Purpose of Scaffolding

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Have you ever noticed the structure around a building under construction? These temporary structures are called scaffolding. They are used to support people and hold materials that are to be used for construction or repair of buildings and other structures. They aid safety of the workmen and allow access to areas that are difficult to reach. They are constructed by using metal tubes with metal platforms or with bamboos and wooden planks in different countries.

Scaffolding has been around since ancient times as historians have found evidence of the Egyptians using scaffolding to construct their pyramids. In today’s construction industry, governments in the different countries have rules that they require construction companies to adhere in construction of scaffolding. The main purpose of a scaffold is to provide a safe place to work and a safe access to the materials needed. Many construction companies adhere to these regulations very strictly to avoid any accidents or mishaps.

The tubes used to construct scaffolds are either aluminum or steel although some scaffolds use tubes made up of a mixture of materials. Aluminum tubes are generally light weight as compared to other materials. They are also more flexible which means they are less resistant to force. This can be a disadvantage if not used in a proper way. Construction companies usually buy these tubes in long lengths and then cut them down to smaller sizes according to their needs.

The three basic elements of scaffolding are standards, ledgers and transoms. The tubes used to construct the scaffolds are also known as the standards or uprights. They run throughout the entire structure and ensure that it stands upright. They also transfer the entire weight of the structure to the ground on a square base plate so as to spread the load. Ledgers are the tubes that are horizontal and connecting to the vertical tubes to hold the structure firmly. Transoms are placed on the ledgers at right angles to give the structure more strength. All these different components ensure that the structure is strong and firm to hold weight and ensure safety.

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