Grouting Mechanisms in Fractured Rock Masses
Summary
Grouting is a cornerstone technique for enhancing the integrity, impermeability and load‐bearing capacity of fractured rock masses in civil and geotechnical engineering. Mechanisms of grout propagation within discrete fractures and porous networks involve a complex interplay of rheology, fracture geometry and in situ stress conditions. Low‐viscosity permeation grouts exploit capillary and pressure differentials to infiltrate fine apertures, whereas compaction and splitting grouts use higher viscosity and injection pressures to displace fracture walls or generate secondary microcracks. The diffusion pattern of grout may assume parabolic, quasi‐elliptical or irregular shapes, governed by fracture aperture distribution, roughness and connectivity. Numerical and analytical models, from one‐dimensional Darcy‐type formulations to three‐dimensional fluid–structure interaction simulations, have progressively improved prediction of grout diffusion radius and pressure evolution. In practice, grouting schemes are tailored through iterations of borehole layout, grout mix design, pressure‐time protocols and real‐time monitoring. Field applications span tunnel water‐stop, foundation consolidation and mine roadway reinforcement, with global significance for groundwater control, infrastructure stability and resource recovery. Recent advances emphasise digital twins, machine‐learning enhancers and multi‐scale monitoring to optimise grout delivery and assess long‐term performance under variable stress and chemical conditions.
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Grouting Mechanisms in Fractured Rock Masses publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in grouting mechanisms in fractured rock masses across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Fracture aperture: The average width of a rock fracture, determining grout penetration pathways.
Permeation grouting: Injection of low‐viscosity grout that penetrates existing voids without creating new fractures.
Compaction grouting: Use of high‐viscosity grout to displace and compact surrounding material, reducing porosity.
Bingham fluid: A non‐Newtonian fluid that behaves as a rigid body below a yield stress and flows like a viscous fluid above it.
Fluid–structure interaction: Coupled analysis of fluid flow and mechanical deformation in fractured rock under grout injection.
References
- Grouting theories and technologies for the reinforcement of fractured rocks surrounding deep roadways. Deep Underground Science and Engineering (2022).
- Grouting Process Simulation Based on 3D Fracture Network Considering Fluid–Structure Interaction. Applied Sciences (2019).
- Experimental and Numerical Study on a Grouting Diffusion Model of a Single Rough Fracture in Rock Mass. Applied Sciences (2020).
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