Experimental Tests of Joints in Scaffolding System

Abstract

Scaffolding is a special structural system used in buildings. Despite their simple construction, they require proper design. In the analysis of scaffolds, not only the strength of the elements themselves plays an important role, but also the knowledge of the characteristics of system nodes. Currently used programs for designing and calculating structures are able to take into account the influence of joint characteristics. That is why some manufacturers give flexibility properties on the details of their solutions. The article presents the results of experimental tests of modular scaffold nodes. A series of four types of tests was carried out; tensile tests of the joint when the force is applied to the ledgers, tensile tests of the joint when the force is applied to the diagonal of the brace members, tests the joint for bending in the plane of the system standards and ledgers, and bending tests in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the system. The test results were compared with the values given by the General Building Authority Approval.