SUBMERGED VOID FILLING

摘要

Systems and methods for filling submerged voids (102) with a foam-fluidized fill material (104) in an efficient and economical manner are disclosed herein. The foam fluidized fill material (104) is a granular solid material fluidized with a foam. The foam-fluidized fill material (104) is pumped or gravity-fed through an insertion tube (118) into the submerged void (102). The insertion tube (118) terminates at a point lying below a surface (122) of the liquid (106) within the void (102). Since the foam-fluidized fill material (104) is heavier than the liquid (104), the foam-fluidized fill material (104) exiting the insertion tube (118) sinks to the bottom of the void (102) and expands laterally at the bottom of the void (102) displacing the liquid (104). The liquid (104) is forced upward and out of the void (102) where it may be collected. Further, as the fill material (104) fills the void (102), the foam dissipates and the fill material (104) self compacts, making the filled void sufficiently load bearing.