A method of giving the temporary support to the side of deep trench or when subsoil is loose or very soft is known as timbering (i.e. shoring) and strutting. It consists of timber planks and strut to give temporary support to the side of trench. When the depth of trench is large, or when the sub-soil is loose, the sides of the trench may cave in. The problem can be solved by adopting a suitable method of timbering. Timbering of trenches, sometimes also known as shoring consists of providing timber planks or boards and struts to give temporary support to the sides of the trench. Timbering of deep trenches can be done with the help of the following methods:

1. Stay bracing.

2. Box sheeting

3. Vertical sheeting

4. Runner system

5. Sheet piling