What is used to stabilize the sides of an excavation?

• A. Shoring
• B. Bracing
• C. Anchoring
• D. Backfill

Answer: (A)

Stabilizing the sides of an excavation is accomplished with shoring. Shoring is a system of supports—uprights, horizontal members (wales and braces), and sheeting or plates—that holds up the earth and transfers the load to stable ground. This keeps the trench walls from collapsing as soil pressures increase with depth or when groundwater is present, keeping workers safe during the job. Bracing can be part of a shoring setup, providing horizontal support to resist inward movement, but it isn’t the overall method used to stabilize the sides. Anchoring would involve tying the wall to surrounding rock or structures to resist movement, which is not the standard term for active side stabilization in an excavation. Backfill refers to material that is put back into the excavation after work and does not provide stabilization during the excavation itself.