Experimental determination of the longitudinal dispersivity during the injection of a micro-cement grout in a one-dimensional soil column

In order to describe the basic phenomenon of miscible grout propagation during the injection in a saturated and deformable porous medium, a general mathematical model was proposed, which accounts for the existing coupling between the fluid flow analysis, the miscible grout transport, and the solid skeleton deformation, leading to a realistic prediction of the injected zone. The development of the model was made concurrently with laboratory experiments to determine the model parameters. This paper describes the determination of the longitudinal dispersivity during the transport of a micro-cement grout injected in a one-dimensional soil column, by relying on image processing analysis. The application concerned here is the injection of soils for improving their properties, that is, to reduce permeability, increase mechanical strength or reduce the deformability. The longitudinal dispersion coefficient is an essential parameter governing the mixing process and the evolution of the transition zone, and thus the injection efficiency. Finally, the comparison between simulated results from the developed model and experimental data, essential to validate the model from a phenomenological standpoint, is made.