Steel Connection Design in DeepEX

Design and Verify Excavation Support Connections with Confidence

Designing walers, struts, and support systems is only part of the excavation engineering process.

Once member forces have been established, engineers must also verify that the connections between structural elements can safely transfer those loads. For large braced excavations, this often means designing dozens—or even hundreds—of individual steel connections.

These calculations are frequently performed separately from the excavation model, requiring additional engineering effort and increasing the potential for inconsistencies between the support design and connection design.

DeepEX streamlines this process by integrating steel connection design directly into the excavation support workflow.

Figure 1: Strut-Waler Connections in a DeepEX 3D Excavation Support Model

The Challenge: Connection Design Often Becomes a Separate Project

After completing the excavation analysis, engineers still need to answer critical questions:

• Can the connection safely transfer the calculated support loads?

• Are weld sizes adequate?

• Are stiffeners required?

• How will corner connections behave?

• Can connection details be optimized without redesigning the support system?

For complex excavations with multiple support levels, manually evaluating these details can consume significant design time.

How DeepEX Helps

DeepEX allows engineers to evaluate steel connections directly within the excavation support model using actual forces generated during the structural analysis.

This creates a more efficient workflow and reduces the need for separate calculations outside the project environment.

Design Common Excavation Support Connections

DeepEX supports a variety of connection configurations commonly encountered in excavation support systems, including:

• Strut-to-waler connections

• Waler-to-waler connections

• Corner connections

• Knife plate connections

• Direct beam connections

• H-beam connections

• H-beam connections with cover plates

• Custom connection arrangements

This flexibility allows engineers to model realistic connection details that match project requirements and construction practices.

Figure 2: Waler-Waler Connections in a DeepEX 3D Excavation Support Model

Define Connection Geometry and Fabrication Details

Engineers can control key connection parameters, including:

• Connection type

• Weld locations

• Weld sizes

• Overlap lengths

• Plate geometry

• Connection orientation

• Stiffener configurations

This provides detailed control over connection behavior while maintaining a direct link to the excavation support model.

Automatic Connection Optimization

Connection design often involves multiple iterations.

Engineers may find that:

• Weld sizes need adjustment

• Stiffeners are required

• Plates require modification

• Fabrication details need refinement

Performing these revisions manually can be tedious and time-consuming.

How DeepEX Helps

DeepEX can automatically optimize connection designs based on analysis results.

The software can:

• Adjust weld sizes

• Evaluate connection adequacy

• Apply stiffeners where required

• Help identify more efficient connection configurations

  
  

This reduces engineering effort while helping ensure that connections satisfy project requirements.

Figure 3: Connection Types, Weld Details, and Fabrication Parameters in DeepEX

Design Checks Based on Industry Standards

DeepEX evaluates steel connections using recognized structural design methodologies, allowing engineers to verify connection performance using:

• AISC 360-16 ASD

• AISC 360-16 LRFD

Connection calculations are based on the actual forces generated within the excavation support model, providing consistency between structural analysis and connection design.

Review Detailed Connection Results

Following the structural analysis, engineers can review:

• Connection forces

• Weld utilization

• Connection capacities

• Stiffener requirements

• Design ratios

• Code compliance checks

Detailed results help engineers identify critical connections and document the design process for review and approval.

Figure 4: Connection Evaluation Including Welds, Stiffeners, and Connection Components

Why Engineers Use DeepEX for Connection Design

DeepEX extends excavation support design beyond member analysis and helps engineers verify that the entire load path—from wall to support system to connection—is properly designed.

With DeepEX, engineers can:

✔ Design steel connections directly within excavation support models

✔ Evaluate strut-to-waler and corner connections

✔ Perform AISC ASD and LRFD connection checks

✔ Optimize weld sizes and connection details

✔ Reduce manual calculations

✔ Maintain consistency between support analysis and connection design

✔ Generate comprehensive project documentation

Whether designing a temporary support system for a deep basement excavation or a complex multi-level braced excavation, DeepEX helps engineers efficiently evaluate both structural members and their connections within a single workflow.

Availability

Steel Connection Design is included in the DeepEX 3D package.

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