Morning All,
Interesting opinions on bracing??
Bracing is intended to stiffen scaffolding via triangulation.
Braces are LOAD BEARING components as they are used to transfer horizontal loads (wind etc) plus the horizontal elements of vertical loads (sway) to the node points.
Braces SHOULD butt ground where possible as was always the case prior to the rewrite of TG20:13 where the lines become a little blured.
For those old enough to remember the little green or yellow SGB book from the 70's it was clearly stated that "Bracing should always go down to the sole plate level on to a sole plate and be attached to the scaffold at the bottom"
This wording changed slightly in BS5973
"the longitudinal bracing should include the lower lift starting from the base of one of the outside standards"
In TG20 again a dilution of the wording which may lead to a misinterpretation of the intention
"The longitudinal bracing should start as close as possible practicable and not more than 300 from the base"
(Note 300 from the base is not the desired result merely the worst acceptable case!!)
If however, you look at the 4 examples in Fig 2.2 on page 27 of TG20:13 design guide the intention to start your brace where the standard hits the ground is quite clear
Again if you look at TG20:13 operational guide the statement is to "connect the brace within 300 of the ground" not "start"
I have seen tens of sign boards & hoardings in the Middle east that have failed at the kicker lift, standards cast into concrete bent at 90 degrees when the wind hits them because the braces stopped at the kicker and not butted the ground.
Make no mistake butting the base is ALWAYS better than not.
regards Alan