Grouting is a crucial part of borehole construction to seal the annular space between the borehole wall and casing. Use our Borehole Grout Volume Calculator to estimate how much grout is needed to properly fill that space, accounting for borehole diameter, casing outer diameter, depth, and shrinkage.
What Is Borehole Grouting?
Borehole grouting is the process of filling the annular space (the space between the borehole wall and casing or between two concentric pipes) with a sealing material—usually bentonite, cement, or a sand mix. This is crucial to prevent groundwater contamination and provide structural support.
Borehole Grout Volume Formula
To find the grout volume needed to fill the space between the borehole and casing, follow these steps:
Step 1: Annular Area (in square inches)
A=4π×(Dbore2−Dcasing2)
Step 2: Annular Volume (in cubic inches)
Vin³=A×H
Where:
- A = annular area (from Step 1)
- H = depth in inches (1 foot = 12 inches)
Step 3: Convert to Cubic Feet
Vft³=1728Vin³
Step 4: Apply Shrinkage Factor
Vgrout=Vft³×(1+100shrinkage%)
Step 5: Convert to Gallons or Liters (Optional)
Vgal=Vft³×7.48052
VL=Vft³×28.3168
Example Calculation
Given:
- Borehole Diameter = 6 inches
- Casing Outer Diameter = 4 inches
- Borehole Depth = 50 feet
- Shrinkage Factor = 5%
Step 1: Annular Area
A=4π×(62−42)=43.1416×(36−16)=15.708 in²
Step 2: Volume in Cubic Inches
Vin³=15.708×(50×12)=15.708×600=9,424.8 in³
Step 3: Convert to Cubic Feet
Vft³=17289424.8=5.454 ft³
Step 4: Add Shrinkage (5%)
Vgrout=5.454×(1+1005)=5.454×1.05=5.726 ft³
Step 5: Convert to Gallons and Liters
Vgal=5.726×7.48052=42.83 gallons
VL=5.726×28.3168=162.19 liters
Final Answer:
- Grout Volume (ft³) = 5.726 ft³
- Grout Volume (gallons) = 42.83 gal
- Grout Volume (liters) = 162.19 L
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why is shrinkage factor important when calculating grout volume?
Answer: Grout materials tend to shrink slightly as they cure and settle. To ensure the annular space is completely filled and sealed, it's important to add a shrinkage factor—commonly around 5%—to compensate for this reduction in volume after application.
2. What units should I use when inputting measurements?
Answer: Use inches for borehole and casing diameters, and feet for borehole depth. The calculator will handle conversions internally and provide results in cubic feet, gallons, and liters for your convenience.
3. Can I use this calculator for both water wells and geothermal boreholes?
Answer: Yes! This calculator works for any type of borehole where grouting is required between the casing and borehole wall, including water wells, geothermal wells, and monitoring wells, as long as accurate input dimensions are provided.
Check out 1 similar Borehole Grout Volume Calculator – Calculate Grouting Requirements with Ease :