Weber - Ground Consolidation, Strata Support, Sealing, Cavity Filling and Geological Event Control

Founded in 1960 by Adolphe Weber, the inventor of phenol-based filling foam, the Weber Group now operates worldwide in providing the mining tunnelling and civil engineering industries with innovative solutions for ground consolidation, strata support, sealing, cavity filling and the control of geological events (landslips, roof falls, ventilation problems, heating etc.). All with increased productivity and safety in mind.

Our technical skills and expertise in polymer preparation means that we can offer you a range of exclusive products, already tried and tested under the toughest conditions. We possess 40 years of involvement on-site, with more than 50,000t of product injected for strata consolidation in mines and major civil engineering projects around the world.

Our research and development programme is based on continuous quality improvement, making us the supplier of choice in this field. Our products are always focused on the needs of our clients and comply fully with the latest industrial rules and standards.

MARITHAN POLYURETHANE GROUND STABILISATION SYSTEM

The Marithan polyurethane ground stabilisation systems, are flexible two-component products that are particularly well suited for fractured, ground-layer injection. The injection pattern should be adapted to suit the degree of ground destabilisation.

The Marithan system is used for consolidation of water-bearing strata and water stopping. Injection is carried out using a metering pump and mixing gun. In addition to their bonding and high compression strength, Marithan polyurethane systems offer excellent elastic qualities that maintain stabilisation even after ground movements.

Weber have also developed a new system specifically for the coal mining industry in order to reduce the reaction temperature for more safety.

ROCSIL FOAM FOR CAVITY FILLING AND STRATA CONTROL

Rocsil foam is a two-component injection product, intended for cavity filling, air and gas sealing and consolidation of highly fractured strata. Rocsil is applied using a metering pump and a mixing gun.

The mixing resin and catalyst, in a volume ratio of 4:1, produces an immediate foaming reaction, followed by a rapid expansion of the product to as much as 30 times its original volume. After expansion, Rocsil foam hardens in several minutes.

Its rapid application, high expansion rate, good compressive resistance and excellent anti-static properties offer an economical, quick and safe cavity filling solution. By virtue of its fire-resistance, Rocsil foam is also suitable for sealing off underground heatings, as well as for fire-fighting duties in deep mines.

IGLONEIGE FILLING AND AIR / GAS SEALING FOAM

Igloneige is a two-component foam intended for sealing off air and gas, also for filling voids where no mechanical resistance is required. The product is applied using a pump and a foam injection gun. The two components, a resin and a foaming agent, are mixed in 20:15 or 1:1 volume ratios. The foam is mechanically activated in the gun by means of compressed air. Igloneige self-supporting foam requires no preliminary formwork for product application.

WEBER GROUP FOAMS IN USE

In March 2002 the Polish Wesola colliery re-opened roadway 'X', in seam 501B west on the 665m level, in order to develop stone-drift II. This work was subsequently halted by a massive inrush of CH4 into the junction of the roadway and the stone drift. A mineral-foam stopping was constructed, but this failed to reduce the gas-flow.

A total of 7,750kg of Rocsil foam was then introduced in order to seal the stopping and fill the cavities around the external surfaces of the two roadways over a length of some 15m. The roadway walls were also sealed by guniting with 4,810kg of Igloneige. The gas inflow was successfully halted and the mining authorities gave permission for the drivage work to continue.