Construction safety is paramount in every project. When it comes to excavation, trench shoring is commonly used in construction, which provides protection by preventing cave-ins by enhancing reinforcements in the walls. Wall cave-ins are one of the most dangerous risks in construction since they can result in serious injury and, in the worst-case scenario, even death. To lower these risks, many contractors rely on using trench shoring solutions to ensure the safety of the workers and the overall project. This article dives into the different types of shoring systems used for different projects.
What are the different types of trench shoring solutions for different soil conditions?
Soil condition is the main factor to consider when choosing the right trench shoring system for your project. There are various soil types with different properties that affect the soil’s stability; here are three of the most common soil types encountered in construction:
Cohesive soils. This type of soil is characterized by how much it can hold its shape and its impressive internal structure. Clay and silt fall under this soil type, which is also known for their instability when they become saturated by water.
Organic soils. Compared to the aforementioned, this soil type has low shear strength and is easily compressed. Soil types that fall under these are muck and peat.
Cohesionless soils. Finally, cohesionless soil takes little to no form because it has no internal structure. Sand and gravel fall under this type, and they are prone to collapse because of their characteristics.
What are the ideal trench shoring solutions for different soil types?
With the aforementioned soils categorized into three, here are the trench shoring systems ideal for each type.
Cohesive soils.
Hydraulic shoring. This system relies on hydraulic cylinders to exert pressure on the trench walls, which provides stability to the soil; it’s ideally used when the soil type has a high water table.
Sheet pile walls. Known for their excellent support, sheet pile walls use interlocking steel sheets that are driven to the ground, ideally used for deep trenches. It’s also best used for cohesionless soils because of its resistance to high lateral pressures.
Soldier pile and lagging. This type of shoring system is a versatile solution that involves the installation of steel piles into the ground, which are secured using horizontal timbers. Aside from cohesive soils, sheet pile walls can also be used in organic soils.
Organic soils.
Soldier pile and lagging. This trench shoring system is frequently used in this soil type because of how it provides the right support to avoid soil displacement. It uses steel H pipes that are vertically placed into the ground at consistent intervals before excavation.
Cohesionless soils.
Pneumatic shoring. When it comes to soils with dry conditions, it’s best to use a pneumatic shoring system wherein it uses compressed air to inflate cylinders or bags against the trench walls to provide lateral support.
Choosing the right trench shoring solution is important to ensure that workers can work in a safe and secure environment. By understanding the different soil types and the right trench shoring system, contractors can boost productivity, lower risks, and maintain a positive safety work culture.
