<p>This paper provides a numerical study of the stability of basal heave in braced circular excavations in undrained soft clays, with an emphasis on heterogeneous and anisotropic strength conditions. The research utilized the finite element method with the NGI-ADP anisotropic strength model in the software Plaxis, to capture the effects of anisotropy and increasing strength with depth on the basal stability. In these analyses, the wall embedment depth (D), anisotropy ratio (S_u^P/S_u^A), strength gradient (kH/S_u0), initial mobilization ratio (<i>τ</i>_<i>0</i><i>/</i>S_u^A) and wall interface condition R_int were identified as key factors. Across a broad range of excavation depth to width ratios (H/B), the results show that narrower excavations exhibit superior resistance to basal heave, with failure mechanisms adopting various forms of localization for different conditions. The stability factor N_c was found to vary from 6.1 to 95.9 for the different analyses. Increased wall embedment depth and rougher wall interfaces provide more stabilizing, constrained failure surfaces, thereby enhancing the factor of safety. Under anisotropic conditions, lower S_u^P/S_u^A ratios are associated with reduced stability, whereas higher kH/S_u0 ratios (strength increase with depth) are indicative of more resistant soil profiles, which contribute to improved stability. Regression-based equations were derived from the parametric study, which can be employed as quick and reliable engineering tools for estimating basal stability.</p>