The World Trade Center slurry wall is a deep diaphragm wall that surrounds the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan. The wall is made of interlocking steel sheet piles that are driven into the ground to form a watertight barrier. The slurry wall protects the site from flooding and facilitates excavation and construction work within the site.

Construction

The World Trade Center slurry wall was constructed between 2001 and 2003. The wall is approximately 1.2 miles long and 70 feet deep. The steel sheet piles that form the wall are 12 inches wide and 40 feet long. They are driven into the ground using a hydraulic hammer.

Slurry

The slurry used in the construction of the World Trade Center slurry wall is a mixture of water, bentonite clay, and polymers. The slurry helps to lubricate the steel sheet piles as they are driven into the ground. It also helps to seal any gaps between the piles, making the wall watertight.

Dewatering

After the slurry wall was completed, the water inside the site had to be pumped out in order to allow excavation work to begin. This process is called dewatering. Dewatering was completed in 2004, and it took approximately two years.

Excavation

Excavation work at the World Trade Center site began in 2005. The excavation was completed in 2011, and it resulted in the removal of approximately 1.6 million cubic yards of soil and debris.

Construction of New Buildings

The World Trade Center site is currently being redeveloped, and several new buildings are under construction. The new buildings include a memorial to the victims of the 9/11 attacks, a transportation hub, and several office towers.

The World Trade Center slurry wall is a critical component of the redevelopment of the World Trade Center site. The wall provides protection from flooding and facilitates excavation and construction work within the site.