GEOTECHNICAL 1 FULL REPORT

SESSION 2013/2014 / SEMESTER 2

TITLE
STABILIZATION OF SOFT SOIL USING
J ET GROUTING

Gr oup Member s:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

MUHAMMAD AMMAR FIKRI BIN NASHARUDIN

NORDIANAH BINTI JAMIL
HAYATIWADISA BINTI MOHD RADI
FARAH FARINAH BINTI SHUKOR
NURHAFIZAH BINTI MAHADI

BF130001
AF120165
AF120161
AF120125
AF120038

STABILIZATION OF SOFT SOIL USING J ET GROUTING

Muhammad Ammar Fikri Bin Nasharudin1
Nurhafizah Binti Mahadi1
Farah Farinah Binti Shukor1
Hayatiwadisa Binti Mohd Radi1
Nordianah Binti Jamil1

ABSTRACT
This paper discusses the method and application of the jet grouting. Jet grouting has been widely used as
a ground treatment method to improve the mechanical behavior of soft soils in many different types of
constructions. This technique has been used to facilitate the construction of the West Kowloon Terminus
(WKT) of the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL) in
Hong Kong. The construction sequence of the central portion of the deep excavation involves the
formation of temporary cut slopes which serve to partially support the diaphragm wall until the core
station structure is completed. The stability of the temporary cut slopes, hence the excavation, is affected
by the presence of soft marine deposits. Jet grout columns are therefore constructed to enhance the overall
stability of the temporary cut slopes before excavation. The paper discusses the design philosophy of the
deep excavation supported by temporary cut slopes which have been pre-treated by jet grouting. The
performance of the jet grout columns have been verified by post-construction coring together with in-situ
and laboratory testing. Results of these verification measures and field monitoring data which
demonstrate the overall performance of the excavation supported by slopes treated by jet grouting are also
presented.
Keywor ds: Jet grouting, mechanical behavior of soft soil, constructions, deep excavation, cut slopes, soft
marine deposits, columns, in-situ, laboratory test, result.

1.0

INTRODUCTION

The interaction between soil and structure consists of an exchange of mutual stress between the structure
itself and the foundations ground. This means that the movement of the whole ground-structure system is
influenced by the type of ground as well as by the type of structure. Therefore, it is important to make
sure the soils for the construction are stable and suitable for the design of structure that had been
recommended. The most diffused techniques are the jet-grouting technique and the pile work technique.
The jet grouting is a grouting technique that creates in situ geometries of soil concrete known as grouted
soil, using a grouting monitor attached to the end of a drill stem. The jet grout monitor is advanced to the
maximum treatment depth, at which time high velocity grout jets (and sometimes water and air) are
initiated from ports in the side of the monitor. The jets erode and mix the in situ soil as the drill stem and
jet grout monitor are rotated and raised. Depending on the application and soils to be treated, one of three
variations is used. The variations are the single fluid system known as slurry grout jet, the double fluid
system as slurry grout jet surrounded by an air jet and the triple fluid system as water jet surrounded by an
air jet, with a lower grout jet. The jet grouting process constructs soil concrete panels, full columns or
partial columns with designed strength and permeability.

2.0

APPLICATION

The most versatile of all ground improvement methods, grouting has long played a significant remedial
role in ground improvement. Over the years, the introduction of new grouting technologies, refinement of
established techniques, and the development of more sophisticated equipment have expanded that role to
include site improvement for new construction. Jet grouting uses high-pressure, high-velocity jets to
hydraulically erode, mix and partially replace the in situ soil or weak rock with cementations grout slurry
to create an engineered soil-cement product of high strength and low permeability. Jet grouting can be
performed above or below the water table and in most subsurface stratigraphy from cohesion-less soils to
highly plastic clays.
There are three basic systems in general use which is:
i.

single-fluid (slurry grout jet)

ii.

double-fluid (slurry grout jet surrounded by an air jet)

iii.

triple-fluid jet grouting (water jet surrounded by an air jet, with a lower grout jet)

Jet grouting is effective across the widest range of soil types of any grouting system, including silts and
most clay. Because it is an erosion-based system, soil erodibility plays a major role in predicting
geometry, quality and production. Cohesion-less soil are typically more erodible by jet grouting than
cohesive soils. Since the geometry and physical properties of the soil Crete are engineered, the properties
of the soil Crete are readily and accurately predictable. The ability to construct soil Crete in confined
spaces and around subsurface obstructions such as utilities, provides a unique degree of design flexibility.
Indeed, in any situation requiring control of groundwater or excavation of unstable soil (water-bearing or
otherwise) jet grouting should be considered.
Jet grouting has a number of construction-related applications, including:

Structural underpinning
Groundwater control or cut-off
Utility support
Excavation support
Temporary or permanent soft soil and slope stabilization
Hazardous waste containment

Selection of the most appropriate system is dependent on the in situ soil characteristics and the
application. Usually, jet grouting can be accomplished without disrupting normal facility operations. The
recent development of small containerized, highly mobile support equipment has enabled starting jet
grouting work on the first day of setup, greatly reducing mobilization and demobilization costs. Jet
grouting can often result in construction schedule savings.

Figur e 1: J et gr outing technique.

Figur e 2: J et gr outing machine

Figur e 3: Steps of jet gr outing.

3.0

CASE STUDY

Jet Grouting is a relatively new technology. According to Kauschinger et al. (1992), it started at Japan
about 1995, and the technology developed rapidly and quickly spread to Italy, Germany and Brazil. In jet
grouting, high-pressure (up to 50MPa) air on water jets, either singly or a multiples mounted on a central
drill stem, are rotated in the soil to cut and mix it with an injected grout material such as Portland cement.
Jet grouting is able to construct relatively uniform columns of improved soil, 1-2 diameters, in a wide
variety of soil conditions. The columns can form continuous walls or panels of solidified soil, or they can
be connected to form cells. In recent years, jet grouting has grained wider international acceptance as a
viable soil stabilization technique, probably because of three factors: (1) it is applicable to sand, silt and
clay deposits: (2) it has been actively promoted by specialty contractors; and (3) jet grouting has been
frequently discussed in recent books, papers and conferences, including a number of well-documented
successful case histories.

It has been increasingly widely used for soft ground tunneling and to stabilize deep excavations in urban
areas. Prior to Soil mprovement-A Ten Year Update (Welsh 1987), only a very few jet grouting projects
were completed in the United States (Langbehn 1986. Andromalos and Gazaway 1986).
Jet grouting fundamental concept:
Jet grouting offers a system suitable to many applications and a wide variety of soil types and
stratigraphy. There are three basic styles of jet grouting (Burke and Mellc I<) 91). For each system, in situ
erosion of soils occurs by impact energy from a high velocity fluid streams. Note that the velocity of the
fluid is created by pumping pressure forcing it through a small nozzle(s) The distribution of fluids
injected into the ground is through a "monitor" located at the end of the drill string, but just above the drill
bit The drill bit is sized larger than the drill string and monitor, permitting return of slurry up the annulus
between the drill string and the borehole wall at a rate sufficient to carry soil cuttings and to ease ground
penetration If any pressure results during the erosion process of jet grouting, it is immediately relieved via
the drill annulus. In fact, the European code of practice for jet grouting supports the need to assure a
continuous flow of spoil return to the surface during jetting It is very important to understand that control
of the return spoil ensures pressure control of the in situ erosion environment so that no energy is wasted
hydro fracturing the soil in lieu of eroding the soil. Quality jet grouting is reliant on continuity of erosion
parameters and controlling the erosion environment. This is particularly so when the inspection issues are
nearly all procedural and repetition is all important. Only specialist experience is currently available to
assess which system, method, and procedures will furnish the soil Crete that achieves the project goals,
and in general, more than one system can usually be utilized.
Jet grouting current design practice:
Underpinning is the application for which jet grouting has been most used in the U.S. This is probably
due to the cost and schedule competitiveness of the system, as well as the safety of jet grouting versus
conventional systems. This is particularly so when underpinning is also combined with excavation
support and groundwater control In general, underpinning design focuses on developing a geometry of
interconnected Soilcrete which is capable of resisting overturning and sliding (Fig 2.4-3). The Soilcrete
geometry is assumed to act as a homogenous mass not unlike a gravity wall Internal stresses are usually
checked at critical locations, and the average desired unconfined compressive strength is typically set at
three times the design requirements. Where groundwater control alone is required, Soilcrete permeability
and wall thickness is usually set Permeability is one of the most difficult parameters to test for in the
field, and has resulted in quality concerns on more than one project. Occasionally, modulus is also a
criterion, depending on design deformation requirements. For tunnel stabilization, a strength criterion is
all that is usually desired, along with a somewhat homogenous Soilcrete matrix
This is the case in microtunneling and tunnel boring machine work where groundwater intrusion and face
stability are serious problems On at least one occasion in the US, nearly horizontal jet grouting has been
applied to create a tunnel roof structure (similar to forepoling). This has proven successful in Europe
when applied to the New Austrian Tunneling Method in unsaturated ground.

Figur e 6: Conventional under pinning/excavation suppor t design.

Jet grouting construction methods and materials:

In general, all systems of jet grouting have similar basic construction procedures
1

Set up on location at design angle of penetration

Drill to depth by hydraulic rotary methods

Commence jet grouting at the base of the design depth, lifting (and rotating if
required) uniformly until the design top is reached

Many variations to these procedures have been developed to overcome drilling difficulties or ensure
waste return. These include access of pre-drilling, cased hole drilling, using a Down-the-Hole hammer
beneath the monitor, high flow drill fluid injection, and high pressure drill fluid injection and also drill
fluid variations. And erosion of precutting, double cutting, multiple nozzles, angled nozzles, auxiliary air
nozzles, high pressure air, increased high pressure fluid, ultra-high pressure of fluid injection, and relief
hole placement. The equipment to perform jet grouting remains specialized, but a sufficient number of
vendors are available Drills range from miniature, electrically powered units to large crane supported
systems Some drills have the ability to create a wide variety of Soilcrete geometries through specialized
controls for rotation and lift.
Pumping systems are also specialized, and usually range from 300 to 500 Horsepower. Most triple system
pumps are containerized so that the three parameters (air, water, grout) are centrally controlled and
monitored. Slurry preparation can be very simple, manual mixing or it can be highly automated. This is so
for both batch system mixing and continuous jet mixing operations. In any case, jet grouting requires the
ability to batch slurry at a rate of 5 to 25 m3/hr (6 to 32 yd3/hr), depending on the system applied, at

specific gravities: of 1.4 to 1.8. The sequence of Soilcrete production is an important factor in the
production of quality Soilcrete. This is a consideration for all jet grouting projects, but particularly when
the application includes underpinning.
The work plan for jet grouting is also important and is somewhat integrated into the sequence of
operations:
1. Angle jet grouting beyond 30 from vcrtical should nul u:;c air as a component, as it tends to
fracture the ground and cause heave.
2. Always consider work to be done in a primary, secondary, tertiary, etc sequence.
3. In general, work should progress from low in situ stress regions to high in situ stress regions; that
is to say, when underpinning, start beyond the edge of a column footing and progress daily closer
to the center until the design coverage is achieved. This will allow soil to "arch" and minimize
structure deformations until the Soilcrete cures sufficiently to accept load.
Devices have been developed to retrieve wet grab samples at any depth, provided the sampler can be
inserted in the uncured Soilcrete to the depth desired, If the ground is very sandy and/or includes cobbles
and boulders, this will restrict deep insertion Wet grab samples are usually poured into small molds and
cured and tested like a concrete cylinder
Requirement
Strength

Permeability

Sample Method(s)
Wet grab (in situ) cast in
to molds
Cast in place plastic pipe
retrieved after cure
Core drilling
As above plus
Cast-in-Place Piezometer
Drilled and cast
Piezometer

Test Methods
Unconfined Compression
Triaxial
Tension
Direct Shear
CPT (in situ) if soft enough
Permeameter
Rising or Falling Head
(in situ)
Packer Testing

Table 1: Sampling and Testing Methods

When permeability is a requirement, that test method and its employment should be understood. The only
true method to test this is to perform pump testing in a Soilcrete contained soil "tub". It is nondestructive
and reliable cast-in-place piezometers have shown reasonable accuracy and have correlated well to wet
sample results Packer testing relies on the assumption that Soilcrete can be cored nondestructively This
has proven to be very difficult, and the results from packer tests have shown highly variable correlation to
wet grab sample tests or in situ tests.

4.0

CONCLUSION

Jet grouting is a the most versatile of all ground improvement methods, grouting has long played a
significant remedial role in ground improvement that one of the grouting technique createa in situ
geometries of soilcrete (grouted soil), using a grouting monitor attached to the end of a drill stem. The jet
grout monitor is advanced to the maximum treatment depth, at which time high velocity grout jets (and
sometimes water and air) are initiated from ports in the side of the monitor. The jets erode and mix the in
situ soil as the drill stem and jet grout monitor are rotated and raised. Jet grouting is effective across the
widest range of soil types of any grouting system, including silts and most clays. Because it is an erosionbased system, soil erodibility plays a major role in predicting geometry, quality and production.
Jet groutings ability to construct soilcrete in confined spaces and around subsurface obstructions such as
utilities, provides a unique degree of design flexibility. Indeed, in any situation requiring control of
groundwater or excavation of unstable soil (water-bearing or otherwise) jet grouting should be
considered. Usually, jet grouting can be accomplished without disrupting normal facility operations. The
recent development of small containerized, highly mobile support equipment has enabled starting jet
grouting work on the first day of setup, greatly reducing mobilization and demobilization costs. Jet
grouting can often result in construction schedule savings.

5.0

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The permission to publish this paper by the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) Corporation Limited is
gratefully acknowledged.

6.0 REFERRENCES

1. Miyoshi, 1\, and Ilirayama, K

(1996) "Test of Solidified Columns using a Combined System
of Mechanical Churning and Jetting: Proceedings of IS/()J.\'O '91): jill! Sl!c()lld /,lll!maliolla/
Coi!fl!rel1ce 011 Grolmd Improvement (;eQ~Vme111s, Tokyo, pp 743- 748
2. Yahiro, T, and Yoshida, 11 (1973) "Induction Grouting Method Utilizing High Speed Water
Jet: Proceedil1gs of the Eighth International Conference on Soil Mechal1ics al1d F01ll1datiol1
El1gil1eeril1g, pp 402-404,
3. Cheuk J. C. Y., Lai A. W. L., Cheung C. K. W., AECOM ASIA Co. Ltd., HKSAR, China,
The Use of Jet Grouting to Enhance Stability of Bermed Excavation.
4. B. De Paoli, C Stella & A. Perelli Cippo, RODIO SpA, Casalmaicco, Milan, Italy,
A monitoring system for quality assessment of the jet grouting process through energy
approach
5. " Jet Grouted Anchors Put to the Test," (1988) Gr01ll1d El1gineering, September, p. 16
6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundstructure_interaction

MINUTE OF MEETING 1/2014

GEOTECHNICAL PROJECT
FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

DATE : 24/3/2014
TIME :8.00 PM
PLACE :UTHM LIBRARY
MEMBERS PRESENT :
1. MISS NURHAFIZAH BINTI MAHADI
2.MISS NURDIANAH BINTI JAMIL
3.MR AMMAR FIKHRI BIN NASHARUDIN
4.MISS FARAH FARINAH BINTI SHUKOR
5.MISS HAYATIWADISA BINTI MOHD RADI

NO
1.0

SUBJECT
CHAIRPERSON ADRESS

Introduce every group members

Information of the agenda of meeting
The determination of title for the project
The discussion of problems encountered regarding to the title had been
chosen
iii)The identification of the purpose of study
iv) The finding of solution for the problem encountered
2.0

PAPER PRESENTATION BY MISS HAYATI

2.1 The determination of title of research

i)The underground construction on soft soil
ii) The technologies used in solving the soft soil problem
The underground construction on soft soil had agreed by every group
members
2.2 The discussion of problems encountered regarding to the title had
been chosen
What is underground construction?
ii)What is the geotechnical aspects in underground construction on soft
soil?
iii)How about the risk of underground construction on soft soil?
iv)What is the benefits of underground construction on soft soil?
v)What is the procedures in having underground construction on soft
soil?
2.3 The identification of the purpose of study
To identify the procedures of underground construction on soft soil
ii)To determine the risk of underground construction on soft soil
iii)To clarify the geotechnical aspects in underground construction on soft
soil
2.4The finding of solutions for the problem encountered
observation

AF120038
AF120165
BF130001
AF120125
AF120161

ACTION BY

FEEDBACK

NO

SUBJECT

ACTION BY

FEEDBACK

The observation of the place that related to the case of study

ii)research
Finding the books,journals and articles that helps in solving a problems
for the case of study.
3.0

CLOSING

Works distribution
Miss Farah
Case of study for underground construction on soft soil
Miss Diana
The problem encountered regarding to the underground construction on soft
soil
Miss Hayati
The risk of underground construction on soft soil
Miss Hafiza and Mr Ammar
The solution of the problem encountered
3.2Meeting adjourned
next meeting : 16 APR 2014

REPORTED BY :
_________________
( HAYATIWADISA )

CONFIRMED BY:
____________________
(NURHAFIZAH BINTI MAHADI)

MINUTES OF MEETING 2/2014

GEOTECHNICAL PROJ ECT
FACULTY OF CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

DATE : 5TH MAY 2014

TIME : 9 PM
PLACE : DISCUSSION ROOM, LIBRARY
Members Present:
1. Miss Nur Hafizah Binti Mahadi ( chairperson)
2. Miss Farah Farinah Binti Shukor ( secretary )
3. Mr Ammar Fikri Bin
4. Miss Nordianah Binti Jamil
5. Miss Hayatiwadisa Binti Mohd Radi
List Apologies : None
No
1.0

Subject

Action by

Feedback

Chairperson address
1.1 discuss on selected title whether -Mr Ammar Fikri
everyone have problem with it or not

-agreed to specified
the type of softsoil
that we will be in the
case study

1.2 discuss on type of journals that -Miss hayatiwadisa

associated with the selected title

-Decided each person

have atleast 1 or 2
journals.

1.3 dividing the working process so that -Miss nordianah

everyone have working role

-agreed by everyone

2.0

Presentation by Miss Farah

2.1 working progress from the 1st meeting -Miss Farah Farinah
2.1.1 background of study
2.1.2 introduction

-Miss Nur Hafizah

-understanding

the

case

the

study

of

project
3.0

Closing
3.1 selecting the date for the 3rd meeting

-Miss Nur Hafizah

3.2 meeting adjourned

Prepared by:
______________
FARAH FARINAH BINTI SHUKOR
(Secretary)

Approved by:
_______________
NUR HAFIZAH BINTI MAHADI
(chairperson)

MINUTES OF MEETING 3/2014

GEOTECHNICAL PROJ ECT
FACULTY OF CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

DATE : 19TH MAY 2014

TIME : 9 PM
PLACE : DISCUSSION ROOM, LIBRARY
Members Present:
6. Miss Nur Hafizah Binti Mahadi ( chairperson)
7. Miss Farah Farinah Binti Shukor ( secretary )
8. Mr Ammar Fikri Bin
9. Miss Nordianah Binti Jamil
10. Miss Hayatiwadisa Binti Mohd Radi
List Apologies : None
No

Subject

1.0

Chairperson address
1.1 asking

Action by
on

previous

meeting -miss Nur hafizah

progress
1.2 discuss on materials that will be -mr Ammar Fikri
used on upcoming presentation

Feedback
-The working progress in
good condition.
-we will have poster with
A1 size together with the
stand, and soil sample.

1.3 appoint on editor and compiler -miss Hayatiwadisa

for the paperwork for the project

-hope all member will

cooperate

to

submit

everyones part earlier for

editing process.

2.0

Presentation by Miss Farah farinah

2.1working progress from the 2nd -miss Farah Farinah
meeting.
2.1.1 case study associated with -miss Nordianah

-understand the concept to

selected title which is Underground

prepare

Construction For Softsoil.

presentation.

for

2.1.2 the application that can solve -miss Nur hafizah

the problem which is Jet Grouting
Method
3.0

Closing
3.1 hope all the work will finished -Miss Nurhafizah
right on time.
3.2 meeting adjourned.

Prepared by:
______________
FARAH FARINAH BINTI SHUKOR
(Secretary)

Approved by:
_______________
NUR HAFIZAH BINTI MAHADI
(chairperson)

the

7.0

APPENDIX