EG7004 Soil Structure Engineering Coursework Brief 2026/27: Deep Braced Excavation Design with CIRIA C517 and FREW | UEL

EG7004 Soil Structure Engineering (University of East London): Coursework Semester A 2026/27

University	University of East London (UEL), School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering
Module	EG7004 Soil Structure Engineering
Assessment	Coursework Assignment 1, individual design report
Weighting	60%
Handout / Submission	5 October 2026 / 15 December 2026, 4.00 pm (single PDF via Turnitin)
Learning Outcomes	2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8

This year’s EG7004 coursework is a preliminary design for the support system of a deep, rectangular braced excavation in granular soil (loose, medium dense and dense reddish brown medium SAND over a variable groundwater level). Each student uses an individual dataset from Moodle for excavation depth H, width W, time open and soil design parameters, and compares three options: a CIRIA C517 DPL design, and Oasys FREW analyses of a steel sheet pile wall and a concrete diaphragm wall.

Design Approaches

Design using the DPL Method as defined in CIRIA Report C517 (1999) Temporary propping of deep excavations: guidance on design. Assume wall penetration below formation equal to 10% of the total depth of excavation.

Design using Oasys FREW software, using the same prop spacing as the DPL design and letting the software determine the required wall penetration, for (a) an AZ 32-750 steel sheet pile wall with 273 mm diameter, 10 mm wall CHS props, and (b) a uniform 500 mm thick concrete diaphragm wall with the same CHS props.

Section properties come from the ArcelorMittal Piling Handbook and the Tata Steel Blue Book (structural hollow sections). Each student must use only their own assigned dataset.

Design Report Sections

(a) Executive summary on one page: the design, design philosophy and recommended design, clear enough for a contractor to build from. [10 marks]

(b) Outline design proposal based on CIRIA C517, with prop levels and construction sequence. [20 marks]

(c) Design actions from CIRIA C517, mainly a summary of expected prop loads. [10 marks]

(d) FREW analysis of the steel sheet pile wall: prop loads, wall bending moments and expected deflections. [20 marks]

(e) FREW analysis of the concrete diaphragm wall: design actions and overall performance. [10 marks]

(f) Dewatering: how it might be achieved and how it affects wall design and construction. [10 marks]

(g) Summary discussion comparing the analyses, recommending the flexible or stiff wall with reasons and suggested final prop loads. [10 marks]

(h) Design construction drawing of the final design with all detail needed to build the support system and excavate. [10 marks]

Submission Notes

Sections (b) to (e) must explain and justify all assumptions, summarise the key design elements with drawings, and report expected performance (prop loads, maximum moments, wall deflections).

Design calculations go in brief, relevant appendices referenced from the main text; reports padded with unnecessary computer output lose marks.

Computer output must show both input and output values. Word-processed, 1.5 line spacing, Arial 12 pt, one legible PDF through Turnitin.

Marking Rubric Weightings

Executive summary	10%
Outline design proposal and construction sequence (CIRIA C517)	20%
Analysis of design actions (CIRIA C517)	10%
FREW analysis: steel sheet pile wall	20%
FREW analysis: concrete diaphragm wall	10%
Dewatering discussion	10%
Comparative discussion and final recommendation	10%
Design construction drawing	10%

The 2026/27 EG7004 coursework changes the scenario from earlier years: a rectangular braced excavation in layered sand with a variable water table, checked three ways. Students usually lose marks when the DPL prop loads, the FREW sheet pile results and the diaphragm wall results are reported in isolation. The 10% comparative discussion only works if you explain why the stiffer wall attracts higher prop loads but smaller deflections, and how dewatering changes the earth and water pressures you assumed. Our engineering assignment help can review your CIRIA C517 workings and FREW model set-up, and our technical report writing help keeps calculations in appendices and the executive summary contractor-ready. For earlier versions of this module, see the EG7004 2025/26 cut and cover coursework and the EG7004 DPL method brief, or browse University of East London assignment briefs. For a worked reference, see our EG7004 braced excavation sample (DPL and FREW) and the guide on how to design a braced excavation for EG7004.

Answer