Abstract: Seepage from sandstone fractures is an important cause of the deterioration of Dazu rock carvings, a world cultural heritage site. Fractures grouting is a traditional and effective way for the treatment of fracture seepage. A modified inorganic and environmental composite material of Metakaolin has been proposed for the grouting in the fractures of Dazu carvings. In this research, laboratory test with a man-made fracture was conducted to study the groutability of this material. By controlling the opening of fracture through two sandstone slates, the grouting procedure and minimum span of the artificial fracture were recorded to study the influence of water-cement ratio, grouting pressure and grouting duration. Results reveal that the minimum width that the slurry can flow into is controlled by the water-cement ratio, grouting pressure and grouting duration. Among the three factors, water-cement ratio plays a dominant role; while increasing the grouting pressure cannot improve the grouting efficiency obviously; raising the water-cement ratio and pressure or extending the grouting duration could improve the groutability of slurry in small fractures.

Key words: Dazu rock carvings, seepage from fracture, protection of cultural relics, grouting material, grouting test, groutability