Project Contractor
T&A Rock Works Inc.
Project Details
Removing rock using GeoBreak Expanding Grout in residential area. Use non-explosive approach to aid the use of a rock breaker to reduce machine time –Kelowna, BC – completed February 2020
Scope of the Project
- Use GeoBreak Expanding Grout to break rock to provide aid in the use of a rock breaker attachment
- Non-explosive, cost effective alternative when explosives were not used
A hard, blue granite rock required removal in a residential area in Kelowna British Columbia. The use of a rock breaker was used in a previous area that melted the breaker attachment bit on a large machine. Approximately 180 holes were drilled, 6’ average drill length with 1’ of spacing in between drilled holes.
Which GeoBreak Products Were Recommended
GeoBreak Expanding Grout Type III was recommended for this rock breaking project. With an average hole length of 6’ in hard rock conditions, a 1’ drilling pattern was recommended to allow to effecinent expansion of the rock to expand into areas with more relief creating more efficient excavator performance.
Expected Outcome
The expected outcome of using GeoBreak Expanding Grout was to heave apart the rock and allow for a machine to rock break efficiently speeding up hammer time and reducing machine time.
Actual Outcome
GeoBreak Expanding Grout broke the rock (granite) making the use of a rock breaker much more manageable and faster.
Final Thoughts From The Project Contractors
GeoBreak Expanding Grout worked fantastically for the excavation. A previous area in proximity to the rock breaking we experience slow production nearly melting our rock breaker attachment. Drilled occurred near the end of the week and the Expanding Grout was mixed and poured into the holes on Friday and covered off with a tarp. The following Monday the rock was cracked and broken spending only 1 hour on a rock breaker just the toe of the back wall. Using GeoBreak’s Expanding Grout increases our production in sensitive excavations reducing downstream costs with equipment (rock breaker bits) and less time spent in a machine breaking rock which near by residents can appreciate. GeoBreak’s product is readily available and allows T&A to continue to expand on our services creating the best solution for our customers. Without the use of preblast surveys, permits or notifying neighbours, GeoBreak Expanding Grout provides much less red tape when we are unable to blast using explosives.
“Less than an hour of hammering (just toe of back wall) worked awesome!!!” – @tysonjones81
