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Temporary Works Design & Engineering

Site Equipment Limited provides temporary works design, engineering advice and equipment solutions for construction, civil engineering, groundworks, structural refurbishment and concrete projects throughout the UK.

Our experienced, qualified Civil and Structural Engineers work with contractors to understand the proposed works, site conditions, construction sequence and temporary support requirements before developing a safe, practical and economical solution.

This means considering more than the final temporary works drawing. Our engineers can advise on the suitability and configuration of the equipment, identify relevant constraints, help resolve technical challenges and develop a scheme that can be implemented effectively on site.

By combining in-house engineering expertise with an extensive hire and sale fleet, SEL can provide a coordinated temporary works package covering design, calculations, drawings, equipment specification and supply.

Temporary Works Engineering Expertise

Effective temporary works design begins with a clear understanding of how the permanent works will be constructed, supported or protected at each stage of the project.

SEL's engineering team develops temporary works solutions with structural performance, stability, safe buildability, available working space, equipment installation and the proposed construction sequence in mind.

Depending on the project, our service can include:

  • Early discussion of the proposed works and temporary support requirements
  • Site visits to assess the application and relevant site constraints
  • Engineering advice on suitable temporary works systems and equipment
  • Development of practical, project-specific temporary works schemes
  • Design calculations and clearly illustrated arrangement drawings
  • Equipment schedules and specification of the required components
  • Coordination of the temporary works design with equipment hire or purchase
  • Technical advice when site conditions or project requirements change

Our engineers work closely with SEL's experienced technical and hire teams, giving customers access to both engineering knowledge and practical understanding of the equipment being specified.

Temporary Works Design for Excavations and Groundworks

SEL designs and supplies excavation support systems for applications ranging from straightforward trenches and utility works to deep excavations, cofferdams and complex ground-retention schemes.

Our excavation support design capabilities include:

  • Trench support and trench box schemes
  • Manhole and chamber excavations
  • Sheet-and-frame excavation support
  • Hydraulic bracing systems
  • Waler frame and bracing strut arrangements
  • Deep excavation support
  • Basement excavation support and internal bracing
  • Cofferdams and temporary works in or around water
  • Excavations for drainage, utilities, pipelines and infrastructure
  • Tank, stormwater storage and attenuation excavations
  • Pile caps, foundations and reinforced-concrete structures
  • Retaining-wall construction
  • Excavations in restricted or constrained working areas

Solutions can incorporate SEL trench boxes, trench shields, trench sheets, sheet piles, hydraulic bracing systems, waler frames, bracing struts and associated groundworks equipment.

Our engineers assess the project requirements to determine an appropriate support arrangement rather than treating the equipment as a standalone hire item.

Structural Propping, Needling and Building Support Design

SEL provides temporary works engineering for the support, restraint and stabilisation of existing structures during alteration, refurbishment, demolition and reconstruction.

Using Slimshore soldiers, needles, props, walers, ties and associated components, we can develop adaptable structural support arrangements for projects including:

  • Propping and needling for structural alterations
  • Temporary support during the removal of loadbearing walls
  • Support for the formation or enlargement of structural openings
  • Façade retention and retained-wall support
  • Lateral restraint of walls while floors or roofs are removed
  • Building refurbishment and partial demolition
  • Temporary support to beams, floors and structural elements
  • Underpinning and foundation works
  • Basement construction and alteration
  • Temporary stability during changes to the permanent structure
  • Support to historic, listed or sensitive buildings
  • Emergency and remedial structural support

Because every existing structure and construction sequence is different, SEL's engineers can advise on how the temporary support system should interact with the building and how stability will be maintained while the permanent works are undertaken.

Formwork and Falsework Design

SEL provides engineered formwork and falsework solutions for walls, columns, slabs, soffits, foundations and other reinforced-concrete structures.

Our formwork and falsework design service covers:

  • Frami panel wall formwork
  • Traditional timber formwork supported by Slimshore soldiers
  • Dokaflex soffit and slab formwork
  • Slab-edge and downstand arrangements
  • Concrete wall and retaining-wall formwork
  • Foundations, pile caps and ground beams
  • Columns, piers and structural upstands
  • Single-sided and restricted-access formwork applications
  • Bespoke concrete shapes and non-standard arrangements
  • Push-pull propping and alignment of formwork panels

The engineering team can advise on system selection, panel or soldier arrangement, support requirements and the practical configuration of the equipment for the proposed concrete structure.

This joined-up approach helps ensure that the design, equipment schedule and supplied components form one coordinated solution.

A Coordinated Design and Equipment Package

SEL's design service is supported by our extensive range of temporary works equipment available for hire or sale.

Rather than separating engineering from equipment supply, we bring the two together. Our engineers design using systems that SEL understands, stocks and supports, while our depot and technical teams can coordinate the equipment required to implement the scheme.

Our engineered temporary works packages can incorporate:

  • Trench boxes and trench shields
  • Trench sheets and sheet piles
  • Hydraulic excavation bracing systems
  • Waler frames and bracing struts
  • Frami panel formwork
  • Slimshore formwork soldiers
  • Slimshore propping and needling equipment
  • Dokaflex soffit and floor formwork
  • Push-pull props
  • Column clamps
  • Formwork accessories and associated components

This provides customers with a single specialist source for engineering advice, temporary works design and compatible equipment supply.

Designed for Safety, Buildability and Efficiency

SEL produces economical, clearly illustrated temporary works designs in accordance with the relevant design standards, codes and industry guidance, including BS 5975.

Safe buildability is considered throughout the design process. Our engineers seek to develop solutions that meet the technical requirements of the project while also considering practical installation, available space, site operations and efficient use of equipment.

Early involvement allows our team to better understand the works, identify constraints and advise on a suitable temporary works approach before equipment arrives on site.

Get engineering support for your project

Temporary Works Support Throughout Your Project

Temporary works requirements can develop as construction progresses. Site conditions may differ from the information initially available, permanent works details may change or the proposed sequence may need to be revised.

SEL's engineering and technical teams remain available to discuss project-specific questions and advise where changed requirements may affect the temporary works design.

From an initial site visit and engineering discussion through to detailed design and equipment supply, we provide a practical, responsive service backed by more than 50 years of temporary works and groundworks experience.

Contact us for temporary works support

Common questions

What is temporary works design?
Temporary works design is the engineering of structures and support systems required to enable construction, alteration or demolition work to be carried out safely. Temporary works may support an excavation, retain an existing building, restrain walls, support wet concrete or maintain structural stability during a change in the permanent works. They are usually removed once the permanent structure is complete and self-supporting.
When should a temporary works engineer be involved in a project?
A temporary works engineer should ideally be involved during the early planning of any work involving excavation support, structural alteration, propping, needling, façade retention, formwork or falsework. Early engineering input allows the proposed construction sequence, loading, site restrictions and equipment requirements to be considered before work begins, helping to identify practical constraints and develop a safe, buildable solution.
What temporary works design services does Site Equipment provide?
Site Equipment provides temporary works design and engineering for excavation support, deep excavations, cofferdams, basement support, structural propping and needling, façade and retained-wall support, wall formwork, slab and soffit formwork and other temporary stability requirements. Our engineers work alongside our technical and equipment teams to provide coordinated design and equipment solutions.
Does SEL provide engineering advice before producing a temporary works design?
Yes. Our service is not limited to producing the final calculations and drawings. SEL's Civil and Structural Engineers can discuss the proposed works, review the available project information, advise on suitable temporary works systems and help identify relevant structural, construction and site constraints before developing the design. Early involvement can be particularly valuable where the construction sequence, available working space or interaction with the permanent works will influence the temporary works solution.
What is included in a temporary works design package?
The contents will depend on the project and the complexity of the temporary works. A package may include design calculations, general arrangement drawings, construction details, equipment layouts and schedules identifying the required temporary works components. SEL can coordinate the engineering design with the hire or sale of the specified equipment, providing customers with a joined-up design and supply service.
Can SEL design excavation support systems?
Yes. SEL designs excavation support solutions for trenches, chambers, foundations, pile caps, tanks, retaining walls, basements, cofferdams and other below-ground construction. Depending on the excavation dimensions, ground conditions, loading, access and construction sequence, the solution may incorporate trench boxes, trench shields, trench sheets, sheet piles, waler frames, hydraulic bracing frames, bracing struts or a combination of systems.
How is the right excavation support system selected?
The appropriate system depends on factors including excavation depth and dimensions, ground conditions, groundwater, adjacent structures, imposed and surcharge loads, available working space, access for plant and the proposed installation and removal sequence. SEL's engineers and technical team can assess the available project information and advise whether a trench box, sheet-and-frame arrangement, hydraulic bracing system or another engineered solution is appropriate.
Can SEL design temporary works for deep excavations, basements and cofferdams?
Yes. SEL provides engineered support solutions for deep excavations, basement construction and cofferdams. Designs can incorporate hydraulic bracing frames, waler systems, bracing struts, trench sheets or sheet piles to resist ground, water and surcharge pressures. Each scheme is developed for the particular excavation geometry, loading, site constraints and construction sequence rather than relying solely on a standard equipment arrangement.
Does SEL design propping, needling and structural building support?
Yes. SEL designs temporary propping and needling schemes for structural alterations, refurbishment, partial demolition, the formation of new openings and the temporary support of walls, beams, floors and other structural elements. Solutions can use Slimshore soldiers, needles, props, walers, ties and associated equipment to transfer loads and maintain stability while the permanent structure is altered or reconstructed.
Can SEL design façade retention and retained-wall support?
Yes. SEL can develop temporary support and restraint schemes for façades, gable walls and other retained sections of buildings during refurbishment, demolition or reconstruction. The design may need to account for wind loading, the removal of existing floors or roofs, temporary load paths, the condition of the retained structure, available foundation positions and the proposed construction sequence. Our engineers can advise on a suitable arrangement using SEL's adaptable propping and Slimshore equipment.
Can SEL support walls while floors or roofs are removed?
Yes. Existing walls can lose important lateral restraint when adjoining floors, roofs or internal structures are removed. SEL can design temporary propping and bracing arrangements to maintain stability during the works. Because the required solution depends on the existing building, proposed demolition sequence and permanent works design, these applications require project-specific engineering assessment rather than equipment selection alone.
Does SEL provide formwork and falsework design?
Yes. SEL provides engineered formwork and falsework solutions for walls, retaining walls, columns, foundations, slabs and soffits. Designs can incorporate Frami panel formwork, Slimshore soldiers for traditional formwork, Dokaflex soffit and floor formwork, push-pull props, column clamps and associated formwork components. Our engineers can advise on the system layout and support arrangement required for the proposed concrete structure.
Are SEL temporary works designs produced in accordance with BS 5975?
SEL produces temporary works designs in accordance with the relevant design standards, codes and industry guidance, including BS 5975. This provides a recognised framework for managing temporary works and their design, checking, implementation and coordination. The precise design and checking requirements will depend on the nature, complexity and risk of the individual temporary works scheme.
What information is required for a temporary works design?
The information required varies by project but may include: existing and proposed construction drawings; excavation dimensions and levels; ground investigation or soil information; groundwater conditions; details of adjacent buildings, roads and services; structural loads and surcharge loads; concrete thicknesses, pour heights or pour sequences; details of the existing and permanent structures; the proposed construction, installation and removal sequence; and site access and working-space restrictions. Where information is unavailable or the site constraints need to be better understood, SEL can discuss the requirements and arrange a site visit.
Can SEL arrange a site visit before designing the temporary works?
Yes. SEL offers site visits to help understand the proposed works, examine the application and identify relevant physical or logistical constraints. A site visit can be particularly valuable for existing-building support, façade retention, complex excavations, restricted sites and projects where the available drawings do not fully represent the conditions on site.
Can SEL provide both the temporary works design and the equipment?
Yes. SEL combines in-house temporary works engineering with the hire and sale of excavation support, propping, needling, formwork and falsework equipment. This allows the design, equipment specification and supply package to be coordinated by one specialist team, helping to ensure that the equipment supplied corresponds with the engineered temporary works arrangement.
How does temporary works design help improve construction site safety?
Temporary works design helps identify and manage risks associated with excavation, structural instability, temporary loading, concrete construction and changes to existing buildings. A properly engineered scheme defines how loads will be supported or restrained and provides clear information for the safe installation, use and removal of the temporary works. SEL's engineers consider structural performance, stability, buildability, site constraints and the proposed construction sequence when developing each solution. The temporary works must then be installed, inspected, used and dismantled by competent people in accordance with the approved design and the contractor's temporary works procedures.
Deeper insight

Our Engineering Experience

Temporary works design requires understanding not just the permanent works but how they will be constructed. Our in-house engineers have decades of experience with excavations, propping, needling and concrete works throughout the UK.

Speak to a Temporary Works Engineer about your project needs.

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Our team is friendly, knowledgeable and ready to consult. We offer no-obligation site visits, fast delivery and competitive rates. Simply fill in the form and we'll be in touch.

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