Empirical Correlations from Waste Grout Formulation Data

Data correlations have demonstrated systematic relationships between important variables in hydrofracture grout formulation. The data are taken from an investigation to determine conditions for eliminating drainable water from the grout system. The two most important variables affecting drainable water are the amounts of Attapulgite-150 clay in the dry-solids blends and the ratios in which the blends are mixed with the waste. Empirical equations were developed relating (a) volume percent of drainable water, (b) time for free water adsorption, (c) weight percent of clay, (d) dry-blend liquid-waste mix ratio, (e) compressive strength, (f) weight percent of fly ash, and (g) pumping flow rate required for turbulent flow through 51-mm-i.d. pipe. The equations allow predictions of properties within the compositional range of the investigation from which the data were obtained. They also provide a relatively simple method that can be used to improve future test design, eliminate superfluous testing, decrease costs, and increase overall efficiency of individual investigations.