Scaffolding technology in building construction and civil engineering

Scaffolding and shoring are commonplace on almost any construction site, regardless of buildings, infrastructure or industrial structures being built, maintained or demolished.  Whilst the function of the scaffolding and shoring systems provide are varied, they can be broadly categorised in to the following: 

• Supporting scaffolding for the transfer of surface or point loads from buildings and components
• Access for workers, plant and equipment to conduct the construction of structures and buildings
• Providing transport and storage areas for construction work, materials and tools or protective devices against fall hazards, falling objects and weather effects

Despite the long-standing use of scaffolding in construction, dating back to traditional materials such as bamboo or timber, they have generally not evolved sufficiently to meet modern construction demands.  The core components of a scaffold remain basic, and the evolution of the practice still has two major challenges: 

• Firstly that an ever-increasing variety of parts and variants are created, which contradicts the rationalisation efforts in construction as a whole.  This addition of complexity also adds weight, number of components, time and cost, at the same time skilled labour is decreasing in many markets 
• Secondly, to manage the risks to workers and the general public of working at height, many current scaffolding options are unsophisticated in meeting the standards required.  Although the assembly, conversion and dismantling of scaffolding as well as the subsequent working at height are still among the most dangerous construction activities, built-in safety protection is often an afterthought 

Against this background, PERI has developed a new type of system scaffold with the central concept of a modular scaffolding kit.  Built-in safety, highly efficient, minimum parts and suitable for all scaffolding applications. 

As scaffolding is not only responsible to support the calculated loads of structures, but also provide a safe working space for workers at height, it is manufactured, design and sold to stringent standards.

Our origins as a company and manufacturer in Germany, have resulted in products being designed and made to the highest standards.  This means regardless of where in the world you source and use PERI equipment, you can rely on the quality, durabbility and long-lasting performance time after time.  

The proof of the usability and performance of the product ensures that so long as it is used as per the design sequence and/or in compliance with the assembly rules and instructions for use, the PERI UP scaffolding system will perform to even the most demanding requirements. 

In comparison to the original wooden materials used for scaffolding older building history, iron and steel quickly became established in the industrial age. In the 1920s, the first tubular steel coupling frames were used in the USA, which allowed a high degree of freedom in their geometric structure. In the 1930s they also came to Europe and were quickly successful. They combined a large number of system-independent components, primarily pipes with a defined diameter and wall thickness, connected via various types of couplings to form a load-bearing structure.

Though geometric flexibility and high load capacity could be achieved with the correct design, the disadvantage of this approach included high weight of components and great effort during installation and dismantling. In addition, more time is required for completion, approval and control due to the many parts and manual nature of their handling. 

In the 1950s and 1960s, the development and use of system scaffold frames began, which essentially combined varying degrees of the components in to pre-assembled parts. The driving factor of this new phase in scaffolding development was to improve output (area and volume) of scaffolding construction in shorter working hours.

In Europe during this time, largescale developments of housing, commercial buildings, municipal structures and infrastructure, demanded more efficient and productive ways of working.  Part of this process also required a more standardised approach to construction equipment manufacture and use, and the standardisation of processes and standards. 

True system scaffolding evolved from the initial frame systems to provide a modern and efficient product.  Standard construction tasks can be mapped more easily and therefore planned more quickly, the times for assembly and disassembly are significantly reduced and with the decreasing number of individual parts and connections square meter of structures, the safety is also increased.

First came frame scaffolding, then modular scaffolding usually summarised under the general term of system scaffolding.  The two types of scaffolding combine the essential components i.e. welded parts fully equipped with connecting elements.

Modular scaffolding is characterised by attached connection nodes for the mechanically strong connection of various components to the vertical support structures (standards). Other components include horizontal bars and diagonals with the corresponding connecting parts for the nodes (ledgers and braces). The arrangement, design and function of the nodes is manufacturer-specific. The grid of nodes allows different field lengths, widths and heights.

All types of system scaffolding are generally suitable as facade scaffolding. In particular, modular scaffolding, when constructed in a small-scale grid, can be better adapted to irregular structures than frame scaffolding, despite prefabricated components.

The demands on the performance of scaffolding have increased continuously since the introduction of system scaffolding.

This was the trigger for PERI to invest in the development and production of work and protective scaffolding in 1996 - to find new solutions and help solve the challenges of modern construction for our customers.

The modular principle that has been successfully developed in formwork and shoring construction is also be the basis for our scaffolding concept. In addition to the general requirements for stability, load-bearing capacity and safety during assembly, conversion and dismantling, PERI UP was also developed to ensure:

• The system uses a metric, small-scale grid in length, height and width in order to achieve a high degree of geometric flexibility in construction and use.  In short, no matter the complexity of the space, we can provide the best scaffold design and system
• The number of core components and connecting elements are kept to a minimum - all parts must perform multple functions.  This keeps the weight of scaffolding required low, and saves time handling many and varied parts
• The core components combine optimum functions by providing connecting, supporting, securing and adjusting properties
• The structural design integrates a high degree of technical safety in order to avoid or reduce known weaknesses in occupational safety and health protection

The PERI UP scaffolding system requires the same core set of components regardless of use: stair towers, working platforms, protection systems, facade, reinforcement configurations and shoring all from one system.  Based around the Rosett node, this is the core element for connecting vertical standards and horiztonal ledgers.

Another major advantage of the metric grid system lies in compatibility with the components VARIOKIT engineering kit, which is used for heavy-duty construction.  Depending on the requirements in either building, infrastructure or industrial construction the core components of the two modular system systems PERI UP and VARIOKIT can also be combined with each other. These combinations allow flexible, safe and quick implementation of construction with limited load transfer into the ground and into the structure.

At the heart of the PERI UP system are self-securing components to provide built-in safety.  The rosette shape of the connector is designed to self-secure during assembly depending on the parts being connected.

Eight connections are possible directly at the node, and additional hole openings in the horizontal bars provide four more connection options near the node. The hook-shaped latch connection can be easily and accurately inserted into the rosette, even from a safe distance. The safety wedge falls into the recess due to its own weight and locks automatically (Gravity Lock).  This prevents accidental loosening for example due to impact on the underside of the latch, and enables safe one-man assembly of individual components.

The scaffolding deck is a fundamental component of any scaffolding structure.  Our use of the metric grid system has many benefits here.  The covering grid of the PERI UP scaffolding construction kit is based on the basic module 25 cm (with the facade application also having a 33cm option available).  Thanks to this consistent metric grid, the most favourable laying direction can always be chosen so that safe and gap-free work surfaces can be created. This means that even tight spaces with difficult geometries can be safely and fully surrounded, making work on the platform safe for the workers, and anyone below protected from falling materials.