Method of pressurizing and stabilizing rock by periodic and repeated injections of a settable fluid of finite gel strength

Patent · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:864470

Colgate, Stirling A ^[1]

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1. 4616 Ridgeway, Los Alamos, NM 87544

A finite region of overpressure can be created in solid underground formations by the periodic injection of a fluid that has finite gel strength that subsequently, after each injection, partially sets--i.e., equivalently becomes a very much stronger gel. A region of overpressure is a region in which the static, locked in pressure is larger than what was there before. A region of overpressure can be used to prevent a roof of a tunnel from caving by adding compressive stresses in the roof. A sequence of regions of overpressure can be used to lift an arch or dome underground, squeeze off water or gas flows, stabilize dams, foundations, large underground rooms, etc. In general, the stress or pressure distribution in rock can be altered and engineered in a fashion that is more advantageous than what would have been the case without overstressing.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• Assignee: Colgate, Stirling A. (4616 Ridgeway, Los Alamos, NM 87544)
• Patent Number(s): US 4370077
• OSTI ID: 864470
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
pressurizing
stabilizing
rock
periodic
repeated
injections
settable
fluid
finite
strength
region
overpressure
created
solid
underground
formations
injection
subsequently
partially
sets-i
equivalently
stronger
static
locked
pressure
larger
prevent
roof
tunnel
caving
adding
compressive
stresses
sequence
regions
lift
dome
squeeze
water
gas
flows
stabilize
dams
foundations
etc
stress
distribution
altered
engineered
fashion
advantageous
overstressing
pressure distribution
gas flows
gas flow
compressive stress
underground formation
compressive stresses
/405/299/