Grouting specifications for dam foundation are often formulated based on a previous experience in projects with similar foundation conditions. Grout injection is normally started from thin mix with water cement ratio of 10 (by weight). Thicker mix as the starter is considered to be unfavorable for successful filling of the joints; namely the inherent higher viscosity may cause the mix to settle at a reduced penetration or plugging near the injection hole. In our laboratory tests on penetration properties in jointed rock, cement grouts of different water cement ratios (
W/C=0.8, 1, 2, 10) were injected into plane-parallel joint plane model with aperture from 0.1mm to 1mm. Grout mix with
W/C of 2 exhibits penetration properties similar to thinner mix of
W/C of 10 with respect to the plugging property, penetrated distance, and critical sedimentation velocity. Cored samples from the grout curtains were analyzed by X-ray diffraction test. The comparison of the calcium-compounds contents with the laboratory mix have revealed that grout curtains injected by thicker mix have been found to be successful. Both the laboratory tests and the field verification have suggested that foundation grout starting with thicker mix of
W/C of 2 was found to be more successful than that with thinner mix. It should be noted that injection of thick mix as the starter will lead to economical advantage by a reduction in grout operation time.
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