Study on the Diffusion Characteristics of Polymer Grouting Materials Applied for Crack Filling in Underground Mines Based on Numerical Simulation and Experimental Methods

Polymer grouting materials are increasingly used in the filling of mine fissures. Unlike conventional inorganic grouting materials, the self-expansion of polymers adds complexity to their diffusion process within the crack. The objective of this research was to examine how polymer grouting material spreads in cracks at ambient temperatures and pressure. The investigation involved conducting grouting tests and performing numerical fluid simulation calculations using the finite-volume method in the computational fluid dynamics software, ANSYS FLUENT 2022 R1. The fluid volume approach was employed to determine the boundary between fluid and air and to ascertain the variation patterns of density in the slurry and the fracture system. This study applied the principles of fluid mechanics to investigate the patterns of variation in the physical characteristics of polymer grouting materials, including their density, pressure, flow velocity, and movement distance, during the diffusion process. The results indicated that the density of the polymer grouting material decreased exponentially over time throughout the diffusion process. With the increase in the grouting's volume, the grout's pressure and the permeable distance of the grout increased. The slurry's pressure near the grouting hole exceeded the other points' pressure. The physical parameters of the slurry were numerically simulated by ANSYS FLUENT 2022 R1 software, and the results were compared with the experimental data. After comparing the numerical simulation results with the test data, it was clear that the numerical simulation method was superior in accurately predicting the distribution pattern of each parameter of the polymer slurry during diffusion. The grouting volume, pressure distribution, and real-time change in the position of the flow of slurry could be efficiently determined through numerical calculation and simulated grouting tests. This work can offer valuable information for designing polymer grouting materials used in underground mine fissures.