Temporary works design allow permanent works to be built
Temporary works design is a crucial part of a construction project, and extremely important in allowing the permanent works to be built.
The final proposed support system layout and ‘deflection limits’ – degree to which a structural element is displaced under a load – are critical to preventing partial or full collapse during construction.
Temporary works provide support, protection and access for a building under construction, and ensures the safety of both on-site personnel and the general public. They play an essential role in understanding existing and neighbouring structures, and constraints imposed upon a site.
Temporary works designers have the same task as permanent works designers in the production of works design solutions. Foreseeable risks must be avoided as reasonably practicable, including those related to the removal of any temporary works once construction is complete.
Temporary works designers can also liaise with permanent works designers, structural engineers and principal contractors over the potential impact of any temporary works, and possible disturbances during the construction of the permanent structure.
Service supplier for almost all industry standard temporary works design
Structures Made Easy can offer design services in almost all industry standard, temporary works design proposals, including, but not limited to:
- Basement propping design
- Underpinning
- Propping design
- Hoarding design
- Façade retention design
- Temporary steel or concrete structure design
- Crane bases
- Temporary earthworks
- Risk assessment and method statements
At every stage in the design process, our experience and knowledge in temporary works design is fully informed and supported by our specialist team of structural engineers to provide real-time environmental and structural solutions.
Structural, engineered solution
Structural solutions to temporary works design problems are within defined limits and involve control stability, strength, deflection, fatigue, geotechnical (soil or earth movements) and hydraulic effects.
Expertise in providing a structural, engineered solution can be crucial to supplying support or protection to:
- An existing structure
- Permanent works during construction
- Vertical sides, side-slopes or provide access to an on-site excavation
- Plant or equipment
A temporary works design will be required whenever construction works involve:
- Refurbishment
- Partial or whole demolition
- Working near other buildings or structures
Highest level of care and attention applied to temporary works design
It is imperative that the highest level of care and attention be applied to temporary works design and construction as is given to the design and construction of permanent works.
Temporary works may be in place for only a short period but they should always be viewed as equally as important as permanent works. Any lack of due care and diligence to a temporary works design, selection or assembly can lead to structural failure or collapse. Site personnel are placed at potential risk of serious injury and a delay to the permanent works project.
Temporary works design - allowances for any unforeseen changes
During temporary works construction, the principle contractor should closely follow the drawings and details of the temporary works design. All works should be carefully managed to ensure they are carried out safely and in line with specifications.
The principle contractor should oversee all temporary works on site. The temporary works design and site management team would normally collaborate to deal with unforeseen items that may arise during the construction. Existing buildings are prone to reveal hidden risks once the wall and floor finishes are removed. Allowances in temporary works design should also be made to accommodate any unforeseen changes following site strip out.
Extensive temporary works design packages
Our extensive temporary works design packages include the following, but not limited to:
Site inspection visit (unless there is special reason not to visit)
Structural drawings and calculations – includes, General Arrangement (GA) plans of the structure (2D CAD), which typically provides:
- Propping system layout such as, needles (temporary beams inserted through a wall for structural support of wall above level of beam), acrow props (vertical support system to support overhead loads), RMD soldiers (formwork and shoring), etc.
- Relevant building notes on structure such as, lacing & bracing, etc.
Other related structural items that can be specific to the temporary works project.
Structures Made Easy always specify and design according to individual temporary works requirement. Your construction project may require less or more items listed above.
Our 4 -STEP approach to temporary works design
makes your project planning as simple and straightforward as possible:
STEP 1
Provide a quote
STEP 2
Site inspection visit
STEP 3
Detailed design stage
STEP 4
Ongoing support until project completion
Why choose us?
In the last decade, Structures Made Easy have successfully completed 3,000 construction projects, and consistently proven to be an industry leader.
Using the latest, state of the art engineering design software and design codes, we ensure your project is completed to your exact specifications, from design cross check procedures to quality control measures.
100% Success in Building Regs
Fully Qualified SE
Transparent Fees
Practical & Efficient Designs
Clear Advice
Fast Turnaround
Temporary Works for construction projects
Falsework
Falsework is defined as temporary structures used in construction to support a permanent structure until sufficiently advanced to support itself.
The three main types of systems used for falsework, include:
Type 1 – Aluminium support legs with aluminium frames assembled into falsework systems.
Type 2 – Individual aluminium or steel props, including either timber header beams or proprietary panels.
Type 3 – Heavier steel falsework.
The temporary works design principles applied to falsework differs from permanent works. The works are designed to be highly stressed – usually to 90 per cent of their capacity over short periods of time – and involve reusable components. Props are rarely tied down, and rely on their self-weight and supported load for lateral stability.
Falsework capacities, provided by the manufacturer and falsework design, must also make allowances for:
- Permanent, imposed and environmental loads.
- Erection tolerances for components re-used many times.
Façade retention
Façade retention in temporary works design involves:
- Removal of a building interior, its walls, columns and floors while retaining original front or outer walls.
- Supporting existing façades or party walls during renovation.
Retaining the façade preserves the overall look of a building while new internal floor structures and layouts can be constructed.
Façade retention often is used in works for listed buildings and plays an important role in preserving its original, architectural character.
Shoring retention scheme
Shoring involves installing temporary support to make a structure stable and safe.
A shoring retention scheme is generally required in a temporary works design to support the front façade during construction of the new internal layout. The existing façade can be connected to the internal structure once construction is complete.
Typical shoring applications for providing lateral support, include:
- Walls undergoing repair or reinforcement
- During excavations
- Prevention of walls bulging out
- Dismantling an adjacent structure
- Creating or enlarging openings in a wall
There are three basic types of shoring system that can be used, separately or combined, depending on the types of support required.
- Raking shores involving inclined members or rakers.
- Dead shores to carry vertical loadings from walls, roofs and floors, and openings made in a wall.
- Flying shores used as an alternative to raking shores, often applied to party walls of two buildings to provide a clear working space at ground level.
Crane bases
All tower cranes consist of the same basic parts:
- A base bolted to a large concrete pad to support the crane.
- Base connected to the mast / tower to provide height.
The stability and safety of a tower crane relies on the works design, construction and installation of temporary works including, bases, grillages, and tower / mast ties, and mobile cranes will have spreader requirements. The triangulated cross-member structure of the mast supplies more stability and prevents distortion.
Temporary earthworks
Earthworks support upholds the sides of an excavation and includes the use of timber planking and strutting, plywood trench sheeting, light steel trench sheeting and strutting.
Temporary support for a basement construction can require a more complex sheet and bracing system.
Trench Boxes are used for rapid shoring of trench runs, and provide a quick and easy method of keeping the ground stable in a trench without the requirement for any other shoring equipment.
Basement Propping Design
Modification of floor areas within existing buildings may require the demanding task of replacing vertical structural elements with transfer beams and grillages. It will be necessary to support the service loads of the structure, demolish the unwanted element and transfer the loads onto the replacement structure.
The depth of a basement demands a calculated appraisal of all construction and design factors to obtain an appropriate solution.
Hoarding Design
A hoarding is defined as a temporary boarded fence in a public place, usually erected around a building site. Hoardings are installed to protect the public from site works and are also used for display advertisements.
Hoardings are temporary works but are still important structures, often designed and constructed to a substantial height, and therefore, subject to significant loads. It is important that hoardings are structurally stable, as they are exposed to strong wind loads or impact. Hoardings are known to collapse and may sometimes require a complex, engineered temporary works design.
Temporary works design of site hoardings are typically a modular system but can be a bespoke installation. A wide range of materials are used such as, steel, or reusable timber or plywood.
Site hoarding design also considers:
- Rights of way access
- Adjacent work areas
- Adjacent occupied houses
- Proximity of children and vulnerable people
There can be conditions attached to planning permission which sets out specific obligations related to the site perimeter.