Challenge
Void formation and water ingress beneath a canal towpath caused surface instability and erosion risk, requiring stabilisation without excavation or disruption to public access
Solution
Geobear delivered precision geopolymer injection to fill voids, seal water pathways and improve ground strength, stabilising the towpath with minimal surface disturbance.
Active canal towpath environment
Combined stabilisation approach
No excavation of towpath surface
The canal towpath forms part of a publicly accessible waterside route subject to pedestrian and maintenance traffic. Localised voiding and water ingress beneath the surface had led to instability and erosion concerns.
Water movement through sub‑surface materials can wash out fines and create cavities, reducing support and increasing the likelihood of surface deformation. Early intervention was required to protect the towpath structure and prevent further degradation.
Excavation adjacent to a live canal presents environmental, access and stability risks. Traditional dig‑out and replacement methods would have required closure of the towpath and potential disturbance to the canal edge.
A solution was required that could fill voids, limit water migration and reinstate bearing capacity while maintaining public access and minimising environmental impact.
Geobear developed a targeted geopolymer injection programme to address both voiding and water pathways beneath the towpath. Small‑diameter injection points were installed through the surface at defined centres based on site assessment.
The two‑component geopolymer was injected at depth, where it expanded to fill cavities, bind loose materials and increase soil stiffness. The material’s closed‑cell structure helped reduce water movement through treated zones, supporting long‑term stability.
The compact plant footprint enabled works to be delivered efficiently without excavation, maintaining the integrity of the towpath surface.
Void formation was addressed and sub‑surface support reinstated without the need for disruptive reconstruction. The towpath remained stable and operational throughout the works.
The intervention reduced erosion risk and provided a technically robust stabilisation outcome aligned with long‑term maintenance objectives while minimising environmental and public impact.
Get in touch with our expert team today and discover how Geobear can extend the life of your critical infrastructure assets.
