Grouted rockfill a material between rockfill and concrete

Abstract

A definition is given for grouted rockfill whose composition, characteristics and execution procedure are compared with such materiais as plain rockfill, prepacked concrete, rolled concrete, cyclopean concrete, gravel-cement, soil-cement and macadam.

A number of applications are foccused, the need being stressed to carry out appropríate studies in each case, mainly in test fills constructed in conditions similar to those of the work concemed.

An instance of application is described, which consisted of the stabilization of a rocky slope presenting larges recesses due to earlier rockslides, in a work near Carrapatelo dam on river Douro.

Grouted rockfill was used to fill those recesses and to dress the slope inclined at 2.5 : 1 (V : H) and about 20 m high.

As coars aggregate, with stones up 80 cm, part of rockfill wastes were used. Grou! which was forced into the voids of the coars aggregate was made up of an aggregate without sand to ensure high capacity of drainage.

Comparison of costs with some types of concrete favoured grouted rockfill.