CSM wall

By using the CSM system to add cement mix to the existing soil structure, a mixed result is obtained. The mixed result can be immediately reinforced in the liquid phase. The mixing of the soil structure with the CSM system, takes place in panels that overlap each other. This produces a water-retaining and soil-retaining wall.

Use of CSM wall

The original soil mixing system or mixed-in-place system has been developed as a soil improvement technique. The technique is also mainly used for dyke reinforcement, the containment of soil pollution, the interruption of groundwater flows and when implementing foundations.

The introduction of the Cutter system, has improved the mixing process with the soil structure, and this has ensured that the quality of the end result is also improved. For the first time, the CSM wall is thus used as a structural soil-retaining and water-retaining wall.

Water retention

A major advantage of a CSM wall is the high level of water retention. Compared to a sheet pile cofferdam, in the case of a continuous CSM wall cofferdam, the groundwater flow will be further restricted. The CSM wall is thus ideal for use in combination with a natural water-inhibiting layer, in order to create a so-called water-resistant cofferdam. If a natural water-inhibiting layer is not present, then the CSM wall can be equipped with a horizontally-injected water-inhibiting layer of water glass, so that a polder cofferdam is created. If the natural water-inhibiting layer is at a considerable depth, then reinforcing beams can be placed in the CSM wall so that the lowermost part of the CSM wall is not reinforced and only has a water-retaining function. In this way, deeper water-inhibiting layers can be used so that a cofferdam remains economically viable.

Definite function

The soil structure present determines the roughness of the CSM wall, however in general, this may be regarded as moderately smooth. The result is thus extremely practical and provides many advantages for the further construction. The CSM wall thus saves space by acting as an outer casing. As a result of technical and structural innovations, the CSM wall can also assume more of a definite function. The CSM wall can thus receive horizontal load in order to relieve the load on the basement wall, the CSM wall can receive vertical load from the superstructure and the CSM wall can even be used as a visible structural wall in basements, in tunnels or under viaducts. The use of the CSM wall as a definite construction can result in economic savings. In this way, construction can take place in a socially-responsible manner.

Major advantages of a CSM wall:

• Easy to use for urban projects
• Easy to use in hard soil structure
• Sustainable
• Cost saving
• Space saving
• Time saving
• Practical result

CUR committee for CSM walls 

The increasing popularity of the system and the increased use of the CSM wall for various applications, have resulted in a CUR committee for CSM walls being established at the end of 2012. The CUR committee for soil mix walls has ensured that the engineering procedure for Soil Mix walls has become uniform. The CUR manual for soil mix walls will be published in late 2015.