At Luby Shoring Services, we use a variety of trench shoring techniques.
OSHA aims at providing safe working conditions which are conducive for the health of the workers. To achieve this, it sets and enforces standards, and provides training, education, and assistance to the construction workers. According to OSHA, excavating is one of the most dangerous construction operations, and it has set guidelines and procedures for safe excavation work.
What Is Trench Shoring
Shoring involves the use of shores or props to hold up or support some unstable or weak thing. When the workers are excavating shoring systems are used for the safety of the workers and to speed up the excavation work. This is known as trench shoring. St. Louis trench shoring services uses various techniques, which include some of the following.
Hydraulic Shoring And Its Advantages
Hydraulic shoring consists of using hydraulic pistons which are pumped outward till they press against the walls of the trench. Usually, prefabricated struts and aluminum or steel wale systems are used in this method.
Hydraulic shoring is very popular as it is faster and easier to use. Other methods are generally used for long term applications and larger excavations.
Reasons for the popularity of hydraulic shoring:
- It is more safe than timber shoring. The workers need not go into the trench to install or to remove hydraulic shoring.
- Hydraulic systems can be easily installed by a worker as they are light.
- The pressure is evenly distributed along the trench because they are suitably gauge regulated.
- The trench faces can be preloaded and the movement can be prevented by using the natural cohesion of the soil.
- They can be used suitably for trenches of different widths and depths.
Some points to keep in mind while using hydraulic shoring:
- Install the shoring from the top and remove from the bottom.
- Check the shoring at least once in every shift. There may be leaking hoses or cylinders, cracked nipples, broken connections, bent bases, or any other defective parts which may need attention.
Pneumatic Shoring And Its Limitation
The other type of shoring is known as pneumatic shoring. It performs the same functions like the hydraulic shoring, except that it utilizes air pressure instead of hydraulic pressure.
The major limitation of this kind of shoring is that it requires an air compressor to work.
Screw Jacks May Be Dangerous
In the screw jack system the struts have to be adjusted manually. So the worker has to go into the trench to adjust it. This may be dangerous. Moreover, it is not possible to achieve uniform preloading with the heavy screw jacks.
Single Cylinder Hydraulic Shores
This type of shores are utilized in water systems to give support to the timber shoring, and to give face stability in shallow trenches.
Underpinning To Reinforce The Foundation
In this, the foundations, adjacent structures, and various intrusions which can influence the excavation work, are stabilized. Underpinning physically reinforces the foundation. But this kind of work requires the expert guidance of a well qualified engineer.
St. Louis Shoring Services
When it comes to excavating projects, rely on Luby Shoring’s expertise. We’ll help you complete any job quickly, while meeting OSHA safety regulations. Call us today at (636) 660-7467 or fill out our online contact form.
