Hindawi

Advances in Civil Engineering

Volume 2019, Article ID 3965374, 19 pages
https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/3965374

Review Article
Research Progress on Stability of Slurry Wall Trench of
Underground Diaphragm Wall and Design Method of Slurry
Unit Weight

Mingfeng Lei ,1,2 Linghui Liu ,1 Yuexiang Lin ,1 Chenghua Shi ,1 Weichao Yang ,1
Chengyong Cao ,1 and Yao Liu 1
1
School of Civil Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China
2
Key Laboratory of Engineering Structure of Heavy Haul Railway, Central South University, Changsha, China

Correspondence should be addressed to Weichao Yang; [email protected]

Received 22 July 2019; Accepted 19 September 2019; Published 16 December 2019

Academic Editor: Claudia Vitone

Copyright © 2019 Mingfeng Lei et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License,
which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
This paper performs an extensive literature survey and example investigation on the stabilisation of slurry wall trenches during the
construction of diaphragm wall panel trenches, and the failure modes of slurry wall trench instability, the stability theoretical
analysis models and methods, the slurry formation and its protection mechanism, the influence of related factors on slurry wall
trench stabilisation, and other related problems are summarized and analyzed emphatically. And then, based on the limit
equilibrium analysis method, the mechanical models of the overall stability and local stability of the trench wall are established,
respectively, and the design method of slurry unit weight is derived to ensure the stability of the trench wall. Furthermore, an
example application shows that the established slurry unit weight design method is reliable. At last, this paper also proposes the
focus and direction for follow-up work, that is, to construct an accurate and effective theoretical analysis model of slurry wall
trench instability considering the influence of multiple factors and the calculation method of the slurry cake and its mechanical or
mathematical relationship with slurry quality.

1. Introduction effective construction technology in underground and deep

foundation engineering [3, 4].
Diaphragm wall panel trenches are continuous underground The diaphragm wall panel trench excavation technology,
walls with seepage proof, waterproof, and retaining and which is characterised by small oscillations in construction
bearing functions that are formed by using digging machines processes, great wall stiffness, excellent integrity, rapid
to excavate narrow and deep grooves underground and pour construction speed, earth rock preservation, and applica-
materials inside with the help of a slurry wall [1]. Originated bility to all geological conditions, has widely been applied in
from Europe, the diaphragm wall panel trench excavation various underground projects. Japan, which owns the most
technology has been developed using the slurry and un- advanced technology about the diaphragm wall panel
derwater concreting method for oil drilling [2]. Following its trench, has constructed more than 1.5 × 107 m2 diaphragm
introduction in Milan in 1950, the slurry protection di- wall panel trench with the largest excavation depth of 140 m
aphragm wall panel trench was popularised in western and lowest wall thickness of 20 cm. In 1958, the Water and
developed countries and the former Soviet Union from the Electricity Department of China built a dam cutoff wall in
1950s to the 1960s. This technology, which includes basic Danzikou Reservoir, Qingdao, using the same technology.
processes such as guide wall construction, slurry wall pro- With the rapid development of urban infrastructure in re-
tection, trench construction, underwater concreting, and cent decades [5], the majority of the provinces of China has
wall segment joint processing, has also become the most adopted this technology successively in constructing
2 Advances in Civil Engineering

diaphragm wall panel trenches as large as 1.4 × 106 m2 [3]. stratum) and when the seepage force of the slurry cannot
The 13th Five-Year Development Plan of China (2016–2020) maintain its balance with the pressure of the slurry wall
proposes the construction of a 1.5 × 107 m2 [6, 7] diaphragm trench soil, the slurry wall trench also experiences the local
wall panel trench that will be used for new urban rail transit instability and often shows an overexcavation of pit [21], as
in the coming five years. In sum, the diaphragm wall panel indicated in Figure 1(b). Consequently, the filling coefficient
trench excavation technology has great application of the concreting or impervious material increases, thereby
prospects. increasing the construction cost and difficulty [22, 23].
Despite its increasing sophistication, such technologies
still have many defects, whilst its scientific norms under 3. Analysis of Diaphragm Wall Panel
complex geographical conditions lack theoretical guidance. Trench Stability
The application of this technology also frequently leads to
slurry wall trench instability and failure in the actual groove Many scholars have examined slurry wall trench stability
construction process. Table 1 lists slurry wall trench in- since the introduction of the diaphragm wall panel trench
stability accidents that typically occur in diaphragm wall technology [13, 24]. Along with the wide application of this
panel trench construction projects around the world [8–16]. technology, related studies have produced rich results from
These accidents can be attributed to the defects in the quality their field or laboratory tests [12, 25], numerical simulations
of the wall protection slurry (i.e., uniformity and specific (e.g., elasto-plastic FEM with the shear strength reduction
gravity) and the changes in the underwater level. The quality technique [26], anisotropic visco-hypoplastic FEM [27], and
of the wall protection slurry, the mechanism of the slurry, upper and lower bound limit FEM [28]), and theoretical
and the influence of relative factors on slurry wall trench analyses, amongst which the theoretical analyses have
stability during the construction of a diaphragm wall panel produced the most outputs and resulted in the introduction
trench must be understood as they directly affect the safety of of 10 additional computation models or analysis methods.
the project. Therefore, this paper examines the issues related Table 2 and Figure 2 present the theoretical analysis models
to the stability of these trenches by performing an extensive and methods for slurry wall trench stability with many
literature review and emphasizes the diaphragm wall panel reference applications [1, 10, 18, 19, 21, 25, 29–43]. These
trench instability failure modes, the computation method, models can be divided into two categories, namely, 2D and
the slurry wall protection mechanism, and the relative 3D analysis methods, by considering the soil arching effect
factors that affect slurry wall trench stability to provide on the water level, as shown in Figure 3. The 2D methods can
a valuable reference for follow-up studies and engineering be divided into the analysis method for the stress limit state
applications. of the element soil, the analysis method for soil pressure
balance on both sides of the slurry wall trench, and the
2. Diaphragm Wall Panel Trench analysis method for the force balance of the plane sliding
Instability Modes body according to the mechanical principle, as shown in
Table 2 and Figure 3. Figure 4 presents the definitions of all
Many scholars believe that the diaphragm wall panel trench parameters.
instability modes can be divided into overall instability and
local instability (Figure 1). The slurry wall trench instability
3.1. Analysis Method for the Stress Limit State of the Element
for soft ground with a certain bonding property is reflected
Soil. This method uses the relative ratio Fs � r3 /r2 to
in the global sliding, whilst that for a weak interlayer with
evaluate the stability of the slurry wall trench, where Fs is the
weak or without bonding property is mainly reflected in the
safety factor, r2 is the radius of the effective stress Mohr’s
local instability of the spot scale off.
circle of the element soil on the slurry wall trench after
excavation, r3 is Mohr’s circle tangent radius of the shear
2.1. Overall Instability. Accident investigations, models in- strength enveloping line with pore water pressure dissipa-
door, and field tests show that the overall instability of the tion, as shown in Figure 5. Jiang et al. [29] used this method
slurry wall trench often occurs 5 m to 15 m deep in surface or to explore the time effect problem of slurry wall trench
shallow soil [10, 12, 17–19]. A bulge can also be found in the stability and the influence of the changes in pore water
soil under the guide wall [19]. The instability failure surface pressure on the stability of the slurry wall trench during slot
is spread along the whole length of the groove on the ground excavation. The negative pore water pressure from the ex-
surface and takes the shape of an oval or rectangle [13, 16], as cavation unloading of slot soil was conducive to slurry wall
shown in Figure 1(a). Moreover, the slurry wall trench can trench stability. The negative pore water pressure gradually
easily become unstable when the slurry level is reduced to dissipated to reduce the long-term stability of the slurry wall
1 m below the water level or when the ground is overloaded trench. Liu et al. confirmed the usefulness of this method in
[10]. Also, minor structure planes (thin weak interlayers or exploring the effect of overload on slurry wall trench stability
shear bands) may affect the overall stability behaviour of [30].
geological systems in varying degrees [20].
3.2. Analysis Method for the Soil Pressure Balance on Both
2.2. Local Instability. When the foundation soil has a weak Sides of the Slurry Wall Trench. This method evaluates the
interlayer and poor bonding property (such as sand-cobble stability of the slurry wall trench by comparing the valid
Advances in Civil Engineering 3

Table 1: Incidents of groove wall collapse in diaphragm wall panel trench construction projects.
Project profile Destruction
Diaphragm trench Slurry
Year Projects Formation Groundwater parameters volume/
Destructive body Causes
condition level (m) (depth × thickness) weight
(m) (kN/m3)
Collapse surface
expanded from Soft formation
Rhine river bank, the ground without
1983 Sandy soil − 1.5 (26–30) × (3–5)
Germany surface to 12 m a bonding
deep into the property
groove wall
Collapse surface
Back fill, marine
expanded from
Hong Kong, fine sand, sludge, Drop in the slurry
1982 − 3.0 35 × 1 10.58 4 m behind the
China and sedimentary level
wall to 7 m deep
soil
into the wall
The groove wall
Back fill, marine collapsed and
Hong Kong, deposit, and 2.7 m long expanded Drop in the slurry
1984 10.5
China strongly excavated group 5 m–12 m deep level
weathered granite into the ground
surface
A collapse
occurred in two
groove segments
at the beginning.
For the first
segment, the
groove wall
collapsed as the
reinforcement
cage was placed
High The formation is
into the groove,
Suzhou railway Powder soil and groundwater level soft and has
2013 58.6 × 1.8 thereby scrapping
station, China sandy soil with pressure- a poor self-
the reinforcement
bearing water stabilising ability
cage. For the
second segment,
a great collapse
suddenly
occurred in the
groove wall
during the
clearance process,
thereby burying
the trench grab
The diaphragm
wall panel trench
was destroyed.
Eastern part of and cracks
Drop in the slurry
2000 Tainan, Chinese Powder sand − 3.0 15 × 0.9 10.5 appeared 4.5 m
level
Taipei behind the wall,
thereby leading to
a hemispherical
soil collapse
4 Advances in Civil Engineering

Table 1: Continued.
Project profile Destruction
Diaphragm trench Slurry
Year Projects Formation Groundwater parameters volume/
Destructive body Causes
condition level (m) (depth × thickness) weight
(m) (kN/m3)
The length and
width of the
collapse were the
same. The depth
Alluvial soil Flash flood and
Near a river bank was located at the
1994 containing many — 17.6–18.6 an increase in the
in France bottom of the
eggs groundwater level
back fill. The
destructive shape
was of the Kulun
wedge type
The surfaces of
the diaphragm
wall were in The formation
2003 Osaka, Japan Back fill − 2.2 (20–40) × 0.8 11.3 contact with each cannot self-
other, thereby stabilise
leading to
collapse
The diaphragm
Back fill and weak
wall was A single
Southwest coast layer of marine
1998 − 3.0 (20–40) × 0.8 destroyed at the excavation takes
of Chinese Taipei clay soil from
layer of the up much time
10 m to 11.5 m
marine clay soil
The collapse
mainly occurred
Loam, medium
5 m–9 m deep
sand, coarse sand
into the wall,
Hebei at the lower part,
whereas the plane Loss in slurry
2002 Huangbizhuang fine sand in the —
showed an oval burst
reservoir, China local part, pebble
shape and spread
bed, and crushed
along the
stone layer
direction of the
pore
The wall collapsed
Huangsha line, from the surface Low slurry
line 1, down to 6 m, indexes and high
1999 Sandy soil − 6.5 17 × 0.6 10.6
Guangzhou whilst the plane pore water
subway 1, China expanded to 4 m pressure
outside the pit
The groove wall The slurry was
Cutoff wall for the
entirely collapsed unevenly stirred,
main dam and the
after a hydraulic and the hydraulic
first and second
2010 Clay sand − 3.0 (>30) × 0.6 10.3 grab was used to grab rapidly went
auxiliary dams of
excavate 10 m and up and down,
Ying river bank,
30 m deep into thereby leading to
China
the wall a rapid erosion

slurry pressures on both sides of the slurry wall trench Schneebeli [10, 31] and Huder [32] investigated this problem
(ps − pw ) with the soil pressure considering that the soil is and proposed novel methods for calculating the horizontal soil
influenced by vertical surface p, that is, Fs � (ps − pw )/p. This pressure p on the slurry wall trench element soil based on
method focuses on how soil pressure p can be calculated and Caquot’s and Terzaghi’s soil arc theory, as shown in equations
confirmed considering the soil arc effect in the vertical surface. (1) and (2). Wong [10] and Hajnal et al. [31] proposed a method
Advances in Civil Engineering 5

Surface shape of collapse body

Collapse body Collapse body

Weak interlayer Weak interlayer

Collapse body Collapse body Loss in body

(a) (b)

Figure 1: Instability modes of trench wall: (a) overall instability; (b) local instability.

Table 2: Statistics of theoretical analysis models or methods on trench wall stability.

Literature resources Models Computational formulas
Fs � [chw + (c′ − cw )(d − hw ) + cs (d − hs ) + q]sin φ′ + 2c′ cos φ′ /[chw + (c′ +
Jiang et al. [29], Liu et al. [30] —
cw )(d − hw ) − cs (d − hs ) + q]
When z ≤ hw , p � Ka [(cl/sin 2φ′ )(1 − e(− z/l)sin 2φ′ ) + qe(− z/l)sin 2φ′ ]
—
− 2c′ tan(45∘ − (φ′ /2)), Ka � (1 − sin φ′ )/(1 + sin φ′ )
When z > hw , p � Ka [(cl/sin 2φ′ ) + ((c − c′ )l/sin 2φ′ )e((hw − z)/l)sin 2φ′ −
Schneebeli [10, 31], Wong [10],
(cl/sin 2φ′ )e(− z/l)sin 2φ′ + qe(− z/l)sin 2φ′ ] − 2c′ tan(45∘ − φ′ /2)
Huder [32], Hajnal et al. [31]
— When z ≤ hw , p � ((cl − 2c′ )/2 tan φ′ )(1 − e− 2(z/l)K tan φ′ ) + Kqe− 2(z/l)K tan φ′
When z ≤ hw , p � ((c′ l − 2c′ )/2 tan φ′ ) + ((c − c′ )l/2 tan φ′ )e− 2((z− hw )/l)K tan φ′ −
((cl − 2c′ )/2 tan φ′ )e− 2(z/l)K tan φ′ + Kqe− 2(z/l)K tan φ′
Morgenstern and
Figure 2(a) cs′ � (d/(d − hs ))2 [(1 − sin φ′ )/(1 + sin φ′ )c + ((d − hw )/d)(2 sin φ′ /(1 + sin φ′ ))cw ]
Amir-Tahmasseb [13]
Washbourne [19] Figure 2(c) P � (l2 /4)[(c − c′ )hw + c′ (d − (l/6))]tan2 (45∘ − (φ′ /2)) − (c′ l2 /2)tan(45∘ − (φ′ /2))
P � (l tan(α − φ′ )/8)􏼈c′ l(π d − (2/3)l tan α) + πlcw hw + πlq−
Yang et al. [33–35], Li [36] Figure 2(d)
4c′ (π d − l tan α) − πc′ l[tan α + 1/tan(α − φ′ )]}
Ps − Pw � (cs l/3 d)(d2 − h2s )3/2 − (cw l/3 d)(d2 − h2w )3/2 ;
Ji and Yu [37] Figure 2(f ) β � arcsin(hw /d); θ � arcsin(l/2 d), P � (l2 cot(θ + φ′ )/48 cos θ)􏼈3πch+
6πq − 24c′ [cot θ + (1/cot(θ + φ′ ))] + (π − sin 2 β − 2β) × (3chw + 2c′ d − 2c′ hw )}
cs � (KA /(hm − hs ))[􏽐ki�1 Δhi c + 􏽐ki�k+1 Δhi c′ ] + [cw (hm − hw )/(hm − hs )]
Piaskowski and Kowalewski [38],
Figure 2(g) P � 2wf l[cw hw + q + (c − cw )(d − (2/5)wf tan φ′ )](sin α − cos α tan φ′ )/3(cos α +
Zhang and Xia [39]
sin α tan φ′ ) − wf c′ ((2l/cos α) + 6 d − 3wf tan α)/3(cos α + sin α tan φ′ )

for calculating soil pressure p considering the overloading friction angle of soil on the slurry wall trench, and K is the
based on the above theories: earth pressure coefficient of the soil arc effect. The value of K
is within the range of the active and static earth pressure
cL π ϕ z coefficients Ka and K0 .
σ3 � tan2 􏼠 − 􏼡􏼒1 − e− sin(2ϕ) 􏼓, (1)
sin(2ϕ) 4 2 L

cL z − 2K tan ϕ 3.3. Analysis Method for the Force Balance of the Plane Sliding
σ3 � 􏼒1 − e 􏼓, K 0 > K > Ka , (2) Body. This method is divided into the limit equilibrium
2 tan ϕ L
method of the rigid sliding block and the limit analysis
method based on upper bound theory considering the in-
where σ 3 is the horizontal stress of the soil on the pore wall, ternal energy dissipation of the sliding block. Both of these
as shown in Figure 5, L is the length of the slot pore, c is the methods use the ratio Fs � τ f /τ to evaluate the stability of
density of soil on the slurry wall trench, ϕ is the internal the slurry wall trench according to the assumed sliding
6 Advances in Civil Engineering

hs l
hw
δh

d 45°
δv
d
45°

α w

(a) (b)
E H l/2
45° – φ′/2 F hw1
A d hw3 hw2
B
hw
φ′/2

G
45° –

d
α3 α
α1 2
l
D C
l

(c) (d)
wf
X l θ
X
l X′
hs
Y

df

d Z′

Z
Z

(e) (f )
wf q
X

Y
l d z
hw Zc
d – hs
n
g io
d re
ile
ns
α
θ Te

(g) (h)
O A B Y F
E O
ω
θ0 θB θsr θ θh OA = r0 ω θ0 θB θsr θ θh E hn
A′ OA′ = r′0 L C
C
r′ A X r A R δ
hsr dα
D Bv0
hsr X′
R D Bv0 α h′n ds
C′ rh C′ O β E F h
h h ω dθ
Y dβ O θ
h′ h′ α X
vh a vh
D dα R
C
φ φ C t
Z

(i) (j)

Figure 2: Typical theoretical analysis models of trench wall: (a) Bevel mode [13, 25]; (b) Bevel and vertical plane mode [18]; (c) triprism
mode [19]; (d) half-cylinder modes [33–36]; (e) shell-type mode [40]; (f ) half-cylinder with the oblique section mode [37]; (g) parabolic
mode [38, 39]; (h) Coulomb slide mass mode [41]; (i) 3D and 2D limit analysis model for overall instability [42]; (j) 2D and 3D limit analysis
model for local instability [21].

surface, where τ f is the shear strength of soil and τ rep- Amir-Tahmasseb [13] established a slurry wall trench sta-
resents the required shear strength for the equilibrium slide bility analysis model, as shown in Figure 2(a), based on
on the boundary sliding surface of slide. Morgenstern and different assumed broken faces, and explored the influence
Advances in Civil Engineering 7

Stress limit state analysis

method of soil element

2D analysis Balance analysis method of earth

methods pressure on both sides of trench wall

Stability analysis Limit equilibrium analysis

Balance analysis method of method of rigid block
methods of
force on plane sliding body
trench wall

3D analysis Balance analysis method of

methods force on 3D sliding body Upper bound limit analysis
method

Figure 3: Analysis methods classifications of trench wall stability.

w compared with the shear force used for the self-weighing of

the equilibrium sliding body on the boundary sliding surface
of sliding body Fs � τ f /τ to evaluate slurry wall trench
stability. Nearly 10 analysis models have been successively
proposed in the literature [18, 19, 21, 33–37, 39, 40, 42, 43],
as shown in Figure 2.
The above analysis reveals that various models have
hs different mechanical principles, methods, and factors. In
hw this case, the adaptability and reliability of their calcula-
tion results greatly differ. Wang et al. [44] performed
a comparative analysis and found that the 2D analysis
d method was too conservative or generated unstable cal-
Z
culation results. Relatively speaking, the semiterete and
triprism sliding model can reasonably evaluate slurry wall
trench stability in sandy formation; if the relationship
between the sliding body and the groove depth on the
plane is established using the 3D analysis methods, then
γs: volume-weight of slurry the calculation result becomes very conservative. There-
γ: volume-weight of soil fore, this study focuses on the establishment of a reason-
γ′: effective volume-weight of soil able and effective slurry wall trench stability theory model
φ: internal friction angle of soil and method.
c: cohesion of soil
Figure 4: Schematic diagram of diaphragm wall panel trench.
4. Formation and Wall Protection
Mechanism of Slurry
of different factors on slurry wall trench stability based on
this model. In sum, the accuracy of the results calculated by 4.1. Formation Mechanism of Slurry. The slurry must have
this method directly depends on the assumption of the a certain film-forming property, physical and chemical
sliding surface. Such assumptions may differ across various stability, liquidity, and proper density. The slurry includes
soil types, overloading conditions, and other factors. bentonite slurry, polymer slurry, CMC slurry, and saline
Therefore, a reasonable sliding surface must be set in solution slurry [45], amongst which the bentonite slurry is
practical applications. the most widely applied because of its excellent function and
economic value [46].
The bentonite slurry mainly comprises bentonite,
3.4. Force Balance Analysis Method. Force balance analysis water, and admixture. Bentonite is a granular clay soil
method of the 3D sliding body is also divided into two with great viscosity and plasticity that will greatly expand
methods, namely, the limit equilibrium method and the limit if submerged in water. This material has a thixotropic
analysis method based on upper bound theory. Both of these property, wet expansion performance, colloid properties,
methods consider the influence of the soil arc effect on the and montmorillonite as its main component. As shown in
horizontal of the foundation soil surrounding the slurry wall Figure 6, montmorillonite follows a Si–Al–Si three-layer
trench. According to the assumed 3D sliding body, the structure and has an amorphous plate surface that can
effective slurry pressure that acts upon the slurry wall trench easily absorb positive ions. After mixing bentonite with
is compared with the pressure for the equilibrium sliding clean water, the water rapidly enters into grid work of the
body Fs � (Ps − Pw )/P, whilst the soil shear strength is montmorillonite, results in significant swelling, and
8 Advances in Civil Engineering

Stability condition: z σ1
τ θ < φ′
σ3
Z
Slurry

3
ESP
r3
ESP
r2
2
φ′ r2
2′
θ 1
α
O (γsult – γw)z (γs – γw)z (γs – γw)z – ∆u K0γ′z γ′z γ′z – ∆u σ

γs: volume-weight of slurry 1: initial state

γ′: effective volume-weight of soil 2′: state after excavation with ∆u
γw: volume-weight of water 2: state after excavation without ∆u
γsult: ultimate volume-weight of slurry 3: ultimate state
∆u: negative pore water pressure EPS: stress paths
K0: effective coefficient of earth pressure at rest

Figure 5: Mechanical principle of stress limit state analysis method of soil element [29].

becomes a negatively charged hydrophilic colloid to Ps

disperse and suspend bentonite particles and to form Fs � ,
Pa + P w
a slurry, as shown in Figure 7.
cs (4)
or ,
K a c′ + cw
4.2. Mechanics of Slurry Wall Protection. The slurry wall
protection can be divided into two types based on its cs � 􏼂Fs 􏼃 Ka c′ + cw 􏼁,
mechanics, namely, the hydrostatic pressure action
and the gelling effect of the slurry [47], as shown in where [Fs ] refers to the designed safety factor.
Figure 8. The above analysis reveals that the essence of mud hy-
drostatic pressure can be regarded as the stress state of the
soil in the slurry wall trench. To guarantee slurry wall trench
4.2.1. Hydrostatic Pressure Action. Under a specific gravity, stability, the radius of Mohr’s circle of stress of the soil in the
the slurry produces some hydrostatic pressure Ps on the wall. slurry wall trench r2 after excavation under slurry pressure
This pressure can resist the lateral active earth and water must be less than the radius of Mohr’s circle of stress r3 at its
pressures (Pa + Pw ) that act upon the slurry wall trench. limited state. In other words, Mohr’s circle of stress 2 of the
Acting as liquid support, the slurry can prevent the collapse soil in the slurry wall trench after excavation must range
and peeling of the slurry wall trench as well as the infiltration between Mohr’s circle of stress at the beginning 1 and the
of groundwater. By neglecting the negative pore water limited Mohr’s circle of stress 3, as shown in Figure 5.
pressure during groove excavation, the following expression
is used:
4.2.2. Gelling Action of the Slurry. On the one hand, the
⎧
⎪ cs z2 slurry will form a layer of mud cake with very low water
⎪
⎪ P � ,
⎪
⎪ s
2 permeability on the slurry wall trench during the penetration
⎨
⎪ (3) of mud into the soil [48], as shown in Figure 8. The hy-
⎪
⎪
⎪ 2 drostatic pressure of the slurry can effectively act on the
⎩ P + P � Ka c′ + cw 􏼁z ,
⎪
a w
2 slurry wall trench to prevent the spalling of soil particles. On
the other hand, the slurry will penetrate from the surface of
Based on the above expression, we can judge the slurry the slurry wall trench into the soil. Upon penetrating to
wall trench stability after excavation according to the actual a certain range, the slurry will adhere to the soil particles to
density of the slurry or calculate the designed density of the resist the soil particles in the hole that are peeled from the
slurry according to the required stability of the slurry wall slurry wall trench, thereby increasing the stability of the
trench as follows: slurry wall trench. Gill [49] showed that when the slurry
Advances in Civil Engineering 9

Charge
~+ distribution
Exchange cation
~+
Mg2+ 1nm
Na+ Ca2+ Fe3+
Alumina octahedral

Exchangeable ~+
Hydrone
cations ~+ Silica tetrahedron
2+
2+
Mg Exchange cation nH20
Na+ Ca Fe3+

~+
~+

O A1, Mg
OH Si, A1

(a) (b)

Figure 6: Chemical construction of montmorillonite.

Swelling bentonite particles

Swelling bentonite particles with negative charge
Water

Bentonite particles
Bentonite
Water

(a) (b)
Figure 7: Forming process of bentonite slurry.

O
Slurry
Slurry cake

Slurry particle

Soil particle

Fracture

Ps (Pa + Pw)

Z γsz (Kaγ′z + γwz)

Figure 8: Wall protection mechanism of slurry [47].

10 Advances in Civil Engineering

pressure is 65% to 80% of the active earth pressure, the slurry ΔP − Pa 􏼁cos α + T1 + T
wall trench is generally unstable. The stability of the slurry Fs � , (8)
(W + Q)sin α
wall trench mainly depends on the gelling action of the
slurry. Figure 9 analyses the gel microunit of the slurry. The where Fs is the stability coefficient of trench wall, taking
equilibrium equation of the slurry microunit can be obtained 1.2∼1.5; Q is the resultant force of ground overload; W is
as follows: the dead weight of the sliding body; Ps is the resultant
zσ x zτ xz pressure of slurry; Pw is the combined pressure of
+ � 0, groundwater; Pa is the active earth pressure resultant force
zx zz
(5) on the sliding body; Hs is the distance from the slurry
zσ z zτ xz surface to the ground; T1 and N are, respectively, the
+ − cs � 0. tangential force and normal force on the OCDE of the
zz zx
inclined plane at the bottom of the sliding body; and T2 is
The slurry achieves plastic flow when the stress state of the cohesive force of soil mass on ACOF (BDEG) vertical
the microunit satisfies the yield condition planes on both sides of the sliding body. Calculate as
(σ x − σ z )2 + 4τ xz � 4τ 2s , where τ s is the shear strength of the follows:
slurry gel. Under appropriate conditions, equation (5) can be
used to obtain the static stress of the groove hole. For the ⎪
⎧
⎪ L2 cos α L sin α
groove hole with a width of w � 2b, the Bishop solution can ⎪
⎪ W � 􏼢cHw + c′ 􏼠H − Hw − 􏼡􏼣,
⎪
⎪ 2 tan φ 4 tan φ
be used to obtain its horizontal stress as follows: ⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
π z ⎪
⎪
σ x � cs + 􏼒 + 􏼓τ s . (6) ⎪
⎪ 1
2 b ⎪ ΔP � L􏽨cs H − Hs 􏼁2 − cw H − Hw 􏼁2 􏽩,
⎪
⎪
⎪ 2
⎪
⎪
The horizontal total resistance generated from the slurry ⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
gel is computed as follows: ⎪
⎪ cos α
⎪
⎪ Q � qL2 ,
z 1 1 π ⎪
⎪ 2 tan φ
Ps � 􏽚 σ x dz � cs z2 + τ s z2 + τ s z. (7) ⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
0 2 2b 2 ⎨
⎪
⎪ Hw 􏽰���
Based on the above formula, the horizontal stress pro- ⎪
⎪ Pa � L 􏽚 􏼂Ka (ch + q) − 2c Ka 􏼃dh
⎪
⎪
duced in the soil increases along with the shear strength of ⎪
⎪ 0
⎪
⎪
the slurry gel and the stability of the groove hole. Therefore, ⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ H− Hcr 􏽰���
high-quality slurry must be used in practice. The slurry ⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ +L 􏽚 􏼂Ka cHw + c′ h − Hw 􏼁 + q􏼁 − 2c Ka 􏼃dh,
consistency increases to gain a certain shear strength, whilst ⎪
⎪ Hw
⎪
⎪
the gelling action increases to improve the stability of the ⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
slurry wall trench. ⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ T1 � N tan φ + cS▭OCDE ,
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
5. Design Method of Slurry Unit Weight ⎪
⎪
⎩
Based on Groove Wall Stability T2 � c S▱ACOF + S▱BDEG 􏼁,
(9)
Based on the above research status analysis, in this section,
an analysis model is established from the aspects of overall
where c is the average weight of soil above the surface of
stability and local stability of the slurry trench wall, and the
groundwater, c′ is the floating weight of soil below the
critical slurry weight design method is derived based on the
groundwater plane, ΔP is the combined force of slurry
limit equilibrium method, so as to provide theoretical basis
pressure on trench wall and groundwater pressure, cs is the
for engineering practice.
mud weight, Ka is the active earth pressure coefficient,
N � (W + Q)cos α + (ΔP − Pa ) × sin α, S▭OCDE is the area
5.1. Calculating Method for Slurry Unit Weight considering of the sliding surface, c is the average cohesive force of soil
Overall Stability of Trench Wall. The cavity formed after mass, and S▱ACOG and S▱BDEF are the areas of ACOF and
trench excavation of underground diaphragm wall is similar BDEG on the vertical side, respectively.
to that of foundation pit. Therefore, the mechanical analysis
model of overall stability of trench wall can be established by
referring to the surrounding stratum stability analysis model 5.2. Calculating Method for Slurry Unit Weight considering
after excavation of foundation pit and assuming that the soil Local Stability of Trench Wall. It is assumed that the local
mass within the depth of the trench is a single homogeneous sliding body on the unilateral groove wall is a semi-
body, as shown in Figure 10. cylinder with radius a, as shown in Figure 12, and then
Take the cross section shown in Figure 10 for force the local stability analysis model, as shown in Figure 13,
analysis and set up its analysis diagram according to the can be established. As shown in Figure 13, the force
actual force on the trench wall, as shown in Figure 11. Then, analysis of the upper and lower microsoil strip elements
according to the balance of the force, the stability coefficient is conducted by taking the upper and lower microsoil
Fs of the sliding body is strip elements, respectively, and the force diagram of
Advances in Civil Engineering 11

O X

σz z
дτxz
τxz τxz + dx
дx
τxz
σx дσx
σx + dx
дx

дτxz
τxz + dz
дσz дz
σz + dz
дz Slurry
Z 2b

Figure 9: Force analysis diagram of gel slurry.

q
G

Hw

F
L
D
B A

φ Hcr

H C

α
O

Figure 10: Mechanical model for overall stability analysis of slot wall. φ is the effective internal friction angle of soil mass; α is the angle
between the OEDC and the horizontal plane, α � 45∘ + (φ/2); L is the length of trench section; B is the width of sliding body, B � Hcr cot α,
where Hcr � L sin α/2 tan φ; q is the ground overload; H is the depth of sliding body; Hw is the buried deep for the water table.

each soil strip can be obtained by ignoring the horizontal ⎪

⎧ 2c′ a3
⎪
⎪ M1 � ,
interaction between the soil strips. From the static ⎪
⎪ 3
⎪
⎪
equilibrium conditions M � 0 of the local sliding body ⎪
⎪
relative to point O, the following equation can be ⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
obtained: ⎪
⎪ 2cw a3
⎪
⎪ M2 � ,
⎪
⎪ 3
M 1 + M2 � M 3 + M 4 , (10) ⎪
⎨
⎪ (11)
⎪
⎪ 2c a3
where M1 and M2 are, respectively, the sliding moments of ⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ M3 � s ,
local sliding body relative to point O caused by water ⎪
⎪ 3
⎪
⎪
pressure and dead weight and M3 and M4 the antislip ⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
moment of local sliding body caused by mud pressure and ⎪
⎪ n n
⎪
⎪
shear force relative to point O. Specifically, it can be cal- ⎩ M4
⎪ � 􏽘 Ti a + 􏽘 Tj a,
culated as follows: i�1 j�1
12 Advances in Civil Engineering

Hs Pa
Hw
T2

W
Ps Pw

T1

Figure 11: Force analysis of slide mass.

where hi and hj are the thickness of soil strip; take hi , static equilibrium on the microstrip, as shown in the fol-
hj � a/n; θi can be obtained according to the corresponding lowing equation:
geometric relations; and Ti and Tj can be obtained from the

⎪
⎧ hi
⎪
⎪ Ti � 􏼈c sin θi + 􏼂cs H − Hs − a cos θi 􏼁 − cw H − Hw − a cos θi 􏼁􏼃tan φ􏼉 · ,
⎪
⎪ sin θi + cos θi tan φ
⎪
⎨
⎪ (12)
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ hj
⎪
⎩ Tj � 􏽮c cos θj + 􏽨cs 􏼐H − Hs − a sin θj 􏼑 − cw 􏼐H − Hw + a sin θj 􏼑􏽩tan φ􏽯 · .
cos θj − sin θj tan φ

5.3. Design Method and Application Verification of Slurry Unit important, there are many shops around, and the closest
Weight for Groove Construction Based on Wall Stability. distance between the underground diaphragm wall and the
Equations (8) and (10) are the calculation formulas of critical shop foundation is only 1.8 m, which may cause serious
slurry unit weight considering overall stability and local engineering accidents if it is slightly careless. Therefore,
stability of trench wall, respectively, for a specific project; the determining reasonable slurry unit weight is the key to
rest of the parameters of both equations are considered to be ensure the safe and smooth construction of the project.
certain; therefore, the critical slurry unit weight cs can be With reference to geological survey report and design
obtained by selecting the appropriate safety factor. Mean- document, the relevant parameters are as follows: ground-
while, from the perspective of safety, the larger value of both water surface Hw is 5 m away from the ground surface, unit
is selected as the designed value of slurry unit weight in the weight of groundwater cw is 9.8 kN/m3, trench excavation
practical application, that is, length L is 6 m, average unit weight of soil mass is 18.8 kN/
cs min � max􏽮csz , csj 􏽯, (13) m3, ground uniform equivalent load q is 75 kPa, and co-
hesion force and internal friction angle are 3 kPa and 38°. In
where csz is the slurry unit weight calculated by the overall the process of trenching construction, the slurry level is
instability model, csj is the calculated slurry unit weight by located at the surface, that is, Hs � 0.
the local instability model, and cs min is the minimum Then, the slurry unit weight csz that can ensure the
designed slurry unit weight. stability of trench wall during the construction of un-
In order to verify the reliability of the above methods, the derground diaphragm wall is (10.40, 10.99) kN/m3 and
foundation pit project of Huangxing square station of (12.07, 12.52) kN/m3, with taking the safety factor as 1.2∼1.5.
Changsha metro line 1 in China is taken as the background Therefore, according to equation (13), the design value of the
for specific calculation and application. The project is located slurry unit weight in the groove construction of un-
in the sand and pebble stratum with rich water; the water derground diaphragm wall of this project can be determined
table is high, and the formation is permeable; the trench wall as (12.07, 12.52) kN/m3.
is prone to construction risks such as water permeability and Figures 14 and 15, respectively, show the slurry unit
even collapse, during the construction process. What is more weight and groove quality test results of 5 randomly selected
Advances in Civil Engineering 13

parameters of locally stable wall protection slurry,

and the test result displays that several local spalling
q and instability phenomena occurred in both sections,
and the overall quality of the groove wall was not as
good as that of the other three sections. These results
show that when the slurry reaches the minimum
H value obtained by the local stability theory, the
trench wall is basically stable during the construction
2a of the underground diaphragm wall.
Based on the above analysis results, it can be seen that the
above method is reliable.
L
6. Stability Factors of Slurry Wall Trench and Its
Influencing Laws
6.1. Groundwater Level. The influence of the groundwater
level is mainly reflected in the difference between the
Figure 12: Local sliding model of slot wall. L is the length of the pressures inside and outside the slurry wall trench. On the
sliding body along the groove section, H is the depth of the sliding one hand, the slurry pressure must be larger than the
body (the distance from the center point of the semicircle column groundwater pressure for balancing partial earth pressure;
to the surface), and q is the ground overload. therefore, wall protection of hydrostatic pressure of slurry
can play [50]. On the other hand, such pressure difference
leads to the formation of mud cake and slurry particles on
the wall surface. If the pressure difference is small, then
Hs Mud slurry
surface a mud cake cannot be easily formed and the slurry particles
Hw cannot enter the soil. Therefore, the gelling action of the
Underground
slurry cannot be played. The groundwater level directly
water table affects the stability of the slurry wall trench. Many experi-
mental studies and engineering practices
[9, 10, 12, 13, 16–18, 25, 26, 31, 51] have verified the above
H
views and clearly pointed out that the relative difference
between the slurry and groundwater levels is a control
Ni Ti condition for the stability of the slurry wall trench. In actual
construction practice, the slurry level must be set 1 m to
Vi
Ps 1.5 m higher than the groundwater level [50, 52].
Pwi
a
Element i θi
Vi+1 6.2. Length of the Unit Groove Segment. The length of the unit
Vj groove segment can determine the length depth ratio of the
θj O
a groove hole, which in turn influences the soil arc effect and
Element j earth pressure. Generally, a large length depth ratio corre-
Pwj
Vj+1 sponds to a small soil arc effect and a highly unstable slurry
wall trench, as shown in Figure 16 [53]. The author in-
Nj
Tj vestigated the soil arc effect (spatial effect) of the pit wall as
an excavating foundation pit and found that the construc-
Figure 13: Force analysis of local slide mass.
tion has a significant spatial effect for the narrow groove hole
similar to the foundation pit. When the unit excavated
groove sections in the actual construction process. And from segment is longer, the space effect is only observed within
that analysis, the following are observed: a certain range of the end part, and the middle part can be
regarded as a plane problem. A shorter unit excavated
(1) There is a certain degree of inclination in the groove segment has a more significant spatial effect and shows
section, but the measured slurry unit weight in each a declining trend in a paracurve from the end part. In actual
groove section is greater than the designed slurry construction projects, the length depth ratio of an excellent
value of the overall stability of the trench wall, and segment ranges between 0.3 and 0.5 (if the excavated depth is
the trench wall is in a stable state on the whole larger, then the minimum value is taken; otherwise, the
without overall instability, which is consistent with maximum value is taken) [54]. Therefore, for the common
the theoretical results. foundation pit of a subway station, the excavated depth is
(2) The slot B32 B26 slurry unit weight is relatively about 20 m. Around 5 m to 6 m of the unit segment must be
smaller, both of them are smaller than the design taken, and the soil arc effect must be played.
14 Advances in Civil Engineering

13 6.4. Soil Conditions of the Foundation. Geographic condition

is amongst the key factors that affect the stability of the
groove hole. Apart from its shear strength (as shown in the
experiment [53], if the cohesion and internal friction angle
12
of the soil are small, then the slurry wall trench can easily
Measured value (kN/m3)

collapse), soil density, grain-size composition, and particle

size also affect the stability of the groove hole.
11 If the soil has a high density and excellent grain-size
composition, then the slurry cannot be easily lost, and
a dense mud cake can be easily formed on the slurry wall
trench to protect its stability. By contrast, a mud cake cannot
10 be easily formed if the soil has low density and poor grain-
size composition and if the slurry wall trench has increased
water permeability. The long seepage path can also result in
9
the loss of slurry and reduce the stability of the slurry wall
B32 B26 B21 B30 A42 trench. Given the difference between the water pressure on
Excavation sections the both sides of the slurry wall trench and slurry pressure
ΔP, the critical hydraulic gradient icr can be calculated
Global stability FS = 1.2 Local stability FS = 1.5
according to equation (14). The maximum distance of the
Global stability FS = 1.5 Measured value
slurry permeating into the surface soil of the slurry wall
Local stability FS = 1.2
trench is denoted by l [56], and the retention critical hy-
Figure 14: Comparison between measured and calculated results draulic gradient can be used to analyse the local stability of
of slurry unit weight. the slurry wall trench:
ΔP 9.3τ m
icr � � , (14)
6.3. Slurry Quality. Based on the above discussion, the slurry cw l cw d5 e
must have a certain density and consistency to achieve wall
protection. Many studies and practices have proven that where cw is the unit weight of water, τ m is the shear yield
with a larger density, the slurry can produce a highly sig- stress that the slurry must overcome, e is the void ratio of
nificant hydrostatic pressure and the slurry wall trench soil, and d5 is the size of the soil particles with content of less
becomes highly stable (Figure 17) [53]. In practice, the than 5% of their size.
density of the slurry must exceed 10.3 kN/m3. A slurry with In groove excavation, the soil particles of the original
a large density also has a large shear strength, thereby in- formation will enter the slurry, and some small particles
creasing its gelling action and improving the stability of the are suspended in the slurry to increase its density and
groove hole [55]. The most commonly used bentonite slurry improve the stability of the slurry wall trench. The
is formed by mixing 4% to 8% of the total mass of bentonite maximum size of soil particles suspended in the slurry
with water. The resulting slurry has a viscosity of approx- can be calculated using equation (15) [13]. Li and Deng
imately 3 × 10− 5 kPa·s and shear strength of less than [57] analyzed the force of the rigid body of a single soil
7 × 10− 3 kPa. particle and the contact relationship amongst soil par-
ticles (Figure 18) and obtained the similar results as
shown in equation (16):

6τ s
d� , (15)
c′ − cs

⎪
⎧
⎪ 3π τ s
⎪
⎪ d� , considering the contact relation between the soil particles,
⎪
⎨ 2 c′ − cs
⎪ (16)
⎪
⎪ 3π τs
⎪
⎪ ϕ � α − β, considering the individual soil particle only,
⎩ d � 2 sin ϕ c′ − c ,
s

where c′ is the unit weight of soil particle, β is the angle weight of the slurry does not greatly increase because of the
between the wall surface and the vertical line, and α is the suspension of soil particles, thereby contributing minimally
angle between the tangent line at the contact point of two to slurry wall trench stability improvement. The ratio of the
spherical particles and the vertical line. fresh slurry must be increased to improve the unit weight of
When the slurry-supported excavation is performed the slurry and meet the wall protection pressure that is
during the formation with a large gravel soil particle, the unit required for stability.
Advances in Civil Engineering 15

Width (cm) Width (cm) Width (cm) Width (cm) Width (cm)
–80 –40 0 40 80 –80 –40 0 40 80 –80 –40 0 40 80 –80 –40 0 40 80 –80 –40 0 40 80

5
Depth (m)

10

15

20
B32 B26 B30 B21 A42
Figure 15: Detection results of trenching quality by ultrasonic testing.
Safety factor Fs

Fs = 1.5
Fs = 1.2

ch
φ

tren
Recommended value L = 5-6m
α
e of
β
ac
Surf

Length of unit trench L

Figure 16: Relationship between trench length and safety factor
[53]. β
Soil particle

Length of unit trench L

Figure 18: Sketch diagram of soil particle stability analysis [57].

Safety region
the turbulent flow of the slurry and lead to the erosion of mud
Safety factor Fs

cake on the surface of the slurry wall trench and soil particles,
thereby resulting in the local destruction and overall in-
stability of the slurry wall trench. Therefore, in actual con-
Fs = 1.05
struction projects, a guide wall with a height of 1 m to 2 m
γs = 10.3 must be added to improve the stability of the surface soil,
whilst the up and down movement speed of the mechanical
Volume weight of slurry γs digging bucket must be restricted to reduce the risk of slurry
wall trench instability resulting from mechanical excavation.
Figure 17: Relationship between slurry gravity and safety factor
However, how can a reasonable speed of such up and
[53].
down movement be determined? In 1985, J. Washbourne
performed a relative study by taking the circular shaft as an
6.5. Excavating Machine. The excavating machine can also example (Figure 19) and found that the flow state of the
affect the stability of the slurry wall trench. The weight and slurry (laminar or turbulent flow) could be used to de-
oscillation of the machine (equivalent to overload) does not termine a reasonable movement speed for the mechanical
benefit the stability of the slurry wall trench [50], and the up digging bucket. The flow state of the slurry can be de-
and down movement of the mechanical digging bucket termined by the friction coefficient of Bingham fluid and the
during the excavation will cause the slurry to flow inside the relationship between the Hearst Roma and Reynolds
hole. On the one hand, such movements will increase the hole numbers, as shown in equation (17). To achieve a laminar
water pressure near the slurry wall trench [58]. On the other flow, the movement speed must be kept as low as possible
hand, a high-speed up and down movement will encourage and should not exceed 1 m/s [59]:
16 Advances in Civil Engineering

r Speed of
will dissipate. In sandy formation, the stability of the slurry
bucket vB wall trench will decrease [29]. Therefore, a steel reinforcement
Depth D below the
slurry surface cage must be placed and concrete or any impervious material
must be poured timely after the excavation.
45° – φ/2 a
ρsDg
S T
STUV is a
aB 7. Conclusions
section
through the Mean speed of slurry This paper performs an extensive literature review and in-
s d
unstable vB × aB2 vestigates the stability of the slurry wall trench of diaphragm
Excavation vs =
annulus of a2 – aB2 wall panel trenches. The following conclusions are obtained:
bucket
soil
V (1) The failure mode of the slurry wall trench instability
U
45° – φ/2 ρs (D + d)g – PB can be divided into two types, namely, overall in-
stability and local stability. The overall instability
often occurs about 5 m to 15 m deep into the surface
soil, whilst the local instability often occurs in the
Section Slurry mass density ρs Slurry mass density ρ weak interlayer with a poor bonding property.
S is the inerface shear Ground water pressure PB is the “pressure Therefore, we must explore the formation structure
stress between the is u at level of top of drop’’ across the moving in depth in actual construction projects. Grouting
slurry and the soil, due drilling bucket. drilling bucket due to
reinforcement is also necessary for the surface soil
to relative movement movement
or weak interlayer to increase the stability of the
Figure 19: Analysis diagram of slurry flow induced by raise and fall slurry wall trench.
of bucket [59].
(2) Given the soil arc effect (spatial effect), the theoretical
analysis model or method for the stability of the slurry
⎧
⎪
⎪ Ak vw wall trench can be divided into 2D and 3D types.
⎪
⎪ vs � ,
⎪
⎪ A k − Aw Scholars all over the world have raised or established
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ more than 10 models or methods for such stability.
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ 4 Ak − Aw 􏼁 However, these models or methods have generated
⎪
⎪ D� ,
⎪
⎪ pkw varying results because of their different mechanical
⎪
⎨
(17) principles and influencing factors. Comparatively, the
⎪
⎪ calculation results of the 3D model are more reliable
⎪
⎪ τ s D2 ρs
⎪
⎪ H � , and stable than that of the 2D model. Therefore, more
⎪
⎪ e
⎪
⎪ μ2s
⎪
⎪ research focuses on how to establish an accurate and
⎪
⎪ effective theoretical analysis model should be de-
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ vs Dρs veloped in future.
⎪
⎩ Re � μ ,
s (3) A consensus regarding the mechanism of the slurry-
supported protection has been reached. Researchers
where vw and vs are the lifting speed of bucket and flow speed universally believe that such mechanism has a hy-
of the slurry, Ak and Aw are the area of the excavated groove drostatic pressure action and gelling effect, both of
mouth and the sectional area of the bucket, D is the which are related to the quality of the mud cake
equivalent hydraulic diameter of the slurry flow, and (Ak − formation. However, up to now, no theoretical results
Aw ) is the sectional area of the slurry flow. Moreover, pkw is have been presented from calculating the mud cake
the wetted perimeter of the slurry flow or the perimeter of thickness and its mechanical or mathematical re-
the boundary amongst the slurry, wall, and bucket; He and lationship with slurry quality (including density) for
Re are the Hearst Roma and Reynolds numbers; and τ s , ρs , reference. This problem must be addressed to un-
and μs are the shear strength, density, and cohesion of the derstand further the mechanism of the slurry-sup-
slurry. ported protection. Therefore, this problem presents
both a focus and a challenge to future research.
6.6. Trench Excavation Sequence. The trench excavation (4) Many factors affect the stability of the slurry wall
sequence has a certain influence on the stability of the trench, and each factor has a different function
slurry wall trench. Apart from improving the stability of the mechanism and influencing law. Generally, the ex-
excavation, the interval construction is more conducive to cavated length for the unit segment and slurry level
the soil arc effect of the foundation than the sequential are critical parameters that influence the stability of
construction [50]. If the excavation period or standing time the slurry wall trench. In actual construction pro-
of the trench is too long, then the slurry will flocculate and jects, the excavated length of the unit segment must
deposit. The unit weight of the slurry will be reduced, and be controlled within 5 m to 6 m, and the slurry level
its hydrostatic pressure will be weakened. At the same time, must be always set between 1 m and 1.5 m higher
the negative hole water pressure caused by the excavation than the groundwater level.
Advances in Civil Engineering 17

Also, based on the limit equilibrium theory, mechanical q: Overload around the groove
analysis models of overall and local stability of trench wall
Z and z: Depth direction of groove and the depth
during the process of grooving construction of underground
of calculating point.
diaphragm wall are established, and the formulas for cal-
culating the slurry unit weight of trench wall are derived. The
example shows that the calculation method of slurry unit Conflicts of Interest
weight is reliable.
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
Nomenclature
Acknowledgments
Fs , [Fs ]: Computational and design safety factor of
slurry wall trench Projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation
r1 , r2 , and r3 : Radius of Mohr’s circle of element soil of China (no. 51978669 and U1734208), the Natural Science
before, behind the excavation, and its Foundation of Hunan Province, China (no. 2018JJ3657), and
limit state the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Univer-
ps and Ps : Slurry pressure in trench and its resultant sities of Central South University (no. 2019zzts294) are
force gratefully acknowledged.
pw and Pw : Water pressure and its resultant force
p and P: Lateral earth pressure and its resultant
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