Britt N. Babcock, PE, Director, Geotechnical Division
World Tunnelling
2013
Tunnel contractors can choose whether to use cement or chemical grouts. To help them out, Britt Babcock discusses both types, which to use, when to use them and why...and an idea of how much it will all cost.
Brad Crenshaw, PE - General Manager - Ground Engineering Contractors
AEG News
2013
Groundwater infiltration can be due to either primary or secondary permeability. When both types of permeability are present, mitigation requires versatility and cooperation between multiple project participants.
This 440- foot earth and rock- fill dam is located in a deep canyon along the Deschutes River in Oregon on a foundation of Pelton basalt, created by a series of lava flows.
A high earth- fill dam was being constructed across the Grijalva River. After diversion of the river, seepage was still occurring through the riverbed sands.
Indian Kill Reservoir is a man- made lake (capacity 200 million gallons.) serving a portion of Sterling Forest, a community developed for scientific research, education, and suburban living.
A 300-foot rockfill dam with a central impervious core and a crest length of 870 feet was being built on a generally sound granite foundation, except on the upper right abutment where the rock was completely weathered to an in situ soil.
Problem: Severe weathering along calcite veins, joints, and cracks, as well as the presence of three fault zones, have formed seepage channels which could endanger the performance of the dam.
Chemical grout has been stopping leaks in concrete structures for over 25 years. In concrete dams, chemical grout forms a permanent, flexible, compression-type seal that stops water movement.
