Props Used in Buildings: Design, Material and Life

After reading this article you will learn about:- 1. Design of Props 2. Materials of Props 3.
Lateral Bracing 4. Life.

Design of Props:

Props are designed as struts under direct compression unless they are used as inclined members. The
load carrying capacity of an individual prop is calculated, the total load expected on a row of props is
assessed and then it is examined if a single row of a particular diameter prop would be sufficient or a
combination of more than one diameter or more than one row of props would be required.

Struts or columns whose lengths are greater compared with their other dimensions tend to fail by
bending, and by combined bending and crushing if of medium length ; the bending takes place in the
direction of the least radius of gyration, r.

The ratio of effective length to radius of gyration l/r is called slenderness ratio. In case of short struts
the value of – should not exceed 180 for member carrying a load resulting from dead loads and
superimposed loads.

When the value of slenderness ratio is known, the working stress can be evaluated by using Rankine’s
formula.

Knowing the values of p, safe stress per unit area of the cross-section of the prop and load- carrying
capacity of the prop can be evaluated.
Example 1. Design of Props:

A building having ground plus five floors is to be repaired including removal of external load bearing
walls as those were found to be heavily cracked and considered beyond repair. Spans of joists
supporting the roof and floors were 3.0 m and the room sizes were 3.0 m x 4.0 m.

The roof and floors were lime terraced having filling of 150 mm with tiling on top and lime terracing
resting on tile. Assume live load during construction to be 150 kg per sqm. Calculate the expected load
coming on the props, the dimensions of the props and their arrangements.

Prior to taking up of the work, all the live loads including furniture etc., would have to be removed to
relieve the loading on the walls as far as possible.

Load bearing capacity of sal bullah props of different diameters are calculated as below:

Sal bullah 80 mm diameter and 3,000 mm long,

In similar way, the load carrying capacity of props of different diameters and length 3,000 mm
are calculated as tabulated below:

Arrangement of the props in different floors:

Considering the load-carrying capacity of props of different diameters, the arrangement would
be:
Materials of Props:

Props may be of various materials — from bamboo to R.C.C. — and are used in works in
consideration of their suitability, availability, cost and convenience in using.

i. Bamboo props:

Bamboo props may he used for lighter structures and when the length of the props required is small,
i.e., 1.0 m to 1.5 m. The longer bamboo props will be slender and will buckle. However, bamboo props
should be used only in limited cases. These should invariably be braced both horizontally and
diagonally.

ii. Sal bullah props:

These are mostly used as they are easily available and are easy to handle. They are stronger and due to
their structural shape do not easily buckle. These should be properly designed, taking into
consideration their diameter and required length. These need bracing both horizontally and diagonally.
The sal bullahs should be of matured timbers.

iii. Timber props:

These are wooden sections of required dimensions. Timbers used are sal, pine, deodar or any hard
wood having long and strong fibres. These are used when sal bullah is not available. They are
comparatively costly than sal bullals. These are comparatively more susceptible to buckling than the
sal bullah props. They can be erected and removed easily.

iv. Steel props:

These are the best of the varieties available. These are fabricated from the steel tubes of required
diameter. These consist of different parts, all standardised and fabricated for easy and speedy erection
and removal. The parts are: pole with arrangement for adjustment of length, base and top flanges,
horizontal bracing pieces, etc.

The initial cost of these props is high; but while the number of uses is taken into consideration, these
props prove to be economical and can he erected and removed easily and speedily. The material, being
more durable and strong, last for longer period with normal maintenance.

v. R.C.C. props:

These have started finding place in the construction industry; but will require some more years to make
a strong ground. These are durable and are more rust-resisting than steel props. These are fabricated in
different dimensions and lengths to be used suitably according to the necessities. These are susceptible
to breakage and damage during handling and transport.
Lateral Bracing for Props:

Lateral bracing for the props are very essential. Any system of propping which has not been
adequately braced in directions is not sufficiently stable. The props would act independently and
freely. The movement of the top and bottom of the props would be free as they are not held in position.
Distribution of load through the props would be uneven. The props are of smaller sections in
comparison to the lengths.

The slenderness ratio l/r (where I = effective length and r = radius of gyration) is large. Hence, the
props would tend to act as long struts; the effect would be possible buckling of the props in the
direction of smaller dimension of the section.

The horizontal bracings when provided in effective manner would reduce the effective length of the
props and would, thus, reduce the slenderness ratio and the tendency of buckling of the props.

Life of Props:

Props are used as temporary supporting structures. After a short period, when the purpose of
supporting the structure temporarily is over, the props are removed and reused as and when required
again.

The props may have to be stored for some time in between the uses. These are generally used and
stored in exposed conditions. Hence, the life of props does not follow the general rule of life cycle of
the material. The life of a prop depends upon many variables — materials, exposure condition,
handling, storing, position in use, duration per operation as supporting structure etc.
In consideration of the above, the life of a Prop is denoted by the number of uses that can be performed
till the condition they are to be thrown away or used as fuel or used otherwise. This depends again
upon the care taken while in use and storing. Generally sal bullah props should not be used for more
than 8/10 times while the number of use expected of other wooden props is less —4/6 times.

The other kinds of props — steel props, concrete props — can be used for many more times depending
on the care and maintenance of them during the idle periods. The bamboo props should not be used for
more than 1 or 2 times.