Bored Pile Walls
Bored pile walls are a common solution for supporting deep excavations in urban construction, infrastructure projects, and confined sites. They provide strong vertical retention, but often require additional horizontal support to counteract soil pressure and surcharge loads.
Vulcan Earth Anchors offer a fast, effective, and low-disruption method of tying back bored pile walls—removing the need for bulky internal props or time-consuming concrete works. Whether used in temporary works or permanent designs, they deliver immediate, reliable load resistance and help maintain structural stability throughout the excavation.
Why This Application Matters
In many deep excavation projects, especially in rail, highways, and commercial developments, internal space is limited and time is critical. Traditional propping methods can obstruct progress and delay the programme.
Using ground anchors to provide lateral restraint allows for a clear, open workspace while maintaining wall integrity. This is particularly important when working below ground level, in close proximity to live infrastructure, or within tight construction windows. Vulcan Earth Anchors are designed to perform in challenging ground conditions and are quickly installed using compact or handheld tools—making them ideal for modern construction environments.
Why Use Vulcan Earth Anchors?
Fast installation with no excavation, curing, or heavy equipment required
Maximised internal space by eliminating the need for intrusive props
Adaptable to poor ground conditions, with anchor depth and size tailored to site demands
Suitable for temporary or permanent works, with options for removal or long-term corrosion protection
Minimal environmental impact, thanks to low ground disturbance and no spoil
Lower project costs through reduced labour, faster programme times, and simplified logistics
How Our Products Are Used for This Application
Anchors are installed through sleeves or directly into the soil between bored piles. A bar or tendon connects the anchor to the rear face or beam of the wall. After installation:
The anchor is driven into the ground using percussion methods.
The drive rod is removed.
The anchor is load-locked by tensioning the tendon to flip the anchor in place.
A bearing plate or waler distributes load across the wall structure..
Installation Method
Percussion-driven using drive rods and handheld or excavator-mounted tools
Load-tested using a hydraulic ram or pull test rig
Connection typically made via steel bar, tensioned cable, or turnbuckle
No concrete, wet trades, or large plant required
Design Considerations
When designing anchor solutions for bored pile or retaining wall applications, several key factors must be considered to ensure long-term performance and stability.
The required holding force is determined by the depth of the excavation, ground type, and any additional surcharge loading. Soil conditions are critical to anchor selection, particularly in relation to cohesiveness, groundwater presence, and overall ground stability.
Anchor depth and installation angle must be optimised to achieve maximum resistance and effective load transfer. Corrosion protection is also essential, with galvanised or stainless-steel options available to suit environmental exposure and design life requirements.
To confirm suitability, all installations should be validated through on-site testing under actual ground conditions.
Which Products Are Used for This Application
For bored pile wall tie-back applications, larger Vulcan Earth Anchors are typically used to meet the higher load demands associated with deep excavations and structural retention. Each anchor system is carefully specified based on a combination of engineering and site conditions, including:
The height of the retaining wall and the depth of excavation
The type of soil—whether cohesive, granular, or mixed
The load to be retained, including surcharge from adjacent structures or traffic
Ground conditions, including groundwater presence and variability
Whether the application is temporary or permanent, which informs anchor size, corrosion protection, and removability
Our technical team can assist with anchor sizing, layout, and on-site validation testing to ensure compliance with project requirements.
Common Applications We Support
Vulcan Earth Anchors are used across a wide range of retaining wall and deep excavation projects, including:
Urban basement excavations, where internal props are impractical
Deep retaining walls in commercial or infrastructure developments
Highway and rail underpasses, where space and access are limited
Cut-and-cover tunnels requiring wall restraint during excavation
Shafts and caisson structures, particularly in utility or tunnelling works
Flood defence systems and water control structures needing lateral support
Whether you’re working on a major infrastructure scheme or a confined urban site, we can help you design and install a tailored anchoring solution that meets both structural and site-specific demands.
FAQs
01
Why use Vulcan Anchors over props for bored pile walls?
Vulcan Earth Anchors eliminate internal props, maximising usable space and allowing excavation to proceed uninterrupted. They’re faster to install, less disruptive, and ideal for confined or high-traffic sites.
02
Are Vulcan Anchors suitable for permanent wall support?
Yes. With appropriate corrosion protection and testing, Vulcan Anchors are used in both permanent and temporary bored pile applications.
03
How are anchor sizes chosen for bored pile projects?
Selection depends on design load, soil conditions, and wall height. Larger anchors are used to achieve the embedment and holding capacity needed for structural support. Our team supports with load calculations and layout design.
Get to know more about the product
The Vulcan Earth Anchor range was designed and developed by Anchor Systems (International) Ltd to provide a simple, reliable, and cost-effective ground anchoring solution for a wide variety of applications.
Our brochure includes detailed product information, performance data, installation guidance, and examples of real-world uses across multiple sectors.
If you require technical specifications or design advice for your specific project, please get in touch with our team.
Experts in innovative foundation systems
From rail and highways to solar farms and temporary structures, Anchor Systems deliver engineered ground anchoring and foundation solutions that simplify installation and reduce environmental impact.
Zero concrete, zero waiting time
Easy installation with hand-held or hydraulic tools
Reusable, relocatable, and sustainable
Designed, tested, and manufactured in the UK