​Closing off the open side of an aluminum trench shield system

How can you close of the third and fourth side of an excavation using an aluminum trench shield system at a depth of 6-12' deep?

The better question may be how do you close off the open sides in a safe way, while still allowing a utility to enter and exit the excavation?

If you are using the Pro-Tec Equipment Mod System (or a comparable system), this answer is simply to have the panels installed on the third and fourth side. These types of systems are designed and engineered to allow the bottom panel of the system to be omitted. Creating a two-foot opening to allow utilities to enter and exit the excavation.

If you are using our static aluminum trench shield (ATS Shield), there are options. The first option would be to incorporate our Connector Tubes. The Connector Tubes are used in place of the spreaders and enable the use of our Mod System Panels. With the use of the Mod System panels, they allow a vertical clearance of two feet. Enabling utilities to enter and exit the excavation.

An additional way to close off a third or fourth side of an ATS Shield is to use a steel road plate. We have engineering stating for a trench shield at a depth of 12' (in C-80 soils); a one-inch thick road plate may be used. To use the road plate, certain conditions must be met, these include, the trench shield can have a maximum width of 84", the road plate must have a minimum yield strength of 36 ksi, the road plate must bear again the end of the walls of the trench shield (not on the spreaders), and the road plate must be backfilled to at least 2/3 of its height to prevent lateral movement. This can be done with steel trench shields also!

A trench shield system (steel or aluminum) can have the third and fourth side closed off in many ways, these are just a few. If you would like information or if you have an upcoming project where you need to close of all the sides, feel free to contact Pro-Tec Equipment at 800-292-1225 or click here.