Soldier Pile Walls

This method is fast to construct and typically consists of structural steel H-shaped piles that are inserted into a
deep round hole filled with concrete that is spaced at regular intervals, usually in the 6- to 12-foot range. The
concrete hole is typically 24” in diameter and the H-Pile is 10” to 14” wide/deep. Alternatively, the steel piles
may be driven or vibrated into the ground without the use of any concrete. Where the excavation is located
adjacent public property, the temporary shoring wall is typically located directly outside the property line,
where permitted on a public right-of-way, and is used to apply a reinforced shotcrete wall that then serves as
the permanent structural wall. Where shoring walls are located adjacent to a private property it can only be
located over the property line with an easement from the property owner.

Between the soldier piles, 4×12 horizontal wood lagging is installed to retain the soil behind the wall. The
lagging is installed in 3- to 4-foot increments as the vertical excavation cut proceeds downward. The soldier
pile is typically embedded 10 to 12 feet below the bottom of the final excavation, and is designed to
cantilever out of the ground. Where the excavation exceeds a range of 10 to 12 feet, the soldier piles may
require a soil anchor/tieback or internal diagonal brace near the top of the wall for additional support. For
deeper excavations, additional tiebacks are required as the depth increases further.

Soil anchor (or tiebacks) usually consist of a steel tendon or rod encased in a hole filled with a concrete grout
mixture. The anchors are tensioned after installation is complete to fully engage the soil. Soil anchor tiebacks
are installed at a downward angle and typically extend into the ground a minimum of 25 feet and may
therefore encroach into the adjacent properties or the city’s right-of-way (in which case, permission from the
property owner is required.) Encroachment into a public right-of-way is typically allowed for temporary
construction.

Location of all existing utilities must be confirmed prior to the installation of the anchors. The City of Portland
requires an additional encroachment permit, and states that the anchors are de-tensioned after the
temporary wall is no longer needed. Additionally, the City requires that any shoring elements in the public
right-of-way that are located within 5-feet below grade must be removed, including soldier piles and tiebacks.
The use of internal shoring bracing eliminates encroachments, but the shoring is located where the building
construction occurs and must not conflict with those activities.
Pros: fast to construct, can be used in deep excavations, flexible layout geometry, can be designed for large
surcharge loads

Cons: in certain cases, may require additional soil anchors/tiebacks or support, tiebacks in adjacent property
will require an easement, internal braced configurations can be obstructing.