Sheet Pile Joint Sealing

The Job

This sheet pile joint sealing work is part of the Thimble Shoals parallel tunnel project. The project is located between Islands 1 and 2 of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel crosses the opening of the Chesapeake Bay. It connects Norfolk/Virginia Beach and the Eastern Shore.

The Challenge

Water was leaking out of a joint in the precast splash wall. This wall is adjacent to the TBM slurry separation pit. Any time it rained, precipitation landing in the slurry pit would flow out of gaps in the sheet pile wall. It then passed through the roughly 3′ of soil between the sheet pile wall and splash wall. Water then exited through joints in the splash wall.

A CJGeo crew member works on a sheet pile joint sealing job at the Thimble Shoals parallel tunnel project. The image shows the worker, the sheet piling walls, a bridge structure, and the ocean in the background.

Performing the chemical grout injection.

The Solution

CJGeo proposed using a single component, hydrophilic chemical grout to seal the joints. Hydrophilic grout is best for this particular repair. The area is quite dynamic. Hydrophilic’s ability to flex and stretch without tearing helps to ensure longevity. This area is constantly exposed to moisture. Therefore, dimensional stability is not a concern. A CJGeo chemical grouting crew of three people completed the sheet pile joint sealing repairs in less than a day. Some chemical grout extruded out through the joint in the splash wall. It was broken off flush with the surface and disposed of offsite.

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