Voids beneath infrastructure

A void is simply an empty space or a cavity in the ground which can vary tremendously in size from the microscopic voids between soil particles to huge natural caverns in chalk and limestone bedrock. The stability of these voids is controlled by strength of the material in which they are formed and overlie them.

Water flow is also generally responsible for forming voids in granular soils due to the fine particle sizes being washed out of the soil matrix. This is much more likely to occur in poorly compacted granular soils whether natural or placed fill. Such voiding is therefore commonly associated with leaking water pipes, drains and sewers. With voiding present beneath infrastructure assets there is now risk of collapse causing excessive differential movement and even bearing capacity failure.

Voids can also be created by burrowing animals such as badgers and rabbits who particularly like to create their warrens in south facing soil embankments. The animal burrows can present a serious risk of instability and collapse to embankments and / or foundations of buildings above them.    

Voids beneath infrastructure

A void is simply an empty space or a cavity in the ground which can vary tremendously in size from the microscopic voids between soil particles to huge natural caverns in chalk and limestone bedrock. The stability of these voids is controlled by strength of the material in which they are formed and overlie them.

Water flow is also generally responsible for forming voids in granular soils due to the fine particle sizes being washed out of the soil matrix. This is much more likely to occur in poorly compacted granular soils whether natural or placed fill. Such voiding is therefore commonly associated with leaking water pipes, drains and sewers. With voiding present beneath infrastructure assets there is now risk of collapse causing excessive differential movement and even bearing capacity failure.

Voids can also be created by burrowing animals such as badgers and rabbits who particularly like to create their warrens in south facing soil embankments. The animal burrows can present a serious risk of instability and collapse to embankments and / or foundations of buildings above them.    

Infra culvert void

Pictured: Culvert that needed Geobear void filling

There is of course a large range of voids and cavities created by people either through construction activities such as pipelines, basements, tunnels etc. Or by mining activities where minerals have been extracted from the earth leaving behind empty shafts, tunnels and mine workings. All of these present a risk of surface failure if they are not decommissioned and abandoned correctly.
Our void filling solutions are suitable for any size of project, whether the voids are under roads, railway tracks, airport runways, or other infrastructure like pipelines, tunnels, culverts, and basements.

Business & Community Impact

For infrastructure managers, the consequences of void collapsing are severe, which increase as the void gets bigger. Most of not all void collapses and sinkholes are unplanned failures which can lead to sudden, expensive, and extensive maintenance work, often requiring complex excavation and mass filling with concrete. Not to mention the serious safety hazard the formation of a large hole presents to the public and workers alike. The remedial works are often very disruptive to the operation of the asset and will have consequential impacts. Road and rail line closures cause enormous disruption, from hours of traffic congestion to widespread travel chaos.

How Geobear approaches void filling

Geobear's Void filling treatment is an ideal, non-excavation alternative to traditional methods. Our solution involves a specific expansive geopolymer or a combination of our geopolymer and a lightweight clay aggregate. The material is produced on-site from a liquid base using minimal plant and equipment. This non-disruptive method

Infra void filling 3d

 

1
Fills voids instantly

Our expanding geopolymer flows into the void through small diameter drill holes and expands to fill the entire cavity.

2
Versatility and Accessibility

The material can be pumped over 70 metres, meaning our equipment does not have to be directly on-site. This allows us to reach hard-to-access areas with minimal disruption.

3
Adds no significant load

We use lightweight materials that do not impart a significant load to the site, meaning our void filling solution will not lead to any negative side effects on the overall stability of the site. We also provide a strengthening fill material for structural void filling, which is injected into voids to support a loaded floor or piece of infrastructure.

4
Is easily excavated

A significant benefit is that our materials are inert and can be easily excavated, so if at a later date the void needs to be accessed, the geopolymer can be removed with ease.

Contact us

To discuss a site visit or request more information, please contact us.

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