Diaphragm Walls for Deep Foundation Construction | Casagrande

Diaphragm walls

Reinforced concrete diaphragm walls for deep excavations, retaining structures and groundwater cut-off.

Overview

Diaphragm walls are cast-in-place reinforced concrete walls built panel by panel to create rigid, continuous retaining structures.
They are widely used for deep excavations, basements, underground structures and hydraulic barriers, even in complex geotechnical and hydrogeological conditions.

Excavation is carried out under stabilising slurry to ensure trench stability, followed by the installation of reinforcement cages and concreting.
Diaphragm walls provide high structural capacity, excellent water-tightness and minimal ground movement, making them ideal for urban environments and sensitive sites.

Available technologies

Kelly Guided Hydraulic Grab

The Kelly-guided grab combines a hydraulic grab with a telescopic Kelly bar, providing precise guidance and vertical control during excavation. This technology is particularly effective for medium-depth diaphragm walls in soft to medium soils, where alignment accuracy is critical. It offers flexibility, reduced site footprint and reliable performance in urban and confined areas.

Rope Suspended Hydraulic Grab

Rope-suspended hydraulic grabs are robust excavation tools suitable for stiff clays, dense soils and mixed ground conditions. Operated by hoist and hydraulic systems, they allow excavation of deep panels with controlled opening and closing forces. This solution represents a versatile and cost-effective option for a wide range of diaphragm wall applications.
TechnologyIdeal soil typeMax. depthVibrationsResulting materialIdeal for
Kelly Guided Hydraulic Grab Soft to medium soils Medium Low Excavated soil and slurry Urban diaphragm walls, medium-depth excavations
Rope Suspended Hydraulic Grab Stiff clays, dense and mixed soils Deep Low Excavated soil and slurry General-purpose diaphragm walls

Want to know more?

Ask for more information