When considering the scaffolding design loads to put into the Australian scaffolding calculator multiple load cases should be considered. These include loads from:

• Dead loads are caused by scaffolding components and equipment placed on the scaffolding structure.
• Live loads are generally caused by the weight of workers, material and tools moving across the structure.
• Wind loads are based on the wind speeds at the site. Please refer to AS 1170 for wind load calculations or use the SkyCiv Wind Load Calculator.

Once these loads have all been determined, they need to be summed together along with any concentrated point loads. These loads can then be applied to the scaffolding member in the design loads section of the SkyCiv Australian Scaffolding Design Calculator. The design load section of the calculator includes inputs for the:

• Max Bending Force in Member and Coupler
• Max Shear Force in Member and Coupler
• Max Axial Force in Member
• Torsional Moment in Member

The Australian Scaffolding Design Code (AS1576) defines a couple as a fitting that joins two tubes. The calculators defined in the calculator include:

• Right-angle Couplers are used to join two members at a ninety degree angle (right angles). These are sometimes called double couplers.
• Swivel Parallel Couplers are used to join two scaffolding tube members at multiple angles up to 180 degrees.
• Parallel Couplers are used to join two scaffolding members in parallel.
• Friction Type Sleeve Couplers are used to join scaffold tubes together usually in an end-to-end manner. These types of couplers use friction to join the two tubes together without fixtures like bolts or nuts.

Australian/New Zealand Standard 1576 is the standard used to design scaffolding in Australia and New Zealand.

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