The stability of slurry trench system is closely associated with the characteristics of the filter cake (assumed impervious membrane) transferring the hydrostatic force of slurry to the trench walls. The effectiveness of this assumption in a wide range of trench systems has been examined with the aid of a Finite Element program. Build up of excess porewater pressure in the soil mass behind the filter cake is a function of the slurry density, the properties of filter cake, the ground conditions, time, the geometry of trench and the original ground water level. These factors were all investigated by the Finite Element Method. The most significant factors were found to be the ground conditions and the properties of filter cake.