Cementation is the process or technique of forcing cement grout (ie a mixture of cement, sand and water) under pressure into cracks, voids or fissures in a structural component or ground. That is, all the components of a structure in general and foundations in particular, which are liable to ingress of moisture, are strengthened and therefore made water resistant by this cementation process.
In this process, holes are drilled at selected points in the structure and cement grout of sufficiently thin consistency is forced under pressure to ensure full penetration into cracks or voids. It makes the structure water tight and restores its stability and strength to some extent.
Similarly, when the structure rests on stiff but loose-textured ground, this process can increase its strength. For this, the pipes are driven into the ground, the cores inside the pipes are removed by an earth auger and finally the grout is forced (pumped) to fill the voids, loose pockets etc. in the ground.
This technique is also used to repair structures, strengthen ground to improve bearing capacity, create water cut offs to prevent leakage etc.
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