Static load behavior and energy absorption of safety guardrails for construction works

Authors

  • Alfonso Cobo Escamilla Technical University of Madrid (Spain), Department of Building Technology.
  • María de las Nieves González García Technical University of Madrid (Spain), Department of Architectural Constructions.
  • Nuria Llauradó Pérez Technical University of Madrid (Spain), Department of Building Technology.

Keywords:

safety guardrails, energy absorption, static load, accident, construction

Abstract

One of the requirements which must be met by the temporary edge protection systems (TEPS) is to stop a worker who walks, stumbles, falls and
knocks against the system. The effect of the worker’s crash with the protection system is a dynamic type stress applied as an impact. The capacity of
the system to withstand the impact depends on its ductility and its ability to absorb energy. The area enclosed by the load-displacement graph of a
TEPS when the load is statically applied is an indicator of its ductility and its ability to absorb energy. In Europe, the EN 13374 standard specifies the
requirements to be fulfilled by the TEPS. For systems placed in floor slabs with a slope smaller than 10° (class A systems), the standard indicates that
the testing should be performed using static loads. In this work, TEPS manufactured from steel, wood, injected plastic, and composites have been
tested with the static loads test system specified in the EN 13374 standard for assessing class A systems. Subsequently, the areas enclosed in the
load-displacement diagram have been tested and have been compared with the estimated values of impact energy.

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Published

2016-08-31

How to Cite

Cobo Escamilla, A., González García, M. de las N., & Llauradó Pérez, N. (2016). Static load behavior and energy absorption of safety guardrails for construction works. Revista De La Construcción. Journal of Construction, 15(2), 46–54. Retrieved from https://revistadisena.uc.cl/index.php/RDLC/article/view/12842