Graphical Construction Glossary >> Temporary Work. >> Formwork >> Sole Plates

Sole Plates

Lengths of timber used as the base of rows of props and formwork shoring systems. Essential on the ground and the wider and heavier the better on soft ground. Used to fix the base of props etc. and also to spread the load.

The photo above shows the bases of some shore frames for a suspended slab. They are sat on timber plates. The main reason for this is to spread the load that was applied to them by the weight of the concrete.

The base is compacted gravel, and if the base plates where not used then the weight could make bottoms of the frames dig into the gravel and the formwork could be distorted.

Not so important here where braced frames are used, but if the supports were rows of separate props, even if they were sitting of a concrete floor, then plates would still be needed to hold the bottom of the props firm. The props are normally nailed to the plates, to stop them moving under the vibration or differing loads during the concrete pour.

For non glossary articles of a general and how to nature go to the formwork section on this site.

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