Geotechnical characterization of a novel material obtained by injecting a closed cell expansive polyurethane resin into a sand mass

•Novel application of a closed cell expansive polyurethane resin injection.•Introduction of a new system for the preparation of the sand-resin mixture (SRM)•The expansion ratio of the resin was a direct consequence of water availability.•The SRM may be studied as a soft rock.•The SRM shows an essentially plastic behaviour for large deformations.