This page specifies the technical details of the first version of the Engineering tool inside Scaffcalc.
Considerations
Generally, all necessary loads and requirements according to the selected code are considered. The list below provides a simple checklist of considerations included in the first release of the calculation feature.
- Characteristic wind load combinations (max lift and max standard pressure)
- In-use wind load combinations
- Perpendicular wind load case for each scaffold face (typically 4 wind directions)
- Safety factors Unfavorable: 1.35 on dead load and 1.5 on variable loads Favorable: 1.0
- Initial imperfection load based on inclination in standard connections. The initial inclination is applied as a load effect only and is not added to the deformed shape.
- Full imposed load on the top decking level, halved on the second-topmost decking level
- Imposed load on stairways
- Increasing wind load along the height of the scaffold
- Wind load on each toeboard is applied to the ledger below it
Limitations
Current limitations of the Engineering Tool. All mentioned limitations are to be developed in future versions of the tool.
- Size limit on scaffold, currently defined as a time limit on the calculation. Will later be defined as an area limit
- Supports Layher Allround K2000 only
- Fully linear elastic, meaning:
- No P–Δ effects. Scaffolds with large deformations will deform more in reality
- Constant connection stiffnesses
- Ground supports modeled as anchored to ground
- No account taken of wind blockage from any building structure
- When no clothing is applied, wind load is added to all components (except planks and elements hidden by planks) without considering how the scaffold's length blocks some of the wind
- Planks and diagonals are modeled as bar elements, deformations along their length are not calculated
- Eccentricities are not included
- Base plates are always extended 500 mm, and assumed to be of type Base Plate 60
- Planks do not contribute to stability
For more information or questions regarding the considerations and limitations of the Engineering Tool, please reach out to support@scaffcalc.com, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.