Civil Engineering Project: Designing Diaphragm Walls

This project report details the design of diaphragm walls, a crucial element in specialized foundation engineering. The project focuses on designing walls of varying thicknesses and depths, suitable for high water table conditions. The student, acting as project developer, utilized AutoCAD and SAP software to create 3D designs and perform structural analysis. The report covers project objectives, responsibilities, and the application of civil engineering knowledge. It describes the construction phases, including guide wall installation and panel excavation, and discusses the application of theoretical knowledge. The project identifies and addresses technical issues, such as sand content and wall cracks, proposing solutions like density adjustments and the use of mini piles. The student emphasizes project management, team leadership, and the integration of innovative approaches to ensure the project's successful completion. The report provides an overview of the project's accomplishments, challenges, and contributions made by the student.

CE 1.1 Project Information
Name of the project: Designing of Diaphragm Walls
Location of the project: Please fill
Project Duration: Please fill
Organization: Please fill
Role and Designation during the time: Developer of project
CE 1.2 Project Background
CE 1.2.1 Characteristics of the project
The diaphragm walls are considered as one of the most important and significant
technologies of the specialized foundation engineering. This diaphragm wall is being
constructed with the help of a trench that is being excavated within ground and is also
supported by the mud fluids. This is done until the mud is being replaced by concretes only
after the installation of steel cage is completed. During this project of designing diaphragm
walls, I considered walls ranging from 600 mm to 1500 mm thickness and width range within
2000 mm to 3500 mm. I even ensured that these types of walls could even be considered to
be excavated at depths of more than 60m. I also checked that my designed diaphragm walls
could be easily utilized in the high water table conditions without excessive dewatering and
are of lower costs and the speed of construction for the temporary as well as permanent soil
support. Therefore, within this project, I have successfully and efficiently proposed a design
for the diaphragm walls, which can be installed in every soil condition through rock with the
help of AutoCAD and SAP software.

CE 1.2.2 Objectives developed for the project
While executing this project of diaphragm walls, I have decided to build a specific
continuous diaphragm wall with constructing the primary panel and then spacing at the
distance of larger than the width of the panel, whereas the secondary panels were being built
within the empty spaces within primary panels. Hence, for completing this project with high
efficiency and accuracy, I have developed few objectives:
 To propose a design for the purpose of designing as well as fabricating the diaphragm
walls.
 To complete the respective three steps of construction of the guide walls, the
excavation of panel and finally the phase of construction.
 To make the diaphragm wall much effective after successful construction of primary
and secondary panels.
 To install the various stop end pipes, disposable pipes, sheet piling and the Milan joint
for completing the construction.
 To utilize the software of AutoCAD for making the 3 dimensional work of the
diaphragm wall.
 To use Etabs Pro and SAP software to complete the designing of my project
efficiently.
 To contrast and analyse the respective practical results with my evaluated theoretical
results.
CE 1.2.3 My area of work
As, while completing these works in the project, I comprised of subsequent
experiences in the field works about civil engineering project, I was recruited as the
developer of the project. Previously, I have done works with various subsequent areas such as
and hence it was extremely easy for me for executing the specified project promptly and

Supervisor of the
Project
Team Member of
the project
Team Member of
the project
Project Developer
(Me)
efficiently. Moreover, I even had acquaintance with various types of software and thus I did
not face any issue while completing it I also had significant leadership skills as well as
problem solving skill, thus I was chosen by my respective supervisor for completing this
work eventually.
CE 1.2.4 Project Group
Figure 1: People involved in the project
CE 1.2.5 My responsibilities throughout the project
Being civil engineer by profession in this project, I comprised of some of the most
important and significant responsibilities. My major responsibility within this project was to
propose an efficient design to the diaphragm wall of my project. Since, I was the developer in
this project, it was my core responsibility to ensure that my project is completed within
provided resources and deadline. I had to make the budget of the project so that the project
could be completed in the given resources and does not exceed my budget. My other
significant responsibilities included preparation of technical specifications with proper
knowledge. I also had to prepare the tenders and then analyse them properly. In spite of

facing some of the major discrepancies while project initiation, I had the ability to resolve
them with project supervisor as well as the other members of my team. I also prepared every
quality manual and then managed the respective projects drawings before interpreting them
properly. Safety and security was also ensured by me so that the workers do not have to work
in the site. With my proficiency in AutoCAD and Etabs software, I easily made the 3D design
of diaphragm wall.
CE 1.3 Distinctive Activity
CE 1.3.1 Comprehending the Theory of Project
Regarding the theoretical studies, I have used basic knowledge and theory of
structural analysis. The construction of diaphragm wall needed a sequential steps in work to
be followed properly. A distinctive rectangular section tool was utilized for the purpose of
removing the soil and hence a rectangular excavation was created. The most significant
digging tool that I have used here for the primary and secondary panels was grabs. Regarding
the guide wall installation, two temporary parallel concrete beams are constructed by me for
guiding the excavation tool and then stabilizing the upper. I even pre-casted these guide walls
for helping them to grab the diaphragm wall vertically and then aiding within the position of
the final structure.

Figure 2: Installation of Guide Wall
The construction stages of my project included panel excavation, in which I excavated
the single panel downward with the help of grab only until reaching to the significant level.
The trench was prevented from getting collapsed or reinforced and casted during the time of
excavation. I ensured that the slurry forms a thick deposit over the trench walls that could
easily balance the inward hydraulic forces and hence preventing the flow of water within the
trench. The grabs are the diaphragm wall digging tools that comprise of two jaws that could
open as well as close for the collection of cuttings and taking them out of the excavated
trench.
Figure 3: Panel Excavation

CE 1.3.2 Engineering knowledge and skills applied in the project
To execute this project work, I had successfully applied each and every core skill and
knowledge for civil engineering. The specific knowledge regarding AutoCAD and Etabs Pro
software helped me in completing the 3D design of the diaphragm wall. With my proficiency
in mathematics and physics, the calculation part of the project was much easier. Moreover, I
have also used my knowledge of structural analysis for proper designing.
CE 1.3.3 Accomplishment and Task Performed
I had successfully utilized each material for accomplishing the work of this project. I
had designed this diaphragm wall with AutoCAD and Etabs Pro software. Since, I had
previously worked with these two software, it was quite easy for me to complete the work
without any type of complexity.
Figure 3: Screenshot of Diaphragm Wall Designing in AutoCAD
I calculated the lateral load by the following formula:
Regarding the shear transfer in my wall, I undertook the formula of:

Where Vc was the shear force.
I also tested the load of the wall with the help of shear connector test.
Figure 4: Shear Connector Test Results
CE 1.3.4 Identified issues and their solutions
1.3.4.1 Issues
The former technical difficulty, which I have faced within the project was during
checking the value of sand content within the excavation phase of diaphragm wall. Since, I
had previously not worked with the Bentonite in concreting phase, I did not proper results. I
had considered the density of less than 1.10 for fresh bentonite slurry, which was wrong in
this case. The next technical difficulty that I had confronted here was the presence of few
cracks in my wall. I detected these cracks with width of 5mm and thus the total retaining
power was reduced.
1.3.4.2 Solutions
I had the ability in finding out relevant solutions for each of these two issues within
the project. For this first technical difficulty of sand content value I re-checked and found that
the density should be greater than 1.10 for matching the density during excavation and
concreting phase. Finally, the results were:

Table 1: Sand Content Values in Excavation Phase of the Project
Regarding the next technical difficulty of cracks, I gave the suggestion to use mini
piles as well as piling up of cap enlargements to improve foundation bearing capacity and
column concrete-jacketing. I even injected epoxy resin and hence retaining power was
increased and cracks were recovered.
CE 1.3.5 Plan to produce creative and innovative work
I had to make a plan for my team and team members so that innovative work is being
executed in the project. This type of planning was quite helpful for us to complete the project.
Moreover, errors was also being identified in this process.
CE 1.4 Project Review
CE 1.4.1 Project Overview
This complete project was executed only after consideration of few important and the
subsequent characteristics of structural analysis and engineering. I had successfully designed
the specific diaphragm wall with proper features. Since I comprised of team leadership skills,
I have provided guidance to my respective team members. Moreover, I even articulated a
proper frame work over the basis of various types of works for achievement of the previously
determined goals.

CE 1.4.2 My Contribution to work
I was selected as the developer of the project within the project. I had completed my
task by designing a proper and water resistant diaphragm wall that could bring out better
efficiency and results. Moreover, I even eradicated the faults in the project and provided
subsequent solutions to them.