Physical and mechanical properties of chemically grouted sand

It is generally accepted that only chemical grouts or solutions are available to penetrate and fill narrow joints or soils with very small pore size. Over the last 30 years a few hundreds of different compounds have been used for this purpose showing a wide spectrum of properties. Epoxy resins are among the compounds that are commonly used in building restoration because of their high strength and durability against mechanical or physical erosion. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the improvement of the physical properties (water permeability, porosity and dry unit weight) and mechanical properties (compressive strength, elastic modulus, splitting tensile strength and strength under triaxial stress conditions) of fine sand mixed with a water-soluble two component epoxy resin is, since there is not any published data about the efficiency of such high strength material in ground improvement. The experiments were carried out using different solutions of epoxy resin, which had epoxy resin/water (ER/W) ratio of 2.0, 1.5, 1.0 and 0.5. Cylindrical specimens were prepared by mixing fine sand with an adequate quantity of epoxy resin and were used for compression, splitting tensile and triaxial strength tests. Development of compressive and splitting tensile strength was evaluated from tests at the ages of 3, 7 and 28 days whereas strength under triaxial conditions was determined on specimens cured for 28 days.The results of this study indicate that the epoxy resin solutions, especially the solutions with low water content resulted in higher strength, lower porosity and lower water permeability of the sand, improving significantly the physical and mechanical properties of the fine sand.

► Epoxy resin grouts for ground improvement.
► The physical and mechanical properties of an epoxy resin grouted fine sand were studied.
► Epoxy resin improved significantly the behavior of grouted fine sand.
► Epoxy resin grouts can be used for strengthening the foundation material.