DeepEX vs QuayWalls
- deepexcavation
- Apr 16
- 3 min read
Choosing the Right Tool for Your Wall Design Projects
When it comes to designing quay walls, shoring systems, and deep excavations, using the right software is key. That’s why we offer two powerful solutions—DeepEX and QuayWalls—built to support different engineering needs. While both share the same interface, wizards, analysis tools, and design codes, they differ in scope.
So, which one should you choose? Let’s look at what each software does, how they compare, and when it makes sense to use one over the other.
What is DeepEX Software?
DeepEX is our most advanced software for the design and analysis of deep excavations, retaining walls, and marine structures. It supports a wide range of wall types and support systems, making it a one-stop solution for complex infrastructure and foundation design.
With DeepEX, you can design:
Any wall type: soldier piles and lagging, secant/tangent piles, sheet piles, diaphragm walls, king pile combi-walls, and more.
Any support system: cantilevers, anchored walls, internal bracing (struts and walers), rakers, deadman walls, cofferdams, circular shafts, bulkheads, and more.
Figure 1: Cofferdam model in DeepEX – Sheet piles with internal bracing
Gravity Walls / Sea Walls / Pile Abutments / MSE Walls Module in DeepEX
This optional module expands DeepEX even further. With it, you can design exactly the same wall types that QuayWalls supports, including:
Gravity walls (block walls, T-walls, etc.)
Gravity-type sea walls (gravity caissons with or without infill zones)
Segmental block walls
Pile-supported abutments
It also includes wave pressure and overtopping analysis, using multiple established methods (Goda, Sainflou, CEM 2011, Allsop, PROVERBS).
In short: With this module, DeepEX becomes an all-in-one platform that covers everything from inland deep excavations to complex marine wall systems—giving you unmatched versatility.
Figure 2: MSE wall with a gravity wall section traffic barrier - DeepEX
What is QuayWalls Software?
QuayWalls is a specialized version of DeepEX, built specifically for engineers who focus on gravity-type quay walls and port structures. It uses the same interface, tools, and design engine as DeepEX, but is limited to a narrower set of project types.
With QuayWalls, you can design:
Gravity retaining walls
Box caisson walls (with soil infill zones)
Segmental block walls
T-shaped quay walls
Pile-supported gravity abutments
It includes everything needed for wave pressure, overtopping, seismic loads, and multi-stage construction, plus optional modules for FEM analysis, slope stability, and soil property estimation.
The key difference: QuayWalls is focused only on gravity-type systems. It does not support cofferdams, deadman walls, circular shafts, or other excavation support systems.
Figure 3: Gravity caisson quay wall in QuayWalls software
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose DeepEX (with the Gravity Walls module) if:
You design both marine and land-based systems
You need to work with cofferdams, anchored shoring, or internal bracing systems
You want one platform to handle all excavation and quay wall design tasks
You already use DeepEX and want to expand its capabilities
Choose QuayWalls if:
You work exclusively on gravity-type quay walls and port structures
You don’t need to model temporary shoring or excavation systems
You want a focused, streamlined solution at a lower cost
You’re looking for the simplest tool to quickly build and analyze gravity wall systems
Same Power, Different Scope
Both DeepEX and QuayWalls share the same design environment, graphical modeling tools, calculation engines, wizards, and structural/geotechnical code support. The only difference is the range of projects they can handle.
DeepEX with the Gravity Walls module = all project types supported
QuayWalls = only gravity-type quay and port wall systems
Conclusion:
If you’re looking for flexibility to handle a wide range of structural systems—DeepEX with the Gravity Walls module is the most complete solution. If your focus is specifically on port and gravity wall design, QuayWalls offers a streamlined, cost-effective alternative.
Both tools are built by engineers, for engineers—to help you work smarter, design faster, and deliver safer, optimized structures.
Let us show you how to reduce your design time by up to 90%!
