Grouting performance improvement for natural hydraulic lime-based grout via incorporating silica fume and silicon-acrylic latex

Natural hydraulic lime (NHL) based grout has been widely used in construction project related to ancient architecture in recent decades. In order to improve grouting performance of NHL based grout, silica fume (SF) and silicon-acrylic latex (SAL) were incorporated in the preparation of grout. For the grout in fresh state, compared with control grout, bleeding rate of modified grout with SF and SAL incorporation decreased. Wettability, interfacial bond and simulated grouting properties of grout were improved. For the grout in hardened state, water absorption of grout decreased. Compactness, mechanical strength and salt resistance were improved. SAL played a more important role in improving both grout's flexural strength and interfacial bond property between grout and consolidated matrix. Generally, combined use of SF and SAL made the grout with the most beneficial grouting performance.