Scaffold Support Column

The scaffold support column is the core load-bearing component in the scaffold system that bears vertical loads. It is mainly made of steel (such as steel pipes, steel sections) or other high-strength materials, and is vertically set on the ground or floor. It is connected to horizontal bars, diagonal bars and other components to form a stable spatial support structure, providing vertical bearing capacity and overall stability for construction personnel, material stacking and work platforms.

Main Composition and Classification

Composition: It usually includes a column (such as a standard steel pipe with a diameter of 48mm × 3.6mm), a bottom support (in contact with the foundation to disperse pressure), a top support (connected to the upper structure or scaffold board to transfer load), and some supporting columns are also equipped with adjustment devices (such as expandable sleeves) to fine tune the height to meet different construction needs.

Category:

Classified by material: steel support columns (most commonly used, such as steel pipe support columns and steel section support columns, with high strength and large bearing capacity), aluminum alloy support columns (lightweight, suitable for scenarios with small loads), etc.

Divided by function: load-bearing support columns (mainly responsible for vertical loads), stable support columns (combined with diagonal bars to enhance overall lateral resistance).

central role

Vertical load-bearing: Directly bearing the construction load on the scaffold platform (such as the weight of personnel, materials, and mechanical equipment) and the weight of the scaffold itself, and transferring the load to the foundation or substructure, is the key to ensuring that the scaffold does not collapse.

Maintain overall stability: By connecting with horizontal bars, sweeping rods, and diagonal bars, rigid nodes are formed to constrain the horizontal displacement and lateral deformation of the scaffold, and resist horizontal forces such as vibration and wind during construction.

Height adjustment and leveling: With the help of top supports, bottom supports, or expansion devices, adjust the height of the support columns to ensure that the top platform of the scaffold is flat and suitable for construction needs of different heights, terrains, or structural elevations.

Design and Construction Requirements

Bearing capacity calculation: It is necessary to determine the cross-sectional dimensions, wall thickness, and spacing of the supporting columns through calculation based on construction loads (including dead and live loads), support height, spacing, and other parameters, to ensure that their compressive strength and stability meet the regulatory requirements (such as the "Unified Technical Standard for Safety of Construction Scaffolds").

Foundation treatment: The bottom of the supporting column must be set on a solid foundation, and if necessary, a cushion plate (such as steel plate, wooden cushion plate) or concrete cushion layer should be laid to increase the stress area and prevent foundation settlement; For high-rise scaffolding, the bottom of the support column may need to be fixed with the foundation embedded parts to enhance its pull-out resistance.

Spacing and verticality control: The spacing between support columns should be evenly arranged (usually determined according to the type of scaffold, such as the spacing between full scaffold poles generally not exceeding 1.5m), and the verticality deviation should be controlled within the standard range (such as deviation of no more than 1mm per meter and deviation of no more than 100mm at full height) to avoid uneven stress caused by tilting.

Secure connection: The connection between the support column and the horizontal and diagonal bars should use reliable connectors (such as clips and pins) to ensure the rigidity of the nodes. The use of unqualified or damaged accessories is prohibited to prevent node loosening and failure.

Construction precautions

Before installation, it is necessary to check the quality of the supporting column materials (such as whether the steel pipes have defects such as bending, rust, cracks, etc.), and unqualified components are prohibited from use.

High rise or heavily loaded scaffolding support columns require the installation of sweeping rods (within 20cm from the ground) and horizontal tie rods (set at regular intervals) to enhance overall stiffness.

When dismantling, the principle of "top-down and layered dismantling" should be followed, and it is forbidden to dismantle the support columns first and then the horizontal bars to avoid the instability and collapse of the scaffold.