Analysis of scaffolds with connections containing looseness

This paper presents an algorithm to model scaffold behaviour and follow the full moment-rotation curve including nonlinear loading and unloading behaviour and including looseness. Different approximations to the moment-rotation curves are developed and applied to simple frames. The Federation Européene de la Manutention (FEM) approach gave the simplest reliable results. The models are applied to frames including looseness effects where it is shown that for sway frames looseness reduces the capacity significantly but for braced frames looseness has less effect. Design recommendations for analyses of scaffolds with connections exhibiting looseness are made.