Performance index of construction mud
The mud used in construction engineering construction generally consists of additives, clay or bentonite, and water. The application of mud is meaningful for ensuring the stability of the underground foundation and construction quality of the building project. At the same time, it has the functions of discharging soil residue, suspending soil residue, and preventing the collapse of the trench wall.LIMTA Piling Machinery introduced the performance indicators of construction mud as follows:
- PH Value
The PH value of mud indicates the strength of its acidity and alkalinity. The higher the PH value, the stronger the alkalinity. When PH=7, the mud is neutral. If the PH value is greater than 11, the mud will produce stratification and lose its wall stabilization effect. Therefore, the PH of mud used in construction engineering is generally required to be between 8 and 10.
- Wall-building Capability and Water Loss
When mud is poured into the gap between the soil and the pipe wall, water in the mud will seep out of the soil, which is called water loss. The amount of water loss is the amount of water lost. After water loss, mud will adhere bentonite particles to the soil wall, forming a mud layer, which is the wall-building capability. If the water loss is small, the mud layer can be dense, preventing mud loss and protecting the soil wall.
- Static Shear Strength and Thixotropy
When mud is static, it appears as a gel, and it will restore fluidity after stirring. The ability to restore fluidity and form a colloid is called thixotropy. The minimum force required to restore the fluidity of static mud is static shear strength. The thixotropy of mud increases as the static shear strength increases.
- Stability and Colloid Rate
After a period of time, the separation degree of water and soil particles in mud is called the colloid rate, measured in percentage. Stability refers to the difference in density between the upper and lower parts of mud after a period of time. Mud with a colloid rate of no less than 98% is qualified.
- Viscosity
The greater the viscosity of mud, the worse its fluidity, and the greater the pumping pressure. However, mud with high viscosity can better form a thin film on the soil wall, avoiding the problem of mud loss due to infiltration.
- Density
The higher the bentonite content of mud, the greater its density, and the corresponding improvement in mud stability and viscosity. However, the greater the density of mud, the greater the pumping pressure required and the higher the production cost. Generally, the density range of mud used in construction engineering is between 1.13 and 1.15.
Due to the important role of construction mud in construction engineering, we must strictly follow the performance indicators of construction mud and carry out mud selection based on the actual situation of the engineering foundation soil and other construction factors during the construction of building mortar technology, to ensure the smooth completion of construction engineering.
