Numerical Models of Scaffolding Decks and Their Applications

Abstract

advantage of this fact. Unfortunately, a side effect of such an activity is the reduced load capacity. The task of the designer, however, is to design a structure with the lowest possible material consumption and which will achieve the assumed load capacity. The use of decks on scaffoldings is essential, because it is on them that workers (the users of scaffoldings) move, and thus, the proper design of platforms ensures the safety of these people. Furthermore, the decks play another role too, i.e., they connect other structural elements of scaffoldings and brace the structure in the horizontal plane. On the other hand, decks have complex shapes, which make it difficult to model this part of a scaffolding in computer analysis, and necessitates the application of equivalent schemes. Several numerical models of decks, together with their use in the assessment of the load capacity of platforms and then in the static analysis of the entire scaffolding, are presented in the study. The numerical results are compared with the results of the laboratory test which were available, courtesy of Altrad Mostostal. The numerical researches concern the engineering application, and therefore, they are mainly conducted for linear material properties. A similar approach to engineering problems is presented in such works as [1,2].Before turning to the presentation of the methods for creating numerical models of decks and their use in the static analysis, it ought to be pointed out that the issues of the static work of scaffoldings are rarely featured in the literature. The authors encountered barely a few works addressing strength tests [3][4][5][6][7][8] or analyses of the reasons for collapses [9][10][11]. And thus, Halperin and McCann [11] in their work, which tests the load capacity of structures built in the eastern regions of the USA, stated that 32% of scaffoldings are threatened with accidents or disasters. Moreover, it is also stated that there exists no correlation between the poor condition of the scaffolding and the region, the dimensions Abstract This study presents methods for numerical modelling and the static computer analysis of steel decks fixed on scaffoldings. The main problem raised here is the method of creating models of a single deck and determination of the accuracy of every model for various design situations: the analysis of state stress in components of decks, the strength analysis of scaffolding, where decks can be loaded by untypical the arrangement of materials, and the strength analysis of full scaffoldings. The analysis of a state stress in components of a deck requires a detailed model. The analyses of scaffoldings with load by materials have to be performed with using more simple models of platforms. The static-strength analysis of full scaffoldings with many frame elements can be performed if the simplest models of decks are used. In this paper, the sets of truss elements replace the stiffness of scaffolding decks.

Façade scaffolding behaviour under wind action

“…A simplified structure of the decks was used, which consisted of plate elements with transoms and ledgers and mounting hooks. The weight and stiffness of these simplified elements were previously analysed in detail to reflect the behaviour of real decks [33]. In the case of P01, the decks were made of wood and were not simplified but modelled directly as plate elements with anisotropic features.…”