Box crib

Cribbing has largely been replaced by hydraulic shoring in modern mining applications.

Some forms of cribbing can be used on movie sets and/or production sites for stabilizing dolly tracks, platforms, and various temporary structures when quick setup times are needed.

It is constructed by arranging sets (two or more) of matched blocks in a regular log-cabin style to form a rising square or rectangular frame.

Each point of contact carries a maximum load depending on the size and species of the timbers.

[3] Curving a crib must be done in moderation and is only advisable for structures at sharp angles to the ground.

The use of cribbing also allows for the use of a lifting device with a limited working range (such as a jack, lifting air bags or hydraulic rescue tools) as the load can be raised to the maximum range of the device, then lowered a short distance onto the cribbing, allowing another platform of cribbing to be built to raise the device and repeat the process.

Cribbing can be used to secure a load following a building collapse, vehicular accident or other event where the regular stability of a structure or vehicle has been reduced.

These factors are especially true in field repairs, because most ground is not perfectly level and hard, like a concrete garage floor would be.