Civils, Utilities & Infrastructure
A resin is injected into the affected ground, where it expands to fill underground voids and improve ground conditions beneath existing structures.
The ability to improve ground beneath assets without major extensive excavation makes a geopolymer approach particularly valuable in live infrastructure environments, where access may be limited and maintaining operations is critical.
Unlike traditional construction methods, the resin injection approach does not need excavation prior to treatment, eliminating the need for excavators and reducing the transportation of materials and waste to and from site. By reducing excavation activities and associated logistics, projects can significantly lower their overall carbon footprint while maintaining operational access to critical assets.
Limiting disruption on a major UK carriageway
Routine inspections and ground investigations identified embankment issues at the M11 overbridge and voiding beneath the carriageway.
If left untreated, the defects could have caused severe settlement or even collapse, threatening usability and safety of the motorway.
As one of the busiest corridors in the East of England, road closures would have affected the M11, A14 and A428, disrupting commuters and freight movement to Stansted and surrounding ports.
A non-intrusive ground engineering technique was required to minimise disruption and keep traffic flowing. Geobear designed a solution that required geopolymer resin to be injected beneath the carriageway, rapidly restoring stability across the area.
The works were completed two days ahead of schedule – within budget – and without any safety incidents. By avoiding excavation, the project saved at least five weeks of disruption and cut carbon emissions by 45 per cent compared with cementitious alternatives.
Karl Brooks, project sponsor from Highways England highlighted the success of the project said:“ Geopolymer injections provided an innovative response to voiding,
and the delivery outperformed comparative methods.”
The M11 project demonstrates how advanced ground engineering techniques can help asset owners address critical ground stability while avoiding the disruptive nature of traditional excavation.
As construction projects place greater emphasis on sustainability, advanced ground engineering solutions can become a trusted method for contractors working across a variety of construction projects.
With minimally invasive techniques, operational disruption and reliance on heavy machinery is limited, reducing socio-economic and environmental impacts
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