Methods for ground water control

The main methods used in civil engineering to eliminate the drawbacks due to the presence of water in the ground are divided into two groups:

1) Stop water flow methods include those systems that, once applied, prevent the water from flowing into the ground:
a) metal sheet piles;
b) concrete sheet piles;
c) concrete and plastic diaphragms;
d) injections;
e) freezing.

2) Dewatering methods include those systems that, once applied, determine a controlled lowering of the level of water in the soil.

If the water is intercepted within the excavation area, we have:
a) drainage with free embedding;
b) drainage with draining trenches;
c) drainage with booster wells.

If the water is intercepted before it reaches the excavation area, we have:

a) drainage with vertical wellpoint;
b) drainage with deep wells;
c) drainage with horizontal wellpoint;
d) welldrill drainage;
e) jet-eductor drainage;
f) electroosmosis drainage.

The table on the next page summarizes the various methods with the methods of execution and the types of soil suitable for their application.