Plastic concrete for cut-off walls: A review. (20th September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alós Shepherd, David; Kotan, Engin; Dehn, Frank
• Is Part Of: Construction & building materials. Volume 255(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-09-20
• Subjects: Plastic concrete -- Cut-off wall -- Design -- Review -- Dam remediation; Building materials -- Periodicals; 624.18
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.119248
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-0618

Abstract

Highlights: Low strength, low elastic modulus concrete capable of sustaining larger strains. Mix design with high w/c-ratio with water-binding additions e.g. bentonite. Mechanical behaviour in line with concrete technology; challenging sample testing. Compressive strength 0.5–2.5 MPa, elastic modulus 300–1800 MPa at 28 days. Permeability correlates with strength; range between 1 10 -8 m/s and 1 10 -9 m/s. Abstract: The remediation of earthen dams is of growing interest worldwide. Plastic Concrete cut-off walls hereby provide an effective method to control dam seepage. However, Plastic Concrete material behaviour is not yet thoroughly understood. The review presented here confirms that Plastic Concrete may be consiered to be a low-strength, low-stiffness impervious concrete with high deformation capacity under load, but also supports the need for further investigations into the mechanical and hydraulic material properties. This review provides an important opportunity to advance in the understanding of the material behaviour of Plastic Concrete and make a contribution towards a more realistic design of Plastic Concrete cut-off walls.