Mechanical and Physical properties of a CSM cut-off/retaining wall

The Deep Mixing Method (DMM) offers versatile construction solution suitable for various types of ground improvement. Cutter Soil Mixing (CSM) besides others DMM, has the advantage of an high level of process control. Six CSM working panels in sandy soil were undertaken to optimize the process parameters of a cut-off/retaining wall construction. Advanced computer control was assured during the execution of the panels, thus providing a continuous record of the treatment parameters. From the analysis of the production data, a procedure was developed for the estimation of the effective mixing conditions and amount of binder slurry injected at different depth. Wet grab material was taken at a depth of 2,0 m below the ground level from each of the six fresh panels for laboratory testing. Similar soil-binder mixture were also produced and tested in the laboratory using the soil collected directly from the jobsite. A comparison between the results obtained by permeability and unconfined compression tests (UC) performed on the wet grab samples and the laboratory mixed ones is also presented. The calibration of the relationship between real and laboratory scale treatment may supports the QA/QC procedures related to the pre-production and execution stages of the CSM treatment.