Bentonite for construction

Bentonite, as well as suspensions based on it, are widely used in a wide range of construction works:

• Tunnel laying, including for the subway;
• Construction of facilities using the "wall in soil" method;
• Sealing cracks and filling voids, including during the construction of hydroelectric power stations;
• Waterproofing in the construction of foundations;
• Creation of waterproofing screens.

In the construction of tunnels in difficult engineering and geological conditions (quick-moving unstable soils, significant groundwater pressure, etc.), tunnel-boring mechanized complexes (TPMK) with hydraulic loading are used.

When penetrating TPMK, a bentonite suspension with strictly regulated properties is injected into the bottomhole region under pressure, which enters the soil under pressure, compacts the tunnel face, excluding subsidence and rock collapse. In addition, the functions of the bentonite suspension are to remove cuttings from the face, lubricating and cooling the tunneling equipment.

During the construction of structures, with dense buildings, bentonite suspensions are used as part of the "wall in soil" technology .

The essence of the “wall in soil” technology in the construction of underground structures is that to keep the walls from collapsing, the trench is filled with clay mortar as the soil is removed from it. The clay solution, having low viscosity and high claying ability, penetrates the soil and clogs the walls of the trench, forming a thin - 0.5-3 mm and fairly dense and strong crust on their surface, preventing the wall of the trench from collapsing until the reinforcing cage is lowered and the trench is filled cement. A cemented structure can serve as a supporting foundation, a wall for an underground structure, as well as an air curtain that excludes the access of groundwater to a buried operated structure.

Due to the sealing, plasticizing and penetrating properties, bentonite is widely used in injection and cementitious mortars , which are effective for filling cracks and filling voids. That is why bentonite is an important material for the construction of hydroelectric power stations, dams and dams, canals, ponds, basements of residential and industrial buildings.

For the whole range of construction works, bentonite produced by Bentonit Kurgan LLC of the following grades is successfully used: PBM-18, PBM-20, PBM-22 . And for waterproofing the foundation, a unique waterproofing material is used - bentonite mats .