EXPANSIVE ACTION OF THE RESINS

Both The URETEK Method and URETEK Deep-Injection use the expansion properties of a mix of unique proprietary resins to stabilise, raise and relevel pavements, floors and buildings and to improve the bearing capacity of inadequate foundation strata.

A number of resins, each with its own special characteristics and applications, have been developed to produce low density, thermoset polymer materials that are strong, resilient, insoluble and highly resistant to chemical attack and long term degradation.

When complementary liquid resins are combined, a chemical reaction quickly occurs, releasing potentially enormous but controllable forces that can vary up to 500 kPa (50 tonne/m2) for slab-lifting and up to 10,000 kPa (1000 tonne/m2) for deep-injection.

For stabilisation and lifting, the resins are normally injected just under the concrete slab or structure, using specialised equipment and techniques. For ground improvement, they may be injected to a specific depth or at multiple depths into the ground. The pressure of injection is not very high but is sufficient to spread the resin mix sufficiently across the volume of ground concerned, before expansion occurs. The force imparted to the structure or ground is a direct function of the resistance encountered due to the mass of the structure and/or overburden. No excessive force can be applied.

After injection the mixed resins react and their volume progressively increases many times. The speed of expansion avoids the resins being dispersed in the ground or spreading beyond the zone it is intended to treat. Naturally expansion is greater in the direction in which the resin encounters the least resistance and so, initially, the resin moves, expands and compacts where the foundation is weakest and has the greatest need of improvement. Finally, the expansion is so confined that the least resistance is from above and the concrete slab, building or other structure begins to lift.

Regarding Quality Assurance, URETEK resins have been developed and refined over 25 years, with properties confirmed by laboratory analysis. They have been well proven over time, in a multitude of field applications and varying environments where the behaviour of the resins does not change significantly, even when used in the presence of water.