The main difference lies in the fact that scaffolding is used as a temporary work platform for a construction crew while shoring is a temporary support system designed to support a building undergoing construction work, maintenance, or repair.
Meaning of Shoring
Shoring can be described as the vertical supporting members in a formwork system. Scaffolding is therefore not shoring, and shoring is not scaffolding.
Advantages
The benefit of shoring is that it is an excellent way to minimise any potential further damage to a building and provide it with strength.
Temporary shoring also involves setting up walls or beams that can hold the structure in place hence it is safe to make repairs without all the unnecessary expenses.
Types
- Timber – Made of wood and is typically used for small excavations or repairs.
- Hydraulic – Uses hydraulic jacks to support the excavation walls. It is ideal for deep excavations and can support heavy loads.
- Soldier pile and lagging – Commonly used in urban areas where space is limited.
- Sheet pile – It is suitable for excavations with soft soil and limited space.
- Braced excavation – Ideal for excavations in stable soil conditions and can support heavy loads.
- Contiguous pile wall – This type of shoring uses closely spaced concrete piles to support the excavation walls.
Scaffold
Scaffolding can be described as a temporary suspended or elevated work unit and its supporting structure that is used for both materials and workers.
Describing the use of the platform can better help us understand the difference between shoring and scaffolding. Will the platform be used for sporting the workers when working on high places such as ceilings or is it going to be there primarily as a part of the general formwork?
Scaffolding vs shoring
| Shoring | Scaffolding |
|---|---|
| It’s the vertical supporting members in a formwork system | It’s an elevated structure that supports workers and their equipment when working in unreachable areas |
| It’s a temporary support system designed to support a building undergoing construction work | It’s a temporary working platform |
Even though scaffolding and shoring are different, they help make construction work easier, and it can be done more efficiently. Reading through will help you determine what is more suitable for your project.