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 geotechnical
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
INQUIPspecializes 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.
INQUIPis 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, pleasecontact us. If you
need additional information please e-mail us
at: info@inquip.com, or call
one of our offices.
