GB2519223A - Shoring Panels And Shoring Systems Incorporating Same - Google Patents

Abstract

Shoring panels 2, 4 for supporting sidewalls of a trench are formed of a GRP (glass reinforced plastics) sheet material with opposite faces each having a corrugated surface profile. The panels are incorporated into shoring systems that may comprise at least one pair of bracing means 6a, 6b; 8a, 8b to force the panels into shoring contact with the excavation sidewalls. Preferred bracing means are hydraulic jacks or rams. Each panel may be attached to one or more supporting waler rails or bars 20, 21, 22, 23.

Description

SHORING PANELS AND SHORING SYSTEMS INCORPORATING SAME

This invention relates to shoring panels and to shoring systems incorporating same.

More particularly, though not exclusively, the invention relates to shoring panels of new materials and/or configurations and to shoring systems in the form of apparatuses and kits of parts, and to shoring methods based on the new shoring panels.

As used herein the term "shoring panel" means a panel of material or of a particular construction which is designed for, suitable for and intended to be used in a shoring operation, namely a procedure during excavation, civil engineering or building works in which a structure or body of potentially unstable material (e.g. soil, earth, rock or other ground material) is supported so that it does not collapse under gravity under its own weight. The term "shoring system" -namely systems or apparatuses comprising one or more such shoring panels -is to be construed correspondingly. Typically shoring systems and shoring methods are employed in ground excavation works, where the excavation of soil, rock or other ground material to form trenches or voids of various shapes and sizes requires their exposed sides or walls to be supported against collapse, especially to enable workers to work safely inside the trench or void being excavated without risk of injury if the sides should collapse.

"Shoring" is thus to be distinguished from mere "shielding" or the use of so-called trench shields or trench sheets, which are designed only so far as to protect workers working inside a trench by virtue of their being able to withstand buckling or undue deformation in the event of a sidewall movement or collapse.

The use of adequate and reliable shoring systems in a wide variety of excavation and civil engineering groundworks is nowadays of vital importance in the protection, under ever more stringent health and safety legislation, of workers who may be working inside the trench or other excavation. It is also important for the efficiency of the overall excavation project.

Up to now various designs of shoring systems and shoring apparatuses have been proposed and are in use commercially. Conventionally these employ shoring panels or box structures based on steel or (increasingly nowadays) aluminium constructions.

Examples of such known shoring systems include: (i) the Groundforce/MGF aluminium-based "Vertishore" system -this exploits the principle of soil-arching" to achieve an adequate stabilisation of the exposed sides of a trench by use of a simple pair of outwardly-braced vertical supports at a suitable longitudinal spacing in the trench.

(ii) the Groundforce "Blindeo" system -this is essentially an inflatable kit, in which a series of inflatable cushions are used to line the trench or hole being excavated and adjustable struts are employed to brace the inflated cushions against the excavation sidewalls.

(iii) the Groundforce "Quick Access Box" system -this is a relatively small, lightweight box-based system aimed at minor groundworks and emergency situations, and utilises a pair of lightweight aluminium box structures braced against the trench sidewalls using mechanically adjustable struts to act as a shield.

(iv) the Mabey "Lite Guard" aluminium trench box system -this larger-scale system again utilises a pair of aluminium box structures braced against the excavation's sidewalls, but using mechanically adjustable spreader bars. This system is designed for shoring trenches where the excavation is being undertaken with small excavators which do not have the lifting capacity to work with heavier trench box systems.

All the above known shoring systems suffer from one or more disadvantages or limitations in efficacy or reliability in certain shoring applications that are frequently encountered.

For instance, relying on soil-arching principles only for an efficient shoring operation may often be unreliable or inadequate for proper compliance with health and safety legislation. The use of inflatable shoring members is risky (owing to potential puncturing), of limited load-bearing capacity and necessitates additional machinery at any given site which increases cost and installation times. Meanwhile the known aluminium box structure-based systems, whilst being relatively lightweight, still rely on mechanical braces or struts to achieve the required shoring forces, which therefore are limited in load-bearing capability.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to ameliorate or at least partially solve at least some of the shortcomings of known shoring systems such as those discussed above, and to provide new shoring systems with improved combined characteristics of light weight, high strength, versatility and ease of use, ease of handling and transportation, and low scrap value.

Accordingly, in a first aspect the present invention provides a shoring panel formed from GRP (glass-reinforced plastic) material, wherein the panel comprises a sheet of the said GRP material with opposite faces each having a corrugated surface profile.

Optional and/or preferred features of shoring panels according to various embodiments of this first aspect of the invention will be discussed further below.

In a second aspect the present invention provides a shoring system for an excavation, comprising at least one shoring panel, preferably at least one pair of shoring panels, according to the first aspect, and bracing means, such as one or more struts, for bracing the or each panel against a respective sidewall of the excavation.

Optional and/or preferred features of shoring systems according to various embodiments of this second aspect of the invention will be discussed further below.

In a third aspect the present invention provides a kit of parts for forming, or for use as, a shoring system according to the second aspect. Such a kit of parts according to this aspect thus comprises: the said at least one shoring panel, preferably the said at least one pair of shoring panels; and the said bracing means, preferably at least one, more preferably a plurality of, struts, especially hydraulic struts, for bracing the or each panel against a respective sidewall of the excavation.

Optional and/or preferred features of shoring kits according to various embodiments of this third aspect of the invention will be discussed further below.

In a fourth aspect the present invention provides a method of shoring an excavation, preferably one or more sidewalls of an excavation, e.g. a trench, comprising: placing against at least one sidewall of the excavation a or a respective shoring panel according to the first aspect; and bracing the or each respective panel against the respective sidewall of the excavation by means of bracing means, preferably by means of one or more struts, especially a plurality of struts, particularly preferably by means of a plurality of hydraulic struts.

Optional and/or preferred features of shoring methods according to various embodiments of this fourth aspect of the invention will be discussed further below, in particular with respect to particularly preferred embodiments of the other aspects of the invention.

According to preferred embodiments of the first aspect of the invention, the shoring panel may be formed of any suitable GRP (glass-reinforced plastics) sheet material.

In many preferred embodiments the panel comprises a single layer, web or sheet of the GRP material, whereby the panel preferably takes the form of a single web of GRP material having the said opposed faces each with a corrugated surface profile.

Suitable GRP materials may include any known GRP material which preferably satisfies the requirements of tensile, flexural, inter-laminar and pin-bearing strengths that any given practical shoring application may require.

Preferably the GRP material is a pultruded GRP material, especially a pultruded GRP sheet material. More preferably it is a pultruded GRP material which satisfies the requirements of British Standard BS EN 13706. However, within the scope of the invention it may in some embodiments be possible for the GRP material to be produced by a method other than pultrusion, e.g. by casting.

Suitable examples of such preferred GRP materials are well known in the art of industrial plastics for various applications, and may comprise a matrix or binder of a variety of resins or polymers (e.g. epoxy, thermoplastic or thermosetting), for instance an isophthalic polyester resin, having distributed therein an array or network of glass fibres, e.g. E-glass fibres, preferably as or with a continuous strand mat, and optionally including a protective surface layer, e.g. a polyester surface veil layer.

Methods and machines for pultrusion of GRP materials, including those for pultruding GRP sheets in a desired preferred profile, are well known in the field of industrial plastics manufacture and readily available to persons skilled in the art.

Suitable preferred pultruded GRP materials which may be useful for forming the shoring panels of embodiments of the invention are available from many commercial sources, for example from Engineered Composites Ltd. Such preferred pultruded GRP materials may be expected to be preferred over equivalent GRP materials formed by conventional moulding techniques, by reason of their inherently higher resulting tensile and other strengths, higher manufacturing speeds and improved manufacturing tolerances. As compared with known steel or even aluminium panels of known shoring systems, GRP is proposed, in accordance with the invention, because of its hitherto unexploited (in shoring applications) excellent combination of low weight per unit volume and high strength (e.g. it is -65% lighter than steel, yet as strong thereas), impact resistance and durability. GRP materials also have excellent resilience to UV light and frost damage, are non-electrically conductive (so are desirable from electrical safety considerations), have low thermal conductivity (so are desirable for improved thermal properties such as more comfortable handling of the product), excellent fire retardant properties and resistance to chemical attack or corrosion by compounds in concentrations typically found in the atmosphere and in precipitation in industrial areas (so are desirable for reduced need for cleaning or maintenance by regular sandblasting, scraping and painting).

Indeed, the use of corrugated GRP for forming shoring panels in accordance with the invention may generally be considered to be unusual and counter-intuitive. This is because GRP per se, especially corrugated GRP, would generally not be expected to be strong enough in itself to hold back heavy volumes of soil etc in a trench or other excavation, owing to its inherent flexibility. However, by exploiting the principles of soil-arching as mentioned above, the use of corrugated GRP is surprisingly possible and good after all in providing efficient shoring to trenches and other excavations, and indeed better so than conventional wisdom in the art might have predicted or expected.

In accordance with the present invention the shoring panel has opposed faces each with a corrugated surface profile. This may alternatively be defined as a corrugated cross-section of the sheet material from which the panel is formed.

As used herein, the term "corrugated" (and, in corresponding contexts, "corrugations") means that the panel is shaped so as to have one or more series of ridges and grooves (or rather ridges and valleys in between the ridges) therein. In many preferred embodiments the corrugations may be substantially linear. Preferably the corrugations are substantially parallel to each other along their respective longitudinal directions.

In preferred embodiments the corrugations of the panel may be shaped such that each corrugation (i.e. each ridge or valley portion, as the case may be) comprises a generally flat or planar elongate land or strip preferably lying in or defining a plane substantially parallel to the general overall plane of the panel. In many preferred embodiments the corrugations of the panel may comprise a first series of planar elongate lands or strips and a second series of planar elongate lands or strips spaced from the first series in a transverse direction across the panel, said transverse spacing defining the general thickness of the panel, wherein each land or strip of one of the first and second series is connected at each of its longitudinal sides to respective ones of a pair of planar elongate lands or strips of the other of the first and second series by respective bridging portions extending across, e.g. generally transversely across, the panel's thickness. That generally transverse extending of the bridging portions may in some examples be substantially perpendicular to the planes of the corrugations' planar lands or strips of the first and second series, but possibly in more preferable examples that generally transverse extending of the bridging portions may instead be at an inclined angle, e.g. of from about 10 to about 80 degrees (more preferably from about or 30 to about 60 or 70 degrees), relative to the said planes of the corrugations' planar lands or strips of the first and second series. Preferably the planar lands or strips of the first series are parallel to the planar lands or strips of the second series, so that the planar lands or strips of each series provide the respective outermost faces of the overall panel.

In some embodiment forms, the corrugations of the panel may be distributed along the panel's length in a symmetrical, regular array in which the individual corrugations are substantially equi-spaced therealong. In other embodiment forms the corrugations of the panel may be distributed along the panel's length in an asymmetrical or irregular array, for example in groups of equi-spaced corrugations wherein each group is spaced from the next along the panel's length by a distance which is greater than the individual spacing between adjacent corrugations within each group.

Specific examples of profiles or cross-sections of panels which may be suitable for preferred shoring panels according to this first aspect of the invention will be described and referred to hereinbelow in relation to specifically described preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In any or all embodiments of the invention, in use the corrugations of the shoring panels may be oriented generally horizontally, or alternatively generally vertically, with respect to the general longitudinal direction of the trench or other excavation whose sidewalls are to be shored by the panel(s) (i.e. with respect to a direction generally parallel to the ground).

Thus in accordance with an alternative aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shoring panel, preferably (though not necessarily exclusively) of GRP or pultruded GRP material, wherein the panel has opposite faces each with a corrugated surface profile. In preferred example forms of such panels the corrugations may be shaped such that each corrugation (i.e. each ridge or valley portion, as the case may be) comprises a generally flat or planar elongate land or strip preferably lying in or defining a plane substantially parallel to the general overall plane of the panel, or possibly other shape(s) as defined above. Again, preferably such panels may have, or may be arranged or used with, their corrugations oriented in a generally horizontal, or alternatively in a generally vertical, direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the trench or other excavation. Other, and/or more preferred, features of such panels may be as defined above or below in the context of other shoring panels within the overall scope of this invention.

In some embodiments the shoring panel of this first aspect of the invention may have one or more support members, e.g. one or more waler rails or other support rails, bars or members, attached thereto, preferably by attachment means.

In some embodiments such one or more waler or other support rails, bars or members may be attached along one or more of the lateral sides or edges, and/or a top or boftom edge, of the panel, in order to lend a required degree of added strength and/or rigidity and/or stability to the panel when in use in a given shoring system. However in other embodiments the one or more waler or other support rails, bars or members may be attached substantially symmetrically across the panel with respect to its length and/or width and/or its height dimensions. Further alternatively, the one or more waler or other support rails, bars or members may be attached asymmetrically with respect to the length and/or width and/or height dimensions of the panel, i.e. it/they may be attached to a face of the panel between a lateral side or edge thereof, or a top or bottom edge thereof, and a median or centre line midway between the panel's opposite sides or edges, or midway between the panel's top and bottom edges. The or each waler rail or other support rail, bar or member may itself be formed of any suitable material of appropriate strength and/or rigidity and/or weight, e.g. a lightweight steel, aluminium or a suitably strong plastics material, most preferably a GRP material, especially for example the same GRP material from which the panel itself is formed.

In embodiments in which the said one or more waler or other support rails, bars or members are provided, it/they may be attached to the panel either generally horizontally (i.e. parallel to the panel's top and boftom edges in the case of rectangular panels) or alternatively generally vertically (i.e. parallel to the panel's left and right sides/edges).

The attachment means by which the or each waler or other support rail, bar or member may be attached to the panel may be at least one, possibly even a combination of, any suitable attachment means, e.g. one or more of adhesive, rivets or other mechanical fixing means, e.g. one or more nut-and-bolt-type fixings. Suitable adhesives may for example include polyurethane resin adhesives or two-part epoxy adhesives, examples of both of which classes are well known in the art of industrial adhesives.

In certain other embodiments the shoring panel of this first aspect of the invention may have the said at least one support member, e.g. one or more waler or other support rails, bars or members, formed integrally and simultaneously with the panel itself. The panel and the support member(s) may thus be formed as an integral pultrusion by the preferred pultrusion process used to form the actual panel. Thus combinations of panels and support members within this aspect of the invention may in some embodiments be formed as unitary pultruded items, for example for use as or in a modular shoring system.

In some embodiments comprising one or more discrete support members, e.g. one or more waler or other support rails, bars or members, provided separately from the panel, the attachment means by which the panel and the, each or a respective support member(s) is/are connected may comprise a channel portion or section formed in a lateral edge region of the support member, into which channel portion or section an edge portion of the panel is insertable, e.g. by sliding in a longitudinal direction therealong, so as to be retainable therein. Such a channel portion or section may for example be formed by a pair of spaced-apart elongate flanges extending laterally outwardly from the main body of the or the respective support member.

Thus in accordance with another alternative aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shoring panel, preferably (though not necessarily exclusively) of GRP or pultruded GRP material, wherein the panel has at least one support member, e.g. one or more waler rails or other support rails, bars or members, attached thereto by attachment means or formed integrally therewith. Thus a panel and one or more such support members may constitute a modular unit for use in a modular system according to the invention. Preferred features of such panels and such support member(s) in such combinations may be as any of those defined above or below in the context of other shoring panels or systems within the overall scope of this invention.

In preferred practical embodiments of shoring panels according to the first aspect of the invention the panel may if desired further comprise one or more strips of protective material affixed thereto preferably along its upper edge or edges. Such protective material may comprise for example a rubber or other tough elastomeric or polymeric material.

Not only does such a protective strip help to reduce potentially deleterious effects of any inherent brittleness associated with edge regions of the panel, e.g. splitting or shattering, and thus serve an edge-strengthening purpose, but it may also help to prevent snagging of extraneous items or equipment, or even items of clothing of workers in or around the excavation.

Thus in accordance with another alternative aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shoring panel, preferably (though not necessarily exclusively) of GRP or pultruded GRP material, wherein the panel comprises one or more strips of protective material affixed thereto preferably along its upper edge or edges. Preferred features of such panels may be as defined above or below in the context of other shoring panels within the overall scope of this invention.

According to preferred practical embodiments of the first aspect of the invention, the shoring panel may if desired further comprise lifting or carrying means piovided at or adjacent an upper edge of the panel. Particularly preferred lifting or carrying means may comprise one or more lifting or carrying brackets, loops, apertures or handles extending upwardly from (or formed in the panel material adjacent) one or more upper edges of the panel. Such preferred lifting or carrying means may especially usefully be formed from extensions of a preferred waler or other support rail, bar or member as discussed above.

Such lifting or carrying means may for example be useful as a handling point for the panel. For example, such lifting or carrying means may usefully accommodate and have inserted therein a scaffolding pole or other member and thus used for lifting the panel, or an assembled shoring system containing it, into or out of an excavation being shored, or even moved elsewhere on a given works site.

In other possible forms, such lifting or carrying means may further comprise (or in other possible forms may be replaced by) one or more connection means, e.g. one or more interengageable connection means such as telescoping or interlocking tubular members or sections, by which an auxiliary handrail or other safety device (or even e.g. one or more ladders or other access-facilitating means) may be connected to an upper portion of the panel. Suitable interengageable connection means may for example be of any suitable material of appropriate strength and/or rigidity and/or weight, e.g. a lightweight steel, aluminium or a suitably strong plastics material, most preferably a GRP material, especially for example the same GRP material from which the panel itself is formed.

Such interengageable connection means may alternatively or additionally form a means of interconnection of one panel to another, e.g. one atop another (i.e. with two adjacent panels interconnected generally vertically), in order to build up a double-(or even multiple-) height overall shoring panel using a plurality of like individual panels according to the first aspect of the invention or any embodiment thereof as a modular system for shoring particularly deep excavations.

Thus in accordance with another alternative aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shoring panel, preferably (though not necessarily exclusively) of GRP or pultruded GRP material, wherein the panel comprises lifting or carrying means provided at or adjacent or extending from an upper edge of the panel. Preferred features of such panels may be as defined above or below in the context of other shoring panels within the overall scope of this invention.

Further, in accordance with yet another alternative aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shoring panel, preferably (though not necessarily exclusively) of GRP or pultruded GRP material, wherein the panel comprises one or more connection means, e.g. one or more interengageable connection means such as telescoping or interlocking tubular members or sections, by which an auxiliary handrail or other safety device (or even e.g. one or more ladders or other access-facilitating means) may be connected to an upper portion of the panel. Preferred features of such panels may be as defined above or below in the context of other shoring panels within the overall scope of this invention.

In preferred embodiments of shoring systems and kits according to the above-defined second and third aspects of the invention, there is provided at least one shoring panel and at least one bracing means. Preferably at least one pair of shoring panels is provided, so that they may be applied to opposite sidewalls of the excavation and the at least one bracing means used to simultaneously brace apart the panels of the or each pair into shoring relationship with the sidewalls of the trench or other excavation.

In some embodiments a plurality of pairs of shoring panels may be provided, e.g. for placement end-to-end and/or side-by-side and/or even one atop another along the longitudinal direction of the excavation, with each pair of panels being braced by a respective one or a respective plurality of bracing means.

In preferred embodiments the bracing means may comprise at least one, preferably a plurality of, more preferably one or more pairs of, struts. Preferably the or each strut is an adjustable, preferably an expandable or extendible strut, whereby it may be adjusted in length to provide a required load-bearing force to support the respective panel (or portion thereof) against the respective excavation sidewall.

Preferably the or each strut is also retractable, so that it may be readily withdrawn from its shoring configuration against the or the respective shoring panel as or when required, e.g. upon withdrawal of the shoring panel(s) from the trench or other excavation upon completion of the excavation work.

It is particularly preferred that the bracing means comprises at least one, preferably a plurality of, preferably one or more pairs of, hydraulic struts, jacks or rams. Hydraulic struts, jacks or rams may be preferred for the reason that they can exert particularly high load-bearing forces. This may be particularly desirable in the case of trenches or excavations of relatively large depths, e.g. up to around 2 metres, or possibly more, or excavations of relatively unstable soil or other ground material. It may also be desirable in order to more fully take advantage of the principle of "soil-arching" in many embodiments of the invention, in which relatively high loading forces against the excavation sidewalls may lead to more effective shoring.

Alternatively, although in certain applications possibly less preferably, the bracing means may comprise one or more mechanical struts, especially a plurality of mechanically adjustable struts, e.g. Acrow props.

Examples of hydraulic struts/jacks/rams suitable for use in the invention are well-known in the art. For example, 2-inch Pacific Shoring Hydraulic Struts already used in known shoring systems (e.g. the MGF "Vertishore" system) may be useful in the present invention. Other types and models of hydraulic jack or ram may also be suitable and are commercially readily available.

In practice the preferred hydraulic jacks or rams as the preferred bracing means may be readily put into use by reason of their being able to be pumped out safely from outside the excavation, e.g. using a small bucket pump and any other associated equipment or components, e.g. lowering hook and release tool, as the skilled person will readily appreciate.

Thus, in the context of the preferred hydraulic jacks or rams as bracing means for use in shoring systems according to the second aspect of the invention, practical embodiments of kits according to the third aspect of the invention may further comprise suitable hydraulic pump means for operating said preferred hydraulic jacks or rams.

Examples of hydraulic pumps suitable for this purpose are widely available in the art and will normally be dictated by the particular hydraulic jacks or rams used in any given practical system.

The struts, jacks or rams constituting the preferred bracing means in preferred shoring systems according to the invention may be connected to the respective panel(s) via anchoring means, preferably an anchoring bracket or foot. Preferred constructions of anchoring brackets or feet may include an enlarged or hammerhead shape, in order to withstand twisting or rotational moments created by stresses in the panels or the struts themselves during use.

Particularly preferred anchoring means comprise a pivotal connection in order to allow the respective strut or jack/ram to pivot with respect to the general plane of the panel upon erection or dismantling of the system.

Going further, even more preferably in the case of particularly preferred arrangements comprising a pair of shoring panels and at least one pair of bracing struts or jacks/rams, the whole assembly may -by appropriately configured pivotal connections between the struts and the panels -be arranged to be erectable and collapsible by a scissoring action. This may even permit the assembly to be substantially flat-packed, making it even easier to handle and transport.

Such a utility may make such an assembly particularly easy to handle and transport.

For instance, it may enable such assemblies, e.g. as pre-formed or pre-assembled systems, kits or parts of systems or kits, to be transported to or from excavation sites by relatively unskilled personnel, even e.g. by commercial couriers instead of specialised industrial hauliers, thereby potentially making a significant saving in transportation costs.

Kits according to the third aspect of the invention, in addition to features of shoring panels or shoring systems of which they may comprise or they may constitute, may further comprise appropriate instructions, e.g. in printed or electronic form, for their use.

As a deterrent against theft, certain components of such kits, e.g. the panels themselves or the preferred hydraulic struts, jacks or rams, may be painted with a bright or warning colour (e.g. red).

Shoring systems according to the second aspect and kits based thereon according to the third aspect of the invention may be used in shoring methods according to the fourth aspect of the invention. Such methods of shoring an excavation, preferably one or more sidewalls of an excavation, e.g. a trench, comprise: placing against at least one sidewall of the excavation a or a respective shoring panel according to the first aspect of the invention; and bracing the or each respective panel against the respective sidewall of the excavation by means of bracing means, preferably by means of one or more of the preferred mechanical or (more preferably) hydraulic struts, especially a plurality of (or even more preferably one or more pairs of) hydraulic jacks or rams.

In preferred embodiments of methods according to this fourth aspect of the invention, the sequence of operational steps in inserting the shoring panels in the excavation and inserting and operating the bracing means may be much the same as in or similar to known methods of shoring using known shoring systems based on the use of prior art

panels and associated prior art bracing struts.

However, it may be preferred that in the context of the panels and bracing means of the present invention, any plurality of bracing jacks, rams or other struts are arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to any panel against which they are arranged in shoring the excavation. Such symmetrical arrangements may be symmetrical in a generally horizontal direction or plane with respect to the longitudinal direction of the trench or other excavation, or may be symmetrical in a generally vertical direction or plane with respect to the longitudinal direction of the trench or other excavation, or may be a combination of both of the aforesaid symmetries.

Further practical examples of specific manners of use of shoring panels and shoring systems in accordance with the invention will be apparent from the description further below of preferred embodiments of the various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The present invention is applicable to a wide variety of shoring applications in a wide variety of practical excavations of the nature of e.g. trenches, holes, and other groundworks of various shapes, sizes and depths.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described with reference to one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless expressly stated otherwise or such features are incompatible.

Preferred embodiments of the various aspects of the present invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of shoring system according to the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view from above of the system of Figure 1 in use; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view on arrows Ill-Ill of Figure 2; Figure 4 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of shoring system according to the invention; Figure 5 is a plan view from above of the system of Figure 4 in use; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view on arrows VI-VI of Figure 5, but illustrating a slightly modified profile of the panel corrugations; Figure 7 is an isometric view of a third embodiment of shoring system according to the invention; Figure 8 is a plan view from above of the system of Figure 7 in use; Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view on arrows IX-IX of Figure 8; Figure 10 is an isometric view of a fourth embodiment of shoring system according to the invention; Figure 11 is an isometric view of a fifth embodiment of shoring system according to the invention; Figure 12 is an isometric view of a sixth embodiment of shoring system according to the invention; Figure 13 is an isometric view of a seventh embodiment of shoring system according to the invention; Figure 14(a) is an isometric view of a eighth embodiment of shoring system according to the invention, and Figure 14(b) is a close-up view of a portion thereof; Figure 15 is a schematic side elevational view of a ninth embodiment of shoring system according to the invention, closely corresponding to the first embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, but showing an example of the manner in which it is designed to be collapsible for ease of transport and handling; Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of a first example profile of shoring panel for use in various embodiments of shoring system according to the invention; Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of a second example profile of shoring panel for use in various embodiments of shoring system according to the invention; and Figures 18(a), (b), (c) and (d) are cross-sectional views of various alternative example profiles of shoring panels which may also be suitable for use in various embodiments of shoring system according to the invention.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 3, the first embodiment of shoring system 1 according to the invention comprises left and right shoring panels 2, 4, each formed of a pultruded GRP sheet material which satisfies the requirements of British Standard BS EN 13706.

Suitable examples of such GRP materials are readily commercially available, e.g. from Engineered Composites Ltd. Each shoring panel 2, 4 has a corrugated cross-section, with corrugations 12, 14 arranged generally horizontally and equi-spaced along the height of the respective panel 2, 4. The corrugations 12, 14 take the form of transversely spaced-apart first and second series of flat elongate lands or strips providing the general outer opposed faces of the panel, with adjacent or sequential lands or strips in the two series being joined by interposed transverse bridging portions spanning the width of the panel at an inclined angle, e.g. in the range of from about 30, 40 or 50 up to about 60, 70 or 80 degrees, relative to the panel's general plane.

Suitable thicknesses of the GRP sheet material of each panel may for example be in the range of from about ito about 10 mm, preferably in the range of from about ito about 5 mm. Such thicknesses may be suitable for many practical shoring applications, for example those based on typical excavation depths of up to around 2 metres. The depth of the corrugations formations, i.e. in the transverse direction (i.e. between the first and second series of lands or strips) perpendicular to the general plane of the panel, may for instance be in the range of from about 5 up to about 100mm, more preferably in the range of from about 5 up to about 20 or 30mm.

Each shoring panel 2, 4 has attached to it along a lateral edge region thereof an upright, especially substantially vertical, support rail or bar 20, 21, 22, 23, e.g. of GRP (for its advantageous lightweight properties). Each support rail 20, 21, 22, 23 is attached to the respective panel 2, 4 primarily by means of an adhesive, e.g. a polyurethane or 2-pad epoxy adhesive. Preferably the adhesive bonds the respective support rail 20, 21, 22, 23 to the respective panel 2, 4 at substantially all contact points or contact regions mutually therealong. Furthermore, each support rail 20, 21, 22, 23 is preferably additionally, and secondarily, attached to the respective panel 2, 4 by a series of rivets (not shown), especially in the region of the upper and lower edges of the panels 2, 4 where they may be more likely to suffer from peeling or prising apart in the course of use.

The shoring panels 2, 4 are braced apart into their excavation sidewall-supporting shoring configuration as shown by means of two symmetrically arranged pairs of extendable/retractable hydraulic jacks or rams 6a, 6b; 8a, 8b. Examples of suitable hydraulic jacks or rams are readily available in the industry.

Each hydraulic jack or ram 6a, 6b; 8a, Sb is attached to the respective support rail or bar 20, 21, 22, 23 by a respective anchoring device 16a, 16b; 18a, 18b. Such anchoring devices are preferably in the form of a pivotal anchoring blocks or brackets 116a, 116b; 118a, 118b (see Figure 15), the relative configurations of which may be arranged to permit each jack or ram cylinder 6a, 6b; Ba, 8b to pivot about its respective anchoring block/bracket 1 16a, 1 16b; 1 18a, 1 18b in such a way that the panels 2, 4 can move in a scissor fashion relative to each other, such as illustrated in principle in Figure 15.

Each upright support rail or bar 20, 21, 22, 23 is provided at its uppermost end poition with a lifting or carrying aperture 28, to enable e.g. a scaffolding pole or other lifting gear to be inserted therein to facilitate lifting of the panels into or out of the excavation, or even from place to place on a given excavation site. The lifting or carrying apertures 28 may also serve more simply to enable the panel-and-support rail/bar combinations to be manually lifted and moved as necessary by site workers.

In use, once the shoring panels 2, 4 have been inserted into position against the sidewalls of a given excavation to be shored, the hydraulic jacks or rams 6a, 6b, 8a, 8b are then operated in a conventional manner by an associated pump (not shown, but conveniently outside the excavation) so as to force and brace the panels 2, 4 against the excavation sidewalls 10, 10' and thus into their shoring configuration thereagainst. This situation is shown having been attained in the plan and cross-sectional views of Figures 2 and 3, respectively.

Also shown merely by way of example in Figures 2 and 3 is the provision of a utility 100, whose placement in the trench 10, 10' is the purpose of the excavation needing shoring by the system according to the invention.

Figure 4 to 6 show a second embodiment of shoring system 101 according to the invention. In these Figures components of the system corresponding to equivalent components of the system of Figures 1 to 3 are shown with corresponding reference numerals but incremented by 100.

In this example each panel 102, 104 has bonded thereto a single respective upright support rail or bar 120, 121, and each panel + support rail/bar combination is braced apart into shoring relationship with the trench sidewalls 10, 10' (as shown in Figures 5 and 6) by a single pair of hydraulic jacks or rams 106a, 106b, again arranged symmetrically midway along the longitudinal (i.e. horizontal) length of the panels 102, 104.

It may generally be sufficient for the pair of hydraulic jacks or rams 106a, 106b to be arranged generally in (i.e. in shoring relationship against) the upper half only of the panels 102, 104, as shown. Without intending to be bound by theory, owing to the principle of soil arching, this configuration may thus be expected in many practical systems to be sufficient to provide adequate shoring of the trench sidewalls, leaving more room in the lower regions of the trench for workers to work.

Other features of the panels and system of the embodiment of Figures 4 to 6, as well as their manner of use, correspond to those of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, as will be readily apparent.

However, as an additional exemplary disclosure, it will be noted that Figure 6 shows an alternative, non-equi-spaced configuration of corrugations or ribs 50, 60 of each panel 102, 104 from that of the exemplary configuration thereof shown in Figures ito 4. This alternative corrugation/rib configuration is shown in further detail in Figure 16, and discussed further below.

Figures 7 to 9 show a third embodiment of shoring system 201 according to the invention. In these Figures components of the system corresponding to equivalent components of the system of Figures 1 to 3 are shown with corresponding reference numerals but incremented by 200.

Thus in this example each panel 202, 204 has bonded thereto a pair of upright support rails or bars 220, 221, 222, 223 and each panel + support rails/bars combination is braced apart into shoring relationship with the trench sidewalls 10, 10' (as shown in Figures 8 and 9) by a single one of a pair of hydraulic jacks or rams 206a, 206b, this time arranged horizontally spaced apart but approximately midway up the height of the panels 202, 204. It is expected that this arrangement of the jacks or rams 206a, 206b will be sufficient for many practical shoring applications for corresponding reasons as discussed above in relation to the positioning of the jacks/rams 106a, 106b of the embodiment of Figures 4 to 6.

Other features of the panels and system of the embodiment of Figures 7 to 9, as well as their manner of use, correspond to those of the embodiments of Figures 1 to 3 and 4 to 6, as will be readily apparent.

Figure 10 shows a fourth embodiment of shoring system 301 according to the invention. In this Figure components of the system corresponding to equivalent components of the system of Figures 1 to 3 are shown with corresponding reference numerals but incremented by 300.

Indeed, in this embodiment of Figure 10 the construction and arrangement of the panels 302, 304 and the hydraulic jacks/rams 306a, 306b; 308a, 308b are closely analogous to those corresponding components of the system of the embodiment of Figures ito 3. The principal difference in Figure 10 however is that the system here is designed to be a heavy-duty system, possibly for shoring excavations of greater depths and/or widths than those of the other embodiment systems of Figures ito 3, 4 to 6 and 7 to 9.

With this in mind, the panels 302, 304 may be formed of thicker or heaver-duty pultruded GRP sheet material with wider-pitched corrugations (as shown), and the jacks or rams 306a, 306b; 308a, 308b may be either of the hydraulic or mechanical type (since the overall weight of the system is less critical, since mechanical lifting equipment is more likely to be necessary anyway to lift and move the assembled system, rather than by hand). In this embodiment each of the upright support rails or bars 320, 321, 322, 323 attached to the respective panels 302, 304 is formed as a heavier-sided box-like section, for added strength and rigidity.

Also shown in this example is a modified form of lifting or carrying means 328 at the upper end of each support rail or bar 320, 321, 322, 323, which in this case is a discrete bracket or loop of e.g. steel to enable easier and more reliable lifting or carrying of the assembled panels or overall system.

Figure 11 shows a fifth embodiment of shoring system 401 according to the invention.

In this Figure components of the system corresponding to equivalent components of the system of Figures 1 to 3 are shown with corresponding reference numerals but incremented by 400.

This embodiment illustrates a variant of the basic shoring panel/system in which a pair of opposed combinations of a corrugated GRP panel 402, 404 with an attached upright support waler rail 420, 421 are braced apart by a pair of upper and lower struts 406a, 406b. In this example however the corrugations 412, 414 of each panel 402, 404 (which overall panels are both somewhat of narrower width in comparison with their height than in the other embodiments shown in Figures 1, 4, 7 and 10) are oriented with their longitudinal directions vertical rather than horizontal. This different orientation may facilitate the task of inserting the panels into, and/or removing them from, a trench or other excavation.

Figure 12 shows a sixth embodiment of shoring system 501 according to the invention.

In these Figures components of the system corresponding to equivalent components of the system of Figures 1 to 3 are shown with corresponding reference numerals but incremented by 500.

This embodiment illustrates a variant of the basic shoring panel/system shown e.g. in Figure 1, in which instead of the waler support rails 520, 521, 522, 523 being oriented vertically, they are disposed generally horizontally, so that the struts 506a, 506b, 508a, 508b brace the panels 502, 504 apart in a similar manner as before but aligned in upper and lower horizontal bracing axes. Also in this example the corrugations 512, 514 of each panel 502, 504 are again oriented with their longitudinal directions vertical rather than horizontal.

Figure 13 shows a seventh embodiment of shoring system 601 according to the invention. In these Figures components of the system corresponding to equivalent components of the system of Figures 1 to 3 are shown with corresponding reference numerals but incremented by 600.

This embodiment illustrates a variant of the basic shoring panel/system in which each of waler rails 620, 621, 622, 623 is modified so as to incorporate interengaging connection means, such as in the form of telescopic or interlocking tubular sections or male-female socket joints, to allow the panel to have connected to an upper portion thereof, or to carry as an integral extension of its construction, an arrangement of handrails(s) 680 or other safety features for the benefit of workers working within the shored excavation, and/or even a ladder 688 for facilitating access to the interior of the excavation once its walls have been shored by the system.

Figures 14(a) and (b) show an eighth embodiment of shoring system 701 according to the invention. In these Figures components of the system corresponding to equivalent components of the system of Figures 1 to 3 are shown with corresponding reference numerals but incremented by 700.

This embodiment illustrates a variant of the basic shoring panel/system in which each waler rail 720, 721, 722, 723 is formed with integral interconnection means by which plural pairs of panels 702, 704 may be anchored together vertically, in order to build up a double-(or even multiple-) height overall shoring panel using a plurality of like individual panels according to basic system. In this example the interconnection means are constituted by each waler rail 720, 721, 722, 723 being formed with a pair of lateral elongate channel portions or sections 794 (shown in close-up in Figure 14(b)) in a lateral edge region thereof. Each respective channel portion or section 794 is formed by, and between, a pair of elongate parallel flanges 790, 792 extending the length of the respective waler rail 723 and extending laterally outwardly from the main body of the rail 723. An edge portion of the respective panel 704 is insertable into the respective channel portion or section 794, e.g. by sliding it in a longitudinal direction therealong, so as to be retained therein. This variant of the basic system as shown here may for example be useful for providing a modular system for shoring particularly deep excavations.

Figure 15 shows by way of example the manner in which the assembled shoring system of the first embodiment of Figures 1 to 3 may be arranged to be erectable and collapsible by a scissoring arrangement, by use of pivotal anchoring brackets or feet 16a, 16b, e.g. comprising pin joints, via which each hydraulic jack/ram 6a, 6b is attached to the respective support rail or bar 20, 21. By way of example, a suitable maximum scissoring angle a of e.g. around 30 degrees may be achievable, but this may be dictated by constraints imposed by the construction of the respective anchoring brackets/feet 16a, 16b. This scissoring arrangement allows an assembled shoring system of panels + jacks/rams to be more readily lifted, handled and transported, e.g. for delivery to or collection from a given excavation site, possibly even by technically unqualified personnel. This facility may be particularly useful for a hire-out commercial arrangement for supply of the shoring systems of the invention.

It is to be understood that a corresponding scissoring arrangement to that shown in Figure 15 may likewise be employed correspondingly in any other embodiments of the invention as shown in and described in relation to any other Figures herein apart from Figures ito 3.

Figure 16 shows one example of a preferred corrugated cross-sectional profile of shoring panel for use in various embodiments of the invention, as already shown in passing in Figure 6. The pultruded GRP shoring panel shown here as 102 is formed with discrete groups 50 of equi-spaced, flat-faced corrugations 112, each group being separated from the next by a planar land 60 of a width greater than the spacing of individual corrugations 112 within each group 50. Each such land 60 may provide a site for an additional means of aftachment of the panel 102 to the support rail or bar 120, such as by means of an additional fixing strip 820 adhered to the front face of the land 60 opposite to its own bonding to the support rail or bar 120. The rear of each such land 60, as well as the rear faces of the corrugations 112, may likewise be bonded to the support rail or bar 120 by the same polyurethane or epoxy adhesive, at the sites shown in the Figure by heavy dark lines 800. (The numerical dimensions shown in Figure 16, and also in Figure 17, for the widths of the bonding sites 800 etc are not to be construed as limiting in any way, but merely exemplary.) Figure 17 shows an alternative, somewhat simpler arrangement of flat-faced corrugations 12 of the shoring panel 2 of Figures 1 to 3. Here the corrugations 12 are substantially equi-spaced throughout the panel's width (or height, as the case may be).

Again, bonding sites by which the panel 2 is adhered to the underlying support rail or bar 20 are shown as heavy lines 800.

Figure 18 shows portions of some alternative face profiles/cross-sections of shoring panels which may also be useful for use in various embodiments of the invention. For example, Figure 18(a) shows a panel profile/cross-section much the same as that in Figure 17. Figure 18(b) shows a panel profile/cross-section which instead of a fully corrugated form, is of the nature of a part-corrugated, part-box section, with a central generally rectangular closed section 912c and a pair of winged lateral portions 912a, 912b extending outwardly therefrom forming in effect corrugations to either side of the central closed section 912c. Figure 18(c) shows a panel profile/cross-section with a greater corrugation spacing than that of Figure 18(a). In this example the panel profile is more of the nature of a stepped structure, with one or more discrete linear portions 1012a stepped with respect to each of its neighbouring linear portions 1012b by a ramped portion 1012r. Figure 18(d) shows a modification to the profile of Figure 18(c), this time with one or more discrete linear portions 11 12a bordered on each side by a respective lateral u-shaped channel or cupped portion 1112b. Other panel profiles/cross-sections may also be possible within the scope of the invention.

It is to be understood that the above and below descriptions of preferred embodiments and aspects of the invention has been by way of non-limiting examples only, and various modifications may be made from what has been specifically described and illustrated whilst remaining within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Some further embodiments of the present invention may be understood by reference to the following numbered paragraphs: 1. A shoring panel formed from a GRP (glass-reinforced plastic) material, preferably a pultruded GRP material.

2. A shoring panel according to paragraph 1, wherein the GRP material comprises a resin or polymer binder or matrix, and distributed therein an array or network of glass fibres, preferably in the form of a continuous strand mat.

3. A shoring panel according to paragraph 1 or paragraph 2, wherein the GRP material comprises a protective surface layer.

4. A shoring panel according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 3, wherein the GRP material is a pultruded GRP material which satisfies the requirements of British Standard ES EN 13706.

5. A shoring panel according to any preceding paragraph, wherein the panel has a corrugated or ribbed profile or cross-section.

6. A shoring panel according to paragraph 5, wherein the corrugations or ribs are substantially linear.

7. A shoring panel according to paragraph 5 or paragraph 6, wherein the corrugations or ribs are distributed along the panel's length in a symmetlical, regular array in which the individual corrugations or ribs are equally spaced therealong.

8. A shoring panel according to paragraph 5 or paragraph 6, wherein the corrugations or ribs are distributed along the panel's length in groups of equi-spaced corrugations or ribs wherein each group is spaced from the next along the panel's length by a distance which is greater than the individual spacing between adjacent corrugations or ribs within each group.

9. A shoring panel according to any one of paragraphs 5 to 8, wherein in use the corrugations or ribs of the panel are oriented generally horizontally with respect to a ground excavation whose sidewall is to be shored using said panel.

10. A shoring panel according to any preceding paragraph, further comprising at least one support member in the form of a rail or bar attached thereto by attachment means.

11. A shoring panel according to paragraph 10, wherein the attachment means comprises one or more of adhesive, rivets or mechanical fixing means.

12. A shoring panel according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 9, further comprising at least one support member in the form of a rail or bar, wherein the said at least one support member is formed integrally and simultaneously with the panel itself by pultrusion.

13. A shoring panel according to any preceding paragraph, further comprising one or more strips of protective material affixed thereto along its upper edge or edges.

14. A shoring panel according to any preceding paragraph, further comprising lifting or carrying means provided at or adjacent or extending from an upper edge of the panel.

15. A shoring system for an excavation, comprising at least one shoring panel according to any one of paragraphs ito 14, and bracing means for bracing the or each panel against a respective sidewall of the excavation.

16. A shoring system according to paragraph 15, comprising at least one pair of shoring panels for placement against opposite sidewalls of the excavation to be shored and at least one pair of bracing means for simultaneously bracing apart the panels of the or each pair into shoring relationship with the sidewalls of the excavation.

17. A shoring system according to paragraph 15 or paragraph 16, comprising a plurality of pairs of shoring panels for placement end-to-end or side-by-side along the longitudinal direction of the excavation, with each pair of panels being braced by a respective one or a respective plurality of pairs of bracing means.

18. A shoring system according to any one of paragraphs 15 to 17, wherein the or each bracing means comprises an expandable and retractable strut.

19. A shoring system according to paragraph 18, wherein the or each strut is a strut of mechanically adjustable length.

20. A shoring system according to paragraph 18, wherein the or each strut comprises a hydraulic jack or ram.

21. A shoring system according to any one of paragraphs 15 to 20, wherein the or each bracing means is attached to the respective panel via an anchoring bracket or foot which comprises a pivotal connection.

22. A shoring system according to paragraph 21, wherein the assembly of the one or more panels and the one or more bracing means is erectable and collapsible by a scissoring action.

23. A kit of parts for forming, or for use as, a shoring system according to any one of paragraphs 15 to 22, the kit comprising: at least one shoring panel according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 14, and bracing means for bracing the or each panel against a respective sidewall of the excavation.

24. A kit according to paragraph 23, wherein the kit comprises at least one pair of said panels and at least one pair of said bracing means.

25. A kit according to paragraph 23 or paragraph 24, wherein the bracing means thereof comprises at least one pair of hydraulic jacks or rams.

26. A kit according to paragraph 25, further comprising a pump for opelation of said hydraulic jacks or rams.

27. A method of shoring an excavation, the method comprising: placing against at least one sidewall of the excavation a or a respective shoring panel according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 14; and bracing the or each panel against the respective sidewall of the excavation by means of bracing means.

28. A method according to paragraph 27, wherein the bracing means by which the or each panel is braced against the respective sidewall of the excavation comprises a plurality of struts.

29. A method according to paragraph 28, wherein the plurality of struts comprise a plurality of hydraulic jacks or rams.

30. A method according to any one of paragraphs 27 to 29, wherein a plurality of bracing means are provided to brace the or each panel against the respective sidewall of the excavation, and the said plurality of bracing means are arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to the or the respective panel against which they are borne in shoring relationship.

31. A shoring panel, or a shoring system, or a kit of parts, or a method of shoring an excavation, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Claims (37)

1. CLAIMS1. A shoring panel formed from GRP (glass-reinforced plastic) material, wherein the panel comprises a sheet of the said GRP material with opposite faces each having a corrugated surface profile.
2. 2. A shoring panel according to Claim 1, wherein the GRP material comprises a resin or polymer binder or matrix, and distributed therein an array or network of glass fibres, preferably in the form of a continuous strand mat.
3. 3. A shoring panel according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the GRP material comprises a protective surface layer.
4. 4. A shoring panel according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the GRP material of the panel is a pultruded GRP material.
5. 5. A shoring panel according to Claim 4, wherein the GRP material is a pultruded GRP material which satisfies the requirements of British Standard BS EN 13706.
6. 6. A shoring panel according to any preceding Claim, wherein the corrugations are substantially linear.
7. 7. A shoring panel according to any pieceding Claim, wherein the corrugations of the panel are shaped such that each corrugation comprises a generally flat or planar elongate land or strip lying in or defining a plane substantially parallel to the general overall plane of the panel.
8. 8. A shoring panel according to Claim 7, wherein the corrugations of the panel comprise a first series of planar elongate lands or strips and a second series of planar elongate lands or strips spaced from the first series in a transverse direction across the panel, said transverse spacing defining the general thickness of the panel, wherein each land or strip of one of the first and second series is connected at each of its longitudinal sides to respective ones of a pair of planar elongate lands or strips of the other of the first and second series by respective bridging portions extending transversely or at a inclined angle across the panel's thickness.
9. 9. A shoring panel according to any preceding Claim, wherein the corrugations are distributed along the panel's length in a symmetrical, regular array in which individual corrugations are equally spaced therealong.
10. 10. A shoring panel according to any one of Claims ito 8, wherein the corrugations are distributed along the panel's length in groups of equi-spaced corrugations wherein each group is spaced from the next along the panel's length by a distance which is greater than the individual spacing between adjacent corrugations within each group.
11. ii. A shoring panel according to any preceding Claim, wherein in use the corrugations of the panel are oriented generally horizontally with respect to a ground excavation whose sidewall is to be shored using said panel.
12. 12. A shoring panel according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein in use the corrugations of the panel are oriented generally vertically with respect to a ground excavation whose sidewall is to be shored using said panel.
13. 13. A shoring panel according to any preceding Claim, further comprising at least one support member in the form of a waler rail or bar attached thereto by attachment means.
14. 14. A shoring panel according to Claim 13, wherein the attachment means comprises one or more of adhesive, rivets or mechanical fixing means.
15. 15. A shoring panel according to Claim 13, wherein the at least one support member comprises one or more discrete support members provided separately from the panel, and the attachment means by which the panel and the, each ora respective support member(s) is/are connected thereto comprises a channel portion or section formed in a lateral edge region of the support member, into which channel portion or section an edge portion of the panel is insertable so as to be retainable therein.
16. 16. A shoring panel according to any one of Claims ito 13, further comprising at least one support member in the form of a waler rail or bar, wherein the said at least one support member is formed integrally and simultaneously with the panel itself by pultrusion.
17. 17. A shoring panel according to any preceding Claim, further comprising one or more strips of protective material affixed thereto along its upper edge or edges.
18. 18. A shoring panel according to any preceding Claim, further comprising lifting or carrying means provided at or adjacent or extending from an upper edge of the panel.
19. 19. A shoring panel according to any preceding Claim, further comprising one or more connection means, said connection means comprising interengageable connection means constructed and arranged for connecting an auxiliary handrail or other safety device or access-facilitating means to an upper portion of the panel.
20. 20. A shoring panel according to any one of Claims ito 18, further comprising one or more connection means, said connection means comprising intelengageable connection means constructed and arranged for interconnecting a plurality of like individual panels according to any one of Claims 1 to 18 together for building up a plural-height overall shoring panel.
21. 21. A shoring system for an excavation, comprising at least one shoring panel according to any one of Claims 1 to 20, and bracing means for bracing the or each panel against a respective sidewall of the excavation.
22. 22. A shoring system according to Claim 21, comprising at least one pair of shoring panels for placement against opposite sidewalls of the excavation to be shored and at least one pair of bracing means for simultaneously bracing apart the panels of the or each pair into shoring relationship with the sidewalls of the excavation.
23. 23. A shoring system according to Claim 21 or Claim 22, comprising a plurality of pairs of shoring panels for placement end-to-end and/or side-by-side and/or atop one another along the longitudinal direction of the excavation, with each pair of panels being braced by a respective one or a respective plurality of pairs of bracing means.
24. 24. A shoring system according to any one of Claims 21 to 23, wherein the or each bracing means comprises an expandable and retractable strut.
25. 25. A shoring system according to Claim 24, wherein the or each strut is a strut of mechanically adjustable length.
26. 26. A shoring system according to Claim 24 or Claim 25, wherein the or each strut comprises a hydraulic jack or ram.
27. 27. A shoring system according to any one of Claims 21 to 26, wherein the or each bracing means is attached to the respective panel via an anchoring bracket or foot which comprises a pivotal connection.
28. 28. A shoring system according to Claim 27, wherein the assembly of the one or more panels and the one or more bracing means is erectable and collapsible by a scissoring action.
29. 29. A kit of parts for forming, or for use as, a shoring system according to any one of Claims 211028, the kit comprising: at least one shoring panel according to any one of Claims 1 to 20, and bracing means for bracing the or each panel against a respective sidewall of the excavation.
30. 30. A kit according to Claim 29, wherein the kit comprises at least one pair of said panels and at least one pair of said bracing means.
31. 31. A kit according to Claim 29 or Claim 30, wherein the bracing means thereof comprises at least one pair of hydraulic jacks or rams.
32. 32. A kit according to Claim 31, further comprising a pump for operation of said hydraulic jacks or rams.
33. 33. A method of shoring an excavation, the method comprising: placing against at least one sidewall of the excavation a or a respective shoring panel according to any one of Claims ito 20; and bracing the or each panel against the respective sidewall of the excavation by means of bracing means.
34. 34. A method according to Claim 33, wherein the bracing means by which the or each panel is braced against the respective sidewall of the excavation comprises a plurality of struts.
35. 35. A method according to Claim 34, wherein the plurality of struts comprise a plurality of hydraulic jacks or rams.
36. 36. A method according to any one of Claims 33 to 35, wherein a plurality of bracing means are provided to brace the or each panel against the respective sidewall of the excavation, and the said plurality of biacing means are arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to the or the respective panel against which they are borne in shoring relationship.
37. 37. A shoring panel, or a shoring system, or a kit of parts, or a method of shoring an excavation, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.