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BIPS 08: Field Guide for Building Stabilization and Shoring Techniques

This Field Guide is prepared to assist first responders and structural engineers in their rescue operations after a building is damaged by a disaster event. Collapse rescue operations are dangerous, rapidly evolving efforts focused on finding and extracting trapped and entombed victims, while avoiding harm to the rescuers and further harm to the victims. Stabilization of damaged structures is an integral part of building collapse rescue operations. The Guide is a field reference for vertical shoring, lateral shoring, and in-situ rapid strengthening and/or repair of damaged building components. This guide refines and expands on the information provided in the existing US&R Structures Specialist Field Operations Guide (FOG).This guide includes concise information - including descriptive graphics - on the current FEMA developed built-in place shoring systems, newly designed and tested built-in-place shoring systems, the results of the most recent testing of built-in-place shoring systems, and a system by system discussion of the relevant characteristics of Manufactured Shoring and Repair and Strengthening techniques that may be able to be adapted to rescue operations. Also included in this Guide is expanded information on Building Size-Up and new Shoring Size-up information. Information contained in this guidebook is based on experience, experimental testing, engineering analysis, and common sense.

Chapters

  • Chapter 1: Stabilization Concepts and Size-up: Page 6
  • Chapter 2: Vertical Shoring Construction: Page 31
  • Chapter 3: Lateral Sharing: Page 98
  • Chapter 4: Manufactured Shoring: Page 128
  • Chapter 5: Repair and Strengthening Techniques: Page 138
  • Chapter 6: Appendix A: Engineering Tables: Page A-1

Learn More

If you would like a copy, please contact bips@dhs.gov.

Last Updated: 01/12/2023
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