Approximately 5,000 m2 of ALFIX facade scaffolding in Zürich
ALFIX GmbH’s in-house project department regularly creates detailed drawings and 3D plans for large-scale projects for both national and international clients before construction begins. A clear plan was also required for the complete renovation of the high-rise building at Plattenstrasse 10 in Zürich, which was developed using a working scaffold of width class W06 and load class 3 with 0,36 m internal ALFIX brackets.
Flexibly able to meet all requirements
Working closely together with a local engineering firm and the scaffolder in charge of the project, a construction was developed taking into account all of the requirements of this special project. Some of these requirements were the need to bridge over awnings, to provide load towers and load platforms for equipping the construction site, to erect many stairway towers, and to support the facade scaffolding in special areas using dowelled heavy-duty brackets. Another consideration was the complete enclosure of the scaffolding constriction using dust protection nets.
ALFIX facade scaffolding system combined with ALFIX MODUL MULTI
The ALFIX facade scaffolding system was used by the scaffolding contractor Albfix GmbH from Lenzburg for the working scaffold. Due to the shape of the building, it was required to design ALFIX guardrails to be used as interior railings in order to ensure internal fall protection and thus provide the base for safe renovation work. The sophisticated scaffolding system consists of an economical number of components that, thanks to their modularity, can be assembled quickly and nearly without any tools required. A high accuracy of fit and high-quality, durable materials characterise the versatile ALFIX scaffolding systems.
In order to achieve the most flexibility possible when erecting the load platforms and load towers, they were planned and constructed using the tried-and-tested ALFIX MODUL MULTI modular scaffolding system. The variable angle formation of the ledgers on the module nodes, the use of ALFIX system decks and sophisticated technical details of the 4.0 versions, such as the ALFIX SmartLock mechanism, make this modular scaffolding system a time-saving and incredible versatile companion for complex and elaborate construction projects.
Quick bridging with system-independent lattice girders
A bridging construction was necessary for the entrance area in order to enable smooth access for interior renovation work carried out by various trades. This bridging, as well as a variety of scaffolding bracing supports, was calculated using system-independent steel lattice girders and integrated into the system scaffolding according to static and dimensional specifications. The structure attained a total height of approximately 56.0 m, so the scaffolding reached a height of roughly 54.0 m and a total of around 5,000 m2 of ALFIX facade scaffolding was erected. Due to the loads resulting from the scaffolding levels and from the live load, the structure had to be reinforced using several heavy-duty system-independent lattice girders so that the loads could be distributed in the structure. In the lowest scaffolding level, it was required to use standard reinforcements installed as doubled MODUL vertical standards for optimal load distribution. Load assumptions, such as wind and snow loads, were calculated according to the Swiss standard SIA 261. Live loads and wind action were estimated according to European scaffolding standards.
Efficient flow of materials for all trades
On the south side of the scaffolding, a crane was used to construct four load towers for the continuous loading of materials on the construction site using ALFIX MODUL MULTI with the basic dimensions of 2.57 x 2.57 m and reaching many different platform heights. These platforms had to meet the requirements for material storage of 300 kg/m2 (load class 4). In order to brace the load of these constriction heights, the MODUL vertical standards were also doubled on the load towers.
On the east and west sides, the ALFIX facade scaffolding system was designed as suspended scaffolding in order to equip the construction site with materials at various points and heights with the help of a crane. By implementing this functional variant, it was possible to limit the number of scaffolding components required, thus saving valuable time and energy for the scaffolder while ensuring that important contact areas in the construction remained clear.
On the north and west sides, the reliable ALFIX stair towers were planned for convenient access to the construction site that meet the construction standards. Designed as construction stair towers with a load-bearing capacity of 200 kg/m2 with linear aluminium stairs, approximately 100 metres of vertical height were able to be reached using this aluminium platform staircase. This not only allowed for secure material access but also provided an escape route option.
Customised anchor grid thanks to building-specific project planning
Due to the cubage of the building, it was necessary to find and define an individual anchor configuration that would also take into account the position of the inner brackets. The extent of the renovation work made it possible to use the reinforced concrete support structure as an anchor base. With up to 6 kN per anchoring, the majority of the facade scaffolding was able to be anchored using standard ring bolts. A separate anchoring was created under the balconies in the balcony slab using concrete screws and dowelled base jacks. Because of the dust protection nets and their resulting wind loads, the static calculations resulted in a compacted anchor grid.
In order to bridge the canopies and to relieve the high standard loads, heavy-duty consoles were installed on the lower third of the building as a mounting for the steel lattice girders. Different system lengths of lattice girders were screwed together with ALFIX lattice girder tube connectors to form a unit along the entire length. This was done in order to create a continuous girder that optimally converts the torque distribution as well as positive and negative values. In doing so, it was possible to reduce the loads on the MODUL vertical standards. The building site and the support had to be carefully prepared for standard loads of up to 40 kN. With the help of bracing, load-distribution measures were specified in order to distribute the high standard loads over a large area.
Follow the link https://autode.sk/3NWzI0T to see the 3D representation of this project.
All information about the products, instructions for assembly and use, and approvals can be found on the ALFIX website Downloads for all scaffolding systems – ALFIX (alfix-systems.com) .