Novel nanomagnetic-based slurry for grouting fractured rocks

Abstract In geo-engineering and underground infrastructure projects, flaws and discontinuities in rocks are typically grouted to enhance hydraulic properties, reduce permeability, and mitigate hazards. Traditional grouts, however, often exhibit poor dispersion resistance and bonding properties, high...

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Main Authors: Felix Oppong, Oladoyin Kolawole
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-01-01
Series:Discover Civil Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44290-024-00157-w
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author Felix Oppong
Oladoyin Kolawole
author_facet Felix Oppong
Oladoyin Kolawole
author_sort Felix Oppong
collection DOAJ
description Abstract In geo-engineering and underground infrastructure projects, flaws and discontinuities in rocks are typically grouted to enhance hydraulic properties, reduce permeability, and mitigate hazards. Traditional grouts, however, often exhibit poor dispersion resistance and bonding properties, highlighting the need for alternative grouting technologies for fractured rocks. Moreover, the mechanisms by which grout materials seal fractured rocks and respond to in-situ compressional stresses remain inadequately understood. This study proposes a novel nanomagnetic-based grout, characterized by its natural expansiveness, which can induce compressive stress and potentially enhance rock fracture grouting, in addition to evaluating the efficacy of this nanomagnetic slurry as a grout for rock masses, and its ability to modify bulk rock strength (uniaxial compressive strength, UCS; Young’s modulus, E). Mechanical properties of the rock samples were obtained via uniaxial compression tests conducted before and after grouting treatment. Microstructural analysis and material uniformity were assessed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Additionally, changes in rock density before and after grouting were analyzed via grout flow performance to understand its flowability. The results indicate that the proposed nanomagnetic grout can significantly improve the UCS of treated samples and effectively plug fractured rocks. The optimal grout treatment, containing 15% nanomagnetic material content, resulted in greater bulk UCS by up to 42%, E by up to 31%, and bulk rock density. Further analyses suggest that the nanomagnetic grout can alter rock microstructure and ensure good material uniformity with efficient flow rates. This work provides new insights into the development of eco-friendly reinforcement and void-filling materials for mitigating geohazards around high-risk and challenging underground infrastructures by using nanomaterials, advancing rock engineering applications, and enhancing the understanding of rock grouting from a rock mechanics perspective.
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spelling doaj-art-19a662685409498a9e4c2a821e1b3b122025-01-12T12:39:20ZengSpringerDiscover Civil Engineering2948-15462025-01-012111910.1007/s44290-024-00157-wNovel nanomagnetic-based slurry for grouting fractured rocksFelix Oppong0Oladoyin Kolawole1John A. Reif, Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of TechnologyJohn A. Reif, Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of TechnologyAbstract In geo-engineering and underground infrastructure projects, flaws and discontinuities in rocks are typically grouted to enhance hydraulic properties, reduce permeability, and mitigate hazards. Traditional grouts, however, often exhibit poor dispersion resistance and bonding properties, highlighting the need for alternative grouting technologies for fractured rocks. Moreover, the mechanisms by which grout materials seal fractured rocks and respond to in-situ compressional stresses remain inadequately understood. This study proposes a novel nanomagnetic-based grout, characterized by its natural expansiveness, which can induce compressive stress and potentially enhance rock fracture grouting, in addition to evaluating the efficacy of this nanomagnetic slurry as a grout for rock masses, and its ability to modify bulk rock strength (uniaxial compressive strength, UCS; Young’s modulus, E). Mechanical properties of the rock samples were obtained via uniaxial compression tests conducted before and after grouting treatment. Microstructural analysis and material uniformity were assessed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Additionally, changes in rock density before and after grouting were analyzed via grout flow performance to understand its flowability. The results indicate that the proposed nanomagnetic grout can significantly improve the UCS of treated samples and effectively plug fractured rocks. The optimal grout treatment, containing 15% nanomagnetic material content, resulted in greater bulk UCS by up to 42%, E by up to 31%, and bulk rock density. Further analyses suggest that the nanomagnetic grout can alter rock microstructure and ensure good material uniformity with efficient flow rates. This work provides new insights into the development of eco-friendly reinforcement and void-filling materials for mitigating geohazards around high-risk and challenging underground infrastructures by using nanomaterials, advancing rock engineering applications, and enhancing the understanding of rock grouting from a rock mechanics perspective.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44290-024-00157-wNanomagnetic groutRock groutingRock mass groutabilityFlow performanceRock mechanics
spellingShingle Felix Oppong
Oladoyin Kolawole
Novel nanomagnetic-based slurry for grouting fractured rocks
Discover Civil Engineering
Nanomagnetic grout
Rock grouting
Rock mass groutability
Flow performance
Rock mechanics
title Novel nanomagnetic-based slurry for grouting fractured rocks
title_full Novel nanomagnetic-based slurry for grouting fractured rocks
title_fullStr Novel nanomagnetic-based slurry for grouting fractured rocks
title_full_unstemmed Novel nanomagnetic-based slurry for grouting fractured rocks
title_short Novel nanomagnetic-based slurry for grouting fractured rocks
title_sort novel nanomagnetic based slurry for grouting fractured rocks
topic Nanomagnetic grout
Rock grouting
Rock mass groutability
Flow performance
Rock mechanics
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44290-024-00157-w
work_keys_str_mv AT felixoppong novelnanomagneticbasedslurryforgroutingfracturedrocks
AT oladoyinkolawole novelnanomagneticbasedslurryforgroutingfracturedrocks