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

Abstract

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.

Inventors:
 [1]
  1. 4616 Ridgeway, Los Alamos, NM 87544
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
864470
Patent Number(s):
4370077
Assignee:
Colgate, Stirling A. (4616 Ridgeway, Los Alamos, NM 87544)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
E - FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS E02 - HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING E02D - FOUNDATIONS
E - FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS E21 - EARTH DRILLING E21B - EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING
DOE Contract Number:  
W-7405-ENG-36
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
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/

Citation Formats

Colgate, Stirling A. Method of pressurizing and stabilizing rock by periodic and repeated injections of a settable fluid of finite gel strength. United States: N. p., 1983. Web.
Colgate, Stirling A. Method of pressurizing and stabilizing rock by periodic and repeated injections of a settable fluid of finite gel strength. United States.
Colgate, Stirling A. Sat . "Method of pressurizing and stabilizing rock by periodic and repeated injections of a settable fluid of finite gel strength". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/864470.
@article{osti_864470,
title = {Method of pressurizing and stabilizing rock by periodic and repeated injections of a settable fluid of finite gel strength},
author = {Colgate, Stirling A},
abstractNote = {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.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1983},
month = {Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1983}
}