SEEPAGE CUT-OFFS FOR LEVEES: A ... - Geosystems, L.P.

Photograph 3. The TRD machine, with the cutting post inserted into the ground.
(Courtesy of Hayward Baker, Inc.)
construction joints and the soilcrete is typically of exceptional homogeneity. The TRD
can perform commercially in all soil conditions, as well as lithologies which are soft to
medium hard but still “rippable”: the cutting teeth are changed in response to the ground
conditions. Boulders — as for all DMM techniques — are troublesome, but far less so
for the TRD method than the traditional vertical axis machines.
Particular Notable Advantages
• Provides continuous, homogeneous, joint-free wall through all soil and many rock
conditions.
• Productivities can be very high in appropriate conditions: Gularte et al. (2008) report
instantaneous productivities of 400 square feet of wall per hour in the sands at
Alimitos, CA and significantly higher productivities have been achieved at Herbert
Hoover Dike, FL. The potential of the machine is best suited to “long runs.”
Excellent historical data are available upon which to base production estimates
(Figure 6).
• A very high degree of real time QA/QC can be applied to assure in real time
verticality (or the required inclination), continuity and in situ properties. Postconstruction
verification of as-built properties (strength, permeability, homogeneity,
elastic modulus) can readily be conducted with conventional, quality coring.
• The cutting teeth on the chain can be adjusted to best suit ground conditions.