A waler, also called a waling rail, is a horizontal beam used to brace trench walls and distribute load evenly across an excavation. Altrad Generation's Alloy Waler Rails use lightweight aluminium construction to give you a two sided hydraulic support system for trenching and groundworks, built as an alternative to Trench Boxes where cross services are present. City centre and highway excavations, where ground movement has to stay to a minimum, are where these rails do their best work.
These walers work in pairs with Trench Sheets, creating a clear working area so your team can inspect or lay utilities without obstruction. Aluminium construction makes them significantly lighter to handle than steel walers, which speeds up manual assembly and reduces manual handling effort on site. Each rail comes with integrated lifting eyes for safe installation with standard lifting chains, and the rails stack efficiently for transport between sites.
Alloy waler rails and waler beams are available in five lengths, from 2000mm up to 5000mm, giving you Safe Working Loads from 58kN/m down to 4.9kN/m depending on the span. Three cylinder types connect the rails and adjust to suit different trench widths, and aluminium end bearers are available for non battered trench ends. The system works alongside Hydraulic Installation Kits to give you the pump, hoses and manifolds needed to install it on site. See the full Waler Systems range for every rail and cylinder option.
Key Features and Benefits
Lightweight aluminium: Corrosion resistant aluminium alloy construction that is significantly lighter to handle than steel walers.
Two sided support: Works as a hydraulic support system in conjunction with Trench Sheets, an alternative to Trench Boxes where cross services are present.
Five rail lengths: Choose from 2000mm to 5000mm rails with Safe Working Loads from 58kN/m to 4.9kN/m.
Integrated lifting eyes: Every rail includes lifting eyes for safe installation using standard lifting chains.
Stackable: Rails stack efficiently for transport and storage between sites.
End bearer option: Aluminium end bearers are available for non battered trench ends, retaining backfill and preventing dislodged material.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is a waler used for in trenching and groundworks?
A. A waler, or waler rail, braces trench walls and spreads load evenly across an excavation. Altrad Generation's Alloy Waler Rails create a two sided hydraulic support system when used with Trench Sheets, and act as an alternative to Trench Boxes on sites where cross services rule out a box.
Q. What is the benefit of aluminium walers over steel walers?
A. Aluminium walers are significantly lighter to handle than steel equivalents, which speeds up manual assembly and reduces the physical effort needed on site. The aluminium alloy construction also resists corrosion, keeping the rail in good condition across repeated use.
Q. Are alloy waler rails compatible with trench sheets?
A. Yes. Alloy Waler Rails are designed to work with Trench Sheets, creating a two sided hydraulic support system for trenching and groundworks. Hydraulic Installation Kits give you the pump, hoses and manifolds needed to install the system on site.
Contact your nearest Altrad Generation branch to discuss Alloy Waler Rails for your project.
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