Theoretical Approach to Predicting the Diffusion Radius of Fracture Grouting in Soil–Rock Mixtures

Abstract

Previously conducted studies have established that the soil–rock mixture in the Chongqing area has the characteristics of loose structure, poor stability, strong permeability, and so on. When building a tunnel in a soil–rock mixture stratum, it is necessary to reinforce the surface rock mass and surrounding rock by grouting to improve the safety of tunnel excavation. To study the diffusion mechanism of cement slurry (Bingham fluid) in soil–rock mixtures, based on the Bingham fluid flow equation and slurry diffusion model, the Bingham fluid fracture diffusion formula was derived, and field grouting tests and indoor model tests were carried out with soil–rock mixtures in the Chongqing area as the research object. The fracture grouting diffusion formula was verified and analyzed using the test data. The research results show that the theoretical calculation results of various working conditions are close to the actual test results (the error of indoor model test results is less than 3%, and the error of field test results is less than 5%). A Bingham fluid fracture diffusion formula has been developed that applies to various working conditions of fracture grouting of soil–rock mixtures and has a good prediction effect on the value of the fracture diffusion radius.