---
title: "Shoring and scaffolding, why used"
subject: "Building Technology"
chapter: 8
key: "semester_6/building_technology:shoring-scaffolding-why"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/building_technology/shoring-scaffolding-why
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Shoring and scaffolding, why used

Building Technology · Chapter 8: Temporary construction

- Asked in: 2066 Bhadra (old course), 8 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-scaffolding-why
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_6/building_technology/chapter-8

## Question

Describe shoring and scaffolding. Why shoring and scaffoldings are used in building construction?

## Short answer

Shoring is temporary support to unsafe structures using inclined, horizontal, or vertical members to prevent collapse. Scaffolding is a temporary framework beside a building for workers and materials at height. They are used to provide safe working platforms, prevent structural collapse during excavation or repair, support alterations, and increase work speed and safety.

## Answer

#### Shoring
**Shoring** is the temporary support given to an unsafe wall, building or structure to prevent it from collapsing, using inclined, horizontal or vertical timber or steel members, until permanent repair or reconstruction is done.
Types: raking, flying and dead shores.

```text
   wall plate
   wall |\ raker
   wall | \
   _____|__\_ sole plate
```

#### Scaffolding
**Scaffolding** is a temporary framework of timber, bamboo or steel erected beside a building so that workers and materials can be placed at height while the structure is built, repaired or cleaned.
Types: single, double, cantilever, suspended, trestle and steel scaffolds.

```text
   wall |    ledger
   wall |-putlog--|
   wall |      standard
```

#### Why they are used
- Safe working platform at height for masons, painters and plasterers (scaffolding).
- Safe movement of materials and workers.
- Preventing collapse of weak walls and adjoining buildings during excavation, demolition or repair (shoring).
- Support during alteration of the structure, such as removing a wall or an opening.
- Increases the speed and quality of work and reduces accidents.

## Check yourself

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

1. What is shoring?
   A. A permanent covering on a wall
   B. Temporary support given to an unsafe wall or structure to prevent collapse
   C. A temporary framework for workers at height
   D. Strengthening a foundation by deepening it
   Answer: B. Shoring is temporary support using inclined, horizontal or vertical members until permanent repair is done. (Key point: Shoring definition)

2. Which set lists the types of shoring?
   A. Flush, recessed and keyed
   B. Pit, pile and pretest
   C. Raking, flying and dead
   D. Single, double and cantilever
   Answer: C. Shoring types are raking, flying and dead shores; single, double and cantilever are scaffold types. (Key point: Types of shoring)

3. What is the main purpose of scaffolding?
   A. To stop a weak wall from collapsing
   B. To deepen the foundation
   C. To transfer floor load to the ground
   D. To provide a safe temporary platform for workers and materials at height
   Answer: D. Scaffolding is a temporary framework beside a building so workers and materials can be placed at height. (Key point: Purpose of scaffolding)

4. Which use belongs to shoring and not to scaffolding?
   A. Preventing collapse of adjoining walls during excavation or demolition
   B. Moving materials to upper floors
   C. A platform for plasterers
   D. Faster painting work
   Answer: A. Shoring prevents collapse of weak walls and neighbouring buildings during excavation, demolition or repair. (Key point: Why shoring is used)

## Related in Building Technology

- [Scaffolding, underpinning, shoring; underpinning methods](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Aunderpinning-scaffold-shoring-terms) — Building Technology, chapter 8
- [Why temporary construction; single and double scaffolding](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Ascaffolding-single-double) — Building Technology, chapter 8
- [Terminology used in stair construction](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Astair-terminology) — Building Technology, chapter 5
- [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
- [Parts of scaffolding](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Ascaffolding-parts) — Building Technology, chapter 8, asked 2×
- [Types of scaffolding](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Ascaffolding-types) — Building Technology, chapter 8

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- [Equipment used in hydropower construction](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Ahydropower-equipment) — Construction Management, chapter 4
- [Polymers in building construction](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Apolymer-properties-uses-building) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 10, asked 2×
- [Building near river bank; stop construction?](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fengineering_professional_practice%3Abuilding-on-river-bank-flood) — Engineering Professional Practice, chapter 7
- [Why bricks are widely used](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Awhy-bricks-widely-used) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 3, asked 3×