INTRODUCTION (ARIES ALTEZA)

I. HISTORY
- Was developed 30 years ago, but was not widely used.

II. DEFINITION
- A cast-in-place reinforced concrete column
- A rectangular diaphragm wall element that is being used as deep foundation
- Large and have high load bearing capacity
- Load-bearing elements that are excavated rectangular piles used as foundations to resist
large vertical and significant horizontal loads that can accompany the construction of
diaphragm walls.

III. WHY IT IS USED

- Ideal foundation method for high-rise buildings and deep basement excavations
- Provides resistance to horizontal stress and bending moments than circular piles of the
same section, so that one single pile is sufficient under each column or bearing element.

IV. DIFFERENCE FROM OTHER DEEP FOUNDATIONS

- CHARACTERISTICS: shape and way of drilling, with the use of hydrofraise or grab-
bucket

V. PLACES/ STRUCTURES IT WAS USED

- ICC Towers, Hongkong
- Cidades de Musica (City of Music), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Odebrecht Headquarters, Sao Paulo, Brazil

ADVANTAGES (KAREN JOY RAMOS)

Complimentary to/in combine with Diaphragm wall construction.
 Due to their massive size, barrettes facilitate top down construction.
o This is achieved by extending the barrette to ground surface level or, if the
barrette sections are considered too large in the context of parking arrangements,
plunge columns of smaller section can be placed into the barrettes.
Concrete backfilling can be terminated at any depth
o The execution of non-concreted lengths is possible.
Very high bearing capacity.
o At great installation depths, barrettes resist large concentrated vertical loads; they
carry off significant horizontal stress and bending moments better than circular
piles of the same section so that one single pile is sufficient under each column or
bearing element

The bottom of the excavation can penetrate resistant or rocky soil layers to accommodate
high loadings.
Low environmental impact during the works only moderate noise, no vibration during
construction.
 Fast execution and optimized construction costs, since the same element can be used as a
supporting wall (Diaphragm wall), a cut-off wall and a deep foundation element.
Can be constructed close to existing buildings.
o A clearance of about 30 cm from the outer walls of buildings must be observed.
Can be constructed in a very wide range of soil types.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS (RICCA MAE R. PARAS)

1. Vibration-free execution
Construction often generates community noise/vibration complaints, even when it takes
place over a limited time frame. In recent years, public concerns about construction noise
and vibration have increased significantly, due partly to lengthy periods of heavy
construction on some mega-projects and also to the increasing prevalence of nighttime
construction that is undertaken to avoid disrupting workday road and rail traffic. Noise
and vibration complaints typically arise from interference with people's activities,
especially when the adjacent community has no clear understanding of the extent or
duration of the construction. Misunderstandings can arise when the contractor is
considered to be insensitive by the community, even though the contractor believes the
work is being performed in compliance with local ordinances. This situation underscores
the need for early identification and assessment of potential problem areas.
2. Removal of soil and disposal of bentonite
Bentonite is an absorbent clay that has aluminum properties and is formed out of volcanic
ash. While commonly found in beauty products to absorb high amounts of oil in the skin,
bentonite is also often used in large quantities in various drilling and construction
applications. This form of bentonite, when it is liquefied into slurry, must be disposed of
 carefully and properly to avoid compromising the safety of the people who may be
exposed to it.
3. Low noise pollution
On construction worksites there are many different noise sources and these sources
exhibit many differing types of noise such as background noise, idling noise, blast noise,
impact noise, rotating noise, intermittent noise, howling, screeches and squeals that need
to be controlled
4. Removal of debris, demolition of old foundations and backfill with stabilized sand
Cement stabilized sand creates an economical alternative to standard bases for paved
surfaces such as roads and parking areas. Cement stabilized sand is widely available and
cost-efficient; it utilizes less cement for a surface area while maintaining its durability.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION (JOHN JOSEPH R. AUSTRIA)

A barrette is a pile that excavated using grabs and chisels through a thixotropic
suspension of bentonite or other agent which support the side shafts as excavation
proceeds, and which is concreted in one continuous operation.
Excavation for Barrettes
1. Excavation of barrettes shall be carried out by mechanical methods. Blasting
shall not be used unless permitted by the Engineer.
2. The stability of excavations for barrettes shall be maintained by a thixotropic
slurry containing bentonite agent.
3. The height of guide walls for barrettes shall be such that the head of slurry is
sufficient to ensure the stability of excavations and that excessive movements
of the adjacent ground will not occur.

The excavation of barrettes under the protection of a bentonite suspension occurs by

means of various tools, chosen in relation to the nature of the soil: hydrofraise,
mechanical or hydraulic grab.

Length to be determined by reference to the body of the grab (2.85 m or 3.40 m) and on
the basis of the trench stability calculation (depending on the groundwater level, the grain
size distribution of the soil, the proximity of loads, the type of the bentonite)

Allowable bearing capacity from 5.000 kN upwards to 50.000 kN