Home » Projects » Tunstall Reservoir Void Fill

Tunstall Reservoir Void Fill Case Study

Project Overview

The client had a requirement at Tunstall Reservoir to fill a disused adit tunnel to prevent potential structural issues and ensure the long-term stability of the reservoir infrastructure. Geobear was commissioned to design a geopolymer injection solution to fill the difficult to access void.

Project Scope and Objectives

  • Location: Tunstall Reservoir, Northumberland, UK.
  • Objective: Fill a disused adit tunnel measuring approximately 120 meters in length with a 2m x 2m cross-section to prevent structural instability.
  • Methodology: Utilise expansive geopolymer injected through pre-formed holes.
  • Volume: Up to 480m³.
  • Duration: Estimated 2 weeks.

 

Project Planning and Execution

  1. Initial Assessment and Planning:
    • Comprehensive site surveys were conducted to understand the existing conditions and constraints.
    • A detailed project plan, including a Construction Phase Plan (CPP) and Risk Assessment and Method Statement (RAMS), was prepared to ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental standards.
  2. Site Preparation:
    • Establishment of safe working areas with adequate access for Geobear’s mobile injection units adjacent to the site.
    • The tunnel, an old Victorian adit with rough-hewn walls and difficult access, required careful planning to navigate its challenging conditions.
  3. Injection Process:
    • A 12mm diameter injection tube was manually inserted into the void through pre-formed holes.
    • The Geobear self-contained injection unit, including the geopolymer material, pumped the multi-component liquid geopolymer material to the injection locations
    • The geopolymer expanded up to 30 times its volume, filling the void and ensuring structural integrity.
  4. Monitoring and Verification:
    • Continuous monitoring using CCTV endoscopes positioned in verification holes.
    • The injection process was carefully controlled to ensure complete void fill.
  5. Safety and Environmental Considerations:
    • Environmental protection measures to prevent contamination and ensure proper waste management. Geobear materials are environmentally inert and safe for use in ecological areas.

Challenges and Benefits

  • Site Accessibility: Limited space and the need to reduce the reservoir water level to prevent inflow into the adit. This was managed by strategic placement of the Geobear injection unit and coordination with the reservoir management team.
  • Rough-hewn Walls: The old Victorian adit’s rough-hewn walls presented additional challenges for the injection process. These were mitigated through careful planning and monitoring.
  • Obstructions: Potential obstructions in the adit were accounted for, with provisions for additional drilling and adjustments in the injection process as necessary.
  • Weather Conditions: Adverse weather conditions could delay the project. Contingency plans included flexible scheduling and protective measures for equipment and personnel.
  • Environment: Geobear’s solutions have been proven to release upto 75% less carbon emissions than alternative methods. The material is inert and would not have a detrimental impact on the environment.

Outcome

The Tunstall Reservoir void fill project was successfully completed within the two-week timeframe. The use of Geobear’s geopolymer injection technology provided a robust solution to fill the disused adit, ensuring the structural stability of the reservoir.

 

Contact Us

Please use this contact form or navigate to the contact us page and send us a message. We will respond to you within 24hrs.

Alternatively please call us on 0800 084 3503 and speak to our customer services team. Calling from Ireland please go to the contact us page.

We deliver projects on any sort of building or structure – from conservatory extension problems to 80,000m2 warehouses and road infrastructure. In most cases we will have the best solution, so get in touch today.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.