Valves for Cement Grout in Soil Mixing

A company expanding the use of soil mixing as a ground improvement technique in the British construction industry are using a flanged DN80 Pinch Valve from AKO’s VF range of products.

With significantly broader UK experience in applying soil mixing techniques than any other ground engineering firm, the company have practical experience in the design and construction of the following soil mixed solutions, using a valve for cement grout:

• stabilisation of contaminated ground
• permeable reactive barriers for treatment of ground water
• ground improvement to reduce settlement
• shear stabilisation of embankments (railways, rivers, roads)
• stabilised corridors
• retaining walls
• impermeable cut-off walls
• vibration control

Media passing though the valve: Cement grout

Temperature of media: 5-10 Degrees C

Pressure of media: Generally 2-5 BAR

The valve is normally closed but opens every 3-5 minutes for 30 seconds to allow grout to pass between the mixing unit and the storage tank.

Amount of cycles per day: 200 cycles when in full operation

No degree of vacuum is used with the Pinch Valve.

The soil mixing company have so far been using the AKO Pinch Valve for cement grout for 12 months. The valve was part of some kit that they purchased from an original equipment manufacturer.

Pinch Valve used within this application: VF080.03X.31.30LA

VF model, air operated, aluminium body, aluminium flanges with mild steel bushings, natural rubber sleeve.

To date, the company say the pinch valve is performing very well and have not yet needed to replace the rubber sleeve, which is the only wearable part to the valve. They state that they have had previous experience with ball valves, and that the pinch valve excels much more in this application as well as other industrial areas.