Ground Improvement Method Using Stable Liquid Mediator

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing ground improvement technologies face challenges in achieving high strength of underground consolidated bodies with rich-mixed solidification materials due to high viscosity, leading to blockages and excessive waste, which increases construction costs and environmental impact.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using a slurry collecting structure to separate and treat the stable liquid and cut soil mixture, adding a cellulose decomposition enzyme to break down guar gum, and forming a zeolite layer to reduce radioactive contamination, allowing for the use of rich-mixed solidification materials with a lower water-to-cement ratio, thereby reducing waste and improving construction efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a low W/C ratio is used to improve the strength of underground consolidated body, then the strength is improved, but the viscosity increases causing blockage of carrying passage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrength of underground consolidated bodyVSAvoidcarrying of solidification material
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A stable liquid (guar gum solution) is introduced as an intermediary substance to mix with the solidification material. This mediator reduces the viscosity of the rich-mixed solidification material (W/C ratio of 26-40%), enabling it to be pumped and carried through passages without blockage, while still allowing the formation of high-strength underground consolidated bodies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If a low W/C ratio is used to improve the strength, then the strength is improved, but large amounts of solidification material are discharged as slurry waste

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrength of underground consolidated bodyVSAvoidsolidification material waste
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The stable liquid acts as a separator between the solidification material and the cut soil mixture. This intermediary layer prevents the solidification material from mixing with and being discharged as slurry waste, while still allowing it to effectively solidify the cut soil to form strong consolidated bodies. This significantly reduces solidification material waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If a lean-mixed solidification material with high W/C is used, then the carrying is easy and waste is reduced, but the strength of underground consolidated body is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrying of solidification materialVSAvoidstrength of underground consolidated body
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the parameters of the solidification material mixture by introducing a stable liquid component. This allows the use of rich-mixed solidification material (low W/C ratio of 26-40%) that would normally be too viscous to carry, but becomes pumpable and carryable when mixed with the stable liquid, while maintaining high strength properties in the final consolidated body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enhances the strength of underground consolidated bodies, reduces waste disposal costs, and effectively purifies groundwater contaminated with radioactive materials by minimizing the discharge of solidification materials and utilizing zeolite to adsorb cesium.

Implementation Method 1

a high-pressure fluid such as water is injected in an outward radial direction from the jet device to cut an in-situ soil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJet erosion: Jet Erosion

Implementation Method 2

adding an enzyme (E: a cellulose decomposition enzyme such as 'cellulase') from an enzyme feed source (5)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzyme decomposition: Enzyme

Implementation Method 3

utilizing zeolite to adsorb cesium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP3165678B1Ground improvement method
Publication Date: 2022.09.21 DAISHO CHEM R&D
  • EP3165678B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3165678B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3165678B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a method for improving ground which is capable of improving the strength or quality of an underground consolidated body formed by reducing the ratio of water to a "rich-mixed" solidification material (a cement) (W/C), assuredly carrying the solidification material from a feed source to a jet device, and reducing the amount of the solidification material treated as an industrial waste in a construction process. The present invention was accomplished by a method for improving ground including: a step of drilling a drilling hole (H) in a ground to be improved (G);a step of moving (pulling up) a jet device (1) in a vertical direction by rotating the same while the jet device (1) is inserted into the drilling hole(H) and a fluid for cutting the ground(G) (a stable liquid or a partition forming material) is injected from the jet device (1); and a step of injecting a solidification material from the jet device (1).