Is bamboo scaffolding a safe and effective working platform

Safety of bamboo scaffolding is one of the main concern of many others which can be severe and result in a potential hazard. Laboratory experiment will be carried out in the project to further prove whether bamboo scaffolding is safe to be used providing supports with government regulations, literature and interviewing experienced workers from the Hong Kong construction practice. As there are not many studies, article and literature could be found related to bamboo scaffolding, a major source of information will rely on laboratory experiment and interviews that will be undertaken. Chapter 1 Introduction 1. 1 Introduction This chapter provides a brief introduction to the entire research study. Scaffolding plays an important role in the construction industry. It is a temporary structure that is used to support workers when working at height.

Bamboo scaffolding has a long history of being used in China. It could be traced back to five thousand years (Figure 1). Instead of metal scaffolding which is the most common scaffolding system used in Europe and other countries in the world, the market share of bamboo scaffolding in Hong Kong is still greater than metal scaffolding in the entire industry (So and Wong 2006). It increases the risk of tripping and falling. (Experience sharing in working platform practices of bamboo scaffolding 2017) Double layered bamboo scaffolding is fundamentally two layers of single-layered bamboo scaffolding connected by transoms in between every level. Transoms provide a platform for workers to stand on, they congeal into paths for workers to carry construction materials to different levels.

Truss-out bamboo scaffolding (I will finish this sentence) Unlike metal scaffolding, bamboo scaffolding does not require lock and pins, wheels and ladders to ensure they are securely fastened. All it needs is nylon strips to knot them together. The aim of this chapter is to allow the author to summarise and appraise the idea that previous authors had drawn in relates to the research topic. Chapter 3 Methodology This chapter consists of an explanation of methods that will be used to interpret collected data and findings in order to accomplish the aims and objectives of the research. Chapter 4 Data analysis and Discussion This chapter consists of an interpretation of collected data and discussion of findings. Chapter 5 Conclusion This chapter consists of the conclusion of the objectives and findings of the entire research.

5 Summary This chapter has given an introduction to the entire study. It is used as the load-bearing support of the scaffolding. The external diameter along the unlapped length should not be under 75mm with a minimum thickness of 10mm. Gao Jue is a thinner a type of bamboo. It is used for platforms, horizon support and bracing and its external diameter should not be less than 40mm (Buildings Department 2017). They should be in the age of between three to five years old and air dried vertically under the indoor condition for at least three months before use. It is first published in March 2001. The fourth edition (most up to date) is published in September 2017. This code of practice has a special legal status.

Although breaching is not an offense, the failure may be taken by the court through criminal procedures if a person is found breaching the safety and health legislation. (Building department 2017) Therefore, raise the awareness to comply with the guidance or might risk criminal offense. According to the study (????), the weight of a typical bamboo post is about 1. 1 to 1. 3 kg/m compare to a metal tube of about 3. 5 to 4. 4 kg/m. Some Hong Kong and Chinese companies have begun to produce triangular steel brackets for greater safety of bamboo scaffolding. However, most building companies are still using the traditional way of working on bamboo scaffolding without the use of steel brackets, most of the companies still rely on the skills of workers to erect the scaffolding.

Bamboo scaffolding need to be monitored more closely in the event or arrival of any tropical cyclones or strong winds, qualified bamboo scaffolder has to take over this duty. To be a qualified scaffolder, the applicant has to complete a 3 years Bamboo Scaffolder Apprenticeship Scheme operated by the Vocational Training Council or the one-year full-time training course in Bamboo Scaffolding of the Construction Industry Training Authority (CITA) or has satisfactorily passed the Trade Test on Bamboo Scaffolding of the CITA. All qualified workers should be able to read and understand the scaffolding plan, design drawings, specifications and method statement of the scaffolding works, and be capable of identifying existing and potential hazards in the works area and the surrounding (Buildings Department 2017).

This method of research is identified as a low-risk data collection method. As Hong Kong is the hub of bamboo scaffolding and the most dominant working platform in height for workers, most of the interviewers will be Hong Kong-based. The aim of these series of interviews is to acquire the current situation and impacts bamboo scaffolding in the industry, how safe and effective does bamboo scaffolding work is in the real practice. For examples: would different companies set up their own regulation to protect their workers from working in height and how do they regulate them etc. How do companies control their cost of choosing bamboo scaffolding rather than other types of scaffolding in terms of the cost scaffolding itself, labor cost and time cost.

The minimum strength of the nylon strips should not be less than 50 kgf or 0. 5 kN per strip while the nominal width is 5. 5 to 6. 0 mm with a nominal thickness ranges from 0. 85 to 1. 4 Limitation The experiment section has a time limit. It is not easy to book a section in the laboratory as there might be other users conducting an experiment. A successful experiment is not guaranteed within the amount of time that is booked. 3 Secondary Research Secondary research will be based on online research, books, articles, journals, graphs, and photos related to the research topic. 1 Limitation Information collection through internet might not be accurate, all the sources that could be accessed online should be checked before use. The only document was found that stipulate the method of knotting bamboo scaffolding and should be used by scaffolders in Hong Kong is Code of practice for Bamboo Scaffolding safety which was published by Occupational Safety and Health Branch Labour Department when chapter 2 literature review was being carried out.

Experiment 1 The first test adopted the suggested method in the Code of practice for Bamboo Scaffolding safety. The knot was tightened 5 rounds over the interception of the standard and ledger by nylon strip. The ends of the nylon strip were crossed and twisted to form one single twisted. The single twisted end was surrounded the knot for one round, the remaining end was slipped into the knot itself. As this is the first time ever knotting bamboo, the skill was not refined enough which result in the error. Therefore, the author has decided to re-test the same knotting method in the second test in order to achieve a complete and comprehensive result with this method of knotting. Experiment 2 The second test adopted the suggested method from ‘the Code of practice for Bamboo Scaffolding safety’.

The method of knotting will be the same as the first test. As the single twisted end of the nylon stripe was loosened when the first test was conducted, every single turn was pulled tightly to ensure the maximum tension is applied. Experiment 3 In test 3, the knot was tightened with 5 rounds over the interception of the standard and ledger by nylon strip. Instead of twisting both ends into one single twist used in first and second testing, both ends of the nylon strip were looped 0. 5 round to the back of the ledger and the remaining were tied under the knot. (Full explanation was shown in ????). After the ledger was knotted to the standards, a point load is applied by the hydraulic compressor with the deflection device set up alongside in order to measure the deflection rate when loading increases Result analysis 3 Load (Newton) Deflection (Millimetre) 80 -0.

Result analysis 4 Load (Newton) Deflection (Millimetre) 70 -1. 89 The numbers highlighted in red refer to the continuous drop of deflection rate after the load is applied Table???The result of test 4 The test was forced to stop when the load reached 300N and deflection of 8. 89 millimeters. The loop surrounded the interception reinforced the bottom part of the knot, however, sacrificed the extra loop which was meant to knot to the back of the post according to the guidance provided by the building department. Therefore, the reduction of friction of the ledger created a turning force to the ledger itself (Figure ???). Results from the experiments show that the quality of bamboo scaffolding greatly depends on the quality of workmanship as well as the knotting method used.

In the first experiment, a single twist was used to tie the bamboo and it was observed that the deflection rate increased as more load was added. In addition, when the load was applied on both sides on the ledger, the continuous and gradual drop in deflection rate was attributed to by the increasing friction between the bamboo post and the nylon strip. The second experiment applied similar tests to increase the accuracy of bamboo scaffolding. This experiment used more scaffolding skills than the first experiment and the results recorded a significant improvement in the rate of deflection. Additionally, the ends of the nylon strips must be twisted and crossed to create a single twisted end that passes through the knot twice to give one round turn for proper anchorage.

The quality of scaffolding work varies from one person to another therefore it is very subjective. In addition, the technique and skill of securing bamboo pieces together that has been used for centuries have proven to be significantly effective but been very hard to examine. However, the quality of work to a large extent depends on the skills as well as the physical fitness of the individual scaffolder. The fourth experiment aimed at determining the cause of turning moment by knotting the ends of the nylon strips so as improve and provide for better strength by reinforcing the base of the knot then tying the remaining ends to the ledger. The respondents discussed the pros and cons of both methods of scaffolding.

Each of the methods had its own means of survival in the construction industry. From the responses, the pros of bamboo scaffolding include: it is a cheap method to use, lightweight and flexible to use whereas metal scaffolding is stronger and safer. On the other hand, bamboo scaffolding has limitations such as it is not as safe, it is not designed by engineers thus entirely dependent on scaffolder’s experience. Metal scaffolding is on the other hand expensive, heavy and inflexible in terms of shapes. majorly use bamboo scaffolding. The fourth question asked about the limitation and flexibility of bamboo and metal scaffolding in the industry. In terms of flexibility, bamboo could be cut for different fittings on the construction site as well as allow access to irregularly shaped buildings (refer to link).

However, the main limitation with metal scaffolding is that metal cannot be cut if things go wrong on the site. In addition, use of metal scaffolding is time-consuming thus can cause delays which might end up to loss. It is evident that bamboo scaffolding is the most popular method used across Hong Kong. However, despite its popularity, government projects in Hong Kong prevent the use of the bamboo method in the recent years due to safety questions. The government does not mind using more capital with metal scaffolding method to secure safety. On the other hand, construction companies aim at making profits, therefore, target at reducing the costs but at the same time observing the safety guidelines. This may be achieved through the use of mixed methods of scaffolding.

In order to achieve this aim, the author used the primary information from other authors who have conducted similar studies as outlined in the Literature review (Chapter 2). The author additionally conducted a series of experiments in the laboratory to test how different dimensions of knotting and quality of workmanship influenced the strength of bamboo scaffolding. The author also administered several questionnaires to workers in construction companies in Hong Kong and data collected were analyzed to determine the various factors affecting the quality of bamboo scaffolding to satisfy the research objectives. 1 Objective 1: To analyze the strength of bamboo scaffolding with different knotting method The strength of the bamboo scaffolding is determined by the knotting method used. Experiments 1 and 2 used a single twisting method of knotting and the results from the showed that the deflection rate increased as more load was added.

During the first 12 months of traditional apprenticeship, the general laboring work was covered in scaffold building. The second-year covered the erection of scaffolds and during this period, the apprentice worked for hand in hand with the master learning all the critical and dangerous activities. The third-year concentrated on setting up different types of scaffolds emphasize on the initial and foundation set-up to ensure that collapse is not possible. Training on the skills of constructing bamboo scaffolding has changed drastically from that offered by the traditional apprenticeship. The modern training has eliminated the hardship and exploitation of the traditional training as well as it has also destroyed the close relationship between the apprentice and the master which often led to developing safety awareness and skills.