Soldier pile and lagging is an earth retention system consisting of wide flange or H-Pile steel beams driven or placed in drilled holes. After the soldier beams have been installed, the earth is excavated in lifts along one side of the beams to expose a cut face of earth, and to partially expose the front faces of the beams. Then lagging is installed with either timber or sprayed shotcrete to hold back the soil.
Soldier pile and lagging walls are inexpensive, relatively easy and fast to install making them a viable option for many contractors. This method does not work well in ground conditions with a high-water table and non-cohesive soils.
