Slot stability of diaphragm walls during construction - possibilities and limits of centrifuge modelling
Slot stability of diaphragm walls during construction - possibilities and limits of centrifuge modelling
Excavations for diaphragm walls are an ongoing challenge for contractors, as slot stability depends on many parameters, including bentonite composition, soil stratification and behaviour, applied loads, and groundwater conditions. Centrifuge modelling could be a viable option for optimising the construction process, particularly for large diaphragm walls and high-risk excavations. This contribution discusses possible test setups for modelling slot excavation processes and investigating key parameters. The aim is to assess whether centrifuge modelling is a viable approach for studying diaphragm-wall construction processes, with a view to process optimisation, improved understanding of load-bearing behaviour during construction, and reduced risk of slot collapse.
Daniel Hasler; Andre Arnold; Daniel Bucher; Jonas Luc Hoenger
11th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics (ICPMG2026)
Special Session 1: Physical modelling – from Practice/Industry to Academia
https://doi.org/10.53243/ICPMG2026-23