Shoring in Construction: Types, IS Codes, and Safe Excavation Practices Explained

Introduction – Why Shoring Matters

When you dig a deep trench near a building or remove a wall section to build new foundations, proper support becomes crucial. Without it, the building may tilt or even collapse, causing serious damage to nearby structures and soil movement. This is where shoring in construction comes in — a technique that provides temporary structural support during excavation or foundation repair** to keep walls, buildings, and surrounding soil stable and safe.

According to the Indian Standard IS 3764 : 1992 (Code of Safety for Excavation Work), shoring must be installed whenever the stability of a structure or soil is at risk during excavation or repair._

For civil engineers, people who work as site supervisors, and project-managers, it is important to know about shoring because:

In India, the IS 3764 : 1992 “Code of Safety for Excavation Work” gives the main safety rules you need. The rules talk about shoring, timbering, and sheet-piling. Also, many industry notes talk about standards like IS 1905 which is about the Code of Practice for Shoring and making support under structures.

In practical terms, shoring allows construction teams to excavate deeper, repair old foundations, or build basements next to existing structures without endangering stability. It serves as a safety backbone on every site where excavation meets structure.

So, before breaking ground on your next project, remember:

“Excavation without shoring is like surgery without anesthesia — it might work, but the risk isn’t worth taking.”

For every shoring job at the site, everyone tries to save time, cut costs, and stay safe. If things don’t go well, there can be big problems. But if you get it right, you have safe and quick digging and fixing.

Definition & Scope – What Exactly is Shoring?

Shoring is when people put up support systems like props, struts, sheets, wales, and braces. These supports help keep walls, trenches, foundations, or buildings from falling down while work is going on that might make them weak.

In more detail:

From IS 3764: for example, shoring and timbering are made up of sheathing (up-and-down members), struts (side-to-side members), and wales (long members) that hold back soil pressure. Click here to view in docs

When & Where Shoring is Required (Use-Cases)

Here are the most common situations where shoring is needed:

• Digging trenches or basements close to buildings or roads.
• Fixing or making the foundation stronger when part of a wall that holds the load is taken away.
• Changing or taking out walls that hold weight for openings, where load needs to be moved for a short time.
• Tearing down walls or buildings next to each other when some parts may fall down.
• Building deep shafts, tunnels or underground services where dirt or buildings need support.
• Supporting the old foundation while putting in a new one.

Example: If you are digging for a basement in a small city spot next to an old brick wall, you must hold up that wall. The wall needs help to stand on its own and to hold all the soil beside it while you dig.

Here is something for you and the others to remember: “If you plan to dig close to a building or another structure, you should think about shoring before you start.”

⭐ Editor’s Pick – Must Read

Relevant Indian Standards (I.S. Codes) You Must Know

For engineers who work by Indian practice, the main standards to use are:

• IS 3764: 1992 – Code of Safety for Excavation Work. This talks about work like trenches, borrow pits, and cellars where the sides are not kept to safe slopes. It gives meanings of words like sheathing, struts, and wales. The code also shares tips on sheet piling and other ways to keep the work area safe when supporting the sides.
• IS 1905 – Code of Practice for Shoring and Underpinning of Structures. Reference lists show this standard talks about shoring and holding up buildings that are already standing.

Types of Shoring Systems & Their Working Principles

Now, let’s talk about the main information your readers want. Here is a simple guide to the major shoring types, how they work, when to use each one, and some useful tips.

1 Raking Shoring

1. Here, inclined props called rakers lean on the wall and help move the load to solid ground.
2. People use this method a lot when a wall is bulging, or it is getting damaged, like being cut from below.
3. Parts included are the raker (which is the slanted prop), a wall plate, a sole plate, and sometimes a strut.
4. The angle is usually between 45° and 75°.
5. Pros: It is simple and quick.
6. Cons: You need space to lean the props, and they can get in the way or block things like doors or pipes.

2 Flying Shoring

1. A level system is used to keep two walls standing while the middle part is taken off or fixed.
2. Parts in this system are needles (these are beams laid flat that go through holes or slots in the wall), struts, and wall plates.
3. This works well when you need to take away the whole area between structures or make large holes in between.
4. The design must help carry the load right.

3 Dead Shoring

1. The supports stand straight up to hold weight for a short time. For example, people use them for floors or beams during a fix.
2. You need these when you take away something that helps hold up the building, like a wall. You then must support what is on top.
3. The supports must be straight and stand on solid ground.

.4 Trench Shoring (Hydraulic, Frame, Sheet-Pile)

1. When you dig trenches for things like pipes or basements, you might not always be able to make the trench sides safe by sloping them. In those cases, you have to put in a shoring system:
   1. Frames and panels that use pressure to press against the sides
   2. Steel sheet piles
   3. Piles with boards in between them
2. The purpose is to keep the sides in place, keep workers safe, and protect things next to the trench.
3. IS 3764 gives the rules for shoring, timber work, and sheet piling when doing digging work.

Practical tip: Pick the system based on what kind of soil there is, how deep it is, if there is groundwater, what buildings are close by, and how much space you have.

Design & Execution Considerations for Shoring

Here is where what you read in books meets what happens on an actual site. Good engineers pay close attention to:

1 Soil & Excavation Conditions

• Find out the type of soil, where the groundwater is, if there are things in the way, or if there are foundations next to it.
• For example, when you have loose fill or wet soil, you will need a stronger system (sheet piling) than you would with stiff clay.

2 Load Calculations

• Look at the loads. These include soil pushing from the side, extra loads like traffic or other buildings nearby, and the building’s own weight.
• Use safety steps that match IS rules and good design habits.
• For trenches, it is important to have safe bends, space between struts, and strong boards.

3 Adjacent Structures & Monitoring

• If shoring is close to other buildings, watch the walls for movement, sinking, and shakes.
• Set up tools for checking: settlement markers, tilt meters, and crack gauges.
• Plan what to do if problems happen: if walls move more than allowed, stop digging and make shoring stronger.

4 Material Selection & Installation

• Timber: good for saving money, but best for jobs that last a short time and don’t need to hold much weight.
• Steel: is very strong and can be used again. It works well for big loads and when you need to use it many times.
• These systems: set up fast, easy to change, and are often used when making trenches safe.
• Make sure everything sits on a steady base, use plates on firm areas, and tie it down well.

5 Safety & Removal Sequence

• Make sure that workers can get in and out safely when they are inside excavations.
• Give a plan for taking out shoring. Only take it out after the permanent works are holding the load. Remove the shoring in the opposite order from how you put it in. This will stop the ground from becoming unsteady.
• Keep all materials far from the trench edge. Also, keep spoil away so the slopes stay safe.

6 Documentation & Compliance

• Make shoring drawings and write method statements.
• Send to client or local authority when needed.
• Keep all document checks, tests and monitoring logs for audit and safety use.

Advantages of Proper Shoring & Potential Risks of Poor Practice

Advantages

• Makes sure workers are safe and stops trenches from collapsing.
• Keeps buildings next to the site safe from harm or sinking.
• Lets people dig deeper or give support in a safe way.
• Helps the job stay on track and keeps costs lower if there is damage or a legal issue.

Risks if Shoring is Inadequate

• Excavation or wall may fall in part or all the way.
• Damage to next buildings, water or power lines, or roads—this can mean big repair bills and be a problem for who owns it.
• There can be long waits on the job and higher costs for insurance or for keeping the site safe.
• Not following rules: You may have to stop work, pay fines, or deal with other penalties.

Insights: Look at shoring as insurance that helps your building work keep going and keeps things safe, not just as another cost.

How to Optimise Shoring for Cost, Efficiency & Sustainability

Here are some good ways to make shoring work better at your site:

• Early planning: Think about shoring needs at the start, in the tender or planning step. This stops short-notice and costly fixes.
• Reuse materials: Steel props and frames can be used again for new jobs. This saves money compared to using wood.
• Modular systems: Using special frames or ready panels makes setup faster. You get less hold-up on the site.
• Monitor & adjust: Use tech to check movement as it happens. If you spot changes early, you save money and lower the risk.
• Sustainable practice: Recycle steel sheets. Do not let waste harm the land. Keep the worksite clean.
• Training & supervision: Teach workers the safe way to shore. Make sure they know how to set up, work, and next take everything down in the right order.

Summary & Key Take-aways

🧠 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Shoring in Construction