3

Reinforcement & Stop end

4 1

Guide Wall
2

Concrete Trench & Bentonite

STEP 1: Construct Guide wall

Guide wall is two parallel concrete beams constructed along the side wall to guide the grab/trench cutter To ensure the position and verticality of the diaphragm wall To provide support during suspension of reinforcement cage

STEP 2: Trench Excavation

Cable grab/ hydraulic grab used to cut and remove the soil to form the panel. Excavation crane would maintained at a safe distance from the edge of opened trench. Type of grab depends on ground condition. Thickness of the grab to suit with Diaphragm Wall thickness.

CLAMSHELL

HYDROMILL

STEP 2: Trench excavaTion (conTD)

Bentonite is a specially selected fine clay, with large viscosity. Bentonite slurry is used to support and protect the sides of excavation wall. The slurry produce great lateral pressure sufficient to retain vertical soil.

BENTONITE

STEP 2: Trench excavaTion (conTD)

Diaphragm wall cannot be constructed continually for a very long section due to limitation and size of machinery. It is usually constructed in alternative section/panel.

Stage 1

Stage 3

Stage 4

Stage 2

STEP 3: placing of Stop end & reinforcement

After excavation is completed, stop end is installed at the end of the excavated panels. Stop end is only inserted into panel that is having joints. As panel sections are formed alternatively leaving an intermediate section in between, the in between section is without stop end.

TYPICAL PANEL ARRANGEMENT

STEP 3: placing of Stop end & reinforcemenT (conTD)

A rubber water stop is incorporated into the stop end prior to placing into panel. Stop end is left in place at the end of the panel until the beside panel is excavated. Stop end is extracted sideways. This not only protects the concrete of the previous panel, but also maintained the cleanliness and quality of the joint.

STOP END

INSERTING WATER STOP

STEP 3: placing of Stop end & reinforcemenT (conTD)

Reinforcement cages are pre-fabricated on site. The cage is lowered down upon completion of installation of stop end. The cage is equipped with concrete spacer to ensure the minimum specified concrete cover is achieved. Where an inclinometer is required, reservation in the form of welding connected steel pipe for inclinometer shall be provided into the cage.

PRE-FABRICATED REINFORCEMENT CAGE

PLACING CAGE

STEP 4: Placing of concrete

Concrete is poured into trench through tremie pipes. The tremie pipe is less than 300 mm and are made up of coupled sections. During concreting, tremie pipe is ensured to embed into the concrete in order to avoid bentonite intrusion and concrete quality control. Concrete cubes are taken to assess the concrete strength.

CONCRETING

Illustration of complete diaphragm wall