In wood or lightweight steel frame structures, shoring should start at least how many floors below the damaged floor?

• A. Two
• B. One
• C. Three
• D. Four

Answer: (B)

Shoring aims to intercept the load path of a compromised structure and transfer vertical loads to a solid, stable bearing. In wood or lightweight steel frame buildings, starting shoring one floor below the damaged area places the cribbing on a non‑deformed, stable surface that can carry the weight of the upper floors without pulling on the damaged floor itself. This positioning helps absorb and redirect loads away from the compromised area, reducing the risk of a progressive collapse while keeping the work area safer. If you shore too close to or on the damaged floor, you risk loading an already unstable element; if you shore much farther below, the weight of several floors may still load the damaged area during redistribution. Therefore, one floor below is the best practice.