Diaphragm walls using trench cutter in confined space-Paper

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Diaphragm walls are increasingly important for urban infrastructure as cities grow and available surface space becomes scarce. These walls serve as excavation supports, permanent foundation walls, and cut-off barriers. Their ability to reach great depths and work in difficult soils and rock makes them suitable for complex inner-city projects.<br /><br />Construction involves site preparation, guide walls, trench excavation, cleaning and desanding, reinforcement installation where required, and concreting. Confined sites demand careful, project-specific planning of equipment, storage, material handling, utilities, access, and work sequences. Plans must be monitored and adjusted as site conditions change to limit delays and disruption.<br /><br />Quality control and data systems are also becoming more significant. Real-time visualization of excavation equipment, machine-to-machine communication, and online transfer of production and operating data can support process control, reporting, and future planning.<br /><br />Special low-headroom carriers and compact cutters can operate beneath structures or in narrow work areas. However, specialized equipment is not always essential: standard machines may be used when logistics and movement are planned effectively. The paper illustrates these approaches through projects including Hong Kong’s Hung Hom Station, where low-headroom machines installed deep panels amid columns and hard granite; the Grand Paris Express, which required equipment for restricted height and width; and a German dam recovery project, where standard equipment worked on a narrow crest using carefully planned movements and a turning device.<br /><br />The authors expect urbanization and environmental requirements to drive further development of powerful, compact equipment and methods, alongside efforts to reduce noise and emissions.

Keywords

diaphragm walls

urban infrastructure

excavation support

foundation walls

cut-off barriers

deep excavation

confined sites

quality control

low-headroom equipment

construction planning