What is Trench Box?

1. Introduction

• In construction projects involving underground pipeline installation or foundation excavations, the stability of soil around dug ditches is of utmost importance. Traditional ditch support methods are fraught with problems. They often feature complex structures, are difficult to install, and struggle to adapt to diverse ditch dimensions and soil conditions. Moreover, during lifting and repeated usage, safety risks abound. This is where trench boxes come in, revolutionizing ditch excavation work by addressing these long - standing issues.

2. Components of Trench Box Formwork

2.1 Box Panels

• Trench box formwork consists of base and top panels. These panels are crafted from high - strength, wear - resistant materials, ensuring safety even in challenging scenarios where ditch depths reach up to 5.60m. The base panels, with heights ranging from 2 - 4m, a length of 3m, and a thickness of 100mm, are designed to endure substantial soil lateral pressure. Their specific dimensions and material selection are optimized for this purpose. The top panels, with heights between 1.4 - 4m, offer similar durability and strength. Different panel models can be selected according to project - specific ditch sizes and depth requirements, providing flexibility in construction.

2.2 Support Components

2.2.1 Standard Spindles

• There is a wide variety of standard spindle models available. These are engineered to match different working widths, spanning from 1.00 - 4.40m, and ditch widths, ranging from 1.23 - 4.63m. For instance, the LGT100 - 60801600 spindle model is suitable for working widths of 1.00 - 1.40m and ditch widths of 1.23 - 1.63m. It has a remarkable safe working load of 360kN and weighs 68kg. During installation, these spindles can be precisely adjusted to the desired ditch width, guaranteeing a stable support structure.

2.2.2 Standard Struts

• Standard struts are a step ahead of traditional spindles. They feature a standardized hole design, allowing for easy adjustment in 100mm increments. This customization capability caters to different project needs. For example, combination A, weighing 17kg, is appropriate for a working width of 600mm and a ditch width of 830mm. Meanwhile, combination A + B, weighing 35kg, is suitable for working widths of 800 - 1200mm and ditch widths of 1030 - 1430mm. By combining different lengths (A = 500mm, B = 600mm, C = 1000mm), they can meet a broad spectrum of support requirements.

3. Advantages of Trench Box Formwork

3.1 High Load - Bearing and Safety

• Trench box formwork, particularly the base and top panels, undergoes rigorous design and testing. They can withstand significant earth pressure, maintaining stability across various ditch depths and widths. The base panel, for example, can tolerate maximum earth pressures between 32 - 84kN/m². The allowable tensile forces at a single lifting eye and the cutting edge are - 153kN and - 49kN respectively. This high - performance design effectively prevents soil collapses, safeguarding construction workers and the overall project.

3.2 Easy and Efficient Installation

• Trench boxes are designed for hassle - free installation at construction sites. First, the base panel is placed on a flat and sturdy surface. Then, the spring spindle seat is inserted and secured with a pin and clip. Next, the spindle is positioned and fixed. After that, the panels are connected and placed in the ditch. With precise adjustment and simple connection steps, the installation process is quick, enhancing construction efficiency and reducing both time and labor costs.

3.3 Wide - Ranging Adaptability

• Trench box formwork can be used in tandem with mobile or crawler excavators in the 12 - 18t range. The top components are compatible with excavators in the 18 - 30t range. It can handle ditch widths from 1.20 - 4.60m and provides a pipeline net height of up to 1.3m. This versatility makes it suitable for a wide array of construction projects, from small - scale pipeline installations to large - scale foundation works.

4. Applications of Trench Box Formwork

4.1 Municipal Water Supply and Drainage Pipeline Projects

• In urban water supply and drainage pipeline projects, the LG - T100 trench box formwork is a game - changer. Given the complexity of urban underground pipelines and the often - restricted construction space, precise sizing and easy installation are essential. The adjustable design of the LG - T100 can seamlessly adapt to different pipe diameters and ditch widths. In old - town renovation projects, for example, where new drainage pipelines need to be laid in narrow streets, the LG - T100 can be installed and removed quickly. This minimizes disruption to traffic and local residents while ensuring construction safety and preventing potential disasters like road collapses and damage to existing underground pipelines.

4.2 Power Cable Ditch Construction

•  For power cable laying, the stability of the ditch is critical for the safe installation and long - term maintenance of the cables. The LG - T100 trench box formwork, with its high load - bearing capacity and robust structure, can effectively counteract soil pressure around the ditch. This protects the cables from being squeezed or damaged due to soil deformation. In cable ditch projects spanning different geological conditions, such as the transition from soft soil to hard rock, the adaptability of the LG - T100 shines. By adjusting the combination of standard struts and spindles, it can meet the support needs of various soil environments, ensuring project quality, timely completion, and reliable power supply.

4.3 Communication Optical Cable Ditch Construction

• With the rapid expansion of 5G networks, the demand for communication optical cable laying is soaring. In these projects, the LG - T100 trench box formwork's precise installation and reliable support are key to ensuring accurate cable placement and safety. Its standardized design and user - friendly installation process enable construction workers to complete ditch support work efficiently, speeding up the construction of communication networks. In mountainous regions with complex terrains and diverse soil types, the LG - T100 can adapt to different ditch slopes and soil conditions, providing a stable construction environment for optical cable laying and ensuring seamless communication signal transmission.