Common Types of Shoring in Construction

Shoring in construction is used to support a deep excavation to prevent the retained soil from overturns and eventually cause a project mishap. Depending on the soil type; shoring support is usually provided when we need to support an excavation with at least 1.2 meter high. In this article, we have discussed the types of shoring in construction.

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Types of shoring

The common types of shoring that we usually encountered in the construction project are;

1. I-Beam Shoring
2. Secant Piles Shoring
3. Contiguous Pile Shoring
4. Sheet Piles
5. Diaphragm Walls

 

I-Beam Shoring.

Also known as soldier pile walls; are the most common type of shoring that we usually encountered in a construction project. It is constructed by driving prefabricated steel I sections into the ground.

Soil conditions may allow for the sections to be vibrated directly into the ground instead of pre-drilling of soil before installing the beam.

The full wall is formed by installing a precast concrete panel between the driven steel beams to construct the shoring walls.

Additionally, I Beam Shoring is used to support an excavation ranging from 1.2 to 5 meters deep or excavations equivalent to at least one basement; and depending on the design; its toe length ranges from 10 meters to 12 meters depth from 0 levels.

 

Secant Piles Shoring

Secant Pile Shoring was formed of intersecting two combinations of piles; with a “reinforced” also called as secondary and “unreinforced” or; primary pile interlocking each other to form a continuous wall.

A guide beam is constructed first prior to installation to keep the alignment in place.

This is usually used in deep excavations.

After casting the “primary” pile; the temporary casing is extracted while the concrete has not fully set and a the heavy casing is then driven into the intervening pile location cutting into the fresh concrete of the adjacent pile.

The “secondary” piles are then immediately drilled.

The steel cages of the “secondary” pile are inserted and the structural concrete is poured to form a continuous wall.

Secant Piles are the best choice to use when there is no room for open excavation or when space is limited because of an existing structure that is too close in proximity.

Types of shoring in construction

 

Contiguous Pile Shoring

Contiguous or Tangent Pile Shoring is composed of closely spaced piles wherein the faces of the piles are almost touching or tangent with each other.

This is used in areas where water is not significant or the water pressure is very minimal. This is usually proposed in clay soils and can use to retain dry granular material or fills.

Although water seepage between the gaps of the pile is more likely to occur when using in water-bearing granular soils, it can be prevented by grouting these gaps to form a watertight retaining wall.

This type of shoring is not recommended to use in a high groundwater table without dewatering works.

Construction of contiguous pile is very similar to that of the secant piles as prior to the installation; a guide beam should be constructed to serve as a guide for the contiguous wall to install in place.

 

Sheet Piles

Although can be used to retain soil to soil excavations. This type of shoring is bests to use when we need to isolate our excavation from the bodies of water specifically a creek; a pond, or on a seaside.

It is commonly seen in a port and harbor construction.

Similar to soldier piles, it can be constructed by driving prefabricated Z or U steel sections into the ground using a "vibro" hammer.

The full wall was formed connecting the Z or U steel sections or the sheet piles.

Depending on the depth of excavation, the end of the sheet piles if not long enough can be welded together to reach the desired depth in the ground.

Diaphragm Walls

When the excavation is too deep for the above-mentioned type of shoring, diaphragm walls can be used. It is installed in three panels of reinforced concrete installed and concreted at the site.

It can be a load-bearing element for a temporary or permanent retaining wall or both.

For the deep excavation of the basement and tunnels; the diaphragm wall is the best option.

Check also; Principles of the taking off quantities

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