How do you calculate the slope angle?

The slope angle depends on the soil type , the depth of the excavation pit and the requirements of the DIN 4124 This provides guidelines, e.g. 45° for clay or 60° for sand and gravel . Usually the angle is defined as the ratio between Height and horizontal length Depending on stability requirement he can use geotechnical calculations and stability proofs be adjusted.

What does a slope angle of 1 to 2 mean?

A slope angle of 1:2 means that the embankment per 1 meter high one horizontal length of 2 meters The embankment is therefore flatter than with a ratio of 1:1, where height and length are equal. The larger the second number, the flatter is the slope. This ratio is often used to securing of excavations used to soil slippage to avoid.

What slope angles are there?

The slope angle depends on the soil type and can have varying steepness. Typical slope angles are: 90° (vertical) – only with rock possible 60° - for stable soils like gravel or sand 45° - for cohesive soils like clay or loam 30° or flatter - for very soft or wet soils The slope angle will vary depending on construction project , safety requirements and the requirements of the DIN 4124 set.

How do you calculate the slope angle of an excavation pit?

The slope angle one excavation pit is determined from the ratio of height (H) to horizontal length (L) the slope. The formula is: slope angle (α) = arctan(H / L) Typical slope conditions: 1:1 → 45° (e.g. loam, clay) 1:1.5 → approx. 34° 1:2 → approx. 27° (e.g. sand, gravel) The DIN 4124 provides guidelines for safe inclination depending on soil type If space is limited or the floor is too unstable is, a shoring be necessary.

The slope angle – everything you need to know

When excavating excavation pits and trenches, the slope angle plays a crucial role in stability. It determines how steep the walls of an excavation pit or trench can be in order to prevent the soil from slipping. The angle depends on various factors, in particular the type of soil, the depth of the excavation pit and the requirements of DIN 4124, which defines safety requirements for civil engineering.

But how exactly is the slope angle determined? What measures are necessary to ensure a stable slope? In this article, you will learn everything you need to know.

What is the angle of repose?

The slope angle describes the inclination of a slope and is measured in degrees. It indicates how steep a pit or trench can be dug without the soil slipping. An angle that is too steep can endanger stability, while an angle that is too shallow takes up more area and increases the excavation.

slope angle according to DIN 4124

DIN 4124 provides guidelines for sloped excavations and trenches to ensure the safety of construction workers and structures. It takes into account the type of soil and the depth of the excavation pit.

soil type	Maximum slope angle
rock	90° (vertical)
clay and loam	approx. 45°
gravel and sand	approx. 60°
Non-cohesive soils	approx. 45° to 60°

These guidelines serve as a basis for planning, but must be adapted individually depending on the project.

Which factors influence the slope angle?

The slope angle depends on several factors that must be taken into account during planning and calculation:

soil type

The stability of a slope is largely influenced by the nature of the soil. Rocky soils are very stable and allow for steep slopes, while loose, non-cohesive soils such as sand or gravel require flatter slopes to prevent slippage.

depth of the excavation pit

The deeper an excavation pit, the more stable the slope must be. At greater depths, additional safety measures are often required to ensure stability.

groundwater and weather influences

A high groundwater level can affect the stability of a slope because the water softens the soil. In such cases, drainage measures or shoring are necessary. Rain and frost can also affect the slope angle.

load at the edge of the slope

Heavy machinery or building materials on the edge of the slope can put additional strain on the soil and thus encourage slippage. The slope of the slope should therefore always be chosen so that stability is guaranteed.

How is the optimal slope angle determined?

The slope angle is usually determined based on a soil analysis and the prescribed guidelines of DIN 4124. The angle is chosen so that a safe slope is created and the excavation is kept as low as possible.

A practical example:

According to DIN 4124, an excavation pit with a depth of 3 m and a loamy soil requires a slope angle of approx. 45°.
Sandy soil, on the other hand, requires a flatter angle of about 60° to ensure stability.

If space is limited or soil conditions do not allow for a sloped excavation pit, shoring may be necessary.

Safety measures for steep slopes

If a steep slope is required, additional measures must be taken to ensure safety. These include:

Retaining walls: Stabilize the slope and prevent the soil from slipping.
Drainage systems: Reduce the influence of groundwater and increase stability.
Greening or geotextiles: Protect the slope from erosion by wind and water.

slope angles and work platforms

When working on slopes or in excavations, choosing the right work platform is crucial. Articulated telescopic platforms are particularly well suited for use on sloping surfaces, as their long reach and flexible articulated booms allow them to safely reach hard-to-reach areas without having to drive over the slope.

Conclusion

The slope angle is a crucial factor in the planning of excavations and trenches. It affects the stability, the safety of the construction workers and the space required on the construction site. The choice of the right angle depends on the type of soil, the depth of the pit and other factors.

DIN 4124 provides important guidelines that serve as a basis for calculating the slope angle. If a steeper slope is necessary, safety measures such as retaining walls or drainage can help to ensure stability.