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Bentonite 4

This document discusses the properties and use of bentonite slurry for excavation stabilization. It provides recommended concentrations of 4-6% bentonite by weight in water to create the slurry. Effective mixing increases viscosity and gel strength over time as bentonite particles hydrate and swell. Slurry is normally stored for at least 12 hours with continued hydration before use. Table 1 provides target property ranges for fresh, ready for reuse, and pre-concreting slurry. Sand content must remain below 4% for concrete placement. Slurry can be cleaned using desanding equipment if sand content is too high before concrete pouring.

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102 views1 page

Bentonite 4

This document discusses the properties and use of bentonite slurry for excavation stabilization. It provides recommended concentrations of 4-6% bentonite by weight in water to create the slurry. Effective mixing increases viscosity and gel strength over time as bentonite particles hydrate and swell. Slurry is normally stored for at least 12 hours with continued hydration before use. Table 1 provides target property ranges for fresh, ready for reuse, and pre-concreting slurry. Sand content must remain below 4% for concrete placement. Slurry can be cleaned using desanding equipment if sand content is too high before concrete pouring.

Uploaded by

visanu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

bentonite and the required viscosity of the slurry.

For most applications, concentrations


between 4% and 6% by weight are typical.

Following dispersion in the mixing water, the bentonite particles absorb water and swell.
The initial properties of the slurry will depend on the efficiency of the mixing process.
Thus, the greater the agitation and the longer the mixing time, the higher will be the initial
viscosity and gel strength. After mixing, the slurry is normally stored in tanks or lagoons
where it is kept agitated by circulating through pumps or by injecting compressed air while
further hydration takes place. Hydration is time dependent and will continue for many
days, but the rheological properties of the slurry will approach limiting values within a few
days after mixing. The slurry is normally stored for at least 12 hours before being used,
but it can be used immediately after mixing if necessary, provided tests show that its
properties are satisfactory.

Satisfactory results should be obtained if the properties of the fresh bentonite slurry
comply with the “fresh” column in Table 1.

TABLE 1 : CHARACTERISTICS FOR BENTONITE SUSPENSIONS


Stages
Property Units Fresh Ready Before Test equipment
for re-use concreting
Density g/ml < 1.10 < 1.25 < 1.15 Mud balance
Marsh viscosity (946 ml) sec 32 to 50 32 to 60 32 to 50 Marsh funnel
Fluid loss (30 min) ml < 30 < 50 n.a. Filter press
pH 7 to 11 7 to 12 n.a. pH meter
Sand content % n.a. n.a. <4 Sand content set

n.a. : not applicable

In order to keep sand particles in suspension, it is necessary for the bentonite slurry to have
sufficient gel strength. The gel strength can be checked by using a rotational viscometer or
other suitable equipment.

6 CLEANING BENTONITE SLURRY

Upon completion of an excavation, the slurry will contain soil particles held in suspension
which may include clay, silt, sand and fine to medium gravel. If concrete is to be placed
through a tremie pipe into the excavation, a sample of the slurry should be taken from the
bottom of the excavation and checked for compliance with the values in the “before
concreting” column in Table 1.

If the sand content is greater than 4%, slurry should be removed from the bottom of the
excavation by means of a pump or air-lift, while clean slurry is pumped into the top of the
excavation to maintain the required level. The slurry from the excavation can be pumped
directly to a desander and then returned to the excavation in a closed circuit, or can be
pumped to a lagoon for subsequent desanding and replaced by clean slurry from storage
tanks or a separate storage lagoon. Up to 6% sand and a maximum density of 1.20 g/ml
10
© Federation of Piling Specialists – January 2006 (2nd edition)
(first published April 2000)

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