Australia Model Code of Practice: Excavation Work 6.3f: 6.3 Timber soldier sets only in stable ground and to the dimensions shown

A soldier set is a simple trench support of steel or timber used mainly in rock, stiff clay and similar self-supporting ground. It supports the face only at intervals, not across the whole face, so open soldier sets suit stable soils only (Figure 15). Figure 15 shows spoil kept at least 1000 mm clear of the edge, soldiers extending 500 mm above the trench, the top tom within 300 mm of the trench top, toms no more than 750 mm apart, soldier sets no more than 1.5 metres apart, soldiers and toms at least 150 mm by 38 mm, toms placed from the surface with timbering tongs, cleats nailed on before soldiers are lowered, soldiers bearing on the trench floor, optional steel jacks in place of timber toms, and a gap under the bottom tom normally no more than 1000 mm for pipe installation.