Bridge Settlement Operation in Binghamton, New York
Problem
In Binghamton, NY, significant settlement of up to 2 ½” to 3” had developed transversely across the highway on I-81. It stretched across an area approximately 122’W x 60’L. Moving south across the highway, the settlement created unsafe driving conditions, which was noticeable to passing traffic in an area with very high traffic volume. The area was a central crossing point for the trucking industry and commuter traffic as a passageway in all directions; going west to the southern tier, east to Albany, north to Syracuse, and south to Pennsylvania and beyond.
Analysis
The customer stated that there was 6’ of soil/fill to work with between the concrete slabs and the bridge structures. URETEK addressed four lanes of traffic in each direction for a total treated area of approximately 7320 sq. ft. (122’x60’).
Solution
URETEK used the patented URETEK Deep Injection® (UDI) process and URETEK 486 Star polymer to stabilize the soils under the roadway. Making use of a surface grid pattern of approximately 4’x 4’, the operations crew drilled host holes based on the optimal injection depth(s) as determined by Dynamic Cone Penetrometer testing. Injections continued after stabilization to return the required lift back to grade. URETEK used an average settlement grade of 1 ½” to determine the estimated material usage and pricing for this project. Laser instruments monitored the surface to ensure sufficient soil stabilization.
Result
During the bridge stabilization project in Binghamton, URETEK was able to lift the slabs back to their original grade in two nights of work without any need for excavation while stabilizing the remaining soils and filling voids under the slabs. As operation crews moved transversely across the highway, the original settlement issue was corrected while improving driver safety conditions. Thanks to URETEK, the project was completed successfully while being 60% under budget.
URETEK Deep Injection® (UDI)
Widely referenced throughout our industry, UDI involves the injection of structural polymer into base and subgrade soils to increase the load bearing capacity. This is achieved by injecting the polymer through small holes drilled directly through the pavement structure to depths determined by site-specific analysis. Our URETEK 486 Star® material flows easily into voids and weak zones within the soil mass below. Through a controlled chemical reaction, the expanding polymer compacts surrounding soils and applies a controlled pressure on targeted areas of the affected pavement above. If needed, a multi-injection design plan is utilized to gently return the pavement to its original grade. The composite material quickly cures into a strong, dimensionally stable, and water-resistant geo-material, providing years of reliable service.
URETEK 486 Star®
URETEK 486 Star® polymer is a two-component, high-density, expanding thermoset polyurethane system. It was developed to be the ideal solution for under-sealing, void filling, lifting of settled pavement, stabilization and stiffening of weak soils, and for encapsulating and sealing buried infrastructure. URETEK 486 Star® is environmentally inert, non-toxic, and resists underground water erosion or weakening due to its industry-leading hydrophobic properties.
