Berlin walls (Berlin-type retaining walls)
Berlin-type walls are a temporary support system for deep excavations. Their purpose is to stabilise the soil and ensure safety during construction works.
A Berlin-type wall is a lightweight retaining structure used to support both shallow and deep excavations – including large, open-cut excavations as well as smaller ones.
Technology description
Berlin-type walls are an effective solution for soil stabilisation and safe excavation works, particularly in locations with limited working space.
The construction method involves installing vertical steel elements (soldier piles) into the ground at designed spacing along the boundary of the planned excavation.
As the excavation is progressively deepened, the exposed spaces between the steel sections are gradually infilled with lagging. This stabilises the excavation and prevents soil collapse, ensuring safe working conditions.
Advantages of Berlin-type walls
• Enables fast and efficient excavation support.
• Relatively low construction cost compared to other retaining methods.
• Quick installation and high flexibility of application.
• Steel profiles are installed in predrilled boreholes, which eliminates difficulties associated with excavation support in coarse-grained soils.
• Suitable for use in urban areas and densely built-up environments.