Introduction Temporary Structure

Temporary works (TW) are the parts of a construction project that are needed to enable
the permanent works to be built. Usually the TW are removed after use - e.g. access
scaffolds, props, shoring, excavation support, falsework and formwork, etc.

Any structure that is not attached to a permanent foundation. A structure which is

permitted within a land use district without any foundation or footing and which is
removed when the designated time period, activity, or use for which the temporary
structure was erected has ceased.

1. Timbering of Trenches

When depth of trench is large or when the sub-soil loose the sides of the trench may cave
in. The problem can be solved by adopting a suitable method of timbering. Timbering of
trench sometimes also known as Shoring consist of providing timber plank or boards and
strut to give temporary support to the sides of the trench. The methods are used Stay
Bracing, Box sheeting, Vertical sheeting, Runner system, Sheet piling

 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 metres. The method consists of
placing vertical sheets called sheathing 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 metres and generally, they extend to the full
height of the trench. The polling boards may have width of about 200 mm and thickness
of 44 to 50 mm. The struts may have size 1OO x 100 mm for trench up to 2 m width and
200 x 200 mm for trench up to 4 m width.

 Box sheeting:

This method is adopted in loose soils, when the depth of excavation does not exceed 4
metres. The box like structure, consisting of vertical sheets placed very near to each other
(sometimes touching each other) and keeping them in position by longitudinal rows

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(usually two) of wales. Struts are then provided across the wales. Another system of box
sheeting is adopted for very loose soils. In this system, the sheeting is provided
longitudinally, and they are supported by vertical wales and horizontal struts. If the
height is more, braces are also provided along with struts.

 Vertical sheeting:

This system is adopted for deep trenches (up to 10 m depth) in soft ground. The method
is similar to the box sheeting except 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. Each stage is limited to about 3 m in height and the offset may
vary from 25 to 50 cm per stage. For each stage, separate vertical sheeting, supported by
horizontal wailings and struts are provided.

 Runner system:

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.

 Sheet piling:

This method is adopted when (i) soil to be excavated is soft or loose (ii) depth of
excavation is large (iii) width of trench is also large and (iv) there is 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.

2. Shoring

Shoring is the construction of a temporary structure to support temporarily an unsafe

structure. These support walls laterally. They can be used under the following
circumstances: 1. When walls bulge out due to bad workmanship 2. When walls crack
due to unequal settlement of foundation and repairs are to be carried out to the cracked
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wall. 3. When an adjacent structure needs pulling down/dismantled. 4. When openings
are to be newly made or enlarged in a wall.

Types of Shoring: Raking shores, Flying shores and Dead shores

 Raking Shores (Inclined Shores):

In this method, inclined members known as Rakers are used to give lateral supports to
walls. A raking shore consists of the following components: 1. Rakers or Inclined
member 2. Wall plate 3. Needles 4. Cleats 5. Bracing 6. Sole plate

The following points are to be kept in view for the use of the raking shores:

o Rakers are to be inclined in the ground at 45°. However, the angle may be
between 45° and 75°.
o For tall buildings, the length of the raker can be reduced by introducing rider
raker.
o Rakers should be properly braced at intervals.
o The size of the rakers is to be decided on the basis of anticipated thrust from the
wall.
o The center line of a raker and the wall should meet at floor level.
o Shoring may be spaced at 3 to 4.5 m spacing to cover longer length of the bar.
o The sole plate should be properly embedded into the ground on an inclination and
should be of proper section and size.
o Wedges should not be used on sole plates since they are likely to give way under
vibrations that are likely to occur.

 Flying Shores (Horizontal Shores):

It is a system of providing temporary supports to the party walls of the two buildings
where the intermediate building is to be pulled down and rebuilt. All types of
arrangements of supporting the unsafe structure in which the shores do not reach the
ground come under this category. They flying shore consists of wall plates, needles,
cleats, horizontal struts (commonly known as horizontal shores) and inclined struts
arranged in different forms which varies with the situation. In this system also the wall

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plates are placed against the wall and secured to it. A horizontal strut is placed between
the wall plates and is supported by a system of needle and cleats. The inclined struts are
supported by the needle at their top and by straining pieces at their feet. The straining
piece is also known as straining sill and is spiked to the horizontal shore. The width of
straining piece is the same as that of the strut. If the walls are quit near to each other
(distance upto 9 m) called as Single flying shore. When the distance between the walls is
more than 9 m a compound or double flying shore will be provided. Points kept in mind:
- Struts should preferably be inclined at 45 degree. In no case it should be exceed 60
degree. Single shore used only upto 9 m wall for greater distance double shore should be
provided. Factor of safety should be taken. It should be inserted when the old building is
being removing and it should be kept in position till the new unit is constructed.

 Dead Shores:

This consist vertical members known as Dead shores supporting horizontal member
known as needles. The needle transfers the load of the wall etc. to the dead shores. Such
shoring is provided to serve for following purpose.

 To rebuild the defective lower part of the wall.

 To rebuild or deepen the existing foundation.
 To make large opening in the existing wall at lower level.

Holes are made in the wall at suitable height needles which are made of thick wooden
sections or of steel are inserted in the holes. Each needle is supported at its two ends by
vertical posts or dead shores. Dead shores are supported on sole plates and folding
wedges.

Points to be kept in mind: -

 The section of needle and dead shore should be adequate to transfer the load,
which can estimate with fair degree of accuracy
 Needles are spaced at 1 to 2 metres minimum three needles used for an opening.
 If the opening is made in an external wall, the length of outer dead shore will be
greater than the inner ones.

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  If the external wall is week raking shore may be provided in addition to the dead
shores.
 Shores should be removed only when the new work has gained sufficient strength.
But in no case earlier than 7 days of the completion of new work. The new work
should have proper strutting.
 Sequence of removal should be 1 needle…2 strutting from opening....3 Floor
strutting…4 raking shore if any. An interval of 2 days should be allowed between
each one of these removal operations.

3. Underpinning:

The process of placing a new foundation under an existing one or strengthening an

existing foundation is called underpinning of foundation. It may require to serve
following purposes:

 To strengthen the shallow foundation of existing building when a building with

deep foundation is to be constructed adjoining it.
 To strengthen existing foundation which has settled and caused cracks in the wall
 To deepen the existing foundation (resting on poor strata) so as to rest it on deeper
soil strata of higher bearing capacity.
 To construct a basement under an existing building.

Underpinning Methods: They are: Pit Method, Pile Method

 Pit Method:

In this method the length of the foundation to be underpinned is divided into sections of
1.2 to 1.5 m lengths. For each section a hole is made on the wall above the plinth level
and a needle is inserted in the hole. Bearing plates are placed above the needle to support
the masonry above it. Needle is supported on either side of the wall on wooden supports
and screw jacks. The foundation pit is excavated up to the desired level and new
foundation is laid. In the round, the work is undertaken in alternate sections. Once the
alternate sections are undertaken, the remaining sections are worked out. If the wall for
which underpinning is to be carried out is weak, raking shores is provided to support
them.
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  In pit method of underpinning, the following points are noteworthy.
 Alternate sections are taken up in the round. Remaining sections should be taken
next.
 For long wall the work should be started from the middle and worked outwards.
 If the foundation is deeper, proper timbering of the foundation trench may be
done.
 The needle beam should be removed only when the new foundation has gained
strength.
 It is desirable to do the new foundation work in concrete.
 The needle should be closed in masonry using cement mortar.

 Pile Method:

In this method, piles are driven at regular interval along both sides of the wall. The piles
are connected by concrete or steel needles, which penetrate through the walls. These
beams also act as pile caps. This method is effective in clayey soil and in waterlogged
areas. The existing foundation is very much relieved of the load.

4. Scaffolding:

When the height of wall or column or other structural member of a building exceed about
1.5 m, temporary structure is needed to support the platform over which the workmen can
sit and carry on the constructions. This temporary structure, constructed very close to the
wall, is in the form of timber or steel framework, commonly called scaffolding.

Scaffolding is a temporary platform used to lift, support, and supply materials

during a construction process for the repair or cleaning of a structure or even
demolition of a building.

It is installed before construction or maintenance work begins. Therefore, whatever

the size of a building, scaffolding will always be necessary.

This is done to ensure the safety of workers while the building is being maintained or
constructed. In addition, it also provides some degree of support for a standing
structure during the construction phase.

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Scaffolding is made of wood or steel. It must be stable and strong to support workers
and other construction materials placed on the platform supported by the scaffolding.

The height of the scaffolding goes on increasing as the height of construction increases.

Types of Scaffolding used in Construction:

Single Scaffolding, Double Scaffolding, Cantilever Scaffolding, Suspended Scaffolding,

Trestle Scaffolding, Steel Scaffolding, Patented Scaffolding

 Single Scaffolding:

Single scaffolding is generally used for brick masonry and is also called as brick layer’s
scaffolding & Putlog scaffolding. Single scaffolding consists of standards, ledgers,
putlogs etc., which is parallel to the wall at a distance of about 1.2 m. Distance between
the standards is about 2 to 2.5 m. Ledgers connect the standards at vertical interval of 1.2
to 1.5 m. Putlogs are taken out from the hole left in the wall to one end of the ledgers.
Putlogs are placed at an interval of 1.2 to 1.5 m.

 Double Scaffolding:

Double scaffolding is generally used for stone masonry so, it is also called as mason’s
scaffolding. In stone walls, it is hard to make holes in the wall to support putlogs. So, two
rows of scaffolding are constructed to make it strong. The first row is 20 – 30 cm away
from the wall and the other one is 1m away from the first row. Then putlogs are placed
which are supported by the both frames. To make it stronger rakers and cross braces are
provided. This is also called as independent scaffolding.

 Cantilever Scaffolding:

This type of scaffolding in which the standards are supported on series of needles and
these needles are taken out through holes in the wall. This is called single frame type
scaffolding. In the other type needles are strutted inside the floors through the openings
and this is called independent or double frame type scaffolding. Care should be taken
while construction of cantilever scaffolding. Generally, cantilever scaffoldings are used
under conditions such as

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  When the ground does not have the capacity to support standards,
 When the Ground near the wall is to be free from traffic,
 When upper part of the wall is under construction.

 Suspended Scaffolding

In suspended scaffolding, the working platform is suspended from roofs with the help of
wire ropes or chains etc., it can be raised or lowered to our required level. This type of
Scaffolding is used for repair works, pointing, paintings etc.

 Trestle Scaffolding:

In Trestle scaffolding, the working platform is supported on movable tripods or ladders.

This is generally used for work inside the room, such as paintings, repairs etc., up to a
height of 5m.

 Steel Scaffolding:

Steel scaffolding is constructed by steel tubes which are fixed together by steel couplers
or fittings. It is very easy to construct or dismantle. It has greater strength, greater
durability and higher fire resistance. It is not economical but will give more safety for
workers. So, it is used extensively nowadays.

 Patented Scaffolding:

Patented scaffoldings are made up of steel but these are equipped with special couplings
and frames etc., these are readymade scaffoldings which are available in the market. In
this type of scaffolding working platform is arranged on brackets which can be adjustable
to our required level.