Recent Applications of Jet grouting in the Prairies

ABSTRACT: In situ ground improvement techniques can be applied to solve a lot of challenging conditions during the installation of new buried utilities. This process can modify and stabilize soils below the groundwater table to facilitate hand-mining operations in safe and stable conditions. The modified soils can be excavated to provide suitable access for connection to existing shafts and/or chambers. In most cases, this work cannot be performed in a safe and technically viable manner using conventional techniques. Specialty grouting can be performed to surgically treat and improve the properties of soils within the target zone. Jet grouting is a process of hydro-dynamically eroding and blending soils in situ with cementitious grout to create soilcrete (soil-cement) matrix. Jet grouting is commonly performed with the double-fluid process. This technique was recently applied to two sites within the Prairies – Winnipeg, Manitoba and Calgary, Alberta. The jet grouting process was successfully applied to stabilize and modify the soils within the target zones to facilitate hand-mining operations on a project in Winnipeg. At the other site in Calgary, jet grouting was performed to create a bottom seal and perimeter water cut-off wall. This paper provides an overview of the jet grouting process, technical considerations, quality control and case histories of two projects in the Prairies.