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Steel Soldier Pile

Steel Soldier Pile and Timber Lagging Walls in NYC, Manhattan, The Boroughs, Nassau County, Suffolk County, Long Island, and New Jersey - Kagaoan Engineering

Steel Soldier Pile and Timber Lagging Walls in NYC, Manhattan, The Boroughs, Nassau County, Suffolk County, Long Island, and New Jersey - Kagaoan Engineering Consultants

Steel Soldier Pile and Timber Lagging Wall Inspectors and Consultants

When working on foundations, building a new structure, mining, or shoring up a heavy soil load, our contractors, engineers, and geotechnical designers often use steel soldier pile and timber lagging walls instead of traditional retaining walls. Using these walls is much more affordable than installing concrete or gravity retention systems. They are faster to build than many conventional systems like counterfort or sheet piling. Using a system like a soldier pile requires the oversight of a specialty engineer or builder with experience in soil stabilization techniques and engineering. Often, these walls are temporary, but removal requires the same specialty team as installation. 

Kagaoan Engineering collaborates as a team of engineers, architects, designers, and contractors to provide soil stabilizing methods like soldier pile and timber walls. Our technical experts have the experience and knowledge to protect workers, the environment, and the build by properly placing soil retention walls with leading equipment and strict safety standards. We work with our clients to meet the needs of any build no matter the scope or length of the project. Our technicians test the soil and find out what composition they are dealing with before the build begins. We use leading equipment and proven construction techniques to tailor your build. 

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What are Steel Soldier Piles?

Soldier piles are steel beams that are built in an H pattern. These beams are often seen at home excavation sites, buildings that have structural issues, and mining operations, but they are also useful in low-budget builds and archaeological sites. A huge advantage of using this soil retention method is that contractors can adapt the wall and make changes as they build the system. The versatility of the system is one of the biggest reasons that builders and engineers use these walls. 

How Timber Lagging Walls Work

Timber lagging is the material that goes between the steel soldier piles. This material keeps soil in place while the soldier piles provide support. The piles are the vertical supports, and the timber lagging provides horizontal load protection. The timber walls are often made with pressure treated wood. The builder can decide whether to add bracing like whales or tiebacks to reinforce the wall when holding back a large load, and are often used: 
  • Upgrades
  • Excavations
  • Temporary mining
  • Short-term construction projects
  • Small jobs requiring a wall
  • To hold back soil from the work site
  • Strict construction budgets
  • Noise regulations require a quiet wall build
  • Areas where customizing is important
How Soldier Pile and Lagging Goes In Place

The piles go into the ground about six to twelve feet apart. They are put in place by drilling into the soil. After the piles are in the right location and level, digging begins. Once a large enough hole is ready, technicians secure the lagging to the piles and add any bracing. Next, the workers back fill the hole and use machinery to tamp down the soil making it dense and solid. The wall goes up in sections until the build is complete. 

Benefits of Using Soldier Pile and Lagging Wall Supports
  • Piles and lagging walls are easy to build
  • Construction is quick
  • The system is much cheaper than conventional retaining walls
  • The walls are customizable
  • Workers can make changes during the build if necessary
  • Uses standard construction techniques
There are some considerations of the pile and lagging wall system. For instance, a system that is built more than twelve feet above ground needs extra reinforcement. Engineers and architects can design the system with more soldier piles. The additional structures add more support letting the wall handle heavier loads. Areas with significant underground water movement or drainage should have pumps or specific water removal methods in place to protect the wall. In any case, experts need to monitor the soil and observe any movement or changes. 

Collecting soil samples and providing a strict analysis of the ground is a vital first step to placing a pile and lagging wall system. Building the soldier pile and timber wall support requires the use of specialty machines and equipment. Workers need extensive training in wall calibration, load settlement, and construction. Some states require specific licenses and certifications for these builds as well. 

Kagaoan Engineering employs a team of geotechnical engineers, designers, architects, and workers that understand the soil composition of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut land. Our soldier pile and timber walls are excellent for residential areas where noise regulations require quieter builds. We survey the area, collect soil samples, and work with your team to design a wall that meets your construction requirements. Our workers have the licenses and certifications to perform high-quality soldier pile and lag wall builds to protect your property and workers. 

For more information about our services, or to schedule a visit from one of our expert contractors, please call Kagaoan Engineering at 516-208-1533. We service clients in Long Island, Nassau County, the Bronx and other boroughs along with customers in New York City and Suffolk County. 

Please contact us for free consultation.

About Kagaoan Engineering


Kagaoan Engineering provides a full range of engineering, consulting, and special inspection services for both large and small projects. Our staff includes professional and technical engineers who are equipped with experience in all facets of real estate development and construction-starting with property acquisition, conceptualization, site investigation, design development, construction quality assurance and quality control, to project close out. Each team member at Kagaoan Engineering is a highly motivated individual who is committed to delivering quality results to the clients.
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