APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CUTTING SOIL AND IN SITU CONSTRUCTION OF SUBSURFACE CONTAINMENT BARRIERS

摘要

2090242 9300483 PCTABS00019 An apparatus for cutting soil and constructing containment barriers, such as for constructing a subsurface containment walls or bassins for contaminated material, comprises a beam (4) pivoted to a support (6) on the surface for abutting an extended length of soil (2a). The beam (4) comprises a cutting means for creating a cutting action against the extended length of abutting soil. The cutting means is preferably a conduit containing a plurality of jet ports through which high pressure fluid is ejected to impact the soil to be cut. The conduit is preferably rapidly reciprocated. As cutting occurs, the beam (4) and the conduit pivot relative to the support to maintain the cutting apparatus adjacent the face of the soil (2a) to be cut. If the support is mobile, it can advance the cutting action by pulling the beam and conduit beyond the sector through which the beam (4) and conduit can pivot. A method of cutting soil comprises generating cutting action along an extended locus of soil, and advancing the cutting action along a descending locus of the soil (2a) in response to gravity.