Graphical Construction Glossary >> Temporary Work. >> shoring >> Trench Timbering

Trench Timbering

The provision of timber supports in excavations and trenches to prevent the collapse of the earth sides. A method of making trenches safe to work in.

Poling Boards

In trench shoring. Vertical boards to the side walls of an excavation.

Puncheons

In trench shoring. Short sturdy vertical lengths of timber that support the walers. Similar pieces in old timber framed buildings.

The sketch above shows a method of using timber only to make the side walls of a trench safe from collapse in fairly soft ground.

What you see is obviously only an indication, as there are factors like the type of ground and the depth of the excavation that affect how a trench is timbered.

In common with formworking and just as critical if not more so, the use of cleats and puncheons is recommended to keep the various members in position while workers are below ground level. Various factors like vibration or the accidental dropping of a pipe or other materials can cause an unsafe situation if the shoring is of a flimsy nature.

For the most part this type of excavation support is not seen, apart from odd small excavations where modern steel systems are not available.

At the same time there is a definite case to be made by always keeping some timer materials on site when any deep excavation work is being done, "just in case".

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