There will always be obstacles in every construction project. You’ll never be able to predict when a road cracks or an underground pipe suddenly bursts. These types of repairs and work would often happen on roads, where it could potentially lead to a nasty traffic accident or a heavily congested highway. This can be quite frustrating, not just for the drivers but also for your workers. Such situations can force a project or repair to be delayed because of the demands of local governments to continue the flow of traffic. But despite this, a simple solution exists: just put a “lid” on it.
Shoring plates are heavy-duty metal sheets placed on top of trench boxes. They guarantee that the worksite is free from excess flooding when rain comes or make sure that the flow of traffic continues in areas where deep road repairs happen. Different heavy-duty trench shoring plates can be found in the market right now, but how will you know the right one for your construction project?
Terrain and Sustainability: Before getting a shoring plate for your trench box, you have to assess the overall conditions of the work site first. Remember, these plates are made of heavy steel; if the soil is not compact enough or there are further obstacles in the terrain like rocks or plants, this could potentially turn into a hazard and would make the plate sink and collapse in the trench. This is especially dangerous if you are using your trench shoring plate to accommodate traffic.
Overall Weight Capacity: Your shoring plates will be under a lot of stress, whether it’s preventing the worksite from getting flooded or being used to temporarily get traffic to pass by. Always do a site check, see the dimensions of the trench box, and if possible, assess the amount of weight the shoring plate will be under once used. This will likely prevent any mishaps from happening, because failure to do so will result in the entire plate caving into the box.
Surface of your Shoring Plate: since these plates will be used as temporary bridges by cars or your workers. It’s important to make sure that they are not slippery, since this can cause a very dangerous situation from happening. Accidents at sites like these can lead to injuries, or in some cases, death. To prevent this, you can opt to get plates that are textured to add more friction and discourage skidding and slipping. To add to this, there are also available coatings for your plates that are designed specifically to prevent this.
Size and Thickness: knowing the proper dimensions, width, and length of your workplace is pivotal. You want your excavation site to be thoroughly covered to avoid flooding and be able to sustain consistent weight pressure from above, be it from workers, construction equipment, or passing vehicles. An excavation site that is not covered completely can cause accidents, which can be fatal.
