Experimental Study on the Reinforcement Mechanism of Segmented Split Grouting in a Soft Filling Medium

Subsection split grouting technology can effectively improve the grouting efficiency and homogeneity of grouting in a target reinforcement area. It is therefore necessary to clarify the reinforcement mechanism and characteristics of the soft filling medium under the condition of split grouting. A three-dimensional grouting simulation test of segmented split grouting in a soft filling medium was conducted. The distribution characteristics and thicknesses of the grouting veins were obtained under the condition of segmented grouting. The mechanical mechanism of segmented split grouting reinforcement, based on the distribution characteristics of different grouting veins, was revealed. After grouting, a uniaxial compression test and an indoor permeation test were conducted. Based on the method of the region-weighted average, the corresponding permeability coefficient and the elastic modulus of each splitting-compaction region were obtained. The quantitative relationship between the mechanical properties and the impermeability of the soft filling medium before and after grouting was established. The results revealed that three different types of veins were formed as the distance from the grouting holes increased; namely, skeleton veins, cross-grid grouting veins, and parallel dispersed grouting veins. The thicknesses of the grouting veins decreased gradually, whereas the number of grouting veins increased. Moreover, the strikes of the grouting vein exhibited increased randomness. The reinforcement effect of segmental split grouting on soft filling media was mainly confirmed by the skeleton support and compaction. The elastic modulus of the grouting reinforcement solid increased on average by a factor that was greater than 100, and the permeability coefficient decreased on average by a factor that was greater than 40 in the direction of the parallel grouting vein with the most impermeable solid. The research results may be helpful in the investigation of the split grouting reinforcement mechanism under the condition of segmented grouting.