We specialize in the design of soldier piles, secant piles and other earth retention systems.  Some sites have ascending slopes, limited side yard space or require excavation of 6 to 60 feet. In such circumstances, shoring of the affected perimeter walls are necessary. The safe and economical design of excavation shoring systems require the services of civil engineers knowledge in both geotechnical analysis and substructural design. This often means you need to hire a California geotechnical engineering firm then a separate shoring designer.

FEC performs both geotechnical investigation and soldier beam & soil nail shoring design services.

Other shoring systems include soil nail walls with shotcrete or concrete skin.  This system is a passive system in that the retained soil must strain ever so slightly prior to soil nail wall strength mobilization.  Soil nail walls are advantageous for very steep slopes comprised of soil or sandstone/claystone materials.  The skin can be textured or stamped to blend with the natural environment.  Soil nail walls are at least 30% less expensive than tiered retaining walls and are fast to construct.