Flying Shores | Temporary Support Between Buildings 🏗️

🏗️ Flying Shores Explained: Temporary Support Between Buildings

When a building between two others is demolished, the side walls lose their lateral support. 🏚️ Without something to hold them, they can lean or even collapse. That's where flying shores come in. These horizontal props span the gap between two parallel walls, bracing them against each other. In this civil engineering explainer, you'll learn how flying shores work, their main parts, and where they are used.

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💡 Quick Answer: A flying shore—also called a horizontal shore—is a temporary horizontal support placed between two parallel walls. It prevents them from moving toward each other when the building or structure between them is removed, demolished, or excavated. It acts as a lateral restraint, keeping both walls stable.

🧱 What Is a Flying Shore?

A flying shore is a horizontal shoring system used to brace two opposite walls. It is typically employed when an intermediate building is being demolished or when an excavation creates a gap between two structures that previously relied on each other for lateral support.

Unlike dead shores (vertical) or raking shores (inclined), flying shores carry horizontal loads. They tie the two walls together so that neither can move inward or outward.

⚙️ How Does a Flying Shore Work?

1️⃣ Fix the Wall-Plates

Horizontal wall-plates are secured against both walls to spread the load.

2️⃣ Place the Horizontal Beam

A beam spans the gap between the two wall-plates, acting as the main strut.

3️⃣ Add Struts & Straining Pieces

Diagonal struts and straining pieces stiffen the beam and prevent buckling.

4️⃣ Tighten with Wedges

Wedges are driven between the beam and wall-plates to tighten the system.

5️⃣ Brace the Walls

The completed flying shore restrains both walls against lateral movement.

🧩 Main Parts of a Flying Shore

Part	Function
📏 Horizontal Beam	The main member spanning the gap between the two walls.
🧱 Wall-Plates	Distribute the beam's load evenly onto the wall surfaces.
↗️ Struts	Diagonal bracing that stiffens the beam and prevents buckling.
🔗 Straining Pieces	Keep the struts at the correct spacing and add rigidity.
🔨 Cleats & Wedges	Support the beam and struts, and tighten the entire system.

🆚 Flying Shores vs Dead Shores vs Raking Shores

Type	Direction	Main Purpose
↔️ Flying Shore	Horizontal	Braces two parallel walls against lateral movement.
⬆️ Dead Shore	Vertical	Carries vertical loads from walls, floors, or roofs.
↗️ Raking Shore	Inclined	Provides lateral support to a single leaning wall.

📍 Where Are Flying Shores Used?

🏚️ Demolition between buildings: supporting the party walls of two buildings when the structure between them is removed.

🏗️ Excavation between walls: bracing parallel walls when a basement or trench is dug between them.

🧱 Unstable party walls: tying together two walls that are leaning or at risk of collapse.

🚧 Emergency shoring: quickly stabilizing damaged walls after a disaster or structural failure.

✅ Benefits of Flying Shores

• 🛡️ Prevents wall collapse: provides essential lateral restraint during demolition or excavation
• 📐 Simple concept: uses basic timber or steel members that are easy to understand and erect
• ⚡ Quick to install: can be assembled rapidly in emergency situations
• 💰 Cost-effective: materials are relatively inexpensive and reusable
• 🏗️ Versatile: suitable for both permanent and temporary works

⚠️ Limitations to Consider

• 📏 Limited span: not recommended for gaps greater than about 7.5 metres
• 📐 Requires sound walls: both walls must be strong enough to act as abutments
• 🔧 Careful design needed: beam size, strut angles, and bracing must be properly calculated
• ⚠️ Obstructs the gap: the shoring may interfere with work in the space between the walls
• 👷 Needs supervision: incorrect erection can be dangerous

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

🤔 What is a flying shore in simple words?

A flying shore is a horizontal temporary support placed between two parallel walls to stop them from moving toward each other when the building between them is removed or becomes unstable.

⬆️ How is a flying shore different from a dead shore?

A dead shore is vertical and carries loads from above. A flying shore is horizontal and braces two walls against lateral movement. They solve different stability problems.

🧩 What are the main parts of a flying shore?

The main parts are the horizontal beam, wall-plates, struts, straining pieces, cleats, and wedges. The beam spans the gap, while struts and straining pieces provide bracing and stiffness.

📏 What is the maximum span for a flying shore?

Flying shores are generally not recommended for spans greater than about 7.5 metres between two walls. Beyond that, the required beam size and bracing become impractical.

✅ Key Takeaway: Flying shores are horizontal temporary supports that brace two parallel walls together. They are essential during demolition, excavation, or emergency shoring when the lateral stability of walls is at risk. Using a horizontal beam, wall-plates, struts, and wedges, they keep structures safe until permanent works are complete.

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