At the cutting edge of innovation, Rock Busters makes the toughest rock and concrete breaking jobs easy and hassle-free. Whether you are working in a quarry or mine removing tons of rock, a blaster faced with a sensitive job, or a homeowner trying to remove rock or concrete from a crawl space, our expanding grout will get the job done. When you choose expanding grout, the risk of noise, vibrations, fly-rock, and expansion gases are eliminated.

The Science of the Split

When expanding grout powder is mixed with water, an exothermic reaction occurs, meaning that it gives off large amounts of heat. During this reaction, it forms crystals, which cause the expansion of volume as the unit cell of this crystal structure is larger than the individual components of the substance when dry. The grout continues to expand, and once the internal pressure overtakes the hardness or density of the rock or concrete, cracking will occur. Softer and less dense rock will crack within only a few hours, whereas harder materials could take 24 to 48 hours.

Excavation Principles and Techniques

The principle for rock extraction always remains the same: first, try to create a relief by removing the toe, then start the extraction from this edge. Cracking always occurs in the direction of the lowest resistance. Planning your drill pattern is essential because a well-designed hole-drilling pattern improves the effectiveness of the grout, allows for more targeted and controlled breaking, and protects sensitive surrounding structures.

Step-by-Step Excavation Guide

Choose the Right Product: Use ROCK-X for small to medium-sized projects where 1 inch to 2 inch diameter holes are drilled. Choose ROCK-XX for large commercial projects where holes can be drilled from 2.5 inches to 5 inches in diameter, which saves money by requiring less drilling and less product.

Determine Temperature: Select the specific type of ROCK-X or ROCK-XX (Type 0, 1, 2, or 3) based on the core temperature of the material to be cracked.

Drill Your Pattern: For boulders, a 1.5 inch diameter hole with 16 inch spacing is recommended. For demolition, holes are drilled in a grid pattern where each hole spiders into another.

Mix and Pour: Add 1.5L of water per 1 bag of grout. Mix on low speed until the mixture has a smooth consistency. Pour the mixture into the holes; funnels might be required for ROCK-X.

Create Relief: There are several alternatives to create the necessary relief or expansion space, such as digging around or removing soil tightly enclosing the boulders or drilling a series of empty relief holes.

Wait for Results: Small cracks can begin to appear in as early as 6 hours. However, waiting for 12 to 48 hours will result in more extensive and wider cracks. Expansion and cracking can occur for up to 2 weeks.

Why Planning Your Pattern Matters

A well-designed hole-drilling pattern saves money on the quantity of grout consumed and ensures the job is done right the first time. Generally, a larger borehole diameter means more force, a shorter reaction time, and wider cracking. A lesser spacing of the drill holes results in smaller fragments and a shorter reaction time.

Safety First

Expanding grout is environmentally friendly and releases no noxious gases. However, eye protection, safety gloves, and a dust-proof facemask are highly recommended when mixing and pouring.