Slurry Cutoff Walls
Slurry cutoff walls are nonstructural underground walls that serve as a barrier to the horizontal flow of water and other fluids. This technique is typically used to build walls surrounding tunnels and open cuts, and to lay foundations. It is constructed with the aid of a viscous stabilizing fluid known as slurry. In the cement-bentonite (C-B) method, cement is added to the bentonite water slurry just prior to its introduction into the trench. In addition to serving as a stabilizing fluid to maintain an open trench during excavation, the cement-bentonite slurry remains to set up and form the permanent cutoff wall.
Using the Cement-Bentonite method for slurry cutoff walls can be very beneficial in the fact that it is not dependent on a high-quality soil for backfill by reinforcing weak soils to ensure trench stability. Cement also has great flexibility in affording the opportunity to trench in subfreezing temperatures. Thanks to the chemical binder properties of cement, work can be completed in tighter spaces while maintaining the same strength and impermeable properties.
PCA’s Market Development Department is staffed with engineers experienced in the use of cement-based technologies for a wide variety of infrastructure applications, and they are available to answer your questions. Learn more about their expertise and how to contact them here: Meet the Experts.