Scaffolding Structures, Advantages And Features

Scaffolding is a temporary and movable structure which uplift a person for working high above the floor or ground. The purpose is to provide a safe place of work with safe access suitable for work being done. It provides basic support for the construction of dais, buildings and the infrastructures which stands upright vertical. It consists of two or more wooden planks and metal tubes. It has been used since ancient times. In ancient times, the basic components were used to be bamboos, canes and iron for its construction which has developed periodically and now the basic components are tubes, boards and couplers. Tubes used are of light weight and liable. Widely used tubes are of steel and Aluminum. Among Steel and Aluminum, demand of Aluminum scaffolding is very high because of its several merits over steel. Some merits of these products are: weight of Aluminum tube is comparatively very lower than the steel tubes which lowers the weight of system, easy access, free from risk of corrosion, easy to transport, transportation cost is very low etc.

There is also a composite scaffolding but because of its high cost it is only used when there is a risk from overhead electric cables that cannot be isolated. Boards provide a working surface for its users. The board ends are protected by either metal plates or nail plates. Other than the working board there is also a sole board which is placed beneath the scaffold system for better placement of system. Couplers are the fittings which holds the tubes together. There are only two types of couplers which are used to fix tubes in a load bearing connection. Single couplers are not appropriate for this. It cannot bear load.

The Key elements are standard, transoms and ledgers. The spacing of the basic elements in the scaffold are fairly standard. Standards are the vertical tubes that transfer the whole weight of the structure to the ground. Ledgers are the horizontal tubes that connects the two standards. Transoms rests upon the ledgers at right angles.

Scaffold systems are classified into various types based on materials used to construct it. Some of it are: Steel scaffold system, bamboo scaffold system, Aluminum scaffold system etc. For a good and strong structure, good foundations are essential. For this purpose, it often requires more than base plates to safely carry and spread the load. They must be close-boarded, have double guard rails and toe and stop boards.

There are only very scaffolds which are independent or stable. For its stability it rely on structures adjacent to it through framework ties. Ties used are through tie, box tie, anchor tie or bolt tie, reveal tie etc.

From the safety point of view Materials used in Steel structures should be painted or galvanised to prevent corrosion but wooden planks should not be covered with any substance like paint or anything else. It is because if it is painted then defects in it will not be visible, which increases the threat for human life.

ARES Scaffolding Rental. Service provide rental services for Steel, Aluminum based structures.

Scaffolding is an advanced step of technology in engineering world. There is a widespread use of this system and have earned a very great importance in modern applications such as civil engineering projects and temporary structures and this has led towards the definition of a series of standards covering a vast number of specific issues involving scaffolding.

Author is an associate editor for Scaffolding. Aresscaffolding is a Dubai Based Scaffolding company. We deal into Aluminum Scaffolding, Steel Scaffolding and Scaffolding Accessories.