Behaviour and design of scaffolding and formwork systems

Summary

The main objectives of this research project are to provide an understanding of the 3D failure modes of both scaffolding and formwork systems by testing connections and sub-assemblages and computer simulation, and to develop simplified design models which can be incorporated in design methodologies and standards used by practising structural design engineers responsible for the safety of such systems.

Supervisor(s)

Professor Kim Rasmussen

Research Location

Civil Engineering

Program Type

N/A

Synopsis

Steel scaffolding and formwork systems are usually constructed from tubular members with semi-rigid connections (called couplers) and internal construction joints (called spigot joints). However, there is little design guidance available in structural steel design standards for structural systems of this type.Tests have been conducted on wedge-type connections and Super CupLok connections to determine their in-plane, out-of-plane and torsional stiffness and joint looseness under monotonic and cyclic loading. Models have been derived to represent the monotonic and cyclic moment vs rotation response accounting for damage under increasing load. Finite element analyses have also developed incorporating nonlinear joint stiffness models.

The project is supported by the Australian Research Council and Boral Formwork and Scaffolding.

Keywords

structural engineering, scaffolding, scaffolding and framework

Opportunity ID

The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is: 411

Other opportunities with Professor Kim Rasmussen

• Local and distortional buckling of stainless steel sections
• Interaction buckling of stainless steel structural members
• Behaviour and design of steel storage racks
• Structural behaviour and design of locally unstable angle sections
• Interaction buckling phenomena in thin-walled structures
• Spline finite strip analysis of perforated structural members
• Structural Engineering
• Structural Engineering