Risk Management through Sustainable Temporary Working Platforms-Paper

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Temporary working platforms support heavy cranes and piling equipment over weak ground, making their design and maintenance critical safety issues. Geogrid stabilisation can improve platform bearing capacity, enabling thinner layers and potentially reducing cost, construction time, and carbon emissions. However, geogrid performance depends on the interaction among the geogrid, aggregate, subgrade, and applied loads; assuming uniform performance across different conditions can increase risk.<br /><br />The paper highlights the need to validate design methods with representative full-scale testing, particularly when using lower-quality or recycled aggregates. It describes the T-Value method, which assesses the combined behaviour of the geogrid and granular layer and estimates bearing capacity based on platform geometry and subgrade strength. Validation programmes considered cohesive subgrades of varying strength, several aggregate types, and different loading conditions. Tests in Saskatchewan, Krakow, and San Diego found that measured ultimate bearing capacities generally exceeded predictions, supporting the method across the tested conditions. Large-scale triaxial tests complement field trials by isolating material behaviour and informing numerical models.<br /><br />The authors conclude that design confidence depends on testing specific combinations of geogrid, fill, subgrade, and loading. Properly validated stabilisation can support the use of recycled or more readily available materials while maintaining safety. Geogrids may also be recovered and recycled after platform removal, further improving sustainability.

Keywords

temporary working platforms

geogrid stabilisation

bearing capacity

heavy cranes

piling equipment

T-Value method

full-scale testing

recycled aggregates

subgrade strength

sustainable construction