EP1108115B1 - Method for sealing rocks or building material and corresponding device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for sealing Building structures, walls and cavities in the ground, rock or in the mountains, especially tunnels, tunnels, shafts, canals and caverns, with sealing material via a sealed borehole is introduced into the rock under pressure.

The invention further relates to a device for sealing of building structures, walls and cavities in the floor, Rock or in the mountains according to such a method.

Finally, the present invention relates to Use of polyamides in the process according to the invention.

Up to now, rocks and building materials could only be used with conventional ones Sealing material to be sealed, but with the Time due to temperature influence and humidity, as well as chemical Influences, e.g. through smoke or gases, becomes brittle. The seal Over time it loses its sealing properties and that Rock or building material is used for any gases or liquids more and more permeable.

US 4,370,077 relates to a method for stabilization of rocks by repeated injections of a hardenable gel, such as epoxy resin or polystyrene, i.e. of plastics, which harden by adding heat and / or adding a catalyst.

According to DE 35 35 654 A1 there is a process for draining of masonry in that in a wall to be treated at intervals blind holes from one side and in these radiators are introduced. Then the masonry in dried around the blind hole. After removing the Radiator is melted wax or an appropriate hydrophobic Potting compound pressed into the blind holes under excess pressure. Potting compound, temperature and injection pressure are so chosen that the pores of the masonry around the blind hole be sealed.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a method for Sealing e.g. Rocks or building material available the sealing material against moisture, Completely seals gases etc., a practically unlimited lifespan and has a fast initial strength. The procedure should also be uncomplicated and any one in a short time Seal a large area of a rock or building material.

The inventive method of the type mentioned is characterized in that heated polyamides under pressure pressed into the rock or building material via the borehole after which they are to be sealed in the gaps and pores of the Rock or building material penetrate and this after cooling sealed and permanently sealed.

The polyamides are heated to a low viscosity Condition brought, making them even the smallest Fissures, pores, cracks, etc. of the rock or building material can. The polyamides are pressed into the borehole and from there into the pores and fissures of the rock or building material pressed in, the temperature of the polyamides with the Depth of pores decreases, so that from a certain depth of penetration seen from the borehole, depending on the initial temperature, the Polyamides become increasingly viscous and eventually solidify. Due to the pressure of the incoming polyamides, they will somewhat thicker polyamides even deeper into the pores or Fissures repressed. If the polyamides have been overheated, they show a sufficiently high temperature so that the liquid is heated Polyamides deep in the pores of the rock or building material can penetrate before they cool and solidify.

When in contact with water, the polyamides have the property especially during the hardening process to absorb certain amounts of water, which increases the volume of the polyamides. The Polyamides expand further in the pores and fissures, causing the rock or building material is sealed even more. If the sealed rock or building material is water or Exposed to moisture, the volume increases the polyamides built up a structure by absorbing water Durability also withstands a strong hydrostatic pressure.

In the method according to the invention, the pressing is preferred performed several times, already in fissures and pores penetrated polyamides of the rock or building material to be sealed cool at least partially between the press-in processes fresh and heated ones during the next press-in process Polyamides can penetrate into other fractures and pores.

The advantages of this "stop and go" process are that even if there is a return of the polyamides (e.g. due to fissures leading the surface of the rock or masonry) comes, a quick, safe pressure build-up is still possible. In conventional processes, e.g. using epoxy resins, Up to now, the corresponding returns have always been required Splits can be sealed with quick mortar or the epoxy resins had to be hardened quickly at the exit points. Furthermore, the "stop and go" process also shrinks the When cooling, polyamides balanced by re-pressed polyamides.

For a deep penetration of the heated polyamides into the Rock or building material it is favorable if before pressing of the heated polyamides into the rock or building material Preheat a temperature gradient in the rock or building material is built up. For early solidification by cooling to prevent by the cold rock or building material this is heated before introducing the polyamides. By preheating of the rock or building material to be sealed, it becomes possible also less highly heated polyamides with quick initial strength to use for sealing as it is already through the increased temperature of the rock or building material does not immediately rise solidify the surface of the cold stone or building material.

Preferably the heated polyamides are at a temperature from 50 to 1000 ° C and with a pressure of 1 to 500 bar brought into the borehole. The pressure and temperature are aligned the polyamides according to their properties, according to their density, Cleftness or porosity of the rock or building material, as well according to the ambient temperature and the desired penetration depth the polyamides.

A particularly advantageous method is given by that several boreholes are spaced apart in the rock or Building materials are provided, taken from a borehole polyamides pressed into the rock or building material with the from the surrounding boreholes into the rock or building material pressed polyamides meet, so that a coherent sealing screen is formed. This will allows a larger area of the rock to be sealed or building materials, such as a wall or a tunnel wall, completely is sealed. The deeper the polyamides into the pores or Fractures can penetrate, the fewer drill holes have to be in the Rock or building material are introduced.

The meeting of the polyamides is a complete Seal achieved because of the colliding polyamides the polyamides, which constantly penetrate further from behind, are stronger are pressed against each other and in this way the ones there pores and fissures are completely filled by the polyamides become.

Furthermore, it is favorable if gas heated in the preheating step placed in the borehole over a period of 1 to 60 minutes becomes. Preheating the rock or building material a heated gas is technically simple and inexpensive to carry out. The heated gas is preferably in the same Drilled hole into which the polyamides are later pressed. It is particularly important to ensure that this is done before the start the polyamides are pressed in, otherwise gas bubbles into the pores and fissures, causing leaks Places in the rock or building material can arise.

Gas is opposite e.g. Liquids have the advantage of that it due to the low specific density due to the polyamides can be easily displaced, and this without dealing with the polyamides continue to mix.

The time span of the gas flow in turn depends on the ambient or stone or building material temperature, or of the Temperature of the gas, as well as the temperature to be reached of the rock or building material.

The heated gas advantageously has a temperature from 50 to 1000 ° C and a pressure of 1 to 250 bar. there if the heated gas is not too high, not so deep into the pores or fissures of the rock or building material penetrate, since again from those subsequently flowing Polyamides enclosed gas bubbles leaks in the rock or building material. The gas pressure should therefore adapted to the properties of the rock or building material and not be too big. Furthermore, the temperature should be high enough to penetrate the rock or building material to heat the polyamides sufficiently. Anyway it is important, the temperature, the pressure and the time span of the inflow of the gas to coordinate properly.

A particularly simple embodiment is that the heated gas is air. The one heated in the conventional way Air is brought into the respective borehole from where from which the rock or building material is heated. Air shows that The advantage is that it does not contaminate the rock or building material. Or is corrosive. Furthermore, air is everywhere and can easily be heated, which is especially in remote places (e.g. tunnel in the mountains) is an advantage. Another advantage is that the air without further precautions (e.g. filter) can be led outside again after use can. Air also pollutes or corrodes unlike others Do not gas the polyamides.

Another cheap method is characterized in that that the heated gas is a combustion gas. In this way become high temperatures quickly and easily - directly at the location of the Use - generated. The combustion process can be done directly in front of a borehole (the boreholes) or else in the boreholes themselves, provided the combustion process runs completely and without any residues leave off. For example, it would be conceivable the supply of the combustion gas into the respective borehole, the ignition being direct happens when the combustion gas flows out of the line, so that a flame is directed into the respective borehole.

It would also be conceivable that the preheating process is a step a heat exchanger. The combustion gas or the heated one Air could be in a primary reaction, such as driving one Gas turbine or in another, completely independent of the preheating process Work step arise, the resulting Heat used to preheat the rock or building material becomes.

Another possibility of the method according to the invention consists in preheating the rock or building material by micro-explosion of a suitable fuel at or in Rock or building material is reached. The micro-explosion happens thereby in a conventional manner known to the person skilled in the art.

Both in this heating process using fuels as well special derivatives can be used in the heating process using combustion gas the gas or fuel used, for example with a filter, out of the borehole.

It is also advantageous if the rock is preheated or Building material by the action of microwaves on the rock or Building material is reached. Although this requires a special, technically more sophisticated equipment, but none are created to be derived reaction products. The heating process takes place quickly, and high temperatures can be reached, the lower penetrate into the rock or building material than with conventional ones Heat-up methods.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention The process is based on sensors located in the borehole or used in the rock or building material between the boreholes are, quantity, pressure, flow duration or temperature of the heated Gases, fuels or polyamides or Energy input of the microwaves is regulated. For It is essential that the procedure runs smoothly that the different parameters are properly coordinated are. The rock or building material must be preheated sufficiently and the polyamides must be sufficiently thin and one have sufficient pressure to make it as deep as necessary can penetrate the rock or building material. If several Drilled holes are placed side by side in the rock or building material the distances between them must not be too large, that between them there are leaks in the rock or building material arise. These leaks can be done by means of fine, in the Rocks or building material introduced sensors are detected. Sensors in the borehole can e.g. the parameters air and Pressure can be measured over time, thereby drawing conclusions the rock or building material can be pulled and thus also the necessary temperature of the rock or building material, as well as on the necessary pressure of the polyamides and again the minimum distance between the individual drill holes.

It is particularly favorable if the borehole has a diameter from 2 to 50 cm and a length of up to 30 m. ever according to the properties of the rock or building material, its dimensions, and the intended seal, the dimensions vary the boreholes. Furthermore, the dimensioning of the Borehole or the boreholes also from the task to be solved (e.g. pre-consolidation of a tunnel route to be created; Sealing of house walls or entire buildings, e.g. Underground garages, against groundwater).

Preferably after completion of the sealing of the rock or construction material completely closed the drill holes. This happens e.g. in that by the polyamides after they have completely penetrated the rock or building material the respective borehole is also filled with polyamides, wherever they harden. The entire borehole can be covered with polyamides to be filled in, or just a part. Conceivable would also be any other sealing material, as well as the insertion from a "plug" into the respective borehole, the or which can be removed at any time.

A device for performing this method has at least one line each for the supply of the polyamides, if appropriate of the heated gas and / or the fuels and / or line with source for microwaves, the line (s) is or are tightly surrounded by a jacket. At the Preheating, if desired, is usually the line for the first Supply of the heated gas or the fuels opened or the Source for the microwaves activated, and after a certain one Time or an reached temperature of the rock or building material this line is closed or turned off. simultaneously or after that the line for feeding the polyamides is opened, so that they are brought into the borehole. After graduation the sealing of the rock or building material or interim cooling of the polyamides in the "stop and go" process this polyamide line is closed.

Because the line (s) are sealed by a sheath is or are surrounded, they can simultaneously in the respective Borehole inserted and pulled out again, which is labor significantly reduced. The lines can be connected to each other coordinated and from a common control, for example in Dependence on the sensors can be regulated. While pulling out the line (s) together with the jacket after the termination of the The polyamide pipe can be used to seal the rock or building material Remain open so the borehole is complete or partially filled with polyamides. Only when that Line (s) completely or partially from the respective borehole is pulled out, the polyamide line is closed.

The sheathing of the line (s) is not only for the lighter one Handling, but also for protection, such as from sharp Edges that may be present in the borehole.

A particularly advantageous embodiment is given if the casing has a suitable seal on the outside (e.g. packer) has, so that the borehole is sealed. This will prevents the polyamides introduced into the respective borehole, Gases, fuels, etc. are released immediately after they leak the respective line from the borehole. Furthermore can this builds up the necessary pressure in the respective borehole become.

Because the line (s) have a tight sheathing, is a seal of the borehole while the The line (s) is still there, to the outside easy to do.

The seal can be used simultaneously with the introduction of the Line (s) in the respective borehole, such as in Shape of a ring made of flexible material around the tight casing, or only afterwards, e.g. in the form of a (tough) liquid substance that hardens. The seal can also Polyamides used to seal the rock or building material his. After completion of the sealing of the rock or building material the sheathing is made with the line (s) the respective borehole, the seal, e.g. the polyamides can remain in the borehole.

The method according to the invention is preferably used for pre-consolidation a tunnel route applied. In doing so, the floor of a tunnel that is still to be built, for example.

The present invention also relates to the use of polyamides in the process according to the invention. Preferably polyamides are used without environmentally toxic additives come, particularly preferably polyamide with a softening point from 150 ° C to 200 ° C according to ASTM E28 (in silicone oil) and a melt viscosity at 180 ° C of 300 ± 150 m.Pa.s (according to ASTM D 3236).

Fig. 1 ein Bohrloch in einem Gestein, worin zwei Leitungen mit einer gemeinsamen Ummantelung eingeführt sind; und

Fig. 2 ein Gestein, wobei ausgehend von drei Bohrlöchern ein zusammenhängender Dichtungsschirm aus Polyamiden gebildet ist.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing, to which, however, it should not be limited. The drawing shows in detail:

1 shows a borehole in a rock, in which two lines are introduced with a common casing; and

Fig. 2 is a rock, starting from three boreholes, a coherent sealing screen made of polyamides.

1 shows a rock 1 with a borehole 2, in which a line for the supply of heated gas or Fuels 3 and 4 introduced for the supply of polyamides are. These two lines 3, 4 are of a common one Sheath 5 tightly surrounded. The casing 5 has an outside Seal 6 on, so that the borehole 2 seals to the outside is. Starting from the borehole, the polyamides are in the pores or Fissures of the rock l pressed in so that the borehole 2 surrounding rock 7 is sealed by the polyamides.

Fig. 2 shows a larger rock surface 7 with three boreholes 2 ', 2' ', 2' '', of which polyamides in the the boreholes 2 ', 2' ', 2' '' surrounding rock 7 ', 7' ', 7' '' penetrated are. By the meeting of the polyamides of the individual Drill holes 2 ', 2' ', 2' '' become a coherent sealing screen 8 formed. As a result, the rock surface 1 is opposite sealed the room 9. The drill holes 2 ', 2' ', 2' '' point themselves polyamides solidified at their respective ends 10 ', 10' ', 10' '' so that the boreholes 2 ', 2' ', 2' '' are also sealed.

The individual drill holes 2 ', 2' ', 2' '' are not parallel and of equal length, but vary depending on the rock section, in Direction and length.

Example 1: (laboratory test)

Experimental set-up: polyamide (hot melt from Henkel KGaA, Düsseldorf) was heated to 220 ° C and at 150 bar (machine pressure) in one 1 "water pipe pressed, filled with soil material was. To ensure a heat reservoir, a small one Cavity left at the inlet point. The transition piece was preheated using a hot air blower. After graduation the pressing of the polyamide was a pressure test with compressed air performed against the direction of insertion.

The pipe was filled with dry grit (approx. 3/8 mm, low dust content) and the experimental setup directly connected to the supply of the polyamides. After graduation The pressing of polyamide was found to be the polyamide the entire length of the test pipe section (2 m) had been filled in completely, a pressure test showed that the Filling up to the maximum achievable pressure of 10 bar Compressed air was pressure-tight. Then there was a pressure test carried out by means of oil pressure, with an applied Pressure of about 20 bar the entire filling of the test tube piece was squeezed, the filling was thus at least 20 bar pressure tight.

Example 2 :

Experimental arrangement as in example 1. The filling of the pipe was done with a mixture of sand, gravel and grit with high Fine grain fraction, saturated with water and compacted by slurrying.

The penetration depth of the melt material was up to approx. 1.2 m detected. A pressure test showed pressure density up to the maximum achievable pressure of 10 bar compressed air. Then was another pressure test was carried out using oil pressure, whereby one Pressure density up to the maximum achievable oil pressure of 60 bar was found.

Both tests 1 and 2 demonstrate a very quick seal against high water pressure (up to 60 bar) with long-term effectiveness.

Example 3:

Experimental arrangement: a polyamide (manufacturer Henkel KGaA, Düsseldorf) was heated to 220 ° C and at 150 bar (machine pressure) in the molten state between two washed concrete slabs pressed. The distance between the plates was approx. 2 mm. The cavity between the plates was sealed with a rubber gasket, that the air inside could be displaced. The plates were fixed under tension to prevent lifting.

Within a few seconds after the start of pressing in the The gap between the plates was completely filled with polyamides. As a result of the printing, a appeared in the top plate Crack through which polyamide emerged. After a few minutes curing time polyamide was injected again, which already does melted existing polyamide so that further injection material emerged from the gap.

This example has shown that a full-surface Filling gaps and crevices in stone or masonry is easy and simple to carry out.

Example 4:

In a former quarry (Ritzengrub, municipality St.Leonhard, Lower Austria) were at the foot of the quarry wall two injection wells drilled. The rock was limestone marble the Bohemian mass and pointed bankings and fissures in different Directions on. The gap distance was mostly a few decimeters, the gap width often 0.5 mm-1 mm, partially also closed fissures and other fissures with washed-in loamy weathering material, in places too was rooted. The drilling diameter was 22 mm (0-40 cm Depth) and 16 mm (40-100 cm depth). The injection wells were with a mechanical simple packer (seal) in 10 cm Depth locked. The melt was a polyamide melt from the company Henkel KGaA, Düsseldorf.

The borehole was closed some time before the start of the pressing filled with water, the water seeping away within a short time.

The melt material was then heated to approximately 200-230 ° C and melted, then at approx. 140 bar machine pressure injected via a heating hose. There were about 3 min 20 sec promoted. After a break of 1/2 min and a few more shorter pauses were injected again for a total of about 10 seconds. Corresponds to the previously determined delivery rate this is an injection volume of approx. 3.5 l.

After approx. 3 min 20 sec, molten polyamide appeared on one Divide. After the breaks, additional material could be injected be followed by further leaks of molten polyamide could be observed at other divide points.

After a curing time of approx. 1/2 h, a core drill was used with a diamond crown and water rinsing, a core with an 8 cm diameter drawn. Drilling was approximately normal on the main divide. The main gap was with an opening width of about 2-3 mm completely filled with polyamide, which differs from the Had broken walls. Cause of the missing connection was, according to the drill master, most likely a tear through the core drilling process itself.

After about 2 hours after the injection were from the rock surface Her fracture surfaces exposed. It showed the polyamide spreads over a distance of approx. 60-80 cm. The following day it was also observed that polyamide not only in the respective main divide, but also in secondary fissures had penetrated. The exposed fractures were all over filled with polyamide, which is solid with the rock Had formed a network. The polyamide could only with some Effort to be resolved from the fracture areas. In the following Weeks was found on a rock sample taken away, that there is still an at least partial bond between rocks and polyamide. There was no passive replacement.

The above example proves that the invention Process for sealing injections is best suited. The spread in the rock and the adhesion of the sealing material to the Gap walls is satisfactory. The curing takes place significantly faster than with conventionally used materials. The Injection can also be interrupted in the same borehole and continued after partial solidification of the sealing material ("stop and go" procedure). This allows the distribution of the sealing material in the fissures. This effect is particularly noteworthy as a continuation the injection even after leakage of sealing material on the injection side is made possible for the first time.

Claims (19)

1. A method of sealing building constructions, walls and cavities in the ground, in rock and in the mountains, respectively, in particular tunnels, galleries, shafts, channels and caverns, wherein sealing material is introduced under pressure into the rock via a sealed drilled hole, characterised in that heated polyamides are injected under pressure via the drilled hole (2) into the rock (1), or building material, respectively, penetrating into crevices and pores of the rock (1), or building material, respectively, to be sealed, and the latter are sealed and permanently closed upon cooling.
2. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the injection is carried out several times, wherein polyamides that have already penetrated into crevices and pores of the rock (1), or building material, respectively, to be sealed are capable of cooling at least in part between injection procedures, and fresh, heated polyamides can penetrate into other crevices and pores during the next injection procedure.
3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a temperature gradient is built up in the rock (1), or building material, respectively, by pre-heating before injection of the heated polyamides into the rock (1), or building material, respectively.
4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the heated polyamides are introduced into the drilled hole (2) with a temperature of from 50 to 1000°C and with a pressure of from 1 to 500 bar.
5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that several drilled holes (2', 2'', 2''') are provided in the rock (1) or building material, respectively, in spaced relationship relative to each other, the polyamides injected into the rock (1), or building material, respectively, from one drilled hole (2', 2'', 2''') meeting with the polyamides injected into the rock (1), or building material, respectively, from the surrounding drilled holes (2', 2'', 2''') so as to form a coherent sealing curtain (8).
6. A method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterised in that gas heated in the pre-heating step is introduced into the drilled hole (2) during a period of time of from 1 to 60 minutes.
7. A method according to claim 6, characterised in that the heated gas has a temperature of from 50 to 1000°C and a pressure of from 1 to 250 bar.
8. A method according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that the heated gas is air.
9. A method according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that the heated gas is a combustion gas.
10. A method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterised in that pre-heating of the rock (1) or building material, respectively, is achieved by micro-explosion of a suitable fuel at or in the rock or building material, respectively.
11. A method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterised in that pre-heating of the rock (1) or building material, respectively, is achieved by the action of microwaves on the rock (1), or building material, respectively.
12. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 11, characterised in that amount, pressure, duration of flow and temperature, respectively, of the heated gas, the fuel and the polyamides, respectively, and the energy input of the microwaves, respectively, is regulated via sensors inserted in the drilled hole (2) or in the rock (1), or building material, respectively, between the drilled holes (2', 2'', 2''').
13. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the drilled hole (2) has a diameter of from 2 to 50 cm and a length of up to 30 m.
14. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that when sealing of the rock (1) or building material, respectively, has been finished, the drilled holes (2', 2'', 2''') are completely closed.
15. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 14 for pre-solidifying a tunnel line.
16. The use of polyamides in the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15.
17. The use according to claim 16, characterised in that polyamides of low viscosity and rapid initial strength are used.
18. The use according to claim 16 or 17, characterised in that polyamides without environmentally toxic additives are used.
19. The use according to claims 16 to 18, characterised in that polyamides having a softening point of from 150°C to 200°C according to ASTM E28 (in silicone oil) and a melt viscosity of 300 ± 150 m.Pa.s (according to ASTM D3236) at 180°C are used.

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