Conditions Where

Diaphragm Walls Are Used

Marco D. Boscardin, PhD, PE, DGE
Boscardin Consulting Engineers, Inc.
DFI Seminar - 16 October 2012

What Drives Basement

Construction Practices?
Economy
Local Experience and Expertise
Local Tradition
Local Geology
Groundwater
Right-of-Way Issues
Other Site Constraints

Why Use Diaphragm Walls?

Improved Control Ground Loss During Wall

Construction
Improved Control Adjacent Ground Movements

During Mass Excavation and Load Transfer

Control Groundwater Infiltration
To Serve as Final Walls and Load Bearing Elements
Alternatives such as T-Panels and Post Tensioning

Concrete Diaphragm Walls

Advantages

Temporary and Perm. Groundwater Control

Less Vibration and Better Movement Control
Flexibility in Construction Sequence and
Ground Conditions Accommodated

Limitations

Work Area Needed

Cost
Specialized Equipment

Where Diaphragm Walls are Used

When Large, Deep Basements are Needed

Courtesy Nicholson and

Architect of The Capitol

BCEI

Courtesy Nicholson and

Architect of The Capitol

BCEI

Where Diaphragm Walls are Used

When Large, Deep Basements are Needed
Dense Urban Settings Where Impact on

Adjacent Properties a Concern

Where Diaphragm Walls are Used

When Large, Deep Basements are Needed
Dense Urban Settings Where Impact on

Adjacent Properties a Concern

To Eliminate the Need for Underpinning

Existing Structures

10 St. James

Braced Cut for Building

Where Diaphragm Walls are Used

When Large, Deep Basements are Needed
Dense Urban Settings Where Impact on Adjacent

Properties a Concern
To Eliminate the Need for Underpinning Existing

Structures
To Expedite Construction Schedule
Serve as Final Walls
Top-Down Construction
Serve as Foundation Elements

Russia Wharf Project

Where Diaphragm Walls are Used

When Large, Deep Basements are Needed
Dense Urban Settings Where Impact on Adjacent Properties a

Concern
To Eliminate the Need for Underpinning Existing Structures
To Expedite Construction Schedule

Serve as Final Walls

Top-Down Construction
Serve as Foundation Elements

Special Cases

Circular Diaphragm Wall

Diaphragm Wall for Tunnel Eye

Soft eye
Fiberglass piles

North Shore Connector,

Pittsburgh - AECOM

T-Panels and Post-Tensioned Panels

Geotechnical Conditions and

Diaphragm Walls
Compatible with Most Soil Conditions

(Mechanical and Hydraulic Clam Rigs)

Loose to Dense Sands

Soft to Stiff Clays

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Herbert Hoover Dike Rehabilitation

Hydraulic clamshell Soilmec SM-870 with BH12

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Herbert Hoover Dike Rehabilitation

Mechanical Clamshell
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Geotechnical Conditions and

Diaphragm Walls
Compatible with Most Soil Conditions

(Mechanical and Hydraulic Clam Rigs)

Loose to Dense Sands

Soft to Stiff Clays

Compatible with Weaker Rocks (Hydromill)

Hard Clay, Chalk, Shale, Sandstone

Hydromill Rig

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Herbert Hoover Dike Rehabilitation

Hydromill Cutter
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Cutter Soil Mixing (CSM) Rig

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Geotechnical Conditions and

Diaphragm Walls
Compatible with Most Soil Conditions

(Mechanical and Hydraulic Clam Rigs)

Loose to Dense Sands

Soft to Stiff Clays

Compatible with Weaker Rocks (Hydromill)

Hard Clay, Chalk, Shale, Sandstone

Difficulties with Soils Containing Many

Boulders

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Drop Chisel for Rock Excavation

Vibrations and Wall Construction

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Geotechnical Conditions and

Diaphragm Walls
Compatible with Most Soil Conditions

(Mechanical and Hydraulic Clam Rigs)

Loose to Dense Sands

Soft to Stiff Clays

Compatible with Weaker Rocks (Hydromill)

Hard Clay, Chalk, Shale, Sandstone
Difficulties with Soils Containing Many

Boulders
Difficulties where Slurry is Lost e.g. Karst,
Coarse Gravels

Typical Goals for a Diaphragm Wall

Use Slurry to Counterbalance Lateral Ground

and Water Pressures and Provide Support to

Limit Ground Loss During Wall Excavation
and Placement

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Courtesy Nicholson
BCEI

Typical Goals for a Diaphragm Wall

Use Slurry to Counterbalance Lateral Ground

and Water Pressures and Provide Support to

Limit Ground Loss During Wall Excavation
and Placement
Place a Stiff Element in the Ground so that a

Wider Support Spacing and a More Open

Work Space are Possible

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Typical Goals for a Diaphragm Wall

Use Slurry to Counterbalance Lateral Ground

and Water Pressures and Provide Support to

Limit Ground Loss During Wall Excavation
and Placement
Place a Stiff Element in the Ground so that a

Wider Support Spacing and a More Open

Work Space are Possible
Limit Water Inflows

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Russia Wharf Project

Diaphragm Walls and Water

Better than Other Conventional Walls
Soldier Piles and Lagging
Driven Sheet Piles
But Not Perfect, Shrinkage, Movement
Each Joint is a Potential Source of Leakage
Walls Flex and Joints Open and Close with

Excavation and Filling

Can be Addressed with Special Joint Details

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Slurry Walls Not Totally Watertight

P = Primary SPTC
Wall Panel
S = Secondary
SPTC Wall Panel

Gaps Grows Larger Between

Concrete and Steel Pile on Dry
Side Due to Shrinkage of Concrete
as it Dries and is Subjected to
Large Temperature Fluctuations

Surface Cracking
Develops in Response to
Cyclic Drying and Cyclic
Freeze-Thaw

Soil Between Walls Excavated and Dry Side Exposed to

Changes in Temperature and Humidity
LD-IV-1-10-39

Example of an Improved Joint

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Diaphragm Wall Considerations

Panel Size
Affects Ground Loss
Affects Cost of Construction
Number and Types of Joints
Affects Water Tightness
Affects Load Transfer Between Panels
Support Spacing and Subgrade Soil Strength
Overall System Stiffness
Controls Ground Movements and Impacts on
Adjacent Structures

Opencut Movements

Clough & ORourke, 1990

BCEI

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Horizontal Wall Movement vs. Stiffness

Clough &
ORourke, 1990

BCEI

Adaptable to Special Construction

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Jacked Tunnel Access Pits

Schematic Section of Jacking Pit Looking

East
Cross Lot
Bracing

Post Tension
Slurry
Walls

Relief Holes

Frozen
Soil

Jet Grout
In Situ
Bracing

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Moveable Diaphragm Wall

Relief Holes Along Post-Tensioned

Panels
Control of
ground
freeze
pressures
unique
application in
U.S.

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Summary
Diaphragm Walls a Competitive Alternative
Provides Enhanced Ground Loss Control

During Wall Construction

Provides a Stiffer Support System to Better
Control Ground Movements
Provides Improved Ground Water Control
Can Serve as Load Bearing Elements
Can be Reconfigured and Post-Tensioned for
Greater Stiffness.

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