"Environmentally Speaking" - A Gannett Fleming E-newsletter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

>Definition

>Understanding

>Overview

>Above and Beyond

>Conclusions

 

 

AIA Grouting Systems:
A New State-Of-The Art In Grouting

The first Advanced Integrated Analytical (AIA) System for grouting, the IntelliGroutTM System (U.S. Patent Pending), was introduced in 2001.  AIA Systems are fundamentally different in nature from Data Collection & Display (DCD) Systems, and they represent an enormous leap forward in "state-of-the-art" grouting technology.

AIA Advantages:

 

»Data Collection - integrating data into necessary analytical functions improves on-site capabilities and reduces inspection costs.

»Real-Time Display/Database Functionality – all analytical results are converted to scaled or coded, visual color displays on 2-D or 3-D profiles, or in other report forms.  These color displays provide clear visualization of complex subsurface conditions that require special consideration or treatment.

»CADD –CADD layering, used in conjunction with these displays, illustrates sequential process results, or the comparative correlation of one set of data with another.

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Grouting Definition

Grouting is the injection of fluids into cracks or voids in rock formations to reduce seepage and/or strengthen a foundation.  Dam foundation grouting, in particular, is a process which seals open geologic cavities or fractures.  These geologic features can be sealed using chemical grouts or mixtures of water, cement and other ingredients.

Understanding

This article highlights the technological benefits of the latest "automated" monitoring or data recording systems for grouting - AIA Systems.

While DCD systems (first introduced in the early '90s) improve the process and control for grouting, they do not adequately analyze a grouting program's total effectiveness.  DCD analyses are cumbersome, time consuming and very limited. 

AIA Overview

The power of an AIA System lies in its ability to perform instant - and virtually unlimited - grouting program analyses, and to convert these complex numerical analyses into simple, visual color displays on a CADD profile.  

The analytical ability of AIA Technology enables a grouting team to make technically sound, cost effective and real-time program modifications to best accommodate geologic conditions as they are disclosed.  This new technology also makes the results clear to both technical and non-technical personnel.    

 Above and Beyond

AIA systems are capable of producing an immense array of analyses and visually oriented end products that are not otherwise feasible to prepare.  

They not only bring real-time evaluation of program effectiveness to unprecedented levels, but they further reduce on-site inspection staff time.

These systems additionally increase the quality of results through the data display options and the remote access capabilities.  

Conclusions

AIA Technology reduces overall project costs for medium to large grouting programs.  It's the critical key to putting the grout into the ground where it's needed.  This cost savings may equal or overshadow the savings from production efficiency.

Did You Know?

IntelliGroutTM, the first AIA System, was jointly developed and is owned by a Contractor & Engineer Team, Advanced Construction Techniques Ltd. and Gannett Fleming, Inc.  The general system capabilities are as described above.  The system was successfully utilized on the Hunting Run Dam project.