A Must-Have for Construction Workers | A Handbook on Core Scaffolding Structures!

                                                I. Detailed Reinforcement Structures for Scaffolding

1. Wall-Tie Structures for Openings:

Detailed construction for opening tie-ins: Extend the scaffold's small crossbars to serve as wall ties, with a value of 800 mm or 1050 mm (800 mm for cantilevered scaffolding and 1050 mm for ground-supported scaffolding); the length of the wall tie protruding beyond the opening must be ≥100 mm. On the wall-tie rod, attach one steel pipe to each of the inner and outer walls and securely connect them using couplers; both ends of the small crossbar must extend beyond the opening by ≥100 mm. During the finishing phase, protective measures must be installed at the corresponding wall openings to prevent damage from collisions.

 

 

 

2. Column-Encircling Wall Tie Construction
Column Tie-In Details: When it is not possible to install wall ties at certain locations in accordance with the "two-step, three-span" requirement, a column-encircling reinforcement measure shall be adopted. Add a wall tie to the scaffold structure that extends to one side of the column; attach a small crossbar to each of the column's other three sides, and securely connect them to the wall tie using couplers to form a ring-shaped fixation. The exposed length of all steel pipes used for column-hugging shall be ≥100 mm, and the tightening torque of the couplers shall comply with code requirements (40–65 N·m). 

 

3. Brace Structure:
Notes:

① This structure is suitable for situations where wall ties cannot meet the "two steps, three spans" requirement-such as when building column spacing is large or floor-to-floor height is ≥5 m-and is used to temporarily reinforce the stability of the scaffolding.

② When erecting diagonal braces, use full-length steel pipes secured to the scaffold upright or horizontal members with swivel couplers. The angle of inclination between the diagonal brace and the ground must be maintained between 45° and 60°, and the base must be firmly in contact with the ground (or foundation) without slipping.

 

③ When erecting the vertical poles of standard scaffolding, a diagonal brace should be installed every six bays. These braces may only be removed after the wall ties have been fully installed and the scaffold structure is stable, based on actual on-site conditions; early removal is strictly prohibited. 

 

4. Wall Tie Details for Excessively High Floor-to-Floor Heights and Wide Column Spacing
Lattice Column Details:

When floor-to-floor heights are excessively high or column spacing is too wide, and wall ties alone cannot meet stability requirements, lattice columns may be added to provide auxiliary support. The cross-sectional dimensions of the lattice columns are 460 mm × 460 mm. The steel lattice is welded from four 150 mm × 150 mm × 12 mm angle irons and gusset plates, with the spacing of the gusset plates meeting design requirements to ensure the overall rigidity of the lattice columns. A steel pipe is installed as a wall tie every two levels and three bays; one end is connected to the lattice column, and the other end is secured to the scaffolding frame. During the pouring of the main concrete structure, the embedded anchors for the lattice columns must be installed simultaneously to ensure that the lattice columns are securely installed and can reliably bear the load. 

 

5. Internal Protection Structure for External Scaffolding
Detailed Construction of Core-Filling Bars for External Scaffolding: The gap between the scaffolding and the building should be kept within 150 mm. When the gap is excessively large, the horizontal crossbars on the wall-facing end may be extended outward as needed (the extension length should not exceed 40% of the scaffolding's width); when the extension length exceeds 400 mm, additional core-filling bars must be installed for reinforcement. Protective measures, such as laying steel mesh panels and installing safety nets, must be implemented on every level to ensure that the gap between the scaffold and the building meets safety requirements and to strictly prevent falls from heights. 

 

 

Notes:
① Steel mesh panels: When the gap between the scaffolding and the building exceeds 400 mm, steel mesh panels must be installed to close the gap. The panels must be securely fastened and must not be loose or have any gap

② Safety netting: When the gap between the scaffolding and the building is between 150 and 400 mm, safety netting must be installed to close the gap. The netting must be tightly secured, with no tears or loose sections.

 

 

6. Wall Tie Details for Shear Walls (Method 1)
Wall tie details: Embed Φ60mm PVC pipes into the shear walls, ensuring precise placement. Set the "a" value to 800mm or 1050mm (800mm for cantilevered scaffolding and 1050mm for ground-supported scaffolding). Thread a wall tie rod through the embedded pipes, securing one end firmly to the scaffold structure and fixing the other end through the embedded pipe. Attach one steel pipe to each of the inner and outer walls along the wall tie rod, securing them tightly with couplers. The exposed length of the small crossbars must be ≥100 mm. The wall areas surrounding the embedded pipes must be properly protected to prevent damage.

 

7. Wall-Tie Construction for Shear Walls (Method 2):
① External scaffold wall ties are primarily divided into two types: embedded and through-wall. This method is a supplementary approach that combines embedded and through-wall types, suitable for scenarios where shear walls are relatively thick and embedding PVC pipes is impractical.

② Before pouring concrete, embed the anchorage components into the shear wall or beam (or pre-drill holes for through-wall bolts). Weld a nut to one end of the rigid connector, slide it over the embedded component (or through-wall bolt), and tighten it securely. Connect the other end firmly to the scaffold upright using couplers to ensure reliable force transfer through the wall tie and prevent loosening. 

 

8. Horizontal Scaffolding Guardrail Systems (Flexible Braces, Rigid Braces):
① When erecting soft cantilever protection, use full-length steel pipes as diagonal braces, connected to the scaffold uprights with swivel couplers. The diagonal braces should form an angle of 45° to 60° with the exterior scaffold, with one diagonal brace installed for every two bays. Two layers of protection must be installed at the top of the diagonal braces and securely fastened to the exterior scaffold: the upper layer consists of close-mesh safety netting, and the lower layer consists of horizontal catch netting. This dual-layer protection ensures safety

② Steel pipe specifications not indicated in the diagram are all Ф48.3 mm × 3.6 mm; the rigid protective canopy and the outer scaffold must be erected independently and must not be connected by any members to prevent the transfer of structural loads from affecting the stability of the protective canopy. Cantilevered steel pipes shall be installed at intervals of 1.5 m, with a cantilever length of approximately 5 m (subject to adjustment based on actual project conditions following structural analysis). The inner ends shall be securely fixed to the floor slab (or beam surface) using inverted U-shaped embedded anchors, ensuring a firm and stable attachment with no loosening.

③ For the rigid cantilevered safety canopy, the bottom layer of steel pipes is laid horizontally across the cantilevered steel pipes at 500 mm intervals. The bottom layer of steel pipes is fully covered with steel mesh panels and safety netting to form the underside of the fall protection canopy; A rigid connection shall be installed every 4.5 m, with the ends connected to steel pipes embedded in the beams using couplers; a flexible connection shall be installed every 4.5 m, with the ends tied to anchor rings embedded in the beams, to enhance the stability of the rigid cantilevered protection. Measures should be tailored to local conditions, taking into comprehensive consideration on-site protection requirements and typhoon-proofing measures to ensure the safety of the protective canopy during severe weather.