What is BS EN 1538 - Execution of diaphragm walls about?  
Diaphragm walls are underground structural elements commonly used as retention systems, permanent foundation walls, or groundwater barriers.
BS EN 1538 is a European standard that covers the execution of special geotechnical work, enabling safety, performance, and efficient operations in geotechnical applications.
BS EN 1538 establishes general principles for the execution of diaphragm walls as either retaining walls or cut-off walls.
BS EN 1538 covers only structures constructed in a trench excavated with a support fluid or in dry conditions, where the soil is removed and replaced by concrete or slurry and with wall thickness B ≥ 40 cm.
Diaphragm walls in this context can be permanent or temporary structures.
The following types of structure are considered according to BS EN 1538:
Retaining walls: usually constructed to support the sides of an excavation in the ground and include:
- Cast in situ concrete diaphragm walls
- Precast concrete diaphragm walls
- Reinforced slurry walls
Cut-off walls: usually constructed to prevent migration of groundwater, clear or polluted, or of other contaminants present in the ground and include:
- Slurry walls (possibly with membranes or sheet piles
- Plastic concrete walls
Note: Walls formed shallow vertical trenches (typical excavations with a ratio of depth over thickness D/B < 5 or D < 5 m) are not covered by BS EN 1538.
Who is BS EN 1538 - Execution of diaphragm walls for? 
BS EN 1538 on the execution of diaphragm walls is useful for: 
- Construction and real estate businesses
- Builders / real estate developers / architects
- Contractors
- Civil / construction / design / geotechnical engineers
- Geo consultants, surveyors
- Safety and accident prevention bodies / compliance regulators
BS EN 1538 is also useful for relevant authorities and entities awarding contracts for civil engineering projects.
Why should you use BS EN 1538 - Execution of diaphragm walls?  
Diaphragm walls serve as retaining walls, support for the subsurface construction, foundation, or cut-off provision to allow for deep excavation.
BS EN 1538 guidelines provide you with all drawings, technical data, and requirements necessary for the execution of a diaphragm walls.
BS EN 1538 provides you with guidance on materials and products, including constituents such as bentonite and polymers, support fluids like bentonite suspensions and polymer solutions, concrete, and grout. BS EN 1538 enables you to comply with material and product requirements.
BS EN 1538 provides you with guidance on execution of special geotechnical work, including construction tolerances, excavation, reinforcement, concreting, trimming, and pile walls, enabling prevention of uncontrolled inflow of water and soil into the diaphragm walls.
The adoption of BS EN 1538 allows you to standardize the execution of diaphragm walls aspects, enabling the efficient execution of special geotechnical work and minimization of backfill and disruptions.  BS EN 1538 helps you to construct foundations or support for underground structures to ensure the stability and longevity of the structure. This ensures the safety of individuals present in the building or structure.
