EFFC/DFI Support Fluids Task Group

This guide represents the state of the art of support fluid practice and aims to improve existing design, testing and practices for deep foundation elements – bored piles (drilled shafts), barrettes (LBEs) and diaphragm wall panels. It represents the first time that knowledge of good practice from around the world has been brought together into a single authoritative publication. The purpose of this Guide is to present current understanding on bentonite, other clays, polymers and blended systems, including the advantages and limitations, in order to allow informed selection of the optimum technical solution(s) for the conditions on each individual worksite. This Guide does not recommend any particular type of support fluid as each worksite has specific characteristics and requirements.This Guide will assist individuals and corporations involved in the procurement, design, and construction of deep foundations including Owners/Clients, Designers, General Contractors, Academics and Specialist Contractors. It is intended as a practical addition to existing standards, not a substitute. Project Specifications, Standards and Codes should always take precedence. This first edition details accepted industry good practice and will be followed by a second edition based on a comprehensive R&D program which will carry out a series of field research studies. The studies will collect data from active project sites and develop and conduct non-standard tests in order to establish what testing methods have substantial value and to better understand the validity of the compliance values in use. The task group will then produce a second edition of the guide that promises to be the best authority on the use of support fluids in the industry. This is expected to be published in 2023.