Diaphragm Wall

DIAPHRAGM WALL CONSTRUCTION
In areas where deep excavations are to be carried out, diaphragm wall was used to carry lateral
loads and prevent water passage. The diaphragm wall acts as a retaining wall and provides
resistance to lateral loads. The project field was both near the sea and had deep excavation for
another tower building. Therefore, diaphragm wall was a must before foundation excavations.
Guide Walls
Figure 30: Guide Wall

Before starting the excavation of the diaphragm wall, guide walls were constructed. Two
temporary parallel concrete beams were built to guide the excavator and stabilize the upper part.
These walls, built as cast in-place, were used to prevent superficial ground migration, determine
the position of the panels and support the steel cages, while also ensuring the horizontal
alignment of the wall and wall continuity.
Construction of Diaphragm Panels
The diaphragm wall was formed by joining the curtains, which are made of it piece by piece.
Curtains that were poured in parts are called panels. The diaphragm panels were categorized into
two: primer and seconder panels. First, the excavation of the primary panels was started, and the
secondary panels were built between the primary diaphragm wall panels.
Primer Panel
Figure 30: Primer Panel with Stop-Ends
Steel stop-end pipes, which served as guides to the grab machine vertically, passed in the form of
pipes to increase the rigidity and waterproofing length between the panels, were lowered to the
bottom. Also, stop-end pipes provided interlocking of diaphragm wall panels.
Stop-End Equipment
Figure 30: Stop-End Pipes
Figure 30: Hydraulic Pump

Figure 30: Power Supply
By taking the energy from power supply, stop-end pipes were lowered to the bottom.
Seconder Panel
It was constructed between two primer panels. To reduce the number of ports and strengthen
them in terms of sealing, their length was preferred longer than the primary.
(That's why our secondary panels were about 6.5 meters long)
about 1 meter more than 2 grab tall (2,80+2,80+1)
Panel Excavation
The soil was excavated downwards using a grab machine until the desired level was reached.
With the use of bentonite slurry, the migration of the panel was prevented during excavation,
reinforcement, and casting. The slurry formed a thick layer on the walls of the panel, which
balanced the hydraulic forces inward and prevented the flow of water into the panel.
Figure 30: Diaphragm Panel Excavation
At the end of excavation, the depth of panel was checked.
Figure 30: Check for Depth

Bentonite
Bentonite is used in long-lasting structures, sealing curtain and impermeable wall constructions,
impermeable building wall constructions and load-resistant building walls thanks to its
unadulterated, homogeneous, and natural structure. Also, due to its dense structure, it was used to
resist lateral loads within the soil. Therefore, it was used to prevent the panel from collapsing
under the influence of lateral loads during excavation.
Bentonite and water are mixed in suitable amounts in mixers, the density of bentonite was
determined according to the ground conditions and underground/artesian water conditions.
Figure 30: Bentonite Mixer
Raw bentonite weighing 90 kg per 1000 liters of water was mixed for 10 minutes in a bentonite
mixer. From there, it was transferred to clean bentonite tanks and silos.
Figure 30: Clean-Dirty Silos Figure 30: Bentonite Tank
Bentonite in the well was continuously passed through the desander sand screening machine
during the excavation and was removed from the sand by revolution and transferred to the well or
silos in tanks for use in subsequent excavations.
Figure 30: Desander Sand Screening Machine

Reinforcement Placement
Figure 30: (a)
Figure 30: (b)

Figure 30 (a) (b): Reinforcement Placement
The previously prepared reinforcement cage was placed in the panel whose excavation was
completed by hanging it at the height specified in the project with the help of a crane.
Bentonite Cleaning
Figure 30: Bentonite Cleaning
In order to purify bentonite with increased density at the base, the existing bentonite at the base
was removed by a “base pump”, while clean bentonite from the top was added to the well,
resulting in purer and sand-free bentonite. This process was called the bentonite cleaning process.
The duration of this cleaning process was maintained until the bentonite density in the well
matched the test values.
After cleaning bentonite, certain tests were performed on the sample:

Figure 30: Well Testing Apparatus
Using the apparatus in Figure 30, sample was taken from the well.
Figure 30: Sand Ratio Test

In sand ratio test, the ratio of sand was supposed to be maximum 4 %. So far, the maximum ratio
recorded was 2.5 %.
Figure 30: Density Test
Using the apparatus in Figure 30, density was supposed to be greater than 1 g/cm3 to resist
hydrostatic pressure on the panel. Therefore, the density values were always greater than 1 g/cm3
and max 1.15 g/cm3.
Figure 30: Viscosity Test

In viscosity test, the discharge was supposed to be complete between 32-50 seconds and the
values were always between these times.
Concrete Casting
Figure 30: Concrete Casting by Tremie Pipes
After the bentonite tests were over, the reinforcement cage was placed in the drill hole and
enough working space was left on the cage for the free movement of the tremie pipe. At the same
time, another pump (submersible pump) was lowered to the ground level and the tremie pipe was
lowered into the well with a service crane, and concreting was done with the help of a pipe to
prevent the concrete from decomposing. It was poured in such a way that it was filled from the
bottom up with a tremie pipe. Concrete was poured from 1 meter above and pulled up by 1 meter
in each mixer. For bentonite and concrete not to mix, another pump began to absorb bentonite
from above and sent it back to the tank.
Figure 30: Tremie Pipes Figure 30: Submersible Pump
After 4-6 hours of concrete casting, the stop-end pipes were removed and the whole process was
completed successfully.
Header Beam
The header beam served to connect the panels together and created continuity of the diaphragm
wall. Also, it allowed the panels to work together. Therefore, it was the last and a significant
structure built after the panels.

Figure 30: Header Beam

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DIAPHRAGM WALL CONSTRUCTION

Figure 30: Guide Wall

alignment of the wall and wall continuity.

Construction of Diaphragm Panels

bottom. Also, stop-end pipes provided interlocking of diaphragm wall panels.

Figure 30: Hydraulic Pump

about 1 meter more than 2 grab tall (2,80+2,80+1)

Figure 30: Diaphragm Panel Excavation

At the end of excavation, the depth of panel was checked.

Figure 30: Check for Depth

under the influence of lateral loads during excavation.

determined according to the ground conditions and underground/artesian water conditions.

Figure 30: Bentonite Mixer

silos in tanks for use in subsequent excavations.

Figure 30: Desander Sand Screening Machine

Figure 30: (a)

Figure 30: (b)

Figure 30: Bentonite Cleaning

matched the test values.

After cleaning bentonite, certain tests were performed on the sample:

Figure 30: Sand Ratio Test

recorded was 2.5 %.

Figure 30: Density Test

and max 1.15 g/cm3.

Figure 30: Viscosity Test

values were always between these times.

Figure 30: Concrete Casting by Tremie Pipes

from above and sent it back to the tank.

Figure 30: Tremie Pipes Figure 30: Submersible Pump

structure built after the panels.

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