MATEC Web of Conferences 193, 05046 (2018) https://doi.org/10.

1051/matecconf/201819305046
ESCI 2018

Technology of soil stabilization with cement-

sand grouting mortar with optimal aggregate
grading
Tatyana Zhilkina 1,*, Stanislav Sychugov2 , Alexander Gumeniuk 2, Rimantas Mackevicius3,
Vadim Turchin2, Vladimir Vasilev2, Marat Zakirov2, and Alexandеr Ilinsky2
1Moscow State University of Civil Engineering, Yaroslavskoye Shosse, 26, Moscow, 129337, Russia
2 Izhevsk State Technical University. M. T. Kalashnikov (ISTU), Studencheskaya street, 7, Izhevsk,
426069, Russia
3 Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU), Saulėtekio al. 11, Vilnius, LT-10223, Lithuania

Abstract. This article studies technological, physical and technical

properties and corrosion resistance of cement-sand slurry. Comparative data
of the strength of test samples made on mortars of equal mobility with a
composition of 1:1 (C: S) using river sand with fineness moduli (Mf): 1.50;
1.35; 1.25, showed the best results in the latter case. The use of the
"Mylonaft M1" plasticizer in the solution in an amount of 0.5 % of the mass
of the cementing with sand with Mf = 1.25 allowed to keep the mobility of
200 mm at W/C ratio = 0.6 without loss of the mixture homogeneity.
Investigation of the corrosion resistance of sample mortars with the
introduction of 1 % Na2SO4 into it during the process of its preparation
made it possible to achieve stability in aggressive sulfate media at low (T =
20 °C) and normal temperatures (T = 5 ° C). In order to mechanize the work
on strengthening the loess soils with cementing slurry the traditional
equipment used in the production (stationary solution station with a
compressor and a pump) has been compared with the advanced mobile unit
UNB-125 × 50 SO on the basis of KamAZ 363501.

1 Introduction
The heterogeneous condition of soils at the base of construction and their uneven
compression due to poor compaction [1] or frequent water intrusion result in the uneven
development of the foundation sediments and their further destruction [2]. Restoration of the
efficiency of subgrade soil, ensuring the reliability of buildings and constructions with
injection stabilization is related to high material expenses. Reduction of the cost of work is
an actual engineering challenge, which can be solved by using domestic inexpensive
materials used for the preparation of injection composition [3], the introduction of advanced
technologies and mechanization tools.
The choice of technology and methods of the soil stabilization depends on the engineering
challenges that determine the formulation of injection composition. A common method of

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

© The Authors, published by EDP Sciences. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution License 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
MATEC Web of Conferences 193, 05046 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201819305046
ESCI 2018

soil stabilization is cementation using hydraulic fracturing of soil layers, where the use of
compositions based on cement with various mineral and chemical additives is efficient. The
cost of 1 m³ of dry mixture of injection composition depends on the types: of the used
(mineral or organic) binder, chemical additives [4] and mineral fillers [5]. Highly effective
binders in injection compositions are: aluminate, sulfoaluminate [6], ferrite-containing [7],
expansible lightweight, weighted, low hygroscopic and belite-diatomaceous earth oil-well
cements [8]. The cost of such cements is high and not all regions of the country have them.
Interest is attracted by slag, ash and sand cements, the raw materials for which are the existing
waste of the fuel and metallurgical complex and natural (quarry and river) sand [9-13].
Injection compositions based on such cements have a lower cost.
The authors of the paper have studied a cement-sand grouting mortar containing
additives: sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) – 1 % and "Mylonaft M1" - 0.5 % (of cement weight),
introduced to improve the corrosion resistance of cement stone, for the purpose of use as an
injection composition. The "The School No. 5 in Malgobek ", the Republic of Ingushetia was
the object. Soil stabilization was carried out by cementation with hydraulic fracturing.

2 Materials and research methods

2.1 Materials
Initial materials for the preparation of a grouting mortar were: Cem I 32.5N portland cement
of the Iskitim cement plant, the mineralogical composition of which is presented in the Table
1; River quartz sand that complies with the requirements of GOST 8736-2014; Sodium
sulfate (Na2SO4) technical, complying with the requirements of GOST 21458-75; Water,
complying with the requirements of GOST 23732-2011; Plasticizing additive "Mylonaft M1",
complying with the requirements of the STO 10105154-001-2009.
Table 1. Chemical and mineralogical characteristics of cement.
Content, %
Binder Na2O/
СаО SiO2 Al2O3 Fe2O3 MgO SO3 FeO C3S C2S C3A C4AF
K2O
Cem. I 64.0- 20.5- 2.5- 0.5- 64.0- 10.0- 12.5-
4.5-5.3 4.5-5.0 ≤1.0 ≤0.1 5.0-7.0
32.5N 66.0 21.5 3.5 1.0 66.0 11.0 13.5
Selection of the composition of the grouting mortar was carried out according to [4],
taking into account the physicochemical properties of the soils to be stabilized. The main
criterion for ensuring the penetration of the injection composition into the soil thickness was
the mobility of the slurry, determined by flow the AzNII and taken at least 200 mm. In order
to prevent delaminatability of the mortar containing the plasticizer, the amount of fine sand
fraction - residues on the sieve 0.16 and 0.315 was additionally increased by 3-6 % and 7-10
%, respectively. The ratio between cement and sand was taken 1:1. River sand was prepared
with three fineness moduli (Mf): 1.25; 1.35; 1.50. The mixture of cement and sand was mixed
in dry form, followed by further addition of water until paste of plastic consistency was
obtained. The W/C ratio varied within the range of 0.60-0.65, taking into account the content
of the plasticizing additive. Sodium sulfate was added to mortar mix. The mixing time of the
components ranged from 3 to 5 min. The plasticizer was added to the mortar mix in 1 min.
after the mixing began, the amount of which was assumed to be 0.5 % of the cement mass.
Fluidity, homogeneity and density of the grouting mortar mix were studied. The sample
cubes made of paste of plastic consistency, with a rib size of 20 × 20 × 20 mm were stored
in water, at air-wet and aggressive conditions at room (T = 20 °C) and low (T = 5 °C)
temperatures and tested on the 7th the 28th day. Before testing in aggressive sulfate

2
MATEC Web of Conferences 193, 05046 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201819305046
ESCI 2018

environment, the samples were held at air-humid laboratory conditions for 14 days in a
desiccator [14].

2.2 Research methods

The sulfate resistance of the samples of a grouting mortar was studied by titration every 2
days. 5 % sulfuric acid (H2SO4) was used as a titrant. The accuracy of dosing of the acid for
neutralization of Ca(OH)2 was controlled by a 150 MI pH-meter [11]. The grouting mortar
was tested in accordance with GOST 26798.1-96. Microscopical analysis of the cement stone
of the grouting mortar and stabilized soil were performed using a microscope Olympus SZ
61 and GX 51 with 50 to 500-fold magnification.
The strength of the stabilized soil with the tested grouting mortar was determined on
samples-cubes with a rib size of 20×20×20 mm, which were cut from a selected soil sample
while drilling at the site.

2.3 Experimental procedure

The preparation of cement-sand grouting mortar with the required mobility (Dsf = 200 mm)
is related to the need to obtain a homogeneous mixture without disintegration, which provides
the qualitative performance of work. It is well known [4, 5, 15] that cement-sand mortars on
fine sand (1.5≤Mf≤2.0) have a greater homogeneity as a result of which the cement stone has
higher density, impermeability and compressive strength. However, the developed specific
surface of the filler causes the increased consumption of cement. Addition of the plasticizer
"Mylonaft M1" in the amount of 0.5 % of the weight of the binder and the choice of the
optimal granulometric composition of sand excluded the negative phenomenon.
The fineness modulus (Mf) was selected at the lower boundary of the fine and according
to the values for very fine sands - from 1.25 to 1.50. On the basis of earlier studies [11], the
cement - sand ratio was taken as 1:1. The study of the sand fineness modulus for the strength
properties of a grouting mortar (Fig.1, a) showed that the greatest strength was achieved with
sand at Mf = 1.25. From 7th to 28th day, the strength increased by 11 % - from 6.22 MPa to
6.87 MPa and was maximum.
a)

b)

Fig. 1. The strength of a cement-sand grouting mortar with a composition of 1:1 (C:S): (a) -
depending on the used sand fineness modulus; (b) - the optimal formulation with the dosage of the
plasticizing additive "Mylonaft M1" in the amount of 0.5 % and Na2SO4 in the amount of 1 % of
the binder mass.
The samples of all the studied fineness moduli showed an increase in strength on the 28th
day. This fineness module of the sand was used to prepare the grouting mortar. Visual
analysis of the samples stored in aggressive environments on the 28th day did not reveal their
destruction, which indicated the effectiveness of use of 1 % Na2SO4 additive [12]. The test

3
MATEC Web of Conferences 193, 05046 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201819305046
ESCI 2018

results (Fig. 1, b) showed the highest strength when stored in water, the value of which
corresponds to 23.8 MPa (the grade of solution is M200). The coefficient of strength
reduction is determined by the formula:
АС 28 21.4MPa
КС    0.90 (1)
В28 23.4MPa

where АС28 – ultimate strength Rсom, MPa of the sample, tested after being in an
aggressive environment of the 1N-th aqueous solution of sodium sulfate for 28 days; B28 is
the ultimate strength Rсom, MPa of the sample tested after being in the aqueous environment
for 28 days. The consumption of components, composition, technological and mechanical
properties of the composition are presented in the table 2.
Table 2. Properties of cement-sand grout & consumptions of components to 1 m³.
Consumptions of components Properties
Technological Mechanical
C, S, W, Pl, Na2SO4,
Mortar Flow Compressive
kg kg l kg kg КС
density, kg/m³ diameter, mm strength, (Rс28), МPa
884.9 884.9 531.0 4.42 8.84 1130 200 21.4 0.90
The analysis of the microstructure of the test sample of the grouting mortar (Fig.2)
showed absence of destructive processes in the cement stone after being in aggressive
environment for 28 days. Pores on the cleavage of samples of 0.28 to 0.38 mm which are
conditionally closed can be seen quite distinctly in the photos with different magnifications.
A relatively tight binding between the binder and the filler (the upper micrographs in Fig. 2)
has been observed, which contributes to the increase in the strength of the samples held in an
aggressive environment at room and low temperatures, which is achieved using the additive
"Mylonaft M1" and selecting the optimal grading of very fine quartz sand. The use of 1 %
Na2SO4 in the composition of a grouting mortar increases its corrosion resistance in a sulfate
environment, which is also pointed out in papers [15, 16].
а) b)

Fig. 2. The microstructure of the cement stone of the sample of a grouting mortar tested in an
aggressive environment: (a) - room temperatures (T = 20 °C); (b) - low temperatures (T = 5 °C). 50
and 500-fold magnification.
Thus, the use of very fine sand with Mf = 1.25 in the composition of a grouting mortar
together with the plasticizing additive "Mylonaft M1" in an amount of 0.5 % of the binder
mass makes it possible to exclude the water segregation due to disintegration; Preserve the
required mobility of the mortar for the injection works.

4
MATEC Web of Conferences 193, 05046 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201819305046
ESCI 2018

3 Technology of cement-sand grouting solutions

The present work considers the technology of the stabilization of loess soils for bases under
the pile foundation of the " School No. 5 in Malgobek", the Republic of Ingushetia [14, 17].
A method of cementation with hydraulic fracturing of loess formation was selected taking
into account the construction properties of the soil [16, 18]. To improve the effect of soil
compaction by injection of a mortar with a time-controlled increase in viscosity and structural
strength, it is continuously required to increase the pressure, which has positive effect on its
strength properties [19].
For the intrusion of grouting mortar, a complex, including a self-propelled mobile drilling
rig UBS-50A with a feed screw with a diameter of 400 mm and a mixing mortar station with
a compressor was used. The operating pressure when mortar was fed into injectors ranged
from 10 to 15 bar (1.0-1.5 MPa). Before installing the injectors, a lubricating liquid, which
is prepared in the form of an aqueous solution "Mylonaft M1" with 1:30 composition, is
poured into the well. Well injection was performed by pinch bars equal in size to the length
of the perforated part of the 1.5 m injector. The grouting mortar was injected into the lower
zone and under the end of the pile with a break in the soil integrity with a maximum pressure
of 1.5 MPa.
The total volume of fixed loess soil according to the data of [15] by the chosen method
was 34.95 m3, which corresponds to the consumption of the grouting mortar of 5.97 m³. Thus,
1 m³ of the grouting mortar is stabilized with an average of 5.85 m³ of loess soil at a pressure
of 1.5 MPa.
In addition to the above-mentioned used complex of machines, another option was
considered - the use of a universal unit UNB-125×50 SO produced by Izhneftemash OJSC
in Izhevsk, a partner of the Construction and Road Machinery Department of the ISTU, of
the intended for transportation of powdery materials (cement, grouting mixtures, etc.),
mechanically controlled feeding of these materials with screw conveyors (feed screws) when
preparing grouting mortars, during their accumulation and mixing, injection of various liquid
media during well cementing during the process of drilling, development and well-workover
operations and preflush and overflush operations on oil and gas wells. (Fig.3). The technical
characteristics of the unit are presented in the table 3 [16].

Fig. 3. Pumping plant UNB-125×50 CO: 1 - chassis of KamAZ car, 2 - hydraulic tank, 3 - mixing
tank, 4 - feeding screw, 5 - pump NTP-175x40, 6 - manometer, 7 - safety valve, 8 - bunker, 9 - gaging
tank with bottom valves, 10 - exhaust, purging, heating system, 11 - rack, 12 - tiltable platforms, 13 -
operator's platforms, 14 – plant manifold, 15 – sampler.

Despite the fact that this unit is designed to perform mainly plugging operations on oil
and gas wells, taking into account its technical characteristics, it can successfully replace the
traditional set of technological equipment used for injection works for soil stabilization.
The versatility of this unit consist in the fact that it can transport, prepare, feed ready
grouting mortars with the screw conveyors and inject them with a single transport device.

5
MATEC Web of Conferences 193, 05046 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201819305046
ESCI 2018

Table 3. Technical characteristics of machine.

№ Parameter Value
High pressure pump NTP-175
- diameter of the plunger, mm 90, 100, 110 и 125
- gear ratio of the built-in reducing gearbox 5.06
1
- maximum power, hp (KW) 175 (129)
- maximum pressure, MPa (kgf/cm2) 50 (500) – 4 (40)*
- maximum ideal flow, dm3/s (l/min) 2,03 (121,8) – 24.54 (1472.4)*
Bunker for dry mixtures
- volume, m3, not less than 4
2 - mass of the transported material, t, not more than 5
- cement unloading worm
- screw drive hydraulic
Mixing tank with an agitator
- volume, m3, not less than 5.5
3 - agitator 2 pcs.
- type of agitator Vertical blade
- drive of the agitator hydraulic
Gaging tank for water
4
- volume, m3, not less than 6
Feed dry material into the grouting
5 type of agitator
fluid
* Values are given for plungers with a diameter of from 90 to 125 mm.
Fuel class is not lower than Euro 3

The required set of equipment is mounted on the frame and installed on the chassis of the
KamAZ 63501 car of increased cross-country capacity with an engine power of 260 kW and
a wheel formula of 8 × 8: high pressure pump NTP-175, dry mix bunker, gaging water tank,
mixing tank with mixing blades, water feeding pump, transmission, manifold, and other
supplementary equipment. The pump is driven from the traction engine of the automobile
chassis. The operating modes of the pump (the developed pressure in MPa (kgf/cm2) and the
feed in dm3/s (l/min)) depend on the engine shaft speed and can be changed if necessary.
Also, plungers of the pump with diameters from 90 to 125 mm can be replaced. (See table
3). The unit is designed to operate in a moderately cold macroclimatic region in accordance
with GOST 16350-80.
When there is a large amount of work, the unit can work completed with quickly
assembled dismountable batching plant or mobile concrete plants (MCP). A comparative
analysis of the characteristics of the UNB-125×50 SO unit with a complex of a batching
station, a mixer, a compressor and a pump with a manometer, injecting grouting mortars,
showed a significant advantage of the UNB-125×50 SO. The comparable parameters were:
pressure on the mortar mix p, MPa, practical productivity Pp, m³/h, supplied power N, kW,
the data are presented in the table 4.
Table 4. Comparative & estimated data of machines.
Parameters
Machines
p, MPa N, kW Pp, m³/h
UNB-125×50 СО 4.0-50.0 99 7.3-88.3
Complex of a batching station, a mixer, a compressor
10.0 10.6 2.4
and a pump with a manometer
Thus, the data in Table 4 allow us to conclude that it is advisable to use the UNB-125×50
SO unit in the technology plugging operations. The comparative characteristics of the
operating parameters (p, N, PP) of the UNB-125 × 50 SO are several times higher than those

6
MATEC Web of Conferences 193, 05046 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201819305046
ESCI 2018

of the traditional equipment used during performance of the works: the pressure on the
concrete mixture is up to 5 times; Power - 9.3 times; Productivity - up to 36.8 times.

4 The researching of soils properties

Investigation of the mechanical properties of loess soils stabilized by cementation with the
help of hydraulic fracturing with cement-sand grouting mortars showed satisfactory quality
of performed work (table 5).
Table 5. Mechanical characteristics of loess soil.
Parameters
Type of soil
R, MPa γ*, kg/m³
Before stabilization 0.35 1520
After stabilization 1.30 1570
* The value is given as the arithmetic average of six samples
Comparative data on the density of loess soils before and after stabilization by a grouting
mortar showed an increase in the density of the soil skeleton by 3.2 %, and in the strength –
by 3.7 times.

5 Conclusions
Comprehensive research carried out by the employees of the MSUCE, ISTU, together with
VGTU, aimed at improving the technology of preparation and application of grouting mortars
when stabilizing loess soils, led to the following conclusions:
- the use of local materials (washed river quartz sand) and inexpensive domestic chemical
additives ("Mylonaft M1") makes it possible to obtain high quality grouting mortars that are
noninferior in strength and corrosion resistance to foreign analogues;
- grouting mortars prepared on sand with Mf = 1.25 with a composition (C:S) 1:1 have a
M200 strength grade. The best environment for strength increase is water;
- decrease in the binder (cement) consumption and increase of the corrosion resistance of the
mortar in an aggressive environment is possible using a complex method of selecting the
optimal granulometric composition of sand, using 1 % Na2SO4 and 0.5 % of the plasticizer
"Mylonaft M1" with mobility retention;
- reduction of the terms of performance of the work when stabilizing soils by injection
compositions on the basis of cement-sand grouting mortars is possible using the autonomous
mobile unit UNB-125×50 SO, and in the case of a large volume of work - completed with a
stationary or mobile mortar plant.

References
1. M. Mikolainis, M. Ustinovičius, D. Sližyte, T.A. Zhilkina, Engineering Structures and
Technologies 8(2), 79-84 (2016)
2. R.A. Mangushev, V.D. Karlov, Foundation Engineering (ACU, Moscow-St. Petersburg,
2014)
3. T.A. Zhilkina, Materials of the 10th International Conference Modern Building
Materials, Structures and Techniques 10, 1186-1190 (2010)
4. Yu.M. Bazhenov, V.F. Korovyakov, G.A. Denisov, Technology Of Dry Building Mixes:
Study Guide (АСU, Moscow, 2011)
5. L.D. Chumakov, Technology of Concrete Fillers: Study Guide (АСU, Moscow, 2011)

7
MATEC Web of Conferences 193, 05046 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201819305046
ESCI 2018

6. T.V. Kuznetsova, Production and application sulfoaluminate Cements. Stroitel`nye

Materialy, 3 (2010)
7. Yu.R. Krivoborodov, A. Yu. Burlov, I.Yu. Burlov, The Use of Recoverable Resources
for Cement Production. Stroitel`nye Materialy, 2 (2009)
8. L.A. Kroychuk, Russian Cement Industry. Stroitel`nye Materialy 1, (2005)
9. A.M. Sergeev, Use of Energy Industry Wastes in Construction Industry (Budivelnyk,
Kiev, 1984)
10. P.V. Krivenko, E.K. Pushkareva, Cement and concretes based on ashes and slags (IPK
Express–Polygraph, Kiev, 2012)
11. A.N. Gumeniuk, T.N. Ivanova, Intell. Sist. in Prod. 1, 15 (2017)
12. R. Mackevicius, D. Slizyte, T. Zhilkina, Procedia Engineering 172, 681-684 (2017)
13. V. Marčiulatis, D. Sližyte, R. Mackevičius, T.A. Zhilkina, Engineering Structures and
Technologies 7(3), 140-145 (2015)
14. T.N. Ivanova, V.V. Turchin, Procedia Engineering, 172 (2017)
15. L.I. Dvorkin, O.L. Dvorkin, Special Concretes (Infra-Engineering, Moscow, 2012)
16. V.V. Turchin, L.V. Yudina, Intell. Sist. in Prod. 2, 20 (2012)
17. V. Turchin, L. Yudina, S. Sychugove, T. Zhilkina, R. Mackevicius, S. Danute, IOP
Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, Energy Management of Municipal
Transportation Facilities and Transport, 012205 (2017)
18. M.N. Ibragimov, Found. Engin. and Soil Mech., 2 (2015)
19. L.V. Yudina, V.V. Turchin, Y.N. Baburin, Materials of the 10th International
Conference, Modern Building Materials, Structures and Techniques 10, 1116-1120
(2010)