Quantifying the Effectiveness of a Grout Curtain Using a Laboratory-Scale Physical Model

This research focused on the development of quantitative guidelines to evaluate the effectiveness of a grout curtain in porous media using piezometric and hydraulic flow data. In this study, a laboratory-scale physical seepage model was developed to aid in the understanding and development methodology to evaluate the effectiveness of a grout curtain. A new performance parameter was developed based on a normalization scheme that utilized the area of the grout curtain and the area of the improved media. The normalization scheme combined with model-based Lugeon values that correspond to pore pressure and flow rate measurements at different soil relative densities and grout curtain spacings, produced a mathematical equation that can be used to quantify the effectiveness of a grout curtain. This study found a relationship that takes into account soil porosity, grout curtain spacing and a new performance parameter that can be used to help predict the effectiveness of a grout curtain.