STUDY OF SHEAR STRENGTH CHARACTERISTICS OF GROUTED MODELLED ROCK

Abstract

Grouting is the widely used technique for compacting, stabilizing and strengthening weak soils and fractured rock masses. Although various studies have investigated grouting techniques and materials, several admixtures remain unexplored. This study investigates the effectiveness of cement – Dr. Fixit Pidiproof LW+ as a grout material for strengthening the fractured rock at different angles. Modelled rock was prepared using a poorly graded sand collected from Delhi Technological Campus, stabilized with ordinary Portland cement (OPC) of grade 43, cylindrical samples were cast with dimensions of diameter 50mm and height 100mm, considered as standard sample. Artificial fractures were created in the standard samples by splitting the entire sample into two parts at mid depth at different angles including 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90° considered as a fractured rock, three specimens were prepared for each angle. A 1mm thick cement-Pidiproof by weight mix was applied in the fractured rock referred to as fractured – grouted rock. Samples were left to dry for 24 hrs then placed in a tank for curing up to 28 days in normal water. After 28 days the samples were tested in unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test. This study reveals the effectiveness of “Dr. Fixit Pidiproof LW+” as a grout material to enhance the strength of fractured rock, it showed the 45° fractured – grouted rock exhibited the maximum strength while 0° rock exhibited the lowest strength. This helps in optimizing grouting techniques for geotechnical applications and provides insights into the mechanical behaviour of grouted soils.