This report documents and presents the results of a study on determining effective methods for sealing geotechnical exploratory holes to protect the subsurface environment. Sealing criteria were established so that candidate sealing materials and methods could be reviewed to allow selection of the most promising seal materials for further testing. After a detailed state-of-the-practice review, a series of laboratory and field experiments were devised and performed to evaluate the sealing properties of a number of viable seals. The findings of the review and experimentation stages of the work were used to develop a comprehensive set of sealing guidelines that can be implemented and used to seal exploratory holes following a site investigation. The information presented in this report provides the basis for the development of the guidelines. These guidelines were produced as a separate document supplementary to this report. (A)
Samenvatting