Given the lack of guidelines for shoring up trenches in the Quebec construction code, a research study was initiated to develop decision-making protocol in accordance with international regulations. The goal was to optimize selecting a shoring system relative to Quebec’s soft and sensitive soil class. The project required determining clear, reliable depth and width parameters for the sensitive soil, including numerical investigation using 3D simulation. The engineering team previously used third-party technology but required more flexibility simulating real soil structure interaction.

They selected PLAXIS to use its soil, structural, and interface modeling features to resolve the complex soil structure interactions. The performed digital analysis results were close to their experimental field results. Using the application reduced design and project delivery time by two months. Conducting finite element analysis with PLAXIS confirmed earth pressure measurements, providing reliable data for construction companies to choose the best excavation protection system at shallow depths in a soft and sensitive clay trench.