Chapter 7

Temporary Construction
Temporary construction refers to the construction which supports
and provides strength to the weak structure during execution of
works and is later removed from the site after completion of work.
Why temporary structures are used in buildings construction?
1. Assisting Construction Activities: They provide support during operations like
concrete formwork, scaffolding for workers, or bracing during excavation.

2. Ensuring Safety: Temporary structures minimize hazards by providing stable

platforms, barriers, or enclosures in high-risk areas.

3. Time and Cost Efficiency: These structures streamline processes by offering

specific solutions for particular tasks, reducing project duration and associated costs.

4. Excavation and Foundation Work: Bracing and shoring systems stabilize soil and prevent
collapse during deep excavations.
5. Renovation and Restoration Projects: Scaffolding provides access for repair work on
existing structures.

Following are some of the examples of temporary construction:

1. Scaffolding
2. Formwork
3. Timbering
4. Shoring
7.1 Scaffolding and Its Types
When the height above floor level exceeds about 1.5m, a
temporary structure usually of timber or steel provided to support
the platform over which workman sit and work.
Applications
 To provide platform for workman
 Temporary storage of materials
 For efficiency working
 For the safety
Component parts of scaffolding
 Standards:

These are the vertical members of the framework, supported on

the ground or drums, or embedded into the ground.

 Ledgers:

The horizontal supporting members running parallel to the wall.

 Braces:

Braces are diagonally fixed on standards.

 Putlogs:

Putlogs are placed one end on ledgers and other ends right
angles on the wall. This is a transverse member.

 Transoms:

Transoms are a type of putlogs supported on ledgers on both

sides.

 Bridle:

This is a member used to bridge a wall opening; supports one end

of the putlog at the opening.

 Boarding:

Boarding is a horizontal platform supported on putlogs and is

used for the support of workmen and materials at the time
working.

 Guard rail:

This is a rail, provided like a ledger, at the working level.

 Platform

A platform is a flat surface for workers to stand on or place tools

and materials. It is made from strong materials such as
aluminum, hardwood, or coated steel. The platform is placed
between the scaffold frames, providing a safe and stable area for
workers to perform tasks at height.

Types of scaffolding

1. Single scaffolding/ brick layer scaffolding

2. Double scaffolding/ masons scaffolding
3. Cantilever or needle scaffolding
4. Steel scaffolding
5. Suspended scaffolding
6. Trestle scaffolding

1. Single scaffolding

This consists of a single framework of standards, ledgers, and

putlogs etc., constructed parallel to the wall at a distance of about
1.20 meters. The standards are placed at 2 to 3 m intervals. At a
vertical interval of 1.2 to 1.5 interval ledgers are connected to
standards. Putlogs are placed one end on ledgers and another
end right angles on the wall. This type of scaffoldings is called
putlog scaffolding and is commonly used for bricklaying.
2. Double scaffolding
In stone masonry, it is very difficult to provide holes m the wall to
support putlogs. In that case, two rows of scaffolding are used
more strongly.

3. Cantilever or needle
Cantilever or needle is used under the following circumstances:
(i) Ground is weak to support standards.
(ii) When the upper part of the wall is to be carried out.
(iii) It is required to keep the space, near the wall, free for a walk
and for traffic, etc.
4. Suspended scaffolding
This type of scaffolding is normally used for repair works such as
pointing, painting, etc., wire ropes or chains are connected to the
working platform of the scaffolding and is suspended from the
roof of the building. And by using rope or chain, the platform can
be raised or lowered at any required level. It is a lightweight
scaffolding.
5. Trestle scaffolding
This type of scaffolding is used for painting and repair
works inside the room, less than a height of 5 m. The working
platform is supported on the top of movable contrivances such as
tripods, ladders, etc. mounted on wheels.
6. Steel Scaffolding
In steel scaffolding instead of using wooden members, steel
tubes are used and steel couplets or fittings are used instead of
rope lashings, other things are similar to the wooden types.
1.2 Formwork
Formwork (also called shuttering) in concrete construction is a temporary or permanent mould into
which fresh concrete is poured and allowed to set until it gains sufficient strength to support itself. It
ensures the concrete is shaped as per the required design and dimensions of the structure. The cos
of formwork may be upto 20 to 25% of the cost of structure in building work and even higher in
bridges.

Requirements of a Good Formwork

o It is very important that the formwork is well supported and strong enough to bear all loads
applied to it.
o Formwork must be aligned and braced well from all sides to keep its original shape.
o It should be watertight to prevent the leakage of cement grout.
o It should be constructed in a proper way so that at the removal stage concrete can be safe.
o The form-work material must be available locally, cheap, and can be used more than one
time.
o Try to keep it lightweight as possible to prevent the extra load on supports. Especially in
horizontal shuttering, lightweight formwork also can help to reduce labor costs or effort.
o It must be fixed in line and levels as per the drawing.
o Form-work material should not be damaged or rusted, which affects the quality of concrete
finishing.
o It should be water proof.
o It should be set out in correct shape size and position.
o The formwork should be reuses.

Formwork Importance
 o No doubt formwork is essential for any construction; its main advantage is that it can’t be
replaced with any other technology.
o Using formwork, concrete structures can be constructed quickly and in the most affordable
way.
o During all construction work periods, a formwork offers appropriate access and working
platforms that considerably enhance workers’ scaffold safety.
o Formwork helps in lowering the timeline and costs of the project by lowering the floor-to-floor
construction cycle time, which means more projects can fulfil their budgetary demands.
o Formwork facilitates construction managers to offer exact on-time shuttering and de–
shuttering of formwork resources, which results in improving project effectiveness and
resource usage.
o Formwork is mainly associated with concrete. It helps in producing a smooth finished surface
of the concrete.
o It provides good structural safety by offering solutions against all overlay loads, producing
exceptionally safe and practical structures.

Types of Formwork
There are several types of formwork used in construction. They are discussed below in detail.

Timber Formwork
Timber formwork is the most common type of formwork among all others. Timber forms are
extensively used in construction since the ancient period. Timber formwork is the oldest type of form
used in construction.

Timber formwork is one most used in construction among all other types of formwork. It offers onsite
fabrication of the required shape and size. It is easily used in any construction but it may prove time–
consuming for large projects. Plywood formwork material has a short lifespan. Timber Shuttering is
low-cost and easily workable shuttering. It can be cut and joined in any shape and size.

Plywood Formwork
Formwork for concrete members can be made out of plywood, a man-made
wood material that comes in a variety of thicknesses and sizes. Despite its
strength, durability, and lightweight, it is surprisingly easy to transport. The
slick cement surface we receive from using these forms is the key benefit of
using timber forms.

Steel Formwork
In recent years, steel formwork has gained in popularity due to its durability
and its ability to be reused several times. Although steel formwork is
expensive, it may be recycled for many different construction jobs. The
concrete surfaces are made extremely smooth by the steel shuttering.
Tanks, chimneys, columns, tunnels, and retaining walls are just some of the
rounded or curved constructions that might benefit from this material.
7.3 FORMWORK (TIMBERING) FOR EXCAVATIONS AND TRENCHES
This is the arrangement of timber planks in the trenches to
prevent collapsing of sides. When the depth of trench is large, or
when the subsoil is loose, the sides of the trench may cave in. The
problem can be solved by adopting a suitable method of
timbering.
Methods
1. Stay bracing
2. Box sheeting
3. Vertical sheeting
4. Runners
5. Sheet piling
1. Stay bracing
This method is used for supporting the sides or a bench
excavated in fairly firm soil, when the depth of excavation does
not exceed about 2 meters. The method consists of placing
vertical sheets or polling boards opposite each other against the
two walls of the trench and holding them in position by one or two
rows of struts. The sheets are placed at an interval of 2 to 4
meters and generally they extend to the full height of the trench.
2. Box sheeting
This method is adopted in loose soils, when the depth of
excavation does not exceed 4 meters. The method consists of
vertical sheets placed very near to each other (sometimes
touching each other) and keeping them in position by longitudinal
rows (usually two) of wales. Struts are then provided across the
wales.
3. Vertical sheeting
This system is adopted for deep trenches upto 10m depth in soft
ground. This method is similar to the box sheeting expect that the
excavation is carried out in stages and at the end of each stage
an offset is provided so that the width of the trench goes on
decreasing as the depth increases.
4. Runners
This system is used in extremely loose and soft ground, which
needs immediate support as excavation progresses. The system
is similar to vertical sheeting of box system, except that in the
place of vertical sheeting, runners made of long thick wooden
sheets or planks with iron shoe at the ends, are provided. Wales
and struts are provided as usual.
These runners are driven about 30 cm in advance of the progress
of the work by hammering.
5. Sheet piling
 This method is adopted in the following cases:
 Soil to be excavated is soft or loose
 Depth of excavation is large
 Width of trench is also large
 There is presence of sub-soil water
Sheet piles are designed to resist lateral earth pressure. These
are driven in the ground by mechanical means (pile driving
equipment). They can be used for excavating to a very large
depth.

7.4 Shuttering (Formwork) for Concrete Construction

Shuttering for a column is simple as compare to other complex structural
elements.

Column Formwork consists of the following main components:

 Sheeting all around the column periphery,

 Side yokes and end yokes,
 wedges, and
 Bolts with washers.

Figure below is the detail of the formwork for a square column.

Shuttering For Beam and Slab Floor
Figure below the formwork for the beam and slab floor. As shown in the fig
the slab is continuous over a number of beams. The slab is supported on 2.5 cm
thick sheathing laid parallel to the most beams. Normally, the sheathing is held
on wooden battens which are laid between the beams, at some suitable spacing.

In order to scale back deflection, the battens could also be propped within
the middle of the span through joists. In the side forms of the beam, 3 cm thick
sheathing is used. The bottom sheathing of the beam form maybe 5 to 7 cm
thick.
Formwork Stairs Formwork (Shuttering)
As shown in below. The following are the components used in concrete Stairs
formwork: Cross joists, String, Stiffener, Risers, Decking, Ledger, Cut String,
Hangers, Boards, Strut, etc. The risers planks are 4 to 5 cm thick and equal
to the height of the riser. These planks are beveled at the bottom to permit the
whole of the tread faced to be troweled.

The riser planks are placed after the reinforcement has been fixed in position.
The treads are left open for placement of concreting and vibration. Normally as
shown in the fig the stiffener is wired to cross-joists through the decking. You
can see all the details in these diagrams.

2.7 SHORING AND UNDERPINNIN

Shoring is temporary side support used in construction,
repairs, and excavations. It can be used when walls bulge
out, when walls crack because of uneven foundation
settlement and need to be fixed, when an adjacent
structure needs to be torn down, or when new holes or
openings need to be made in walls. In construction,
shoring is needed to support a deep excavation so that
the retained soil doesn’t topple over and cause a mistake
on the project. Its support depends on the soil type and
the difference in an excavation level at least 1.50 meters
from ground level.
Why is Shoring Used in Construction?
. In construction, shoring is needed in the following
situations:
 To keep walls from falling because they are leaning,
bulging, or sinking.
 When a basement is built near a sound wall to keep
it from falling when its support is withdrawn.
 During demolition, to support nearby structures and
buildings.
 To support the upper part of the wall while drilling a
big hole in the lower part of the same wall.
 Hold up a roof or floor while a support wall is
removed where a beam will be built.

Different Types of Shoring

1. Raking Shoring/inclined:
Raking shoring supports any walls in a building that
aren’t strong enough to stand independently. Cleats,
needles, sole plates, inclined members, bracing, and wall
plates, help keep the walls together so that the building
or structure doesn’t get too damaged. It is used to move
the weight of the floor and walls to the ground using

rakers or diagonal.
Fig 1: Raking Shoring
.
Consider the following points when using the raking
shoring:
 An angle of 45 degrees should be used while
installing rakers. Even so, the inclination could be
anything from 45 degrees to 75 degrees.
 Using a rider raker can shorten the rakers overall
length, which is especially useful for taller buildings.
  Proper bracing at regular intervals is essential for
rakers.
 The projected wall push will determine the size of the
rakers.
 When using a rake, ensure its center line is parallel
to the ground and the wall.
 The shoring can be placed at a distance of 3–4.5m to
protect the entire length of the bar.
 The bottom plate should be of the right size and
shape and anchored at an angle into the ground.
 Sole plates are not the place for wedges due to the
inevitable vibrations they will experience.
2. Dead Shoring/vertical:
Fig 2: Dead Shoring

The dead shore is a shoring used to give vertical support

to walls, roofs, floors, etc., when the lower part of a wall
has been removed to make an opening or rebuild a load-
bearing wall that isn’t working properly. The dead shore
comprises a set of beams and posts that hold up the
structure above and transfer its weight to the ground on
a firm foundation below.
Consider the following points when using dead
shoring:
 Doors, windows, open floors, and any other structural
features that could be impacted by removing or
demolishing a defective wall are appropriately
aligned or supported.
 Load capacity may be determined with some
precision, and the estimated length of needles and
dead coasts should be adequate to move the load.
 Injector needles need to be well-supported.
 A dead shore is a substantial vertical truss to hold
the beam near its terminus.
 The sole plates upon which the dead beaches rest
are separated by folding wedges.
 Internal floor support is essential.
 After checking each strut in every single hole, the
damaged component is systematically removed.
3. Flying Shoring/ Horizontal:
Fig 3: Flying Shoring

Flying shoring is a support system that holds up two

parallel walls when the building in the middle is taken
down or falls. These are typically used to temporarily
brace the parallel walls of two adjacent buildings while
the structure in between is being demolished or
reconstructed..
Consider the following points when using flying
shoring:
 The angle of tilt of the strut should be between 45°
and 60°.
 The centerline of the horizontal shore and wall should
meet at floor level.
 Single shores must be used until 9 m of space
between two walls.
 Wedges are driven in between the straining piece
and the strut.
 Flying shores are placed when an old building is torn
down and must stay in place until the new unit is
built.