Recycled Polymer Application During Pile Boring Operations: A Review

Pile foundation is widely used in the construction of marine structures. In offshore and marine piling work, drilling/boring supporting fluid is used to stabilize the borehole (excavation) prior to tremie concrete. The poly-fluid is a synthetic drilling granular polymer mainly used for boring operations of deep foundations. Disposal of polymers after using them in the sea pollutes the sea environment, which may be harmful to living organisms inside the sea. In this study, an attempt is made to review the methodology and tests conducted on recycled supporting fluid to provide economic and environmental solutions during pile boring operation. First, the selection of supporting fluid confirming desired characteristics is done. Thereafter fluid is utilized for boring operations. Moreover, the used slurry is reused by treating it with an additional dose of fresh material/polymers. The amount of fresh materials/polymer to be added can be decided based on (viscosity, density and pH value) test results. The quality of recycled fluid is checked based on obtained test results. After getting satisfactory results, it is reused and finally disposed of at suitable dumping places.