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Why is bentonite slurry commonly used in diaphragm wall construction?

Bentonite slurry is one of the most common excavation fluid used in constructing diaphragm wall. Bentonite clay (in powder form) and water are combined in a colloidal mixer and clay particles bond to each other and set to form a gel when left to stand for a period of time. When the bentonite is set in motion, it reverts back to the fluid state rapidly.

Bentonite slurry shores the trench to stabilize the excavation and forms a filter cake on the slurry trench walls that reduces the slurry wall’s final soil permeability and to reduce ground water flow. The gel strength and viscosity properties of the bentonite clay allow for cutting suspension and removal.

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This question is taken from book named – A Closer Look at Prevailing Civil Engineering Practice – What, Why and How by Vincent T. H. CHU.

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Kanwarjot Singh

Kanwarjot Singh is the founder of Civil Engineering Portal, a leading civil engineering website which has been awarded as the best online publication by CIDC. He did his BE civil from Thapar University, Patiala and has been working on this website with his team of Civil Engineers.

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4 comments on "Why is bentonite slurry commonly used in diaphragm wall construction?"

sudhanshu singhal says:

that’s a perfect reoson for use a bentonite slurry in construction of D-wall…………..

Uday S Joshi says:

Why Bentonite properties Kept different at the time of grabbing, Cage lowering and before concreting?

Raj says:

how can increase slurry density in bentonite, pl advise…

Songhonron Michael says:

Apart from stabilizing excavated walls, is it right to say that Bentolite Slurry can displace sand in a bored pile case after boring.

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