Slurry Cut-Off Walls Stop the Flow of Groundwater

Slurry Trench technology stops groundwater and helps to dewater jobsites

**Slurry Wall Trench being Dug with Long Reach Excavator**

Slurry Walls or Slurry Trench technology stops groundwater and helps to dewater jobsites. Slurry cut-off walls, also referred to simply as slurry walls, are non-structural barriers constructed underground to stop the flow of groundwater. They are used; at waste sites to contain contaminated groundwater, at "clean" sites to dewater excavations, and to stabilize dams, levees, and similar structures. More information on various types of slurry walls can be found at:

Soil Bentonite Slurry Walls

Soil-Cement-Bentonite Slurry Walls

Cement Bentonite Slurry Walls

Composite Slurry Walls and Combination Slurry Wall Systems

The Use of Bentonite in Excavating Slurry Trenches

Slurry walls are constructed by excavating a narrow trench under bentonite slurry. The slurry stabilizes the excavation and prevents the trench walls from collapsing, even below the water table. Most slurry cut-off walls are excavated with backhoes which can be modified to dig 80 ft deep and more. Deeper depths are possible with clamshell excavators. When the excavation is complete, the trench is backfilled with an impervious mixture, usually a blend of soil and bentonite; soil, cement, and bentonite; or cement and bentonite. Composite barriers using synthetic materials or composite trench systems are also possible.

These pages describe the relative advantages and disadvantages of each of these wall types as well as explaining differences in construction materials and procedures

**Slurry Mixing Plant**

Geo-Solutions' Experience with Slurry Wall Construction

The staff of Geo-Solutions has experience in the construction of over a thousand slurry cut-off walls. We can act in a variety of roles. Often we provide on-site technical assistance services to general contractors seeking to bid and execute this kind of project work with primarily their own forces. We can also provide traditional contracting services when requested. In the planning stage of a slurry cut-off wall project, we act as consultants to owners that are investigating the economics or feasibility of barrier options. We sometimes provide consulting services to engineering firms that use our design mix skills to devise practical, low-permeability, contaminant-resistant slurry wall bentonite mixtures and rely on our extensive construction experience to help develop detailed plans and cost estimates.

**Slurry Wall Movie**
To view this clip on slurry walls, you will need Windows Media Player, which if you do not have, you can download for free here.

Why Use Geo-Solutions for Your Slurry Walls

A significant difference between Geo-Solutions and other firms is that we can help both design and execute the work. We can provide supervision and all the specialty equipment necessary for slurry cut-off wall and other specialty construction projects. We own a number of high-production mixing plants, excavator stick extensions, trenching buckets and all the miscellaneous specialty equipment necessary for this type of work. For some projects we serve as project managers or the owner's general contractor to better supervise all aspects of the work. We bring just what you need to the project, and no more. We will often team with a local general contractor who can provide locally available labor and equipment to supplement our specialty equipment and supervision for your slurry wall project. The result is an economical project constructed without some of the potential subcontractor hassles and unnecessary costs.

Design Mix Studies

Because of our long experience with the application of slurry walls to various situations, our team is frequently asked to provide assistance to Engineers and Owners during the planning and design phases of projects. More info is available on Design Mix Study page.

Slurry Cut-Off Wall Project Examples

Recent slurry cut-off wall projects completed by Geo-Solutions include:

Technical assistance for a 600,000 sq. ft. SB slurry wall for site development in Florida
Technical assistance for a 25,000 sq. ft. CB slurry wall for new building excavation in Ohio
Technical assistance for a 1,000,000 sq. ft. SCB slurry wall for levee improvement in California
Technical assistance for a 40,000 sq. ft. Composite slurry wall for Superfund site in New York

A laboratory design mix program for a 50,000 sq. ft. SB tank farm containment in Michigan
A laboratory design mix program for a 100,000 sq. ft. SB slurry wall for a landfill site in Denver
Technical assistance for 10,000 sq. ft. CB slurry wall for a groundwater remediation in Barbados.
World depth record for a SB slurry wall in Mayfield Australia - 49 meters

Learn More about Slurry Cut-Off Walls

Geo-Solutions has authored and participated in over 50 different papers on slurry walls. View our library to read and download several slurry cut-off wall technical papers.
Learn more from case studies on slurry walls in our Section on Case Studies.
Learn more and view pictures of our slurry wall equipment in our Section on Equipment.

Slurry Wall Sample Specifications

Read and download Geo-Solutions sample specs for soil bentonite slurry cut-off walls, cement bentonite slurry walls, soil-cement-bentonite slurry walls, composite slurry walls, bio-polymer slurry groundwater collector trenches.

Call Us Today

For help with slurry cut-off walls utilizing various types of bentonite slurry mixes, call us at 724-335-7273.