Bentonite slurry has been used to stabilize
trenches under excavation since 1950. This technique, referred to as the
slurry trench method, has enabled excavation of deep, narrow vertical trenches
in soils which cannot otherwise stand unsupported without using shoring
and/or dewatering, and particularly in soils beneath the groundwater table.
During excavation, the vertical walls are supported by keeping the trench
filled with bentonite slurry. The hydrostatic thrust of the slurry is the
primary stabilizing force supporting the saturated soils. Slurry fabricated
with biodegradable polymers instead of bentonite has been used to stabilize
trenches for specific applications.
The slurry trench method of excavation is used for the following types
of construction:
Soil-bentonite
(S-B) cutoff walls
Soil-cement-bentonite
(S-C-B) cutoff walls
Cement-bentonite
(C-B) cutoff walls
Cast-in-place
concrete slurry walls
Precast
concrete slurry walls
Bio-polymer
(B-P) drainage or recharge trenches
INQUIP specializes in construction
using all of the above techniques throughout the United States and Canada,
and occasionally internationally, both as a contractor and subcontractor.
In some cases INQUIP works directly with the general contractor, owner
or engineer by providing expertise and specialized equipment.
INQUIP is available to discuss
your project and to supply for your consideration specific application
information and budget costs. Please contact any of our regional offices
for more details.
If you have an immediate or future application for any
of our specialty construction techniques, please
contact us. If you need additional information please e-mail us at:
info@inquip.com,
or call one of our offices.
