3. Analysis methods

To establish their justification under applied loads, reticulated scaffolding structures are usually analyzed by computer, using appropriate software, with suitable modeling, taking into account boundary conditions, connections between elements, geometric configuration and imperfections.

For these sets of bars, the analysis can be improved by introducing complementary nodes, which increases the number of sections and, depending on the case, the justification can be made :

• or by a first-order analysis ;

• or by a second-order analysis ;

with a two- or three-dimensional model structure.

The analysis results to be exploited are mainly the normal forces in the bars, the bending moments, the displacements and the reactions at the...