Systems, methods and apparatus for slurry wall construction incorporating sheet pilings

Abstract

Improved systems, apparatus and methods for construction of slurry walls are provided. A sheet piling barrier is installed into a slurry wall construction to provide improved fluid barrier capability and/or structural integrity. A void creation device allows removal of cementitious material from around the engagement lock element of an installed sheet piling member to prevent interference with engagement of the engagement lock element of a subsequently installed sheet piling member after hardening of the slurry wall.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wall system comprising:
 a slurry wall comprising a cementitious material; and   at least one sheet piling element comprising a top, a bottom, a leading edge, and a trailing edge, wherein the at least one sheet piling is at least partially embedded in the slurry wall.   
     
     
         2 . The wall construction of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of sheet piling elements are installed into the cementitious mixture in a connected array, the connected array being linked by cooperating lock engagement features on the leading and trailing edges of the sheet pilings. 
     
     
         3 . The wall construction of  claim 1 , wherein the slurry wall is formed in a trench below ground surface. 
     
     
         4 . The wall construction of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet piling element comprises a polymeric material. 
     
     
         5 . A method of constructing a slurry wall having a sheet piling barrier at least partially embedded within the slurry wall, the method comprising:
 excavating a trench;   depositing a cementitious slurry within the trench; and   installing at least one sheet piling into the trench, the at least one sheet piling comprising a leading edge and a trailing edge, wherein the at least one sheet piling is at least partially embedded in the cementitious slurry.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the cementitious slurry mixture is deposited within the trench before the at least one sheet piling is installed into the trench. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one sheet piling is installed into the trench before the cementitious mixture is deposited within the trench. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein a plurality of sheet pilings are installed into the trench in a connected array, the connected array being linked by cooperating lock engagement features on the leading and trailing edges of the sheet pilings. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising placement of a void creation device on the leading edge of a first sheet piling installed in the cementitious slurry, and displacing the cementitious slurry from within at least a portion of the void creation device around the leading edge of the first sheet piling. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising depositing a non-cementitious fill material into at least a portion of the void creation device around the leading edge of the first sheet piling member and removing the void creation device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the non-cementitious slurry comprises bentonite clay. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising installing a second sheet piling member into engagement with the first sheet piling member. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  12 , further comprising removal of at least a portion of the non-cementitious slurry from adjacent the leading edge of the first sheet piling member prior to installing the second sheet piling member. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising placement of a void creation device on the leading edge of a first sheet piling before the cementitious slurry is deposited within the trench. 
     
     
         15 . A void creation device for installation of sheet piling members into a slurry wall, the void creation device comprising:
 an elongate body enclosing an internal channel surrounded by at least one wall creating a top edge and a bottom edge;   wherein the at least one wall includes a slot with an opening at the bottom edge of the elongate body wherein the slot extends at least a portion of the length of the elongate body;   wherein the slot is configured to receive a leading edge of a sheet piling.   
     
     
         16 . The void creation device of  claim 15 , further comprising at least one fluid delivery conduit comprising a discharge port for delivering fluid or a non-cementitious mixture into the internal chamber. 
     
     
         17 . The void creation device of  claim 16 , wherein the discharge port of the fluid delivery conduit is angled. 
     
     
         18 . The void creation device of  claim 15 , comprising a plurality of fluid delivery conduits discharging fluid or non-cementitious mixture at different depth in the internal chamber. 
     
     
         19 . The void creation device of  claim 15 , further comprising a bite plate attached to the top edge of the elongate body. 
     
     
         20 . The void creation device of  claim 19 , further comprising lift holes located in one of the bite plate or elongate body. 
     
     
         21 . The void creation device of  claim 13 , wherein the opening of the slot includes a tapered leading edge. 
     
     
         22 . A subterranean barrier wall system comprising a cementitious slurry wall primary barrier and a sheet piling secondary barrier at least partially in contact with the cementitious slurry wall primary barrier, wherein the sheet piling secondary barrier comprises a plurality of sheet piling elements, each sheet piling element comprising a male interlock and a female interlock, wherein the male interlock of a first sheet piling element is received in the female interlock of a second sheet piling element. 
     
     
         23 . The subterranean barrier wall system of  claim 22 , formed by a process comprising forming a trench below ground level, depositing a cementitious slurry material into the trench, sequentially driving the plurality of sheet piling elements into the cementitious slurry material, and allowing the cementitious slurry material to harden. 
     
     
         24 . The subterranean barrier wall system of  claim 23 , wherein the process further comprises interrupting the sequential driving of sheet piling elements into the cementitious slurry material, placement of a void creation device over at least a portion of a last-installed sheet piling element, preventing hardening of the cementitious slurry material around that portion of the last-installed sheet piling element, allowing hardening of a remainder of the cementitious slurry material, and installing a next-installed sheet piling element in connection with the last-installed sheet piling element after hardening of the remainder of the cementitious slurry material.