AML Drilling and Grouting

This classroom oriented course provides participants with exposure to the methods and approaches utilized for drilling and grouting for the purpose of subsidence remediation across varying geological and geographical regions.  The majority of the course is devoted to drilling for investigation, the design process, and construction methods for drilling and grouting projects.  There is also discussion on the monitoring of structures and contracting.  Within these topics, funding and geology are inherent themes that are addressed throughout the training.  Duration: 4 days

Topics Covered

Definition of Terms

• Review of terms pertinent to course

Review of Basics

• Why subsidence occurs
• Types of subsidence
• Why to grout
• Why to drill
• Geology/Coal
• Types of overburden

Drilling/Investigation for Design

• Monitoring to determine eligibility
• Matching equipment to need
• Extent of investigation
• Alternate investigative methods and resources
• Thickness and characteristics of overburden
• Investigation for competent rock
• Rock mass properties
• Groundwater/Hydrology
• Measurement of subsidence
• Presence of pillars
• Unusual situations

Design Process for Drilling and Grouting

• Extent of hazard
• Depth of mine
• Site constraints
• Characterization of void
• Establishing baseline information
• Groundwater presence and protection
• Probability of adverse consequences
• Type of equipment available/necessary
• Grouting methods (compaction, consolidation, stage, pillar, saturation, curtain, etc.)
• Alternate approaches (daylighting, piers, grade beams, blasting, piles, etc.)
• Drilling pattern/hole layout
• Project footprint
• Admixtures (types, characteristics, environmental impacts)
• Grout mixes/rheology
• Pressures and pumps
• Estimating grout takes

Pre- and Post-Construction Monitoring

• Environmental impacts
• Structural damage
• Rate of subsidence
• Equipment
• Blowout/heaving prevention
• Grout takes
• Confirmation drilling
• Post-construction monitoring to determine success/failure
• Collection of monitoring data for use in adjacent areas
• Monitoring to address landowner complaints
• Quality assurance/quality control

Construction Methodologies for Drilling and Grouting

• Risk to public safety
• Level of emergency
• Pressure versus gravity fill
• Mixers
• Packers
• Drivers
• Casing
• Types of drills
• Drill bits
• Nozzles
• Pressure gauges
• Agitators
• Specialized equipment
• Controlling amount of material/batching
• Batch plants
• Hoses/delivery lines
• Scheduling
• Injection sequence
• Injection controls
• Pumps
• Utilities
• Adjacent structures
• Mix changes during grouting
• Layout of monuments
• Surface monitoring
• Unexpected situations
  

Contracting

• Availability of supplies, materials, equipment
• Change orders
• Method of payment for grout mixes
• Unit price contracts
• Use of alternate and allowances
• Timing of bid openings
• Specification for equipment
• Availability of contractors
• Attracting qualified contractors

WHO SHOULD ATTEND/PREREQUISITES:  AML technical personnel including project designers and managers, engineers, geologists and inspectors.  Completion of the "AML Design Workshop: Subsidence" is a prerequisite for this course.

COMMENTS:  A series of case studies and classroom exercises are incorporated into this training. Each student is requested to bring an example case study/project to be used for illustration and/or discussion during class.

FIELD EXERCISE:  None.

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