---
title: "Temporary construction, types and requirements"
subject: "Building Technology"
chapter: 8
key: "semester_6/building_technology:temp-construction-types-requirements"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/building_technology/temp-construction-types-requirements
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Temporary construction, types and requirements

Building Technology · Chapter 8: Temporary construction

- Asked in: 2064 Jestha (old course), 16 marks
- Video: [What are Temporary Works?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoSoOKUnCRc) — Rubix Consulting
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/building_technology/temp-construction-types-requirements
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_6/building_technology/chapter-8

## Question

What do you understand by temporary construction in the building? Describe the types and requirements of temporary constructions with necessary figures.

## Short answer

Temporary construction is a support structure used during construction, repair, or alteration and removed after use. Types include scaffolding, formwork, shoring, underpinning, and trench timbering. Requirements are strength and stability (factor of safety 4), rigidity, safe materials, easy erection and dismantling, economy, safety features, and correct alignment.

## Answer

**Temporary construction** is any support, framework or structure that is put up for a limited period to help the construction, repair or alteration of a permanent building, and is removed when its purpose is served.

#### Types
**1. 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.
- *Single (brick layer's) scaffold:* one row of standards joined by ledgers, with putlogs resting on the wall.
- *Double (mason's) scaffold:* two rows of standards, used for stone masonry where holes in the wall are not allowed.
- *Cantilever scaffold:* needles projecting from the wall support the platform where ground support is not possible.

```text
  single           double          cantilever
  wall|--ledger    wall| |--|      wall|=needle=>
      |putlog          |putlog          |  platform
      |standard      2 standards      struts /
```

**2. Formwork:** moulds of timber, plywood or steel that give shape to concrete.

**3. Shoring:** raking, flying and dead shores that support unsafe walls.

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

**4. Underpinning:** strengthening a foundation by deeper or wider construction.

**5. Timbering of trenches:** poling boards, struts and walings that hold the trench sides.

#### Requirements of temporary construction
- **Strength and stability:** must carry all dead, live and impact loads, with a factor of safety (generally 4).
- **Rigidity:** minimal deflection and no sway.
- **Safe and sound materials:** good timber without defects, steel free from rust.
- **Easy erection and dismantling:** quick work and re-use.
- **Economy:** low cost, light weight and possible re-use.
- **Safety:** guard rails, toe boards, ladders, access and inspection.
- **Correct alignment and tight joints** (formwork must be leakproof).
- **Foundation:** firm, level sole plates.

## Check yourself

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

1. Why is a double (mason's) scaffold used for stone masonry?
   A. It does not need standards
   B. It is cheaper
   C. Holes in the wall are not allowed, so putlogs rest on two rows of standards
   D. It hangs from the roof
   Answer: C. Double scaffold has two rows of standards so putlogs need not enter the wall. (Key point: Single vs double scaffold)

2. A cantilever scaffold's platform is carried by:
   A. Standards from the ground
   B. Needles projecting from the wall
   C. Ropes from the roof
   D. Trestles
   Answer: B. Needles projecting from the wall with struts support the platform where ground support is not possible. (Key point: Cantilever scaffold)

3. What is stated about strength of temporary construction?
   A. Only dead load
   B. No load is considered
   C. Must carry dead, live and impact loads with a factor of safety (generally 4)
   D. Factor of safety of 1
   Answer: C. Temporary works must be strong and stable with a generally adopted factor of safety of 4. (Key point: Strength requirement)

4. Which is a requirement of temporary construction?
   A. Be impossible to dismantle
   B. Easy erection and dismantling, economy and re-use
   C. Use defective timber
   D. Be built on soft uneven ground
   Answer: B. Ease of erection, economy, safe sound materials, rigidity and firm level sole plates are required. (Key point: Other requirements)

## Related in Building Technology

- [Types of temporary construction](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Atemp-construction-types-sketch) — Building Technology, chapter 8, asked 2×
- [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
- [Types of temporary construction (list)](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Atemp-construction-types-list) — Building Technology, chapter 8
- [Why temporary structures are used](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Awhy-temp-structures) — Building Technology, chapter 8
- [Roof types, functional requirements, timber roofs](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Aroof-types-requirements-timber) — Building Technology, chapter 4, asked 5×
- [Why joints are necessary; expansion joint](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Ajoints-why-expansion) — Building Technology, chapter 10, asked 2×

## Related in other subjects

- [Regulatory requirements and building codes for planning](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Aregulatory-building-codes-urban) — Construction Management, chapter 11, asked 2×
- [Short note: Building bye-laws and requirements](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Abuilding-bye-laws-note) — Construction Management, chapter 11
- [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