Mechanism of water plugging by dynamic grouting with self-expanding slurry in karst tunnels

Clarifying the mechanism of grouting to block karst water outbursts is essential for ensuring effective sealing. This article studies the grouting blocking problem related to the prevention and control of water surge disasters in karst tunnels, focusing on the grouting blocking mechanism of efficien...

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Main Authors: Shuangqiao Zhan, Lifeng Lu, Ziyan Liu, Jun Zhou, Yuncai Chen, Lei Cao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Earth Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2025.1633717/full
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author Shuangqiao Zhan
Lifeng Lu
Ziyan Liu
Jun Zhou
Yuncai Chen
Lei Cao
Lei Cao
author_facet Shuangqiao Zhan
Lifeng Lu
Ziyan Liu
Jun Zhou
Yuncai Chen
Lei Cao
Lei Cao
author_sort Shuangqiao Zhan
collection DOAJ
description Clarifying the mechanism of grouting to block karst water outbursts is essential for ensuring effective sealing. This article studies the grouting blocking problem related to the prevention and control of water surge disasters in karst tunnels, focusing on the grouting blocking mechanism of efficiently plugs expanding material (EPEM) under dynamic water conditions. We propose a grouting diffusion formula and blocking criterion that take into account the self-expanding properties of the slurry. First, based on the equilibrium relationship between the friction force and anti-splitting force between the blocking body and the rock wall, we establish an effective blocking condition. Second, by combining capillary theory with Newton’s fluid constitutive equation, we derive the diffusion distance formula for self-expanding slurry under dynamic water conditions. We then construct a mechanical model that uses the length of the critical blocking body as a criterion, revealing the coupling influences of groundwater pressure, grouting pressure, and grouting time. The results indicate that groundwater pressure is positively correlated with grouting pressure and grouting time, while grouting pressure is negatively correlated with grouting time. Finally, we verify the practicality of the proposed criterion through the project at Quanmutang Reservoir in Hunan Province, successfully implementing a parameter combination of 0.5 MPa grouting pressure and 20 min of grouting time to block surge water. This research provides a theoretical basis and engineering guidance for designing water surge grouting in karst tunnels.
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issn 2296-6463
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spelling doaj-art-aa88d9127e2e44f58d884904f04622592025-08-20T03:59:35ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Earth Science2296-64632025-08-011310.3389/feart.2025.16337171633717Mechanism of water plugging by dynamic grouting with self-expanding slurry in karst tunnelsShuangqiao Zhan0Lifeng Lu1Ziyan Liu2Jun Zhou3Yuncai Chen4Lei Cao5Lei Cao6Hunan Water Resources and Hydropower Survey, Design, Planning and Research Co., Ltd., Changsha, ChinaHunan Provincial Water Resources Development and Investment Co., Ltd., Changsha, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, ChinaHunan Provincial Water Resources Development and Investment Co., Ltd., Changsha, ChinaHunan Water Resources and Hydropower Survey, Design, Planning and Research Co., Ltd., Changsha, ChinaSchool of Water Resources and Hydropower, Hunan Polytechnic of Water Resources and Electric Power, Changsha, ChinaHunan Engineering Research Center of Intelligent Inspection and Digital Maintenance for Hydraulic Engineering, Changsha, ChinaClarifying the mechanism of grouting to block karst water outbursts is essential for ensuring effective sealing. This article studies the grouting blocking problem related to the prevention and control of water surge disasters in karst tunnels, focusing on the grouting blocking mechanism of efficiently plugs expanding material (EPEM) under dynamic water conditions. We propose a grouting diffusion formula and blocking criterion that take into account the self-expanding properties of the slurry. First, based on the equilibrium relationship between the friction force and anti-splitting force between the blocking body and the rock wall, we establish an effective blocking condition. Second, by combining capillary theory with Newton’s fluid constitutive equation, we derive the diffusion distance formula for self-expanding slurry under dynamic water conditions. We then construct a mechanical model that uses the length of the critical blocking body as a criterion, revealing the coupling influences of groundwater pressure, grouting pressure, and grouting time. The results indicate that groundwater pressure is positively correlated with grouting pressure and grouting time, while grouting pressure is negatively correlated with grouting time. Finally, we verify the practicality of the proposed criterion through the project at Quanmutang Reservoir in Hunan Province, successfully implementing a parameter combination of 0.5 MPa grouting pressure and 20 min of grouting time to block surge water. This research provides a theoretical basis and engineering guidance for designing water surge grouting in karst tunnels.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2025.1633717/fullkarst tunnelsurge waterself-expanding slurrygrouting pluggingdynamic water conditionsplugging criterion
spellingShingle Shuangqiao Zhan
Lifeng Lu
Ziyan Liu
Jun Zhou
Yuncai Chen
Lei Cao
Lei Cao
Mechanism of water plugging by dynamic grouting with self-expanding slurry in karst tunnels
Frontiers in Earth Science
karst tunnel
surge water
self-expanding slurry
grouting plugging
dynamic water conditions
plugging criterion
title Mechanism of water plugging by dynamic grouting with self-expanding slurry in karst tunnels
title_full Mechanism of water plugging by dynamic grouting with self-expanding slurry in karst tunnels
title_fullStr Mechanism of water plugging by dynamic grouting with self-expanding slurry in karst tunnels
title_full_unstemmed Mechanism of water plugging by dynamic grouting with self-expanding slurry in karst tunnels
title_short Mechanism of water plugging by dynamic grouting with self-expanding slurry in karst tunnels
title_sort mechanism of water plugging by dynamic grouting with self expanding slurry in karst tunnels
topic karst tunnel
surge water
self-expanding slurry
grouting plugging
dynamic water conditions
plugging criterion
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2025.1633717/full
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