Trench Shoring Calculator
Calculate earth pressure, shoring requirement, and brace spacing for excavation trenches.
How to Use the Trench Shoring Calculator
- Enter the trench depth in metres.
- Select the soil type.
- Enter the soil unit weight (default 18 kN/m³).
- Click Calculate to see earth pressure, shoring requirement, and brace spacing.
Use Cases
- •Planning safe trench excavations for utilities.
- •OSHA compliance for construction site trenching.
- •Designing timber or steel shoring systems.
- •Site safety assessment before excavation.
Formula
Earth pressure P = Ka × γ × H, where Ka = active earth pressure coefficient, γ = unit weight, H = depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is shoring required?
OSHA requires protective systems (shoring, sloping, or shielding) for trenches deeper than 1.5 m (5 ft).
What is the active earth pressure coefficient?
Ka depends on soil type: granular soils ≈ 0.33, cohesive soils ≈ 0.5, soft/wet soils ≈ 0.65.
Is it free?
Yes, all calculators on OhMyCalc are completely free.