Steel tube scaffolding

Steel tube scaffolding is a commonly used aerial work platform in construction. With steel tubes as its main load-bearing components, it is assembled into a stable supporting structure through fasteners or other connection methods. It is widely applied in scenarios such as building exterior wall construction, bridge construction, and equipment installation. The following introduction covers four aspects: structural characteristics, types, application scenarios, and safety specifications:

I. Structural Characteristics

Materials

Steel Tubes: Welded steel tubes with an outer diameter of 48mm and a wall thickness of 3.5mm are commonly used. The material must comply with the Q235 or Q23优良 standards, and indicators such as tensile strength and yield point must meet the specification requirements.

Fasteners: Divided into swivel fasteners, right-angle fasteners, and butt-joint fasteners, they are used to connect steel tubes. The tightening torque must reach more than 65N·m to ensure a stable connection.

Accessories: Including bases, scaffold planks (made of steel, wood, or bamboo), safety nets, and wall connectors, which enhance overall stability and safety.

Structural Form

Vertical Poles: The main load-bearing members perpendicular to the ground. The spacing is generally no more than 2 meters, and backing plates or bases must be installed at the bottom to distribute the load.

Main Horizontal Poles: Horizontal members connecting vertical poles along the longitudinal direction of the scaffolding. The step spacing (distance between adjacent main horizontal poles) is usually 1.2-1.8 meters.

Secondary Horizontal Poles: Horizontal members connecting vertical poles transversely. They are arranged close to the vertical poles to enhance lateral stability.

Diagonal Braces: Diagonal members crossing in a cross shape on the outer side of the scaffolding, with an angle of 45°-60° with the ground, which improve the overall rigidity.

Wall Connectors: Members that connect the scaffolding to the building to prevent the scaffolding from overturning. The horizontal spacing is generally no more than 6 meters.

II. Type Classification

Classification by Structural Form

Coupler-Type Steel Tube Scaffolding: Steel tubes are connected by couplers, featuring flexible erection. It is suitable for the construction of various building structures, but the joints are prone to loosening and require regular inspection.

Cup-Lock Steel Tube Scaffolding: It uses cup-lock joints for connection, with reliable joint connection and high erection efficiency. It is suitable for large-scale standardized construction.

Portal-Type Steel Tube Scaffolding: Composed of portal frames, cross braces, etc., it is easy to assemble and disassemble and has a relatively large load-bearing capacity. It is often used in internal and external wall masonry and decoration projects.

Cantilever Steel Tube Scaffolding: The frame is cantilevered from the building structure through cantilever beams, reducing ground space occupation. It is suitable for high-rise building construction.

Attached Lifting Steel Tube Scaffolding: It can be lifted layer by layer along with the main structure construction, saving materials and being easy to operate. It is suitable for super high-rise building construction.

Classification by Purpose

Structural Construction Scaffolding: Used for main structure construction, it needs to bear large loads, so the spacing between vertical poles and step spacing are relatively small.

Decoration Construction Scaffolding: Used for light operations such as wall decoration and equipment installation, the spacing between vertical poles and step spacing can be appropriately increased.

III. Application Scenarios

High-Rise Buildings: Coupler-type, cantilever-type, and attached-type scaffolding are widely used in the main structure construction and decoration stages.

Bridge Engineering: Cup-lock scaffolding is often used for bridge support and formwork installation due to its large load-bearing capacity and good stability.

Industrial Maintenance: Portal-type scaffolding is suitable for scenarios such as equipment maintenance and pipeline installation, as it can be quickly erected and disassembled.

Emergency Repairs: Foldable steel tube scaffolding (e.g., aluminum alloy material) is easy to transport and suitable for rapid response to emergency tasks.