The Impact of Inadequate Bracing in Concrete Works

24 February 2022

Many vital activities in the construction industry have to be carried out by contractors and their employees to ensure that their projects will be completed effectively and safely. One of the activities that they have to implement is the practice of bracing.

Bracing is a construction technique where wood, steel, and other similar components are maximised to enhance the structural integrity and performance of a building. These components likewise intend to distribute loads of the building evenly, provide restrictions to chords or compression flanges, and improve the overall safety of the property.

All the associated purposes of bracing make it crucial to construction projects. Without conducting the correct practices on the field, the entire bracing activity may become inadequate.

Inadequate Bracing’s Key Causes

Inadequate bracing may be present on numerous construction projects due to numerous reasons.

• Overlooking Lateral Forces: One of the reasons why inadequate bracing may be present on construction projects is the failure to consider lateral forces. Lateral forces like construction loads and winds may be strong enough to knock the formwork system of buildings down, especially if the said system attains excessive load. Without considering these forces, the bracing of the buildings may not be able to carry out its primary purposes.
• Reduced Holding Capacity: Another potential reason why inadequate bracing occurs on construction projects is the reduced holding capacity of the formwork system. As the formwork of a building is reused, its holding capacity for load is expected to reduce as time passes. Without any appropriate assessment and review from a licensed engineer, the said formwork may then cause the building to collapse and cause significant damages to the area.

The Impact of Inadequate Bracing

Since bracing is designed to keep the building intact, its failure can surely yield effects that can be devastating for the whole project and involved personnel.

One impact of inadequate bracing is the failure of the formwork system. A formwork system is comprised of elements that can often store and hold wet concrete until it cures. With inadequate bracing, the whole formwork system might not be able to support the weight of the concrete, affecting the structural integrity of the property and endangering the lives of workers on-site.

Inadequate bracing, additionally, can lead to delays in construction. It can even yield more construction resources like time, money, and energy. Injuries and death may likewise occur due to inadequate bracing.

To prevent inadequate bracing on construction projects, contractors have to ensure that proper prevention strategies are implemented. They must also design, construct, and handle formwork systems accordingly so that their projects can be done efficiently and safely.

Proper Bracing by Professionals

Proper bracing can be achieved on your project by asking for help. We, at Cycon Civil and Monero Constructions, ensure that your project will be efficient and safe by implementing proper bracing.

We also offer civil engineering, project management, labour-hire, plant hire, and construction services to the Victorian infrastructure industry, specifically within the tier 1 domain. If you work with us, we can guarantee that you receive agile and result-oriented work from the experts in multi-disciple project delivery, operating as a principle sub-contractor.

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