Structural Shoring Considerations

November 16, 2018by Sheedy Crane0

Shoring, simply put, is the process of temporarily supporting a structure, building, vessel, or trench. Shoring usually occurs when the structure is in danger of collapse, or when repairs are needed to be done to the structure. Structural shoring supports the floors and beams that hold a building up while a wall or column is removed for repair or renovation. Shoring is used to prevent building collapse and to protect workers while they perform their job safely.

Types of Shoring

There are quite a few different types of shoring. Different equipment is used for different loads, materials, and settings.

Raking Shoring

Rakers – also known as scaffolding tubes, are set an incline from the base of the structure to the top of the wall. These rakers provide support in a diagonal manner, with plates mounted to the

ground and the structure itself. Rakers are generally angled from 45-75 degrees and secured with braces that bolt into cleats in the wall at a few given intervals. The strength of the individual scaffolding tubes depends on the amount of weight being distributed by the structure itself.

Flying Shoring

These shores do not touch the ground; rather, they span walls in mid-air to prop them up. A horizontal strut is placed between walls and secured to plates. A network of smaller, shorter beams (also known as needles) attached to steel construction cleats distribute and balance the weight evenly.

Dead Shoring

A system of beams and posts are used in dead shoring to vertically support a building’s roofs and floors by transferring the weight of a structure to the ground and the temporary support structure. The vertical props are braced to sole plates on the ground, with needles securing the tops of the dead shores.

Trench Shoring

A trench may be dug to build new or existing structures beneath a building, such as additional living units, parking garages, or storage spaces. Soldier pile walls are often used to hold the weight of a dug trench while work is performed. H-shaped piles are inserted into holes in the ground a filled with concrete at around 6 to 12 feet intervals. The hole may be around 24” in diameter with the H-pile 10-14” wide or deep. Steel piles may also be used instead of h-piles in the absence of concrete. Between the h-piles are 4×12 horizontal wooden beams to retain and support the weight of the soil behind the wooden beams.

Structural Shoring San Francisco Bay Area


Sheedy Drayage Co. is a results-driven company focused on the unique design and implementation of project needs for structural shoring solutions. We offer a full turnkey design, engineering, installation, removal, and fabrication solution for structural shoring. We’ve propped up warehouses, parking garages, and multiple other structures that were in need of structural support or repair. Our solutions are designed to meet both small and large jobs, with no project too large for Sheedy.

Some of our most challenging projects involved the temporary shoring of hospital buildings; the job was demanding due to strict Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) requirements and collateral considerations. Despite this, Sheedy was able to get the job done in a safe, efficient, and timely manner. If you need structural shoring services in the San Francisco Bay Area, call Sheedy today.