Construction Methods for Standard Ground-Based Scaffolding
Jul 13, 2026| 01 Technical Specifications
(1) Technical Specifications of Main Materials
(2) Technical Parameters for Scaffolding Erection
The bearing capacity of the foundation shall be uniformly calculated based on 60 kPa for backfilled undisturbed soil. Prior to erection, a 100-mm-thick C20 concrete base course shall be poured to form a solid base.
02 Construction Process
Construction Preparation → Layout and Marking → Installation of Adjustable Bases and Wooden Planks on the First-Level Uprights → Installation of Longitudinal and Transverse Horizontal Members for the First Tier → Leveling of the First-Tier Scaffold → Extending the First-Tier Uprights → Installation of Longitudinal and Transverse Horizontal Members for the Next Tier → Installation of the First-Tier Diagonal Braces → Installation of Steel Stairs → Extending the Uprights → Installation of Longitudinal and transverse horizontal members → Install the next layer of outer diagonal braces → Repeat the above steps until the required scaffold height is reached (when erecting to a location with wall ties, the installation of wall ties and the safety netting made of perforated steel mesh shall be carried out simultaneously with the scaffold erection) → Install guardrails on the working level → Install hook-on treads on the working level → Install toe boards → Inspection and acceptance.
03 Key Points for Implementation
(1) Installing the First-Level Uprights
1) Insert the upright into the adjustable base with the sleeve facing downward, and ensure that the adjustable base is in firm contact with the concrete floor. Adjust the base wrench, measure the elevation with a level, and continue adjusting the base wrench until the bottom ends of the vertical posts are on the same horizontal line; vertical posts on the first story should be arranged in a staggered pattern using posts of different lengths, with a minimum vertical spacing of 500 mm between staggered posts.
2) When beginning to erect the vertical posts, install a temporary brace every three bays; these braces may be removed only after the wall ties have been securely installed, based on actual conditions.
(3) Leveling the first-story scaffolding:
First, measure the elevation of the ground where the scaffolding will be erected, calculate the elevation difference from the natural ground level, and determine the average value. Select this value as the ground elevation for erecting the vertical posts, which will serve as the control reference for their elevation. Then, adjust the other vertical posts one by one, transferring the control elevation to the vertical posts or adjacent structural columns, and use this elevation as the horizontal control reference elevation for the first-story scaffolding; Use a leveling instrument, spirit level, or leveling tube to rotate the adjustable base nuts and individually adjust the elevation of each upright.
(4) Installation of External Diagonal Braces
1) Assemble the diagonal braces according to the design specifications. Insert the diagonal brace into the large hole of the disc so that the front end of the brace rests against the main scaffold's round tube, then secure it by driving a wedge through the large hole. Note that diagonal braces are directional; they cannot be connected if oriented in the opposite direction.
2) At scaffold corners and the ends of open-type scaffolds, diagonal braces must be installed continuously from the bottom to the top of the structure. At openings, diagonal braces must cover at least one bay on each side of the opening; at corners, they must cover at least one bay on each side of the corner.
3) When the scaffold height does not exceed 24 m, a vertical brace shall be installed at intervals of no more than 4 bays. For this project, vertical braces shall be installed at intervals of no more than 3 bays, with adjacent vertical braces arranged in a "figure-eight" pattern.
4) Vertical braces shall be installed continuously from the bottom to the top between adjacent vertical poles on the outer side of double-row work scaffolds.
(5) Scaffold Board Installation: Hook-type scaffold boards shall be used. The working level shall be fully covered with hook-type scaffold boards; the hooks on the boards shall be directly hooked onto two adjacent crossbars at the same platform height, and the safety pins shall be securely locked. Install a rigid guardrail on the top slab of the first floor and one every two floors thereafter. For other floors, use horizontal safety netting extending to the edge of the floor. When the outer scaffold uprights extend more than 350 mm beyond the exterior wall, use horizontal steel pipes to extend to the edge of the floor, spaced at the same intervals as the uprights. Near the edge of the floor, use a horizontal bar to cap the ends of the steel pipes, and then install safety netting or lay formwork above it to serve as floor protection.
04 Precautions for Scaffolding Erection
1) The actual construction load (weight of personnel, materials, and tools) on each square meter of the working platform shall not exceed 2 kN/m².
2) Materials and tools shall not be piled on the scaffolding planks
3) Materials placed on the scaffolding platform shall be stacked neatly and securely, and shall not obstruct construction operations or the passage of personnel. Scaffolding erected to accommodate hand carts shall ensure that the cart lanes remain unobstructed. Workers on the scaffolding are strictly prohibited from running, walking backward, or pulling carts in reverse.
4) The maximum working height for workers on the scaffolding should be limited to what is necessary for normal operations. It is prohibited to place objects or individual scaffold planks on the scaffold decks to increase the working height.
5) During work, it is prohibited to arbitrarily remove the scaffold's basic structural members, integral members, connecting fasteners, or wall ties. If temporary removal is absolutely necessary for operational reasons, it must be approved by the supervisor, accompanied by appropriate compensatory measures, and promptly restored upon completion of the work.
6) While working on the scaffold, workers must pay attention to their own safety and the safety of others to prevent collisions, accidents, and falling objects. It is strictly prohibited to horse around on the scaffold or to rest in unsafe locations, such as sitting on guardrails.
7) Personnel must use access walkways (or ladders) equipped with safety guards when ascending or descending the scaffold; climbing the scaffold to get on or off is strictly prohibited.
05 Scaffolding Dismantling
(1) Prior to dismantling, a comprehensive inspection must be conducted to verify that the scaffolding's coupler connections, wall ties, and support system comply with structural requirements. Based on the inspection results, the dismantling sequence and measures outlined in the scaffolding-specific plan must be supplemented and refined; dismantling may only proceed after approval.
(2) Prior to dismantling, a briefing must be conducted for construction personnel. Check that workers' personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety harnesses are prepared and in good condition, and ensure that all workers are familiar with how to use them. Clearly communicate the dismantling sequence, operational requirements, and on-site hazards.
(3) Remove debris from the scaffolding and clear obstacles from the ground. Establish a safety warning zone and assign a designated person to monitor the area, prohibiting all personnel from entering the work zone.
(4) Scaffolding dismantling operations must be carried out layer by layer from top to bottom; simultaneous work on upper and lower levels is strictly prohibited. Wall ties must be removed layer by layer along with the scaffolding; it is strictly prohibited to remove an entire layer or multiple layers of wall ties before dismantling the scaffolding. When dismantling in sections with a height difference greater than two steps, additional wall ties must be installed for reinforcement.