Diaphragm (Slurry) Walls - Design with DeepEX
- Dec 22, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 3
Efficient Design and Optimization of Concrete Diaphragm Walls
Diaphragm (slurry) walls are among the most widely used retaining systems in deep excavations, particularly in urban environments where groundwater control and deformation limitations are critical.
However, their design is rarely straightforward. Engineers must consider construction staging, soil–structure interaction, reinforcement detailing, and structural verification — all within a consistent and efficient workflow.
With DeepEX, diaphragm wall systems can be modeled, analyzed, and optimized in a structured and intuitive way. In practice, the entire process can be summarized in three key steps:
Define the wall structural section
Create the excavation model with all construction stages
Analyze results and optimize the system
The following sections outline how these steps are implemented in DeepEX.
Figure: A Concrete Diaphragm (Slurry) Wall Section in DeepEX Software
Step 1: Define the Wall Section and Structural Properties
The design process begins with the definition of the diaphragm wall section.
In DeepEX, wall sections can be accessed and modified at any time, either directly from the model area or through the Model Wizard. Engineers can select from different diaphragm wall configurations, including straight panels or T-shaped sections, depending on project requirements.
Structural properties are defined through an intuitive interface where key parameters such as wall thickness, panel width, and reinforcement layout are specified. Both longitudinal and shear reinforcement can be assigned, using built-in databases aligned with international design standards.
This flexibility allows engineers to quickly evaluate different section configurations and ensure that the wall design meets both structural and constructability requirements.
Figure: Diaphragm wall section types in DeepEX
Figure: Diaphragm wall section reinforcement options in DeepEX
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Step 2: Create the Model (All Construction Stages)
In DeepEX we can graphically add construction stages and draw the model on the model area stage by stage, or use the model wizard to create a model with all construction stages in seconds. Either way, we need to create a detailed staging, starting from at rest conditions in an initial stage, and then step by step generate new stages with each excabation and support installation level. DeepEX will analyze and present results for each stage, allowing us to review the full model construction process, identify the most critical stage and optimize our structural sections and support locations in the most efficient way.
Figure: Top-Down excavation construction stages in DeepEX Software
Step 3: Review the Results and Optimize the Model
DeepEX can analyze any deep excavation model with several implemented analysis methods (classical Limit Equilibrium, Non-Linear Analysis with elastoplastic springs and Finite Element Analysis). After the analysis is completed, DeepEX software presents all calculation results in tables and in graphs on the model area for each construction stage. We can review all calculated stresses, moment and shear diagrams along with the structural capacities, the support and wall check structural ratios, the wall embedment safety factors and more. This way, we can have a great overview of all structural items designed by the program for each stage, and take important decisions for the efficient model optimization.
We can optimize any model fast either manually by accessing all wall and supports on the model area and edit the structural sections and support locations fast through user friendly dialogs, or use the software automatic optimization tools that can fast check and give us a variety of section solutions for all structural items on the examined model.
Figure: Top-Down excavation - Analysis results in DeepEX
Training Video - A Top-Down System (Diaphragm Walls with Slabs) Designed with DeepEX:
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