Berlin and micro-Berlin walls — retaining excavations and deep digs
Specialists in Berlin-type (soldier pile) and micro-Berlin walls for excavations on constrained urban sites.
A Berlin wall retains the ground during excavation: basement creation, car parks, digs on property boundaries. Its micro-Berlin variant, built from micropiles, suits cramped sites that heavy plant cannot reach. Sirianni Travaux builds these retaining systems across the PACA region, including in dense urban settings.
Excavating safely, even on the property line
What is a Berlin wall?
A Berlin (soldier pile) wall is a retaining system made of vertical elements — steel profiles or piles — installed before excavation, between which lagging (timber, shotcrete or panels) is placed as the dig progresses. It makes it possible to excavate right against neighbouring buildings or roads without destressing the ground.
The micro-Berlin wall is its difficult-access version: the vertical elements are micropiles drilled with compact equipment, so it can be built in courtyards, basements or narrow lanes out of reach of conventional piling rigs. Depending on the retained height, the wall is completed with ground anchors or props.
Why choose a Berlin wall?
It is the excavation retaining solution most adaptable to urban constraints.
Excavate on the property line
The wall retains the ground immediately against party walls and roads.
Suited to cramped sites
The micro-Berlin version is drilled with compact equipment: inner courtyards, basements, narrow access.
Safe phasing
The lagging follows the dig: the ground is never left unsupported.
Temporary or permanent
Depending on the project, the wall serves the construction phase or becomes part of the final structure.
Compatible with anchors and props
For deep excavations, the wall is combined with ground anchors.
Special foundations expertise
Designed for earth pressures, neighbouring surcharges and phasing.
Our expertise
Know-how in special works
Sirianni Travaux builds Berlin and micro-Berlin walls for basement creation, extensions and construction on sloping or party-wall sites.
- Berlin and micro-Berlin walls
- Micropiles
- Ground anchors and propping
- Shotcrete (lagging)
- Excavations on constrained urban sites
How a Sirianni Travaux project unfolds
Retaining design
Analysis of earth pressures, neighbouring structures and excavation phasing.
Installation of vertical elements
Drilling of micropiles or setting of profiles before excavation.
Excavation and lagging in stages
Controlled dig, placing of the lagging, anchors where required.
Checks and handover
Monitoring of movements and compliance of the structure.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a Berlin and a micro-Berlin wall?
Can a basement be created against a party wall?
Is the wall permanent?
Are ground anchors needed?
What checks are carried out during excavation?
A consolidation or foundation project?
A no-obligation exchange: outline your situation and we will suggest the appropriate technical answer after reviewing the context.