Scaffolds, Shoring and

Underpinning
Construction Technology
Course Code: ETCC2133

Presented by: Ruwan De Mel

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Scaffolds
These are temporary working platforms erected around the perimeter of a
building or structure to provide a safe working place at a convenient
height. They are usually required when the working height or level is 1.5m
or more above the ground level.
All scaffolds must comply with the minimum requirements and objectives
of the Work at Height Regulations.

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Scaffolds

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Putlog Scaffolds
These are scaffolds which have an outer row of standards joined together
by ledgers which in turn support the transverse putlogs which are built
into the bed joints or perpends as the work proceeds, they are therefore
only suitable for new work in bricks or blocks.

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Putlog Scaffolds

Fig - Putlog Scaffolds

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Independent Scaffolds
These are scaffolds which have two rows of standards each row joined
together with ledgers which in turn support the transverse transoms.
The scaffold is erected clear of the existing or proposed building but is tied
to the building or structure at suitable intervals.

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Independent
Scaffolds

Fig - Independent Scaffolds 7

Working Platforms
These are close boarded or plated level surfaces at a height at which work
is being carried out and they must provide a safe working place of
sufficient strength to support the imposed loads of operatives and/or
materials.
All working platforms above the ground level must be fitted with a toe
board and a guard rail.

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 Working
Platforms

Fig - Scaffold boards for working

platforms

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 Working Platforms

Fig - Scaffold boards for working

platforms

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Tying-in
All putlog and independent scaffolds should be tied securely to the
building or structure at alternate lift heights vertically and at not more
than 6m centres horizontally.
Putlogs should not be classified as ties.
Suitable tying-in methods include connecting to tubes fitted between sides
of window openings or to internal tubes fitted across window openings,
the former method should not be used for more than 50% of the total
number of ties.
If there is an insufficient number of window openings for the required
number of ties external rakers should be used.

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Tying-in

Fig - Tying in detail

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Mobile Scaffolds
Also known as mobile tower scaffolds.
They can be assembled from pre-formed framing components or from
standard scaffold tube and fittings. Used mainly for property maintenance.
Must not be moved whilst occupied by persons or equipment.

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Mobile Scaffolds

Fig - Mobile Scaffolds

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Mobile Scaffolds

Fig – Basic Fittings

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Suspended Scaffolds
These consist of a working platform in the form of a cradle which is
suspended from cantilever beams or outriggers from the roof of a tall
building to give access to the facade for carrying out light maintenance
work and cleaning activities.
The cradles can have manual or power control and be in single units or
grouped together to form a continuous working platform.
If grouped together they are connected to one another at their abutment
ends with hinges to form a gap of not more than 25mm wide.
Many high rise buildings have a permanent cradle system installed at roof
level and this is recommended for all buildings over 30m high.

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Suspended Scaffolds

Fig – Suspended Scaffolds

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Cantilever Scaffolds
These are a form of independent tied scaffold erected on cantilever beams
and used where it is impracticable, undesirable or uneconomic to use a
traditional scaffold raised from ground level.
The assembly of a cantilever scaffold requires special skills and should
therefore always be carried out by trained and experienced personnel.

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Cantilever Scaffolds

Fig – Cantilever Scaffolds

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Shoring
This is a form of temporary support which can be given to existing
buildings with the primary function of providing the necessary precautions
to avoid damage to any person from collapse of structure as required by
the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations.
Shoring Systems
There are three basic systems of shoring which can be used separately or
in combination with one another to provide the support(s) and these are
namely:-
1 . Dead Shoring - used primarily to carry vertical loadings.
2. Raking Shoring - used to support a combination of vertical and
horizontal loadings.
3. Flying Shoring - an alternative to raking shoring to give a clear working
space at ground level. 20
Shoring

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Dead Shores
These shores should be placed at approximately 2m c/c and positioned
under the piers between the windows, any windows in the vicinity of the
shores being strutted to prevent distortion of the openings.
A survey should be carried out to establish the location of any
underground services so that they can be protected as necessary.
The sizes shown in the detail below are typical, actual sizes should be
obtained from tables or calculated from first principles.
Any suitable structural material such as steel can be substituted for the
timber members shown.

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Dead Shoring

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Raking Shoring
These are placed at 3m to 4.5m c/c and can be of single, double, triple or
multiple raker format.
Suitable materials are timber structural steel and framed tubular
scaffolding.

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Raking Shoring

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Flying Shores
These are placed at 3m to 4.5 c/c and can be of a single or double format.
They are designed, detailed and constructed to the same basic principles
as that shown for raking shores.

Unsymmetrical arrangements are possible providing the basic principles

for flying shores are applied.

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Flying Shoring

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Flying Shoring

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Unsymmetrical Flying Shores
Arrangements of flying shores for unsymmetrical situations can be devised
if the basic principles for symmetrical shores is applied.
In some cases the arrangement will consist of a combination of both raking
and flying shore principles.

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Unsymmetrical Flying Shores

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UNDERPINNING
Main objective of most underpinning work is to transfer the load carried by a
foundation from its existing bearing level to a new level at a lower depth.
Underpinning techniques can also be used to replace an existing weak
foundation.
Underpinning operation may be necessary for one or more of the following
reasons:-
1. Uneven Settlement - this could be caused by uneven loading of the building,
unequal resistance of the soil action of tree roots or cohesive soil settlement.
2. Increase in Loading - this could be due to the addition of an extra storey or
an increase in imposed loadings such as that which may occur with a change of
use.
3. Lowering of Adjacent Ground - usually required when constructing a
basement adjacent to existing foundations.
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UNDERPINNING
General Precautions before any form of underpinning work is commenced:
1. Notify adjoining owners of proposed works giving full details and temporary shoring
or tying.
2. Carry out a detailed survey of the site, the building to be underpinned and of any
other adjoining or adjacent building or structures. A careful record of any defects
found should be made and where possible agreed with the adjoining owner(s) before
being lodged in a safe place.
3. Indicators or `tell tales' should be fixed over existing cracks so that any subsequent
movements can be noted and monitored.
4. If settlement is the reason for the underpinning works a thorough investigation
should be carried out to establish the cause and any necessary remedial work put in
hand before any underpinning works are started.
5. Before any underpinning work is started the loads on the building to be
underpinned should be reduced as much as possible by removing the imposed loads
from the floors and installing any props and/or shoring which is required.
6. Any services which are in the vicinity of the proposed underpinning works should
be identified, traced, carefully exposed, supported and protected as necessary. 32
Underpinning to Walls
To prevent fracture, damage or settlement of the wall(s) being
underpinned the work should always be carried out in short lengths called
legs or bays.
The length of these bays will depend upon the following factors:-
1. Total length of wall to be underpinned.
2. Wall loading.
3. General state of repair and stability of wall and foundation to be
underpinned.
4. Nature of subsoil beneath existing foundation.
5. Estimated spanning ability of existing foundation.
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Bay Lengths for Underpinning
Generally suitable bay lengths are:-
• 1m to 1.5m for mass concrete strip foundations supporting walls of
traditional construction.
• 1.5m to 3m for reinforced concrete strip foundations supporting walls of
moderate loading.
• In all the cases the total sum of the unsupported lengths of wall should
not exceed 25% of the total wall length.
• The sequence of bays should be arranged so that working in adjoining
bays is avoided until one leg of underpinning has been completed,
pinned and cured sufficiently to support the wall above.

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Bay Lengths for Underpinning

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Traditional Underpinning

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Traditional Underpinning

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Jack Pile Underpinning
This method can be used when the depth of a suitable bearing capacity
subsoil is too deep to make traditional underpinning uneconomic.
Jack pile underpinning is quiet, vibration free and flexible since the pile
depth can be adjusted to suit subsoil conditions encountered.
The existing foundations must be in a good condition since they will have
to span over the heads of the pile caps which are cast onto the jack pile
heads after the hydraulic jacks have been removed.

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Jack Pile
Underpinning

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Needle and Pile Underpinning
Used when the condition of the existing foundation is unsuitable for
traditional or jack pile underpinning.
The brickwork above the existing foundation must be in a sound ‘condition
since this method relies on the `arching effect' of the brick bonding to
transmit the wall loads onto the needles and ultimately to the piles.
The piles used with this method are usually small diameter bored piles.

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Needle and Pile Underpinning

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`Pynford' Stool Method
Can be used where the existing foundations are in a poor condition.
Enables the wall to be underpinned in a continuous run without the need
for needles or shoring.
The reinforced concrete beam formed by this method may well be
adequate to spread the load of the existing wall or it may be used in
conjunction with other forms of underpinning such as traditional and jack
pile.

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`Pynford' Stool
Method

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`Pynford' Stool Method

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Q and A

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