YUGEN REALTY, SURAT
As the skyline of cities is rising in height, underground construction has become an integral part of development.
With the increasing number of Metro, tunnel and deep basement works in a fast growing city like Surat, technical methods like Slope Stability and Shoring Systems have now become a fundamental part of every engineering plan.
Their selection and implementation have become very important for safety, durability and timely settlement.
In fast-growing cities like Surat, due to increasing population and scarcity of land, the amount of deep construction, such as basements, underground parking, metro, tunnels and cable lines is increasing.
Especially in cities like Surat, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, where the soil is sticky or silty and the water level rises during the monsoon, excavation becomes more dangerous.
The biggest challenge is to ensure that the land does not collapse. If the right technique is not adopted, there is a possibility of soil sliding, walls breaking and damage to neighbouring houses.
For this, sufficient knowledge and proper implementation of “Slope Stability” and “Shoring Systems” are necessary. Now let us understand how such a construction can be made safe.
Slope Stability : Why is it the foundation of construction?
Every soil slope can remain stable only up to a certain limit. This limit depends on the type of soil (sand, clay), the moisture content in it, the angle of the slope and the weight of the surrounding road, building or other structure on it.
The requirements for slope stability are as follows :
Life Safety : Safety is the first priority for workers working on the site and the surrounding people. Serious accidents can occur if the soil collapses.
Timely Settlement of The Project : If the slope collapses, the entire work stops, both time and money increase.
Protection of Neighbouring Buildings : Deep excavation can cause cracks or subsidence of the soil – stability prevents this.
Cost Savings : If the soil collapses, rework has to be done, damage occurs – all of which can be avoided.
Legal Liability : As per the rules, the protection of the surroundings in construction is the responsibility of the developers – and keeping the slope stable is a big part of it.
Shoring Systems : Measures to prevent landslides
When the natural slope is prone to landslides or the excavation is too deep, a shoring system is a method of providing external support to prevent soil from sliding.
This system supports the excavation wall and prevents the surrounding soil from sliding inward. Nowadays, such a system is required in many places in cities.
Let us understand the most commonly used diaphragm wall :
1. Diaphragm Wall
It is a very strong concrete wall that is made by digging a trench inside the ground. The first trench is prepared by special machines in which bentonite slurry (a special liquid) is poured to prevent soil from sliding. Then steel cages are placed and the wall is filled with concrete.
Main Uses : Deep underground parking (double, triple, four basements), metro station construction, riverside retaining walls, tunnel portals, and projects where watertightness is essential.
Advantages :
- High load carrying capacity, ideal for very deep excavations.
- Creates a completely watertight wall, preventing groundwater from entering the excavation area.
- Occupies less space, which is advantageous in urban areas where space is at a premium.
- Can become part of a permanent structure after construction is complete (such as a basement wall).
Disadvantages :
- Slightly more expensive shoring system.
- Requires specialized equipment and highly skilled manpower.
- Construction process can be relatively slow.
- Difficult to maintain anchor quality and capacity in sandy soils with groundwater. (Areas of Surat like Pal and Vesu)
- If quality control is not maintained, then terrible results can be obtained.
- Can cause vibrations in the surrounding area.
2. Touch Piles / Contiguous Piles – Quick solution in Small Places
In this method, concrete piles are bored into the ground and installed – very close to each other, but without mixing. There is usually a small space of 4 to 8 inches between the piles.
Main Uses : For medium depth excavations, where complete watertightness is not so essential. Parking basements, for building foundations.
Advantages :
- Relatively less expensive than diaphragm walls.
- Construction process is faster.
- Good load transfer properties.
Disadvantages :
- Since there are small spaces between the piles, there is a possibility of water or fine soil leakage. If the water flow is high, additional waterproofing arrangements have to be made.
- Chances of failure during rain are high.
- Not as watertight as diaphragm wall.
3. Secant piles – waterproof and strong but costlier
These are an improved version of touch piles. The piles overlap each other, i.e. they merge. First a ‘female’ pile is formed (without steel), then a ‘male’ pile is prepared in the middle (with steel). Both merge to form a watertight wall.
Main Use : For medium to deep excavations where high watertightness is required, such as underground parking, metro shafts, tunnels.
Advantages :
- Excellent watertightness, which comes close to diaphragm wall.
- High load carrying capacity.
- Compact design, wall can be built in less space.
- Can be slightly less expensive than diaphragm wall.
Disadvantages :
- More complex and slower construction process than touch piles (needs accurate project planning).
- High precision requirement.
- If drilling is not done accurately, it may be difficult to maintain watertightness.
4. Gunite / Shotcrete – Quick and short-term solution
A mixture of cement, sand and water is sprayed vigorously from a pipe, so that it adheres to the surface and forms a strong coating. Gunite uses a dry mixture, shotcrete uses a wet one.
Main Uses :
- For immediate and temporary slope stabilization.
- To stabilize rock slopes and prevent erosion.
- To create a thin protective coating on excavated earth walls.
- For reinforcement on irregular surfaces.
- To protect the face of pile walls.
Advantages :
- Fast application, which provides immediate stability.
- Relatively low cost.
- Can be easily applied even on irregular surfaces.
- Prevents soil erosion.
Disadvantages :
- Increased chance of failure during rains.
- Not suitable for carrying large loads, mainly used for surface protection.
- Mostly temporary solution, does not provide permanent structural support.
- Issues of dust and rebound during application.
Deciding on The Right Shoring System : Engineering considerations
Choosing a shoring system is not a simple matter – it depends on many technical issues :
Geotechnical Investigation : Soil or rock type, strength, moisture, plasticity, water level, etc. need to be checked.
How deep is the excavation? The greater the depth and width, the more robust the technique required.
Condition of surrounding buildings : How far have their foundations gone? Will special attention be paid to their safety?
Project pace and objectives : How quickly do you want the work to be done? Will the shoring be part of the permanent construction?
Budget : Each method has a different cost, so you need to choose accordingly.
Legal and Environmental Regulations : Compliance with building codes and environmental standards is essential.
After reviewing all these, the right shoring should be selected with the advice of an experienced geotechnical engineer.
Safety and sustainability are the foundation of development
High-rise construction has now become a necessity in urban areas. At such times, slope stability and shoring technology are very important for the project’s safety and quality.
From diaphragm walls to shotcrete, each method provides engineers with the tools to safely access deep and dangerous work.
“Safety First” is not just a policy, it is economics and social responsibility. With proper planning, expert guidance and new technology, we can build a structure that is strong, safe and remains a legacy for future generations.
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Disclaimer : This information has been collected through secondary research and Yugen Realty Newspaper is not responsible for any errors in the same.
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