A review of design procedures of scaffold falsework for concrete construction

Concrete in its plastic state needs formwork to retain its shape and while it is not self-supporting requires falsework to support its weight. Falsework thus has an important role during the maturing process of concrete. The materials for falsework range from single timber struts and metal tubes to scaffold system and steel frame structures depending on the loading and the supporting conditions. The design of falsework is usually undertaken by the contractor and the design procedure is very similar to those adopted for permanent works. Because of its nature, falsework will subject to different types of loading including the dead weight, the imposed loads and the forces arise from environmental actions and constraint effect during construction. Some of these forces are difficult if not impossible to assess. Stability is another aspect which requires careful consideration but regrettably is often ignored. An inadequate design coupled with the absence of checking is one of the . primary causes for falsework failures.