WEEK 10

TRENCH SUPPORT
SYSTEM

By:
ZAIDAHTULAKMAL BINTI MOHD ZAHIB
 WEEK 10
LEARNING OUTCOME

At the end of week 10 lectures,

student will be able to :
• - Describe the factors affecting the
method of selections of trench
support system. (CO1; CO3)
• Identify various types and functions
of trench support system. (CO1; CO3)
INTRODUCTION
• Purpose of excavating a trench
is to allow installation of public
utilities, sewers, foundation etc.
• The excavation of the trench
can be either done by hand or
machine.
Pictures of side trench..
Classification of Excavations

• Shallow excavation – up to 1.5m

• Medium excavation – 1.5m –

3.0m

• Deep excavation – over 3.0m

Battered Trench
• Usually cheap and quick to excavate in
open ground.

• Appropriate proprietary equipment can be

used in battered trenches primarily to
protect personnel. Such protection would
be particularly useful where:
  - the safe temporary slope of the
ground is difficult to determine or is
unusually shallow.
• - the ground may become unsafe if any
delay occurs (e.g. in clay soils).
• - the slope employed is generally
stable but there are odd pockets of less
stable ground.
Battered (slope) Trench
Vertical Cut Trench
• Where the overall working space is
restricted, particularly in urban areas,
the trench faces will usually have to
be vertical.

• The effect of the Construction

Regulations is to require trenches
over 1.2m in depth to be supported
unless the trench is in stable ground.
 TRADITIONAL TRENCH SUPPORT
SYSTEM

• Plankings and strutting was

originally the accepted method
of trench shoring.
• Close boarding for applications
in running soil and generally
poor ground. Less planking may
be possible in more stable
conditions,
Factors affecting the method of
excavation and timbering
1. Nature of the subsoil to determine plants or tools required
and amount of timbering needed
2. Purpose of excavation – minimum width, minimum depths
and placing of support members to provide reasonable
working space within excavation.
3. Presence of ground water which need interlocking
timbering, sump pits and pumps or dewatering.
4. Position/location of excavation – restrictions or police
requirements especially when excavating in public road.
5. Non-availability of the right type of plant
6. Presence of large number of services which restrict the use
of machinery
7. Disposal of excavated spoil may restrict the choice of plant.
Method of Timbering
• Pinchers: only suitable in stable ground and
can spaced up to 1.8m in shallow
excavation.

• Open boarding: Suitable in moderately firm

ground. When erected with ½ sheeting the
method is commonly known as hit and
miss.

• Close boarding: Suitable in soft or loose

ground. Trench has to be excavated in
stages.
Proprietary Trench
Support Systems
• Hydraulically strutted shores and
walings
- Vertical Shore
- Waler Unit
- Manhole Brace

• Shields and boxes

• Plate lining systems

Trench – shielding
Hydraulically strutted shores
and walings
Vertical shore

Advantages:
-Installation and removal can be carried
out by one or two workman giving
greater value in speed of operation
-Installation and removal are carried out
above ground level enhances safety
- Vertical Shore with pipe laying
Hydraulically strutted
shores and walings Waler Units

-Used in ground conditions that

required sheeting.
-Centre strut can be released
temporarily and swung aside to
allow greater access.

-In situation where excavation is capable to stand for a

short period, trenching and timbering are carried out in
sections of length of the waler units.
-In poor ground conditions, runners is necessary to
provide continuous support throughout the stages of
excavation.
Hydraulically strutted shores and
walings

Manhole Brace

-Designed to support rectangular or square

excavations.
-Provide clear working space with no obstructing
braces.
-On large span frames, single cross bracing may be
needed to accommodate loading.
Manhole Brace
Shields and Boxes

-Consists of two sided

rectangular structures placed
in trench to provide safe
working environment.
-Also known as drag boxes or
saddles.
-Designed as safety device
against collapse without ant
attempt to support the trench
side.
-Shield or boxes are pushed into the ground
as the excavator digs out the loosened soil
between the plates.
 Plate Lining System

-Consists of rectangular plate

support with adjustable struts
at each end.
-Plates are slot into vertical
H-section strutted guide rails.
-Available in a wide variety
of units sizes up to 5 m long
and 2.5m high.
-Slide rails and panels are pushed into the
ground as soil is excavated between panels.
Safety
• Trench should be examined:
- At least once a day if persons are
employed therein
- After an unexpected fall of rock,
earth or material
- After explosive charges have been
fired
- Within the preceding seven days
Any Questions!!!!!!!

What’re the factors affecting the

method of selections of trench support
system. (CO1; CO3)

Can you’ll identify the various types

and functions of trench support system.
(CO1; CO3)
Thank You for Listening……..