Metal Shores

Several types of telescopic steel shores maybe used to make temporary repairs. Not all of these types have proven to be satisfactory for immediate repairs. The metal shores normally will have pins or locking devices and are fitted with a hinged shoe at each end. The pins or locking devices are used to adjust the length of the shore. The hinged shoe may be easily adjusted to any angle and then welded in place. The newer types of metal shores (fig. 7-11) are also fitted with screw jacks or swivel (ball and socket) bases.

The newer steel shores are available in the following models:

. Model 3-5 is adjustable from a minimum of 3 feet, plus or minus 3 inches, to a maximum of 5 feet, plus or minus 3 inches. It will support a maximum vertical load of 20,000 pounds when

Figure 7-11.-Steel shore supporting overhead deck or load.

closed to within 1 inch of the screw jack. It will support a maximum vertical load of 12,000 pounds when fully extended.

. Model 6-11 is adjustable from a minimum of 6 feet, plus or minus 3 inches, to a maximum of 11 feet, plus or minus 3 inches. It will also support a maximum vertical load of 20,000 pounds when closed to within 1 inch of the screw jack. It will support a maximum vertical load of 6,000 pounds when fully extended.

These shores consist of two telescoping, square, steel tubes. Four spring-loaded locking devices, a swivel baseplate, and a screw jack are on the outer tube. A swivel baseplate is on one end of the inner tube. Each side of the shore has a spring-loaded locking device. Each locking device is on the same plane as the locking device on the opposite of it. However, there is a 2 1/4-inch offset of the adjacent locking devices.

The steel shores must be maintained in good operational condition. The tubes must slide easily, and the swivel joints must move freely. The threads of the screw jack must not have any paint on them. Both the swivel joints and the screw jack threads are to be clean and greased. All of the holes and slots are to be open and free of excess paint.

Steel wedges are more valuable for prying things apart than for actual shoring. Steel wedges may be used in conjunction with wooden wedges to take some of the wear and pressure off of the wooden wedges. Steel wedges can also be welded into place when making semipermanent repairs.

Steel sholes are better than wooden sholes for use under the ends of iron pipe that is being used as temporary stanchions. The metal pipe would cut through wooden sholes.

Although steel bars, angle irons, and pipe can be used for strongbacks, their tendency to spring back and forth under variable loads must be considered. These materials can also be used for making semipermanent repairs when time is available.