---
title: "Objectives of shoring; dead shore"
subject: "Building Technology"
chapter: 8
key: "semester_6/building_technology:shoring-dead-shore"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/building_technology/shoring-dead-shore
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Objectives of shoring; dead shore

Building Technology · Chapter 8: Temporary construction

- Asked in: 2070 Chaitra (old course), 2+6 marks
- Video: [What Is Shoring In Construction - Type of Shoring](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml9Hc9I0HiI) — Amazing Engineering | ACES
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/building_technology/shoring-dead-shore
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_6/building_technology/chapter-8

## Question

What are the objectives of shoring? Discuss in brief about the dead shore with necessary figures.

## Short answer

Shoring objectives are to prevent collapse of weak walls, support adjoining buildings during demolition or excavation, carry loads during alterations, and ensure safety. Dead shore uses vertical posts on a sole plate with a horizontal needle passing through the wall to support floors and roofs above when a lower wall is removed or altered, transferring vertical loads to ground.

## Answer

#### Objectives of shoring
- To prevent collapse of a weak, leaning or cracked wall.
- To support adjoining buildings during demolition or excavation.
- To support the structure above while the lower part is altered or underpinned.
- To carry loads temporarily during repair or extension.
- To give safety to people and property.

#### Dead shore
**Dead (vertical) shore:** used to support the floors and roofs above when a wall is removed or an opening is made at lower storeys, or when the lower wall is repaired. It transfers the vertical load to the ground.

It consists of vertical posts (**dead shores**) on a **sole plate** at the bottom, a **needle** (horizontal beam) passing through the wall at the top, **braces**, **cleats** and **wedges** to take the weight.

```text
        floor above
   ____|==needle==|____
   wall| |      | |wall
   wall| | post | |
   wall| | post | |
       |_|______|_|
       sole plate
```

**Parts:** needle, vertical posts, braces, cleats, wedges, head plate and sole plate.
**Procedure:** holes are made in the wall at floor level for needles, the needle is fixed and wedged, posts are put under the needle on a sole plate, wedges are driven to take load, and then braces are fixed. After this, the lower wall can be removed or altered safely.
**Use:** when the wall below is removed or altered, or an opening is made, in multi-storey buildings.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. When is a dead (vertical) shore used?
   A. To support floors and roofs above when a lower wall is removed or an opening is made
   B. To support two parallel walls across a narrow gap
   C. To pull a leaning wall back with inclined posts
   D. To give a working platform for masons
   Answer: A. A dead shore carries the vertical load of floors and roofs above while the wall below is altered, and passes it to the ground. (Key point: Use of dead shore)

2. What is the function of the needle in a dead shore?
   A. A diagonal member that stops sideways movement
   B. A horizontal beam passing through the wall at the top that carries the load onto the posts
   C. A wedge that tightens the post
   D. A base plate spreading load on the ground
   Answer: B. The needle is a horizontal beam through the wall which takes the weight from above and transfers it to the vertical posts. (Key point: Role of the needle)

3. Why are the vertical posts placed on a sole plate?
   A. To make the posts inclined
   B. To fix the braces
   C. To spread the load over the ground at the bottom
   D. To hold the needle in place
   Answer: C. The sole plate sits at the bottom and spreads the transferred vertical load to the ground. (Key point: Sole plate)

4. Which sequence is correct for erecting a dead shore?
   A. Fix posts, then make holes, then remove wall
   B. Fix braces first, then needles, then wedges
   C. Remove lower wall, then fix needle, then posts
   D. Make holes in wall, fix and wedge needle, put posts on sole plate, drive wedges, fix braces, then alter the lower wall
   Answer: D. The load must be taken by needles, posts and wedges before the lower wall is removed or altered. (Key point: Procedure order)

## Related in Building Technology

- [Why shoring; racking versus flying shore](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Ashoring-racking-flying) — Building Technology, chapter 8
- [Types of shoring; raking shore](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Ashoring-raking) — Building Technology, chapter 8
- [Brick layer's scaffold and dead shoring](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Ascaffold-brick-layer-dead-shore) — Building Technology, chapter 8
- [Shoring types and flying shore](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Ashoring-flying) — Building Technology, chapter 8, asked 2×
- [Shoring, its objectives and types](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Ashoring-objectives-types) — Building Technology, chapter 8
- [Shoring and its types](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Ashoring-types) — Building Technology, chapter 8, asked 3×

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- [Importance and objectives of wastewater disposal](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fsanitary_engineering%3Aobjectives-wastewater-disposal) — Sanitary Engineering, chapter 6, asked 3×
- [Current HDP objectives and amendments needed](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fhydropower_engineering%3Ahdp-current-objectives-amendments) — Hydropower Engineering, chapter 1