How much space should there be between the shoring and the sides of the excavation?

The appropriate answer highlights that there should typically be no space between the shoring and the sides of the excavation. This practice is crucial for maintaining the integrity and safety of the excavation. When there is no space, the shoring provides maximum support to the walls, effectively preventing soil collapse and reducing the risk of accidents.

The absence of space ensures that the shoring system is in direct contact with the excavation walls, allowing it to effectively transfer the lateral loads from the walls to the shoring system. Additionally, this configuration minimizes the risk of soil movement that could occur if there were gaps, which can lead to potential hazards for workers in the excavation zone.

In practice, shoring is designed to ensure that it provides direct support and minimizes any potential for shifting or movement of the soil. This approach is particularly important in deeper excavations where the risk and consequences of wall failure can be severe. Hence, maintaining no space between the shoring and the excavation sides is a fundamental principle in excavation safety management.