2004 Hayward Baker Inc.

(www.HaywardBaker.com)

Page 1 of 8

H A Y W A R D

B A K E R

I N C.

JET GROUTING
Hayward Bakers jet
grouting systems offer a
unique degree of design
flexibility for a broad
range of applications.

et grouting is a Ground Modification system used to create in

situ, cemented formations of soil called soilcrete. Jet grouting is
an alternative to traditional grouting systems, deep slurry
trenching, proprietary underpinning systems, micropiling, or the use of
compressed air or freezing in tunneling.

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Applications of the jet grouting system fall into three broad categories:

Underpinning and/or excavation support

Temporary or permanent stabilization of soft and/or

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liquefiable soils

Groundwater or pollution control

The ability to construct soilcrete in confined spaces and around subsurface obstructions such as utilities, provides a unique degree of design
flexibility. Indeed, in any situation requiring control of groundwater or
excavation of unstable soil (water-bearing or otherwise) jet grouting
should be considered.

Excavation support begins for

construction of Atlantic City, NJs
expressway extension.

Usually, jet grouting can be accomplished without disrupting normal

facility operations. Jet grouting is not only one of the safest methods of
construction available but in many cases the process is so fast that construction schedule savings are realized.
The recent development of small containerized, highly mobile support
equipment has enabled starting work on the first day of setup, greatly
reducing mobilization and demobilization costs. This ability will enable
many projects previously considered too small to absorb these costs to
become usable.

SuperJet struts support the

tunnel alignment between the
existing Penrose Canal and an
established residential area.

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 2004 Hayward Baker Inc.

(www.HaywardBaker.com)

Page 2 of 8

Jet Grouting Systems and Applications . . .

here are three traditional jet grouting systems. Selection of the most appropriate system is
generally a function of the in situ soil, the application, and the physical characteristics of
soilcrete required for that application. However, any system can be used for almost any
application providing that the right design and operating procedures are used.

Single Fluid Jet Grouting (Soilcrete S)

Grout slurry is pumped through the rod and exits the horizontal
nozzle(s) in the monitor with a high velocity [approximately 650
ft/sec (200m/sec)]. This energy causes the erosion of the
ground and the placement and mixing of grout slurry in the soil.
In gravelly soils, soilcrete column diameters of 2 to 4 ft
(0.6-1.2m) can be achieved. In loose, silty and sandy soils, larger
diameters are possible. Single fluid jet grouting is generally less
effective in cohesive soils.

Double Fluid Jet Grouting (Soilcrete D)

A two-phase internal rod system is employed for the separate
supply of grout slurry and air down to different, concentric nozzles. Grout slurry is used for eroding and mixing with the soil.
The air shrouds the grout slurry jet and increases erosion efficiency. Soilcrete column diameters of more than 3 ft (1.0m), in
medium to dense soils, and more than 6 ft (1.8m) in loose soils,
may be achieved. The double fluid system is more effective in
cohesive soils than the single fluid system.

Triple Fluid Jet Grouting (Soilcrete T)

Grout slurry, air and water are pumped through different lines
to the monitor. High velocity coaxial air and water form the
erosion medium. Grout slurry emerges at a lower velocity from
separate nozzle(s) below the erosion jet. This somewhat
separates the erosion process from the grouting process
and yields a higher quality soilcrete. Soilcrete columns with
diameters ranging from 3 ft (0.9m) to more than 5 ft (1.5m) can
be achieved. Triple fluid jet grouting is the most effective system for cohesive soils.

SuperJet Grouting
Grout slurry, air and drilling fluid are pumped through separate
chambers in the drill string. Upon reaching the design drill
depth, jet grouting is initiated with high velocity, coaxial air and
grout slurry to erode and mix with the soil, while the pumping
of drilling fluid is ceased. This system uses opposing nozzles
and a highly sophisticated jetting monitor specifically designed
for focus of the injection media. Using very slow rotation and
lift, soilcrete column diameters of 10 to 16 ft (3-5m) can be
achieved. This is the most effective system for mass stabilization application or where surgical treatment is necessary.

 2004 Hayward Baker Inc.

(www.HaywardBaker.com)

Page 3 of 8

The experience of the specialty contractor in selecting

the optimum Jet Grouting system and operating
procedures is critical to the success of each project.

Jet Grouting Procedures

Predrilling or foundation coring may be necessary to access the treatment zone. The borehole
is typically 6 inches (150mm) in diameter, and is stabilized by using grout or a drilling mud during the procedure. Since jet grouting is a bottom-up procedure, erosion is initiated at the design
depth with high velocity injection of cutting and replacement fluids. This continues with consistent, uniform rotation and lifting to create column geometry, while expelling eroded spoil out of
the top of the borehole. Designed integration of adjacent columns creates a soilcrete mass.
Since jet grouting equipment operates from above foundation grade, and soilcrete is constructed in a designed sequence, structural integrity is maintained and safety considerations are simplified. Jet grouting equipment is specially designed to be highly maneuverable and capable of
low-headroom interior work as well as restricted-access exterior work.

Highly Erodible
Cobbly Soils
Gravelly Soils
Clean Sands

Loose Silty Sands

Peats and Organic Silts

Dense Silty Sands

Loose Clayey Sands
Low Plasticity Silts

Jet Grouting Geotechnical and Structural Considerations

Jet grouting is effective across the widest range of soil types of any grouting system, including
silts and some clays. Because it is an erosion based system, soil erodibility plays a major role in
predicting geometry, quality and production. Cohesionless soils are typically more erodible than
cohesive soils, as shown at right. Since the geometry and physical properties of the
soilcrete are engineered, the degree of improvement is readily and accurately predictable.

Dense Clayey Sands

Low Plasticity Clays (soft)

High Plasticity Silts

Low Plasticity Clays (stiff)

High Plasticity Clays

Difficult to Erode

 2004 Hayward Baker Inc.

(www.HaywardBaker.com)

Page 4 of 8

Jet Grouting Design and Quality Control . . .

LEGEND

WB
a,b,c,d,e

Moment arms

Ca

Base soil adhesion

Base soil friction angle

POSL

WSC

Ps

Pw
c

Pps
b

*
FS overturning* =

Base width

Friction force

FS

Factor of safety

Ps

At-rest or active soil force

POSL

Surcharge force

Pps

Passive force

Pw

Hydraulic force

WB

Weight of structure
footing load

WSC

Weight of Soilcrete

WSL

Surcharge load

f
F = (WB + WSC) tan

+ g Ca

(WB + WSC) a + Pps b

> 1.5
(Ps c) + (Pw d) + (POSL e)

FS sliding =

Pps + F
> 1.5
Ps + Pw + POSL

Jet grouting systems can be designed to mix the soil with a grout slurry or nearly
replace it with grout slurry. For underpinning and excavation support (with groundwater control), the design consists of developing continuous soilcrete masses with
contiguous soilcrete columns, to resist overturning and sliding while maintaining the
integrity of supported structures and nearby utilities.
The design engineer should assess the competency of the soils at the base of the
soilcrete for bearing and settlement. Evaluation of internal stresses (shear and bending) in the soilcrete will provide guidance for required soilcrete strength. Soilcrete
strength is a function of the in situ soils and strength variations are to be expected.
A factor of 3.0 is therefore applied to the required soilcrete strength for an average
allowable strength.

Soilcrete Design and Operating Parameters

Theoretically, treatment depth is unlimited, but jet grouting has rarely been performed to depths greater than 164 ft (50m). Treatment can also be pinpointed to a
specific strata. The size of the soilcrete mass to be created is determined by the
application. A variety of geometries are available as shown at right. The width or
diameter of each panel or column is determined during the design stage. Accurate,
detailed and frequent description of soil type, with reasonable assessment of
strength or density allows this prediction to be made with confidence. If required,
shear and/or tensile reinforcement can be incorporated into the soilcrete.
The operating parameters of air, water and/or grout slurry flow, and pressure,
together with monitor rotation and withdrawal speed are selected (following detailed
engineering assessment of soil conditions) and automatically controlled and monitored throughout construction. Reduced flow or increased withdrawal speed produces a smaller soilcrete geometry.

SOILCRETE PLAN GEOMETRIES

Full Column
Half Column

Partial Column

Single Panel Wall

Double Panel Wall

Sheet Pile
Sealing Systems

 2004 Hayward Baker Inc.

(www.HaywardBaker.com)

Page 5 of 8

A properly designed structure should be analyzed

by a professional engineer familiar with the site
conditions and technologies applied.
Quality Assurance

Quality assurance begins with a test section to verify the design geometry of the soilcrete and the quality and strength characteristics of the
soilcrete product.
Retrieved wet-grab and core samples are laboratory tested to confirm
that satisfactory unconfined compressive strengths are achieved. The
pre-production quality assurance measures form the basis for quality
control during production grouting. Computerized data collection of all
jet grouting parameters is available along with continuous real-time
observation.

PSI (MN/m2)
1500
(10.34)

Unconfined Compressive Strength

Quality assurance and quality control are critical components of a successful jet grouting program, ensuring that subsurface soils are consistent with design assumptions and that design parameters are met or
exceeded throughout the project.

1250
(8.61)
Sands and Gravels

1000
(6.89)

750
(5.17)

Silts and Silty Sands

500
(3.44)
Clays

250
(1.72)
Organic Silts and Peats

Quality Control
In addition to the quality control inspection items for soilcrete element
construction, additional project-specific quality control measures such as
structural monitoring or permeability testing may be required.
Controlled jet grouting must create a spoil material during the erosion
process. The volume of spoil can be predicted from the injected volumes
and is typically in the range of 40 to 60 percent of the soilcrete volume.
The spoil retains a significant cement content, and gains strength over
time. Within 12 hours it can typically be handled as a firm to stiff clay and
is frequently used as a construction fill.

10

20

30

40

50

60

Age (days)

Soilcrete strengths are variable and

difficult to predict, particularly in layered
soils. This chart represents an estimate
of average results expected.

QUALITY CONTROL INSPECTION ITEMS

Drilling

Location, angle, depth, methods to maintain

repeatability

Batching

Preparation of grout slurry for consistency in

material content and physical and chemical
properties

Jetting

Checking of drill parameters (lift, speed, rotation

rate) and injection parameters (pressure and
flow of all components)

Documentation

Accurate documentation for each element

constructed. Construction times and correlation
to any sampling performed

Sampling
and Testing

Retrieval of representative samples for external

testing

Typically, Soilcrete cores are greater than

3 inches in diameter and recovery is
greater than 75 percent with specialized
coring equipment.

 2004 Hayward Baker Inc.

(www.HaywardBaker.com)

Page 6 of 8

Jet Grouting Case Histories . . .

Nimitz Relief Sewer
Honolulu, Hawaii
As a value-engineered and less disruptive alternative to
open cut construction, jet grouting was selected to provide a homogenized tunnel horizon and minimize postconstruction settlement for the installation of a 54-inch
(1.4m) relief sewer through soft, lagoonal deposits. Two
rows of interconnected, 4-ft (1.2m) diameter soilcrete
columns were installed to bedrock over a 2,800 lf (850
linear meter) stretch of tunnel alignment to prepare an
encapsulated tunnel horizon for micro-tunneling. In
addition to providing a fully stabilized tunneling face, the
soilcrete mass ensured that post-construction settlement of the sewer would be eliminated.

Kraft Foods
Dover, Delaware
For construction of a 20-ft (6m) deep railcar unloading
pit within an existing building, jet grouting performed
three functions: excavation support, underpinning,
and groundwater control. To meet project performance objectives, a bathtub configuration was constructed via a perimeter wall of 20-ft (6m) deep,
interconnected soilcrete columns enclosing a 6-ft
(1.8m) thick soilcrete base. The perimeter columns
provided excavation support while those at the corners of the pit also underpinned the existing adjacent
footings. The jet grouting program successfully prevented building movement and vertical and horizontal
groundwater infiltration.

Transmission Towers
Dallas, Texas
Four, 180-ft (55m) tall transmission tower structures
were moving laterally on the compression leg. This
was due to insufficient diameter and embedment
length of the drilled shaft foundations. To improve
the factor of safety against failure at ultimate loads,
jet grouting was used to stabilize the compression
leg foundation of each tower down to a competent
bearing strata. Prior to production, a test column was
constructed to establish effective column diameter,
forming the basis for the design. An average of 12,
4-ft diameter (1.2m) soilcrete columns were constructed at each tower to hard limestone.

 2004 Hayward Baker Inc.

(www.HaywardBaker.com)

Page 7 of 8

When owners and contractors need a fast,

technically-effective solution to a tough geotechnical
probem, Jet Grouting gets the job done.
General Hospital Center at Passaic
Passaic, New Jersey
Concerned that a conventional pit underpinning
method would result in excessive settlement of the
existing, five-story structure, the general contractor
elected to use a jet grouting alternative for construction of a new, three-story hospital addition. For the
addition, the site was pre-excavated to the top of the
existing foundation. Column footings and foundation
walls were then underpinned to a competent bearing
strata by 3.5-ft diameter (1.1m), contiguous soilcrete
columns. The continuous soilcrete wall thus formed
also provided support for subsequent deep excavation
of the prevailing clean sands. Existing building settlements were negligible.

Virginia Key WWTP

Virginia Key, Florida
Prior to incorporation of a storm surge pressure
relief system into an existing outfall pipe, all three
project requirements of underpinning, excavation
support, and groundwater control were met by jet
grouting. At each end of the excavation area, jet
grouting was performed adjacent to and below the
8.5-ft (2.6m) diameter pipe down to limestone
bedrock. Angled drilling and jet grouting beneath the
pipe invert completed the encapsulation, thus forming a groundwater seepage barrier as well as excavation support and underpinning across the width of the
excavation. Sheetpiles connected the sides of the
excavation with the grouted zones. Safe operational
integrity was maintained throughout the work.

U.S. Highway 80 Bridge

Maricopa County, Arizona
During heavy winter rains in the Arizona desert, the
Gillespie Dam failed, sending water up to 150,000 cf
(4,250m3) per second down the Gila River. Just 100
yds (92m) downstream, an old bridge for Highway 80
crosses the river. Flood waters were concentrated
toward the eastern portion of the nine-span structure, scouring cavities beneath three easternmost
piers and resulting in minor settlements and cracking. Jet grouting was recommended as the most economic method of underpinning and protecting the
existing footings. Interconnected soilcrete columns
were installed around the upstream portions of the
pier and were either keyed into underlying basalt or
taken to sufficient depths into underlying alluvium to
underpin and protect the footings from future scour.

 2004 Hayward Baker Inc.

(www.HaywardBaker.com)

Page 8 of 8

J E T

G R O U T I N G

Advantages of Hayward Bakers

Jet Grouting Systems

Hayward Baker Inc.

Maryland
410-551-8200
410-551-1980

Nearly all soil types groutable

California
805-933-1331
858-514-2170
925-825-5056

Specific in situ replacement possible

Colorado
303-469-1136

Designable strength and permeability

Florida
813-884-3441
954-977-8117

Treatment to specific subsurface locations

Georgia
770-442-1801

Only inert components

Illinois
847-634-8580

No harmful vibrations

Iowa
515-276-5464

Can be performed in limited working space

Massachusetts
781-229-7359

Any cross-section of soilcrete possible

Missouri
314-542-3040
New Jersey
201-797-1985

Maintenance-free

New York
315-834-6603

Safest method of underpinning construction

North Carolina
336-668-0884

Ability to work around buried active utilities

Tennessee
865-966-0294

Most effective method of direct underpinning

of structures and utilities

Texas
817-625-4241
281-668-1868

Much faster than alternative methods

Washington
206-223-1732
British Columbia
604-294-4845

Why Should You Choose Hayward Bakers Jet Grouting?

As North Americas largest geotechnical contractor, Hayward Baker has the resources to
build your project. We manufacture much of
our own equipment, ensuring the best performance and reliability in the industry.
From job start-up to installation of the last jet
grout column, our attention to quality control
ensures project specifications are achieved.
Our network of offices and full-service equipment yards means fast mobilization and
reduced start-up costs.

Hayward Baker is committed to providing the

most economical solution that satisfies the
technical requirements of each project.
Whether a situation is typical or unique, we
have the experience and innovation to assist
engineers, contractors and owners with identifying and implementing the best solution.
For a variety of subsurface conditions, jet
grouting may be the answer.

Website

www.HaywardBaker.com

Email

info@HaywardBaker.com

Keller Group North America

Hayward Baker Inc.
Case Foundation Company
Case Atlantic Company
Keller Cimentaciones de Latinoamrica
Suncoast Post-Tension L.P.
Hayward Baker Inc. 2004
Pub No: G32