Lined Borehole Deployment for Inaccessible Underground Assets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional grouting techniques like pressure and jet grouting are limited in their applicability, especially in densely built-up areas or challenging terrains, making it impractical or cost-prohibitive to stabilize geological materials around structures and underground assets.
Innovation Solution
A method involving drilling an underground bore, lining it with a pipe, and deploying materials and equipment through the pipe to stabilize geological material, allowing for the formation of an interlocking structure around assets, using grouts and remedial substances like epoxy resin and polyurethane foam, with optional ground freezing techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional pressure grouting or jet grouting techniques are used to stabilize geological material, then the geological material can be stabilized, but the injection systems must be positioned relatively close to the region to be improved which is impractical in densely built-up areas or challenging terrains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from surface-level grouting operations to underground borehole operations. By drilling vertical or angled boreholes through the ground to reach the target stabilization zone, the system gains access to areas that are inaccessible from the surface, effectively adding a vertical dimension to the grouting operation. This allows stabilization of geological material in densely built-up areas or challenging terrains where surface access is limited.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary borehole system that serves as a conduit between the surface (or accessible location) and the target stabilization zone. The borehole acts as a mediator, allowing grout injection equipment to reach distant or inaccessible locations without requiring direct surface access to the treatment area. This intermediary structure enables the delivery of stabilization materials to the required location.
2Strength
If jet grouting is used to erode and mix geological materials to form specific shapes, then structural stability is improved, but the injection system must be positioned close to the treatment region which increases cost and complexity in inaccessible areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs vertical or angled borehole drilling to access the target stabilization zone from a different spatial dimension. This allows the injection system to be positioned at the surface or in accessible locations while delivering grout to deep or inaccessible zones where structural stabilization is needed, thereby maintaining structural stability without complicating system positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the stabilization task into multiple borehole operations. Instead of requiring a single complex surface-level injection system, multiple simpler boreholes are drilled to different locations, each providing a localized injection point. This segmentation of the treatment approach simplifies the injection system requirements while achieving comprehensive structural stabilization.
3Reliability
If conventional grouting techniques are used in densely built-up areas, then geological material can be stabilized, but it becomes cost-prohibitive due to the need for close positioning of injection systems
Solution Approach 1:
By transitioning to vertical borehole operations, the patent enables stabilization work to be performed from surface locations that are independent of the horizontal distance to the treatment zone. This dimensional change eliminates the need for expensive close-positioning requirements, allowing high-quality stabilization to be achieved at reduced cost even in densely built-up areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The borehole system serves as a cost-effective intermediary that decouples the injection system location from the treatment location. This mediator allows grout to be delivered efficiently to distant or inaccessible zones without requiring expensive mobilization or positioning of heavy equipment, thereby reducing overall project cost while maintaining stabilization quality.
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
Enables stabilization of geological materials from external locations, forming a stable structure around assets, reducing water ingress, and allowing for monitoring, even in challenging environments where conventional methods are impractical.
Implementation Method 1
In pressure grouting, grout is injected into geological material to fill any interconnected pores and voids
Implementation Method 2
In contrast, jet grouting is typically achieved with a relatively high velocity jet of grout, which is used to erode and significantly mix up geological materials in-situ
Implementation Method 3
passing deployment equipment down the pipe to a predetermined location
Implementation Method 4
plumes of grouting compound may be injected such that an interlocking stabilised structure is formed around an asset
Data Source
AI summary
Jet grouting involves injecting grout into geological material to improve its quality; however, use of jet grouting is limited to situations in which the injection systems can be positioned relatively close to the region to be improved. This can be impractical (for example in heavily built up areas, rough terrain or beneath the seabed) or inconvenient (for example where closing a tunnel would be required). The present invention enables deployment equipment 41 to be passed down a bore in order to deploy material and/or equipment through a hole in the lining of a bore 43 into the underlying geology. In this way, underground assets may be repaired from a location external to the asset, allowing repair in situations where it would be impossible or cost-prohibitive to do so with conventional ground treatment techniques.