PERFORMANCE OF SCAFFOLD FRAME SHORING UNDER PATTERN LOADS AND LOAD PATHS

This research examines the behavior of a large full-scale scaffold fra me shoring subjected to pattern loads with various load paths. In this test program, sand bags were placed on the top of the scaffold frame shoring to simulate the weight of fresh concrete during construction. The routes of placing sand bags are based on the paths of placing fres h concrete in actual construction sites. The test results show that th e axial tube forces of scaffolds just below the location of a newly pl aced sand bag increase sharply. In addition, the axial tube forces do not change significantly when sand bags are placed at other positions on formwork during the load path. It is shown that the effect of influ ence surfaces on the scaffold frame shoring is not apparent during the placing of sand bags. In addition, the maximum axial tube force of a scaffold subjected to different load paths is very close to the maximu m axial tube force of this specific scaffold after the completion of t he loading path. Thus, a typical uniform load as used for an applied c oncrete load in design can replace the actual fresh concrete pattern l oad during construction. Both lateral forces acted at the top of a sca ffold frame shoring and the sidesway of scaffolds are small during tes ts. The regions of some larger axial forces in the scaffold frame shor ing vary in different load paths.