What Is a King Post Wall?

King Post Walls are one of the more unknown and unique shoring systems we have available at Shore Hire.

They stand out for their durability, ease of installation, and adaptability to different soil conditions, making them an incredibly versatile and efficient shoring solution.

What Are King Post Walls?

A King Post Wall, also known as Soldier Piles, is a type of retaining wall that prevents soil or earth movement and provides support in a variety of excavation and retention applications.

This solution comprises King Posts (Steel I-Beams) placed at regular intervals, usually between one and three metres apart. To complete the wall, horizontal panels (our Steel Shoring Panels or Steel Plates) fill the space between the posts.

King Post Systems are incredibly versatile and adaptable, not only do we have a variety of sizes with our I-Beams, Steel Shoring Panels, and Steel Plates, but other products, such as H-Beams and concrete pre-cast panels can also be used for the King Posts and panels.

Simple and versatile, our panels and plates are made from high-strength steel, meaning that they are incredibly strong, long-lasting, and durable.

How Is A King Post Wall Installed?

The installation process of the King Post System is quick, easy, and adaptable.

Essentially, the method for installing King Posts or I-Beams involves creating a hole in the ground and inserting the post or beam into it. However, the technique for creating the hole and securing the post or beam within it varies:

• Option 1: King Posts can be vibrated directly into the ground without augering if the ground is soft enough, i.e. soft clays or sand. This method also allows for the easy removal of the posts or beams from the ground once your project is complete. 
• Option 2: This is the most common method for installing a King Post System, and is ideal for soils such as rock, fill, or silt. It involves augering a hole (using a large spiral drill bit to drill to depth), inserting the King Post, and filling the hole with concrete. When concrete is used, the King Posts often stay in the ground as a sacrificial item, meaning the post cannot be reused, but the infill panels can be recovered. A larger diameter concrete auger can be used in poor ground to help stabilise the King Post System. When inserting a King Post into concrete, a ‘bond-breaker’ agent can be used as a barrier to the concrete, making the removal process easier. If concrete remains on the King Post, it could be jack-hammered off or the affected section of it can be cut off. Not only does this installation method offer a vibration-free experience, but it also facilitates seamless on-the-spot adjustments, minimising disruptions and delays on your job site. 
• Option 3: This method involves augering the hole, filling it with sand or gravel, then vibrating the King Post into place within the hole. While this allows for the easy recovery of the posts after your project is complete, it does result in requiring longer posts, and the posts sticking out of the ground more than if they were concreted in.

What Are King Post Walls Used For?

Shore Hire’s King Post System is suitable for the majority of retention applications, including embankment and slope retention, flood defence walls, single-sided retaining walls, and basement excavations where it is not possible to drive sheet piles or trench sheets, or the working area must be clear.

One of the biggest advantages of using a King Post System is its versatility. It can be used in most soil types, including rock, which is often not practical for many other shoring systems. However, it is not appropriate for extremely soft or waterlogged soils, as these do not provide enough stability for a retaining wall solution. In cases of extremely soft grounds, a system such as a combination of our Sheet Piles and Shore Brace 400 would be more appropriate.

The type and quality of the soil will determine how deep the King Posts need to be installed.

Our engineering team are experts in King Post Systems and can conduct on-site inspections, working side by side with your team to help deliver the best solution. We provide a comprehensive plan, complete with technical drawings, all signed off by one of our experienced engineers. We can also offer on-site assistance and installation guidance through our dedicated product managers and technical sales team.

For more information about our complete range of King Post Systems and equipment, visit your nearest branch, email [email protected], or call our friendly team of experts at 1800 UR HIRE.