Site falsework presents unique challenges for Uni-span’s design team

Uni-span undertook another major scaffold challenge with the Rapcivic Southport Central Stage 3 shopping centre project on the Gold Coast. Aside from ensuring minimal disruption and maximum safety for vehicle and pedestrian traffic during the scaffold erection, Uni-span’s design team was asked to tackle some irregular building configurations relating to the falsework (supporting structures to accept the plywood formwork).

During level 5 stage, the building design required cantilevered steel beams to protrude from the falsework at an approximate 30 percent angle to the building edge. As support systems are generally initiated from the ground level off existing concrete surfaces, this use of beams (sized at 900mm deep by 7m high) in a needle configuration presented a rare challenge.

Uni-span’s design team worked intimately with the site and consulted with an engineer to consider the loads imposed on the beams and supporting surfaces. The result produced a falsework system that was innovative, functional, safe and cost-effective.

Note: For more information or if you have a project and would like some advice from our experienced team please contact info@uni-span.com.au or call us on 07 3442 4000.