2O/Na2O ratios ranging from 28 to 42 demonstrated potential use for soilmixing due to the synergistic reactivity of metakaolin and slag. The optimization of compositions is necessary for achieving the desired properties of soil mixtures with higher H2O/Na2O ratios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a common defect, the water–cement ratio of grout can currently be monitored only during the maintenance phase, which limits the repair methods and misses the optimal opportunity for repairs. To overcome this limitation, this study integrated ultrasonic parameters previously used to characterise cement-based materials and developed a new Initial Setting Time and Water–Cement Ratio (IST_WCR) risk model to predict the setting time and water–cement ratio grout using machine learning (ML) algorithms. Experiments on grout involved four different water–cement ratios, ranging from 0.11 to 0.18. A data-driven method based on ML was used to extract predictive factors from eight ultrasonic parameters, including the speed, energy, main frequency, and main frequency amplitude of P-waves and S-waves, and to evaluate multiple ML classifiers to establish the IST_WCR risk prediction model. This model underwent internal and external cross-validations and demonstrated very strong performance with a Brier score of under 0.01. The dataset for ML classifiers contained a total of 956 signals and 7648 features. Compared with traditional methods, this method can automatically characterise the setting process of grout and identify defective water–cement ratios at a very early stage of curing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of rough fissure seepage and grouting diffusion, slurry consolidation and filling, as well as the seepage reduction law is of great significance for the detection of grouting effect and water damage prevention and control in fissured rock bodies. To this end, a new technology combining three-dimensional scanning and 3D printing was used to batch prepare a visualization test model based on the morphology of real rock fissures, and carry out visualization tests of seepage in rough single fissure, grouting with different water-cement ratios, and seepage after grouting and consolidation filling of fissures. The test results show that: Rough single fissure seepage in the seepage path and seepage law are non-linear characteristics, for the laminar and turbulent flow of the composite flow form; in the equal flow conditions, the water-cement ratio of small slurry has a pre-diffusion of slow in the middle and late fast, the total time instead of the characteristics of the less; slurries with different water-cement ratios fill and consolidate extremely unevenly in the cracks, and the cross-sectional void ratio gradually decreases from the entrance to the end, while the overall filling rate can be increased by up to 20% in slurries with small water-cement ratios; the seepage coefficient of the fissure before and after slurry filling decreased by a factor of 100–1000, and the seepage flow was along the connected gap network and conformed to the nonlinear characteristics of Forchheimer's equation, and with the decrease of water-cement ratio, the coefficients of the nonlinear term and the coefficients of the linear term increased and decreased, respectively, and the ratio of both of them could reach a maximum value of 102. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of grout and the mechanism of force transfer in socket connections. In doing so, it proposes a new transfer mode called integral transfer mode (ITM), as opposed to the conventional separate transfer mode (STM). The proposed ITM suggests that, in a reinforced concrete socket connection, if there is a strong bond between the column, grouting material, and receiving member, the socket connection will function as an integral structure, deforming together as a whole rather than as separate components. Consequently, the grouting material does not need to provide a significant lateral bearing force, and the interface shear stresses become the key focus in designing a socket connection. To explore this concept, quasi-static tests and numerical analyses using solid elements were conducted on three half-scale specimens with varying grout strengths. The results demonstrated that the performance of specimens with normal-strength grout was comparable to that of the specimen with high-strength grout. And the proposed ITM was better than STM at predicting failure modes, force–displacement relationships, the stress states of reinforcements, and grout stresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vast majority of different waste building units have negative environmental impacts around the world. Crushed building units can be recycled and utilized in the concrete industry to solve these problems and maintain natural resources. This study investigated the feasibility of employing crushed autoclaved aerated concrete (CAAC) and crushed clay brick (CCB) as a lightweight aggregate (LWA) to fabricate environmentally friendly recycled lightweight concrete (LWC). In addition, a lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA) was also used as an LWA, namely to study how the high porosity of an LWA can adversely affect the properties of LWC. Through the experimental program, all types of LWAs were pre-treated and strengthened with two cementitious grouts, and then the performance of the produced LWC was assessed by determining the slump of fresh concrete, the dry density, the unconfined compressive strength, and the splitting tensile strength at ages of 3, 7, 28, and 56 days. The laboratory results revealed that both CCB and CAAC can be reused as full substitutions for normal-weight coarse aggregate to manufacture LWC with appropriate properties. The obtained data show that the properties of an LECA, CCB, and CAAC were improved, and the porous structure can be strengthened by pre-treatment and coating with grouts. In the same way, the mechanical performance of produced LWC is also enhanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to undertake laboratory testing to investigate the beneficial effects of epoxy resin grouts on the physical and mechanical properties of sands with a wide range of granulometric characteristics. Six sands of different particle size and uniformity coefficients were grouted using epoxy resin solutions with three ratios of epoxy resin to water (3.0, 2.0 and 1.5). A set of unconfined compressive strength tests were conducted on the grouted samples at different curing periods and a set of long-term unconfined compressive creep tests in dry and wet conditions after 180 days of curing were also carried out in order to evaluate the development of the mechanical properties of the sands, as well as the impact of water on them. The findings of the investigation showed that epoxy resin resulted in appreciable strength values in the specimens, especially those of fine sands or well graded sands, grouted with the different epoxy resin grouts. Whilst the higher compressive strength and elastic modulus values at the age of 180 days were obtained for the finer sand, which ranged from 2.6 to 5.6 MPa and 216 to 430 MPa, respectively, the lower compressive strength and elastic modulus values were attained for the coarser sand with low values of the coefficient of uniformity, which varied from 0.68 to 2.2 MPa and 75 to 185 MPa, respectively. Moreover, all grouted sands showed stable long-term creep behaviour, with high values of the creep limit ranging from 67.5 to 80% of compressive strength. The presence of water had a negative marginal effect in the majority of the grouted specimens. In terms of physical properties, the permeability and porosity were estimated. The permeability of fine sands or well graded sands was decreased by two to four orders of magnitude. Using laboratory results and regression analysis, three mathematical equations were developed that relate each of the dependent variables of compressive strength, elastic modulus and coefficient of permeability to particular explanatory variables.

The mechanical properties of metamorphic rocks are affected by foliation, which induces apparent anisotropy and heterogeneity. In this study, a series of pull-off and direct shear tests were performed to investigate the tensile strength, peak shear strength, and residual shear strength of the foliation in different metamorphic rocks (HY slate, RS schist, and SH schist). In addition, the effect of grout reinforcement on the fractured foliation was evaluated. Finally, a model was proposed to evaluate the shear strength of the cement-grouted foliation. The key findings of this study included the following: (1) The tensile and shear strengths of the schists were higher than those of slate. A nonlinear failure criterion for the foliation was adopted to reasonably describe their failure envelopes. (2) For the long-displacement shear tests, the friction angle of HY slate increased as the number of shearing cycles increased, and the friction angle of schists slightly decreased, which was related to the surface variations of the rocks. (3) Considering the grout reinforcement on the fractured foliation, the low strength of the grouted slate was attributed to the weak interface bonding between the cement and slate. In contrast, the strength of the grouted schists significantly increased. The high roughness strongly contributed to the grout reinforcement on the schist foliation. (4) Our proposed shear strength model for cement-grouted metamorphic rocks, which considered factors such as the joint roughness coefficient, uniaxial compressive strength of cement, residual friction angle, and interface tensile strength, provided reasonable predictions that aligned with the experimental test results. Highlights: A series of pull-off and direct shear tests were performed to investigate the strength of the foliation in metamorphic rocks. The effect of grout reinforcement on the fractured foliation was also evaluated. A model was proposed to evaluate the shear strength of the cement-grouted foliation. The proposed model provided reasonable predictions that aligned with the test results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to undertake laboratory testing to investigate the beneficial effects of epoxy resin grouts on the physical and mechanical properties of sands with a wide range of granulometric characteristics. Six sands of different particle size and uniformity coefficients were grouted using epoxy resin solutions with three ratios of epoxy resin to water (3.0, 2.0 and 1.5). A set of unconfined compressive strength tests were conducted on the grouted samples at different curing periods and a set of long-term unconfined compressive creep tests in dry and wet conditions after 180 days of curing were also carried out in order to evaluate the development of the mechanical properties of the sands, as well as the impact of water on them. The findings of the investigation showed that epoxy resin resulted in appreciable strength values in the specimens, especially those of fine sands or well graded sands, grouted with the different epoxy resin grouts. Whilst the higher compressive strength and elastic modulus values at the age of 180 days were obtained for the finer sand, which ranged from 2.6 to 5.6 MPa and 216 to 430 MPa, respectively, the lower compressive strength and elastic modulus values were attained for the coarser sand with low values of the coefficient of uniformity, which varied from 0.68 to 2.2 MPa and 75 to 185 MPa, respectively. Moreover, all grouted sands showed stable long-term creep behaviour, with high values of the creep limit ranging from 67.5 to 80% of compressive strength. The presence of water had a negative marginal effect in the majority of the grouted specimens. In terms of physical properties, the permeability and porosity were estimated. The permeability of fine sands or well graded sands was decreased by two to four orders of magnitude. Using laboratory results and regression analysis, three mathematical equations were developed that relate each of the dependent variables of compressive strength, elastic modulus and coefficient of permeability to particular explanatory variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The corrosion of steel in post-tensioned tendons has been associated with deficient grout materials containing high free sulfate ion concentrations. In a Florida bridge in 2011, tendon corrosion failures occurred for a prepackaged thixotropic grout that had developed material segregation. However, the available grout and corrosion testing prescribed in material specifications, such as grout bleed water testing, was not able to identify the propensity or modality for the grout deficiencies and the associated steel corrosion that was observed in the field. It was of interest to identify corrosion testing methods that could prescribe grout resistance to segregation-related deficiencies that can form by aberrations in construction. The objectives of the work presented here included (1) characterizing the development of physical and chemical grout deficiencies due to excess mix water and water volume displacement, (2) developing small scale test methodologies that identify deficient grout, and (3) developing test methodologies to identify steel corrosion in deficient grout. The inverted-tee test (INT) and a modified incline-tube (MIT) test were assessed and both were shown to be useful to identify the robustness of grout materials to adverse mixing conditions (such as overwatering and pre-hydration) by parameters such as sulfate content, moisture content, electrical resistance, and steel corrosion behavior. It was shown that the different grout products have widely different propensities for segregation and accumulation of sulfate ions but adverse grout mixing practices promoted the development of grout deficiencies, including the accumulation of sulfate ions. Corrosion potentials of steel < −300 mVCSE developed in the deficient grout with higher sulfate concentrations. Likewise, the corrosion current density showed generally high values of >0.1 μA/cm2 in the deficient grouts. The values produced from the test program here were consistent with historical data from earlier research that indicated corrosion conditions of steel in deficient grout with >0.7 mg/g sulfate, further verifying the adverse effects of elevated sulfate ion concentrations in the segregated grout.

This study focuses on the use of alkali-activated materials and geopolymer grouts in deep soilmixing. Three types of grouts, incorporating metakaolin and/or slag and activated with sodium silicate solution, were characterized at different scales to understand the development of their local structure and macroscopic properties. The performance of the soilmix was assessed by using combinations of the grouts and model soils with different clay contents. Feret’s approach was used to understand the development of compressive strength at different water-to-solid ratios ranging from 0.65 to 1. The results suggested that incorporating calcium reduced the water sensitivity of the materials, which is crucial in soilmixing. Adding soils to grouts resulted in improved mechanical properties, due to the influence of the granular skeleton. Based on strength results, binary soilmix mixtures containing 75% of metakaolin and 25% of slag, with H2O/Na2O ratios ranging from 28 to 42 demonstrated potential use for soilmixing due to the synergistic reactivity of metakaolin and slag. The optimization of compositions is necessary for achieving the desired properties of soil mixtures with higher H2O/Na2O ratios.

The feasibility of using crushed limestone instead of sand in cement grout is examined in this work. This study entails performing several tests, including the Brazilian test, the compressive strength test, and the stress–strain correlation test. The curing times used were 7, 14, and 28 days for mixtures with various proportions of cement to limestone (1:1, 1:2, and 1:4). The conventional sand–cement grout laboratory tests were prepared using a similar methodology to examine the effectiveness of the suggested substitute. The findings show that the limestone-based grout has sufficient strength, but that it is less than that of the typical sand material. The values of the tensile strength and elastic modulus were determined. A focus was made on the tensile strength and stress–strain relationship. A special laboratory set-up was used to look at the progress of failure using strain gauges fitted to the cylindrical samples both vertically and horizontally. The angular shape of the particles’ ability to interlock is responsible for the material’s increase in strength. According to this study, crushed limestone can be used as a substitute for sand in circumstances where sand supply is constrained. The suggested grout can be used in the shotcrete of tunnels and rock surfaces.

High‐strength steel pipe joints are proposed for assembled composite columns. The steel pipe extends into the upper and lower prefabricated columns and is anchored by poured concrete or grout to realize the connection of the prefabricated columns. Bonding performance of high‐strength steel pipe and surrounding concrete/grout is critical to the joint reliability. Steel pipe push‐out test was carried out, considering parameters of steel pipe section specification, bonding length, bonding material, and outer wall treatment of the steel pipe. Comparative analysis of measured load–displacement/slip curves and calculated bond strength were conducted. Bonding length of 600 mm could provide sufficient bond strength. Increasing bonding length could delay the slippage, but the bond strength decreased. High‐strength grout significantly increased the peak load size. The slenderness ratio and diameter–thickness ratio of the steel pipe had no obvious influence on the bonding performance. Steel pipe with D114*25 section obtained higher bonding strength with smaller ratio of bonding area to cross‐sectional area. Spiral ribs welded to the outer wall of the steel pipe could effectively improve the bonding strength and delay the interface slip. With easy construction and reliable performance, spiral ribs were recommended to be applied in prRactical projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cappadocia Region (World Heritage Site registered by UNESCO) carries thousands of rock-cut structures, masonries and fairy chimneys, which have been used in every aspect of daily life. Damages occurred during their working life, and restoration with inappropriate materials are threatened these structures. Moreover, an enormous amount of waste material is excavated throughout the carving process, passing approximately 10 million cubic meters per annum, creating pollution in the region, and not being used efficiently. This study aims to use Cappadocia waste earth (CWE) in the grout for consolidation and strengthening rock-cut structures, masonries and fairy chimneys located in Cappadocia region. The utilization of this waste earth in the grout prevents the destruction of these valuable structures and provides a solution to a critical environmental problem. The experiments were conducted employing by 30%, 40%, and 50 wt% of Cappadocia waste earth with natural hydraulic lime in the existence of chemical admixtures. The influence of ambient temperatures (5°C, 20°C, and 40°C) and time-dependent behavior on the rheological performance of grouts were investigated. The findings revealed that dosages of Cappadocia waste earth, different environmental temperatures, and constant shearing (time-dependent) have critical roles in determining the optimum requirements for injection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The corrosion of steel in post-tensioned tendons has been associated with deficient grout materials containing high free sulfate ion concentrations. In a Florida bridge in 2011, tendon corrosion failures occurred for a prepackaged thixotropic grout that had developed material segregation. However, the available grout and corrosion testing prescribed in material specifications, such as grout bleed water testing, was not able to identify the propensity or modality for the grout deficiencies and the associated steel corrosion that was observed in the field. It was of interest to identify corrosion testing methods that could prescribe grout resistance to segregation-related deficiencies that can form by aberrations in construction. The objectives of the work presented here included (1) characterizing the development of physical and chemical grout deficiencies due to excess mix water and water volume displacement, (2) developing small scale test methodologies that identify deficient grout, and (3) developing test methodologies to identify steel corrosion in deficient grout. The inverted-tee test (INT) and a modified incline-tube (MIT) test were assessed and both were shown to be useful to identify the robustness of grout materials to adverse mixing conditions (such as overwatering and pre-hydration) by parameters such as sulfate content, moisture content, electrical resistance, and steel corrosion behavior. It was shown that the different grout products have widely different propensities for segregation and accumulation of sulfate ions but adverse grout mixing practices promoted the development of grout deficiencies, including the accumulation of sulfate ions. Corrosion potentials of steel < −300 mVCSE developed in the deficient grout with higher sulfate concentrations. Likewise, the corrosion current density showed generally high values of >0.1 μA/cm2 in the deficient grouts. The values produced from the test program here were consistent with historical data from earlier research that indicated corrosion conditions of steel in deficient grout with >0.7 mg/g sulfate, further verifying the adverse effects of elevated sulfate ion concentrations in the segregated grout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The measurement of the electrical resistivity of cement-based materials, e.g., concrete, is used for quality control and durability assessment. In an existing structure, the electrical resistivity of the concrete can be monitored using either pre- or post-embedded probes. When using post-embedded probes, the contact material (grout) used when installing the probe can affect the measurements. This work investigated the effect on the measurement of two different grouts (in alkaline and carbonated condition) used for the installation of a post-embedded probe in carbonated mortar. The effect of the geometry of the system was also examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corrosion of steel strand embedded in deficient grout has been associated with elevated concentrations of sulfate ions stemming from grout segregation and the adverse influences of excess mix water and grout prehydration. There have been discussions about appropriate ways to assess sulfate ion levels in the grout pore water. Various test methodologies can include varying material conditioning procedures, including heating, drying, and chemical reactions that can influence the level of sulfate ion aggregation in the test leachate from the initial bleed water from the bulk material. In this study, the sulfate content was measured by leaching and alternative methods such as XRF and bleed water testing. Six leaching methods were employed to assess the effect of leaching heating, heating time, leaching volume, grout sample mass, and drying temperature. Leaching of larger grout sample mass can yield higher leachate sulfate concentrations, but the concentrations were not commensurate with the larger grout mass. Leaching of a larger grout sample mass with a mass-to-water ratio of 1:10 was not shown to be efficient in the dissolution of sulfate ions. Larger mass-to-water ratio (1:40) yielded higher sulfate concentrations in the leachate and normalized grout mass. Pre-drying of grout samples to 100 °C for 24 h was shown to incur losses in sulfate content. Recommendations of test methods to assess the sulfate ion content from segregated and hardened grout were made.

The vast majority of different waste building units have negative environmental impacts around the world. Crushed building units can be recycled and utilized in the concrete industry to solve these problems and maintain natural resources. This study investigated the feasibility of employing crushed autoclaved aerated concrete (CAAC) and crushed clay brick (CCB) as a lightweight aggregate (LWA) to fabricate environmentally friendly recycled lightweight concrete (LWC). In addition, a lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA) was also used as an LWA, namely to study how the high porosity of an LWA can adversely affect the properties of LWC. Through the experimental program, all types of LWAs were pre-treated and strengthened with two cementitious grouts, and then the performance of the produced LWC was assessed by determining the slump of fresh concrete, the dry density, the unconfined compressive strength, and the splitting tensile strength at ages of 3, 7, 28, and 56 days. The laboratory results revealed that both CCB and CAAC can be reused as full substitutions for normal-weight coarse aggregate to manufacture LWC with appropriate properties. The obtained data show that the properties of an LECA, CCB, and CAAC were improved, and the porous structure can be strengthened by pre-treatment and coating with grouts. In the same way, the mechanical performance of produced LWC is also enhanced.

The article describes recent cases of tendon ruptures by corrosion and investigations carried out on some bridges in France. Several causes related to HDPE ducts have been identified such as damages during handling, threading and tensioning of strands, defective connection of the duct to the anchorage, damage during construction or operation, low quality of HDPE material, etc. These cases of tendon rupture exclusively concern ducts injected with cement grout. To our knowledge, no structure built after the application of the 2001 circular [1] (prohibiting cement grout for the injection of external prestressing) is currently exhibiting major disorders. A warning note on existing structures with external prestressing has been updated by Cerema in November 2018 [2]. It describes the diagnosis methodology based on analysis of documentation, thorough visual inspection, destructive and nondestructive investigations. New non‐destructive techniques such as guided‐wave ultrasonic technique and magnetic leakage field test using permanent magnets and induction coils are presented. Innovative methods of local repair of the ducts are also described. Finally, different protective devices are analysed in terms of worker safety in the event of a sudden failure of tendon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The grout pressure in the shield tunnel tail void during synchronous grouting is the key to controlling ground settlement and restraining the segment. However, the circumferential, longitudinal, and radial distribution of grout pressure considering the temporal variation in grout viscosity has not been well explored yet. In this study, a theoretical model of grout pressure distribution and dissipation considering the temporal variation in Bingham grout viscosity was established. The simulation results of the pressure model were verified by field-measured data. The results showed that the radial and longitudinal distributions of grout pressure considering the temporal variation in grout viscosity were closer to the field-measured data. The impacts of the main parameters on the pressure distribution and dissipation were analyzed. Compared with the effect of the shield tail void thickness, tunnel radius and yield shear stress have greater effects on grout pressure during the circumferential filling phase. During the longitudinal and radial diffusion phases, the increase in soil porosity and permeability coefficient was conducive to grout diffusion. The increase in the grout viscosity reduces the pressure loss during the grout flow process. The results of this research can provide a theoretical basis for the grout design process in shield tunnels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-strength grout is specified to increase the bond between grout and bar in grouted connections and to ensure that the forces in the bars can be transferred to the surrounding material accordingly. Although polymer grout is fast setting and rapid in strength development, the use of polymer mortar in grouted connections is still limited because of the lack of information and familiarity practitioners have regarding the product. The goal of this work is to investigate the mechanical characteristics and performance of polyester grout containing fly ash that can be used as an infill material for grouted connections. This study focused on the composition of polymer grout, which typically consists of a binder, hardener, and filler. In this particular case, the binder was made of unsaturated polyester resin and hardener, while the filler was fine sand. The aim of the research was to investigate the potential benefits of incorporating fly ash as an additional filler in polymer resin grout and examine the mechanical properties of polymer resin grout. To this end, varying amounts of fly ash were added to the mix, ranging from 0% to 32% of the total filler by volume, with a fixed polymer content of 40%. The performance of the resulting grout was evaluated through flowability, compression, and splitting tensile tests. The results of the experiments showed that, at a fly ash volume of 28%, the combination of fine sand and fly ash led to an improvement in grout strength; specifically, at this volume of fly ash, the compressive and tensile strengths increased by 24.7% and 124%, respectively, compared to the control mix. However, beyond a fly ash volume of 28%, the mechanical properties of the grout started to deteriorate. Due its superior properties in terms of compressive and flexural strengths over all examined mixes, the PRG-40-28 mix is ideal for use in the infill material for mechanical connections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a case of occupational allergic contact dermatitis (OACD) caused by Tinuvin 770, a hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS) commonly used in grouting materials. The patient, a grout worker, presented with hyperkeratotic fissured eczema and pulpitis on his fingers. Patch testing revealed a positive reaction to Tinuvin 770. This case highlights the allergenic capacity of Tinuvin 770 and its importance in occupational settings. [Extracted from the article]

In post-tensioned systems, grouts act as a last line of defense to prevent the penetration of harmful compounds such as chlorides, moisture and other substances that cause corrosion in the prestressing steel. For this reason, improving grouts results in the enhancement of the overall durability of the structure. In this study, the physical properties of grouts with basalt microfiber additions in the amounts of 0.03, 0.07 and 0.10% with respect to the mix volume were evaluated. The fresh properties included flowability and unit mass. Specimens were fabricated to evaluate drying shrinkage, compressive strength, air permeability and rapid permeability to chloride ions. The incorporation of basalt microfibers showed a beneficial effect on the physical properties of the grout by increasing the drying shrinkage resistance and decreasing the permeability compared to the reference mix and two commercial dry prepackaged grouts. The optimal grout mix was the one with a percentage of basalt microfibers of 0.10%, which decreased drying shrinkage by 15.98% at 14 days compared to the reference mix, and permeability to chloride ions decreased by 10.82% compared to the control mix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building foundations are usually retrofitted with directly connected micropiles; however, at the present time, there are different approaches for predicting shear capacity in the micropile–foundation connection. At first, the concrete shear strength was considered. Nowadays, in the EU countries, it is prescribed to use the shear strength of the interface between successive concrete casts at different times. This implies a reduction of the connection capacity by half, and these values are not in consonance with the lab results. This work analyses the economic impact of the previous considerations on retrofit projects with micropiles. To this aim, firstly, seven different formulations were applied to 29 building projects, and the results were compared. Secondly, a Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis was performed using bond stress distribution data obtained from lab tests. Thus, numerical results acquired by comparing European and American regulations show an average difference in cost of around 40%, which may reach up to 50%. Moreover, the Monte Carlo simulation confirms that the connection strength may become a limitation in retrofit projects, also indicating that the application of European codes usually leads to the most expensive designs. Finally, the results show that it is not worth improving the connection to exceed a bond stress of 0.60 MPa, since no relevant savings are produced by achieving higher values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lime–pozzolan grouts concern a specific type often applied in the restoration of historic structures. Their water content, a crucial factor of their applicability, has a significant impact on their fresh and hardened state properties. In this study, four grout compositions were manufactured and tested, consisting of hydrated lime and natural pozzolan in a mass proportion 1:1. Their fresh properties were recorded, including fluidity, penetrability, volume stability, viscosity and shear stress, as well as the hardened ones (shrinkage deformations, physical and mechanical characteristics). Results show that water content reduction led to an increase in flow and penetration time, as well as a significant decrease of volume changes. Mechanical properties were significantly enhanced. Generally, the water content played a fundamental role in the behavior of the mixtures, also defining the type and range of their application.

In this study, we report the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 monitored by benzene oxidation in the grout medium. The results of the batch reaction tests indicated that the activity of TiO2 coated on grout was substantially less than TiO2 coated on a glass substrate. CO2 adsorption on these samples monitored by DRIFTS indicated that the loss of activity in the grout medium was due to formation of stable carbonates-bicarbonates in highly alkaline grout media.

The utilization of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) permanent formwork could facilitate the construction of hydraulic concrete structures. However, the joints between UHPC formwork are the vulnerable parts of a whole permanent formwork system. This study aimed to develop a High Strength Cementitious Grout (HSCG) for filling these joints, integrating the formwork system, and minimizing the adverse influence on these joints. The aggregate size for the HSCG was optimized, and four kinds of admixtures (i.e., hydrophobic powder (HP), expansive agent (EA), redispersible polymer powder (RPP), and cellulose ether (CE)) and PVA fibers were used to improve the HSCG. The HSCG with different aggregate sizes, admixture dosages, and PVA fiber contents were experimentally investigated. By evaluating the compressive, tensile, flexural, and adhesive strengths of the prepared grout, the aggregate size range was recommended to be 0.15–0.30 ​mm, while the suggested contents of HP, EA, RPP, and CE were 0%, 6%, 2%, and 0.1%, respectively, by weight of binding materials. In addition, the optimal volume content of PVA fibers was 0.45%. In order to avoid the introduced foams, 0.2% of the defoamers were used in combination with the CE. After that, six combinations were tested to consider the coupled effect of different admixtures and PVA fibers on the HSCG. In consideration of the strengths, shrinkage, and abrasion resistance to water impact, the HSCG with the combination of (EA ​+ ​RPP ​+ ​CE), the aggregate size of 0.15–0.30 ​mm showed the optimal overall performance and was regarded as the most suitable HSCG for grouting.

The bore hole is sealed from a sealing hole: the surrounding coal fracture permeability and grout cementation form a new consolidated body and coal material. In this paper, the characteristics of the macroscopic compressive strength, microscopic interface bending, porosity, and fractal dimension of the consolidated body were studied, and the structure strength relationship between loading rates, porosity, fractal dimension, and uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) was established. The results show that the loading rates had a great and consistent effect on the macro- and micro-mechanical properties of the consolidated body. Macroscopically, in the range of 0.1~0.4 mm/min, the UCS and elastic modulus of the solidified body increased with the increase in the loading rate, and there was a critical loading rate (η = 0.4 mm/min). At the microscale, with the increase in loading rates, the interface bending phenomenon, porosity, fractal dimension, and UCS of the grout and coal were consistent, showing a trend of increasing first and then decreasing. The fractal dimension was linearly correlated with the UCS and porosity. The loading rates, porosity, fractal dimension, and UCS had a multivariate nonlinear regression distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present research work, a one-dimension finite element model has been developed to simulate both compression and tension types of grouted ground anchors. The steel tendongrout interface has been modeled by using the local bond-slip model, while the soil-grout interface has been modeled with a series of perfectly elastic plastic springs. The verification of the proposed one-dimension finite element model has been made by comparison of the model results with a three-dimension finite element model developed by commercial finite element software PLAXIS, and with the results of field tests of tension-type grouted ground anchor. A parametric study has been made to study the load-transfer mechanism for both types of anchors, compression, and tension. The compression-type anchor exhibits less displacement than the tension one under the same applied load. The developed strain in the grouted body of the compression-type anchor is much smaller than the tension-type one, regardless of the type of strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are many factors that may affect the concrete-strand and concrete-duct bond behavior in post-tensioned (PT) concrete slabs and beams. The importance of bond strength is to ensure a proper transfer of stresses from strands and ducts to the surrounding concrete. This research focused on bonded post-tensioned (PT) concrete elements, which includes the use of grout and ducts to provide the link between the strand and the concrete. The strength of the grout, the type and geometry of the ducts, and the embedment length of both strands and ducts were investigated through an experimental testing program to disclose the average interface shear stress within the embedded length of PT elements. This work helped in a better understanding of the bond behavior and the corresponding related parameters involved in the design process.

This article reports a quick-setting agent named AS-G1. In the current offshore oil exploitation, there are usually wastes mixed with the drilling fluid, completion fluid, cement slurry, etc. To protect the marine environment, offshore construction workers need to weakly solidify these wastes so that they can be transported to land for disposal. The accelerating agent can reduce the fluidity of offshore cementing wastes and achieve the effect of solidifying wastes. Compare the time for the three cement slurries to lose fluidity with the addition of accelerating agents. Evaluate the setting time of cement slurry under the action of the accelerating agent after adding two drilling fluids. The solidification effect of this kind of accelerating agent on cementing waste is verified. It can be applied to waste treatment in oil fields.

The grout pressure in the shield tunnel tail void during synchronous grouting is the key to controlling ground settlement and restraining the segment. However, the circumferential, longitudinal, and radial distribution of grout pressure considering the temporal variation in grout viscosity has not been well explored yet. In this study, a theoretical model of grout pressure distribution and dissipation considering the temporal variation in Bingham grout viscosity was established. The simulation results of the pressure model were verified by field-measured data. The results showed that the radial and longitudinal distributions of grout pressure considering the temporal variation in grout viscosity were closer to the field-measured data. The impacts of the main parameters on the pressure distribution and dissipation were analyzed. Compared with the effect of the shield tail void thickness, tunnel radius and yield shear stress have greater effects on grout pressure during the circumferential filling phase. During the longitudinal and radial diffusion phases, the increase in soil porosity and permeability coefficient was conducive to grout diffusion. The increase in the grout viscosity reduces the pressure loss during the grout flow process. The results of this research can provide a theoretical basis for the grout design process in shield tunnels.

High-strength grout is specified to increase the bond between grout and bar in grouted connections and to ensure that the forces in the bars can be transferred to the surrounding material accordingly. Although polymer grout is fast setting and rapid in strength development, the use of polymer mortar in grouted connections is still limited because of the lack of information and familiarity practitioners have regarding the product. The goal of this work is to investigate the mechanical characteristics and performance of polyester grout containing fly ash that can be used as an infill material for grouted connections. This study focused on the composition of polymer grout, which typically consists of a binder, hardener, and filler. In this particular case, the binder was made of unsaturated polyester resin and hardener, while the filler was fine sand. The aim of the research was to investigate the potential benefits of incorporating fly ash as an additional filler in polymer resin grout and examine the mechanical properties of polymer resin grout. To this end, varying amounts of fly ash were added to the mix, ranging from 0% to 32% of the total filler by volume, with a fixed polymer content of 40%. The performance of the resulting grout was evaluated through flowability, compression, and splitting tensile tests. The results of the experiments showed that, at a fly ash volume of 28%, the combination of fine sand and fly ash led to an improvement in grout strength; specifically, at this volume of fly ash, the compressive and tensile strengths increased by 24.7% and 124%, respectively, compared to the control mix. However, beyond a fly ash volume of 28%, the mechanical properties of the grout started to deteriorate. Due its superior properties in terms of compressive and flexural strengths over all examined mixes, the PRG-40-28 mix is ideal for use in the infill material for mechanical connections.

An acceptable viscosity and an easy penetrability of cement - limestone filler grout in the granular matrix of self compacting concrete are an important factors that affecting both its rheological and its hardened properties. This experimental and theoretical work consists to study the effect of limestone filler fineness on the rheological behavior of cement - limestone filler grout. In the first part, five different grouts were prepared by varying the Blaine Specific Surface (BSS) of the limestone filler, 3060, 4750, 6320, 7680 and 9440 cm2/g, respectively. A large number of properties relating to the rheology and the stability are carried out on the five grouts such as grain dispersion, density, volume concentration of solid, dynamic viscosity and Marsh funnel flow. The second part consists to develop a theoretical model to predict the different rheological properties of the grout as function of limestone filler BSS. The results show that the rheological properties of cement-limestone filler grout such as the dispersion percentage, the intergranular distance and the flow time are strongly affected by the limestone fillers fineness. In addition, the experimental and the predicted results present a good agreement.

The main objective of this work is to highlight experimentally the effect of quarry waste limestone fillers (LF) on the rheological properties of concrete. All mixtures were made with water-to-cement ratio (W/C) of 0.50. The method adopted based on the rheological behavior of concrete incorporating LF as a partial substitute for sand in multi-scale systems (concrete, mortar, grout and LF suspension). The replacement ratio of sand by LF ranged from 0% to 20% (by weight of sand) in concrete and mortar. Whereas, the addition of LF varied from 0% to 60% (by weight of cement) in cement grout. The rheological behavior of concrete and mortar was modeled by the Bingham model with sufficient precision. However, the cement grout shows a nonlinear behavior, which was modeled by the Herschel-Bulkley model. Results indicate that the use of LF has a significant effect on the superplasticizer (Sp) demand of concrete and mortar, for a given slump on one hand. On the other hand, an increase in yield stress, apparent viscosity and flow time of cement grout was obtained when LF is incorporated, which results in a loss of fluidity of the suspensions of LF.

In the present research work, a one-dimension finite element model has been developed to simulate both compression and tension types of grouted ground anchors. The steel tendon-grout interface has been modeled by using the local bond-slip model, while the soil-grout interface has been modeled with a series of perfectly elastic plastic springs. The verification of the proposed one-dimension finite element model has been made by comparison of the model results with a three-dimension finite element model developed by commercial finite element software PLAXIS, and with the results of field tests of tension-type grouted ground anchor. A parametric study has been made to study the load-transfer mechanism for both types of anchors, compression, and tension. The compression-type anchor exhibits less displacement than the tension one under the same applied load. The developed strain in the grouted body of the compression-type anchor is much smaller than the tension-type one, regardless of the type of strain.

Localized corrosion developed on post-tensioned steel strand in deficient grout, relating to elevated concentrations of sulfate ions. The deficient grout can also have low-level chloride ion concentrations below threshold values originating from the base materials. Open-circuit potential, linear polarization resistance (LPR), and electrochemical noise (EN) measurements were made on steel specimens exposed in saturated calcium hydroxide solution with 0.012 M Cl−, 0.04 M SO42−, or combined. Results showed that the combined presence of sulfates in low-level chloride alkaline solutions elevated the corrosion rate and the extent of corrosion pitting. The EN technique was shown to provide corrosion rate estimates consistent with LPR and was able to identify pitting characteristics. The outcomes of the research provides supporting evidence that analysis of deficient grout for chlorides alone may not capture the risk for corrosion and that corrosion associated with elevated sulfate concentrations can be exacerbated in presence of low-level chlorides.

Lime–pozzolan grouts concern a specific type often applied in the restoration of historic structures. Their water content, a crucial factor of their applicability, has a significant impact on their fresh and hardened state properties. In this study, four grout compositions were manufactured and tested, consisting of hydrated lime and natural pozzolan in a mass proportion 1:1. Their fresh properties were recorded, including fluidity, penetrability, volume stability, viscosity and shear stress, as well as the hardened ones (shrinkage deformations, physical and mechanical characteristics). Results show that water content reduction led to an increase in flow and penetration time, as well as a significant decrease of volume changes. Mechanical properties were significantly enhanced. Generally, the water content played a fundamental role in the behavior of the mixtures, also defining the type and range of their application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increased use of cable bolts in mining and civil projects worldwide, it is important to understanding the performance of these support structures in different scenarios. The axial load transfer mechanisms of six cable bolts were investigated experimentally in this research study. A large-scale pull-out testing apparatus with a capacity of 1000 kN was designed and manufactured as part of the investigation. A common commercial cementitious grout with a uniaxial compressive strength of 60 MPa was used to encapsulate 300 mm length samples. Passive confinement encapsulated each sample to ensure the concrete's integrity during the testing. The encapsulated cable bolts were then subjected to axial loads using a hydraulic ram, with the axial load and displacement measured using a load cell and LVDTs. Two scenarios were investigated: free rotation and restricted rotation. The results demonstrated that the apparatus effectively recorded the behaviour of the cable during pull-out and identified that the radial stiffness of the samples had a significant impact on the overall load of the system. The results also indicated that rotation had a limited influence on the load behaviour of the samples tested. Highlights: Design and manufacturing of a high-capacity 1000 kN pull-out apparatus for newer cables, Rotation investigation showed less adverse effect than previously reported. It was concluded that a zero-rotation test is not feasible as the rotation of the cable inside the annulus is not uniform, Cable modifications such as surface indentation and bulbing significantly change the failure mode from strain hardening or perfectly plastic to strain softening, Interaction of cable strands with grout ridges inside the grout annulus creates relative movements and oscillations in the post-peak loading zone, and Failure is not uniformly distributed in the grout annulus, with higher damage observed at the cable's exit point and minor damage toward the entry point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to evaluate the role of rise in the grouting pressure rate on the filtration of cement-base grouting. In order to simulate the actual conditions, a steel model has been used which can be injected with a grouting piston pump similar to the construction conditions. Two pressure routes have been used in this study one of which, the pressure is suddenly increased so that in 1 min, the pressure reaches the test reference pressure value (10 bar). In the second route, it took about 10 min to reach the desired pressure. The test results show that in the case of rapid increase in the grouting pressure of the cement-base grouts, the flow reduces immediately and eventually the joint is plugged completely (called rapid filtration). However, when the grouting pressure increases gradually, the flow rate increases proportionally leading to an appropriate grout penetration. These tests were repeated for grouts with different water to cement ratios (W/C). Results show that thinner grouts penetration was less affected by increasing the pressure rate. Besides, the filtration process of the grout was monitored by measuring the output grout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building foundations are usually retrofitted with directly connected micropiles; however, at the present time, there are different approaches for predicting shear capacity in the micropile–foundation connection. At first, the concrete shear strength was considered. Nowadays, in the EU countries, it is prescribed to use the shear strength of the interface between successive concrete casts at different times. This implies a reduction of the connection capacity by half, and these values are not in consonance with the lab results. This work analyses the economic impact of the previous considerations on retrofit projects with micropiles. To this aim, firstly, seven different formulations were applied to 29 building projects, and the results were compared. Secondly, a Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis was performed using bond stress distribution data obtained from lab tests. Thus, numerical results acquired by comparing European and American regulations show an average difference in cost of around 40%, which may reach up to 50%. Moreover, the Monte Carlo simulation confirms that the connection strength may become a limitation in retrofit projects, also indicating that the application of European codes usually leads to the most expensive designs. Finally, the results show that it is not worth improving the connection to exceed a bond stress of 0.60 MPa, since no relevant savings are produced by achieving higher values.