Laboratory Testing Programs

ECO has performed numerous lab testing programs to evaluate new technologies, to develop and optimize grout formulations for specialized projects/applications, to determine and optimize rheological characteristics and to perform accelerated and delayed aging and compatibility tests.

Standard Tests Performed On Grout Formulations:

• density by Bariod mud balance.
• viscosity by March funnel
• cohesion by shear vane
• initial cure by Vicat needle
• measurement of pressure filtration coefficient
• bleed tests
• unconfined compressive strength test
• accelerated aging tests
• compatiblity with specific chemical/physical environments
• Sutometer test on cement foam formulations

TESTING

1. Regular and Microfine Cement Based Suspension Grouts

Development and Optimization of Grout Mixes for:

• Apparent Viscosity vs. Time
• Pressure Filtration (API Filter Press)
• Bleed vs. Time
• Initial and Final Gelation and Set Times
• Cohesion vs. Time
• Strength (Performed at an Independent Lab)
• Particle Size Analysis (Performed at an Independent Lab)
• Limits of Injectability (ISIS)

2. Solution Grouts

Development and Optimization of Grout Mixes for:

• Initial and Final Gelation and Set Times
• Viscosity vs. Time
• Strength (Performed at an Independent Lab)
• Various other characteristics depending on the type of solution grout being tested (sodium silicate, polyurethane, acrylamides etc)

3. Additives

• Determine dosage requirements for a variety of rheological characteristics.
• Determine additive compatibility with other additives and grout ingredients.
• Determine potential applications for additives within the grouting industry.
• Develop (meaningful) material data sheets for grouting and grouting related uses.

4. ECO has also performed testing programs for specialized applications:

• evaluation of the stability of cement-foam systems for specific applications
• evaluation of the sodium silicate products for multiple hole grouting of concrete matrix to increase strength and reduce permeability
• evaluation of effectiveness of solution and chemical grouts in specific environments
• tests to achieve predictable set and pump times for a variety of solution grouts
• tests to manipulate pump times of cement based suspension grouts from one minute to thirty-six hours and obtaining correspondingly modified gelation times
• tests to modify the viscosity of cement-based suspension grouts to produce rheologies varying from similar to water to non-sag
• development of hot melts (hot bitumen), to be used in conjunction with cement based suspension grouts when grouting under high flow situations
• development of the hydro-block: a two component polyurethane/cement based suspension grout to create instant cement gelation
• development in the field of precipitation grouting

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