Welcome!
GeoWall at Berkeley is the only geotechnical engineering competition team in U.C Berkeley.
We design and build small-scale model mechanically stabilized Earth (MSE) retaining systems, completely out of paper, that will hold over 500lbs of sand and applied design loads!
Applying the principles of soil mechanics, reinforcement properties, and retaining system mechanics, our objective is to design our MSE retaining system with the minimum allowable quantity of kraft paper and reinforcements to endure soil and the design loads.
Each year, we compete in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Mid-Pacific Conference and the National Geo-Institute Conference.
At this year’s MidPac GeoWall competition, Berkeley brought the energy! Rain or shine, our team showed up in full Minion spirit to cheer each other on and celebrate all the hard work behind our MSE wall design. From compaction chants to cardboard signs, we reinforced the vibes and had a blast connecting with other schools!
Whether it’s pushing technical boundaries or embracing goofy team traditions, GeoWall at Berkeley is all about community, creativity, and geotech fun.
I joined GeoWall in my sophomore year and it quickly became one of the most meaningful parts of my college experience. What I love most about the club is how we balance hands-on learning and professional growth with a strong sense of community and fun. We push each other to grow not just as engineers, but as people. We genuinely enjoy the time we spend together, whether we’re testing soil or sharing laughs after build practices.
– Rune De Anda, CO-Project Manger 2025-2026