Slurry Wall and Soil Bentonite Wall at Vandenberg AFB in Lompoc, CA

The scope of work for this project involved the replacement of a slurry wall previously installed by another contractor. Designed as a preventative measure for a type 3 sanitary landfill at Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc, California, the existing slurry was showing evidence of deterioration. Phoinix personnel were contacted to construct a new slurry wall to act as an impermeable ground water barrier down gradient of the base's type 3 sanitary landfill. This work was completed within an area of the base that is home to several native plants listed as endangered species.

Consisting of bentonite slurry and soil bentonite (SB) backfill, the replacement slurry wall stretched 160 feet long and up to 42 feet deep. The wall was keyed 3 feet to 5 feet into the existing bedrock the entire length to ensure groundwater protection. Phoinix personnel completed or supervised all phases of the operation, including all aspects of quality control, daily inspections and sampling, survey and layout, testing and slurry design mix control, shoring and safety supervision throughout the site.