Can I design a braced excavation with DeepEX?
- May 19
- 2 min read
Updated: May 25
DeepEX fully supports the modelling, analysis, and design of braced excavations, making it a comprehensive solution for projects that require internal support systems. Braced excavations are commonly used in deep or urban excavations where ground movements must be strictly controlled, or where adjacent structures and utilities impose strict deformation limits. The software allows engineers to simulate complex support configurations and evaluate their performance under various loading and staging conditions.
Braced excavations in DeepEX are modelled using internal structural elements such as struts, walers, and corner braces, which can be placed at one or multiple levels along the excavation depth. These systems can be assigned to both temporary and permanent wall types, including diaphragm walls, sheet piles, secant piles, and other retaining structures supported within the software. Figure 1 illustrates a typical cross-lot bracing system with multiple strut levels.
DeepEX offers full control over the definition and placement of bracing elements. Users can:
Select from a range of predefined strut and waler sections or define custom properties from the option presented in Figure 2.
Assign support locations and elevations with precision.
Define pre-stressing forces, where applicable, to simulate realistic installation conditions.
Model corner bracing systems for three-dimensional stability.
Simulate phased excavation and bracing installation, reflecting the actual construction sequence.
The software automatically calculates internal forces in the bracing elements and provides outputs for:
Strut axial forces
Waler bending moments
Connection loads at wall interfaces
Resulting wall deflections and ground movements
By considering soil-structure interaction, construction staging, and support stiffness, DeepEX ensures accurate predictions of system behaviour under both working and extreme conditions. This is particularly important in urban settings or infrastructure projects, where over-excavation or excessive movement can compromise safety and serviceability.
In addition, users can apply load combinations and factor scenarios to comply with design codes such as Eurocode 7, AASHTO, FHWA, or BS 8002. This ensures that braced excavation designs meet both geotechnical and structural safety requirements.
Figure 3 presents a modelled excavation with bracing and staged construction, while Figure 4 displays the associated strut force and apparent earth pressures, helping engineers quickly interpret and optimise the design.
DeepEX simplifies the otherwise complex task of designing braced excavations by integrating geotechnical and structural analysis in a single, user-friendly platform. Its bracing design capabilities allow engineers to develop cost-effective, safe, and constructible solutions tailored to challenging excavation environments.
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