Soldier Pile & Lagging Retaining Calculator
Deep excavation & shoring design: Calculate soldier pile maximum bending moment, required steel section modulus ($S_x$), and timber lagging thickness from earth pressure envelopes.
Excavation Geometry
Unsupported cut height
Center-to-center soldier beam distance (6–10 ft)
Soil & Surcharge Parameters
Soil Arching & Lagging Reduction
Because soldier beams are rigid relative to flexible timber lagging, soil arches across adjacent piles. Consequently, timber lagging experiences only $50\%$ to $65\%$ of the theoretical Rankine lateral earth pressure.
Soldier Beam Structural Demand
Max Bending Moment M_max
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Required Section Modulus (S_x)
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Timber Lagging Specification
Recommended Lagging Thickness
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Rough-sawn hardwood / treated fir
Arching Earth Pressure on Lagging
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Reduced via soil arching
Geotechnical Embedment & Section
Approximate Pile Embedment Depth (D):
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Typical Wide Flange Steel Shape:
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Active Lateral Thrust per Pile:
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