As a core auxiliary facility in the construction and related engineering fields, scaffolding’s core function is to provide safe and efficient working conditions for construction. Specifically, it can be broken down into four core functions, covering the safety and efficiency needs of the entire construction process:
First, what are the core functions of scaffolding?
This is the most basic and core function of scaffolding. In construction, equipment installation, and other scenarios, the working surface is often above ground level, and workers cannot directly stand or operate at height. Scaffolding, by constructing horizontal working layers and vertical support structures, forms a continuous, flat, and stable platform, solving the problem of “no foothold at height.”
Key requirements: The width and load-bearing capacity of the working platform must meet specifications to ensure sufficient and safe operating space.
Second, what safety protections does scaffolding provide?
The greatest risks of working at height are “falls from height” and “injuries from falling objects.” Scaffolding, through its supporting protective components, forms a comprehensive safety barrier, which is crucial for ensuring construction safety. Specific protective measures and their functions are as follows:
Preventing falls: A 1.2-meter-high guardrail and an 18cm-high toe board are installed on the outer side of the working platform to prevent workers from falling from the platform edge due to instability or accidental collisions. Gaps between the scaffolding and the main building structure must be sealed with safety netting to prevent workers from falling through these gaps.
Preventing falling objects: Dense safety netting is fully installed on the outer side of the scaffolding from bottom to top to block falling tools and materials during operations, preventing injury to pedestrians or workers below. A horizontal safety canopy is also erected at the base of high-rise scaffolding to further intercept heavy objects that may penetrate the safety netting.
Third, what are the auxiliary transportation functions of scaffolding?
During construction, workers, tools, and materials need to be transferred between different heights and work surfaces. Scaffolding, through appropriate design, can also function as a “transportation channel,” reducing manual handling costs and improving efficiency:
(1) Horizontal transportation: The working level of the scaffolding itself is a horizontal channel, allowing workers to directly carry small materials on the scaffold boards without repeatedly going up and down from the ground.
(2) Vertical transportation: Some scaffolding can be used in conjunction with “construction elevators” and “material hoists,” or have pre-reserved channels inside the scaffolding, facilitating workers to climb up and down via ladders. Materials are transported to the working level via hoists, avoiding the inefficiency and safety hazards of “manual carrying.”
Fourth, what are the structural supports of scaffolding?
In addition to the “working platform” function, some types of scaffolding also serve as “temporary load-bearing,” providing stable support for the pouring and installation of the main building structure, ensuring the quality of structural formation.
Typical scenario 1: Concrete formwork support. When pouring concrete, the formwork itself cannot bear the weight of the concrete. Therefore, a full-span scaffold is needed as a support system for the formwork. The uprights evenly distribute the load to the ground, preventing deformation and collapse of the formwork and ensuring the concrete forms the designed shape after pouring.
Typical Scenario 2: Temporary Fixing of Large Components. For example, in bridge construction, when installing precast beams, scaffolding can serve as temporary support, fixing the beams at the designed height until the beams are securely connected to the supports before dismantling.
In summary, scaffolding plays a crucial role throughout the entire construction process. It serves as a “work platform,” a “safety barrier,” a “transportation channel,” and a “temporary support.” It not only solves the “feasibility” problem of working at heights but also balances construction efficiency and safety through standardized structural design, making it an indispensable core auxiliary facility in modern construction engineering.
Post time: Jan-29-2026