Robert Jansen
Technical Sales Manager
Soil mixing walls are used for construction pits, dike reinforcements, the containment of contaminated soil, and urban projects where vibration-free and settlement-free working is required. On this page, you can read how soil mixing walls work, when anchoring is necessary, and why strand anchors are an efficient solution for soil mixing wall anchoring.
A soil mixing wall is a soil and water retaining structure formed in the ground, in which the existing soil is mixed on-site with a cementitious grout. The result is a series of overlapping panels of stabilised soil, the so-called soil mixing panels, that together form a continuous, rigid wall.
Two main methods are distinguished: the Cutter Soil Mix method (CSM), in which rotating cutter wheels loosen the soil and simultaneously inject cement slurry, and the Deep Soil Mix method (DSM), in which multiple overlapping augers with mixing paddles mix the soil in situ. Both methods are carried out entirely vibration-free and without soil displacement or removal, making them ideally suited for application next to sensitive buildings.
For larger loads and deeper excavations, a soil mix wall is not always capable of independently withstanding the forces involved. In such cases, an anchored soil mix wall construction is chosen, where an anchoring system transfers the forces to a more stable subsoil. In this type of construction, strand anchors play an important role. They offer an efficient and technically robust solution for soil mix wall anchoring, for both temporary and permanent applications.
Other solutions and applications
A soil-cement wall is used to safely retain soil and water for construction pits, dike reinforcements, and inner-city excavations. The wall is created by mixing the existing soil in situ with cement mortar, after which steel profiles or reinforcement cages are placed into the still plastic wall to provide the necessary stiffness and bending strength. Depending on the excavation depth, earth pressure, water pressure and surrounding loads, a free-standing soilmix wall is not always sufficient. In that case, an anchored soilmix wall is chosen.
Strand anchors are an efficient solution for this, particularly with larger loads and deeper excavations. Compared to other solutions, such as strutting frames or traditional anchor systems, strand anchors offer several advantages:
This makes a soil mix wall solution with strand anchors not only structurally strong but also practically and economically attractive.
When constructing a soil mixing wall, several factors determine the functionality of the structure:
The choice of the right execution method has a significant impact on the quality of the wall and the safety of the surroundings.
The construction of a soil-mix wall begins with milling or drilling the primary sections at a specific distance apart. After partial hardening, the secondary (intermediate) sections are milled, with overlapping on both sides with the already hardened primary sections. This way, a continuous, water- and earth-retaining wall is created. Immediately after milling, steel profiles or reinforcement cages are placed into the still-liquid soil-mix section by their own weight.
For greater excavation depths, an anchored soil mix wall is usually used to limit the bending moment in the wall and reduce horizontal deformations. An anchored soil mix wall consists of:
In strand anchors, the load is transferred to the wall via the anchor head and the purlin. The anchored part of the anchor then transfers this force to the stable subsoil. When designing and constructing a soil mixed wall, attention must therefore be paid not only to the wall itself but also to:
Every situation is different. In a consultation, we will clearly outline your project and possibilities. You will immediately know where you stand.
Robert Jansen
Technical Sales Manager
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A soilmix wall is an earth- and water-retaining structure formed in the ground by mixing the existing soil in situ with a cement grout.
The result is a series of overlapping, stabilised panels that together form a contiguous, rigid wall. After curing, the wall is reinforced with steel profiles or reinforcement cages that provide the necessary bending strength.
Soilmix walls are used as earth and water-retaining structures in excavation pits, dike reinforcements, containment of soil contamination, and other civil engineering applications.
Depending on the load and application, a soilmix wall is constructed as a free-standing system or as a anchored construction in combination with an anchoring system, such as a strand anchor.
A soilmix wall construction absorbs ground and water pressure via the stabilised panels and the steel reinforcement incorporated within them. The wall is formed by milling or drilling the soil in situ while simultaneously injecting cementitious grout.
The method is completely vibration-free and causes no ground displacement, meaning work can be carried out immediately adjacent to sensitive buildings.
For larger loads, the soil mix wall is anchored using a tie-back system. The forces are then transferred via the wall and a waling to the tie-back, which displaces them into a more stable ground layer.
CSM (Cutter Soil Mix) and DSM (Deep Soil Mix) are both methods for the in-situ mixing of soil with cement grout, but they differ in the equipment used and their application possibilities:
The choice between CSM and DSM is determined by the required depth, the soil structure, the desired wall quality, and the available space at the construction site.
An anchored soil mix wall is applied when the wall cannot take the occurring loads independently. This is particularly relevant in the following situations:
By applying an anchoring system, such as strand anchors, the structure can be designed to be stiffer and more efficient.
Strand anchors are widely used for soil mix wall anchoring due to their high capacity and efficient operation. Key benefits include:
Additionally, Deepro strand anchors are supplied as a complete system, with all components matched to each other.
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