Method for filling large volume holes

Abstract

The present disclosure provides methods to fill large holes rapidly with polyurethanes by injecting polyurethanes in a plurality of containers having volumes less than the volume of the hole to be filled, letting the polyurethanes cure in the containers, and using the polyurethane-filled containers to fill the large hole. Additional filling polymers may be added in between and on top of each layer of polyurethane-filled containers.

1 . A method comprising the steps of:
 introducing, into a container, a polymer composition configured to harden through a chemical reaction, in which the hardened polymer composition forms a filling block; and   allowing the polymer composition to react for an amount of time to achieve a compressive strength of at least 20 psi.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of placing the filling block in a hole. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising placing one or more additional filling blocks in the hole, wherein the filling block and the additional filling blocks are configured to form a layer of filling blocks. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising the step of placing additional polymer composition in between the blocks placed in the hole. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising the step of placing additional polymer composition on top of the layer of filling blocks placed in the hole. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the additional polymer composition is allowed to cure for at least about 15 minutes before adding another layer of filling blocks. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of removing the container after the polymer has hardened. 
     
     
         8 . A method of filling a hole comprising the steps of:
 placing a plurality of filling blocks in a hole to at least partially fill the hole, wherein the filling block comprises a hardened polymer composition having a compressive strength of at least 20 psi.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the step of placing additional polymer composition in between the blocks placed in the hole. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the step of placing additional polymer composition on top of the blocks placed in the hole. 
     
     
         11 . A hole-filling block comprising:
 a container, said container defining therein a volume;   a polymer composition placed in the container, the polymer composition configured to harden and achieve a compressive strength of at least 20 psi as a result of a chemical reaction;   wherein the hole-filling block is configured to be placed in a hole to fill the hole.   
     
     
         12 . The hole-filling block of  claim 11 , wherein the material of the container is selected from a group consisting of paper, mesh, fiberglass, polyester, textile, fabric, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The hole-filling block of  claim 11 , wherein the container is a bag. 
     
     
         14 . The hole-filling block of  claim 11 , in which the container comprises an injection opening configured to receive injection of the polymer composition into the container. 
     
     
         15 . The hole-filling block of  claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of sides,
 wherein at least one side is configured to expand the volume of the container upon injection of the polymer.