An often overlooked part of any shored excavation is the monitoring of movements and forces in the shoring system during excavation. Without a systematic method of monitoring loads and movements, the contract team is without any early warning system to deal with unexpected occurrences.

Since the design of any shoring system is an exercise in estimation and prediction, it is extremely important to verify the pre-construction assumptions. The soils are modeled as best we can, but any modeling is necessarily a simplification. No design method currently in use can accurately predict ground movements. The only deflection calculation methods used are based on experience and comparison of similar cases.

If a carefully planned system of excavation monitoring is undertaken, movements which are observed can be analysed for conformity with the design intent. These movements are often quite slow in their accumulation and changes to the excavation sequence or structural modifications can be undertaken which will limit movements prior to the onset of serious damage to adjacent facilities.

Movement of adjacent facilities as well as the shoring system can be monitored by surveying techniques. Movement of the shoring system can also be measured very accurately by a system known as slope indicator readings. Forces in structural members can be determined by strain gauge measurements and can be back calculated from measurements of pile movements.