Experimental and theoretical investigation of CUPLOCK® spigot connections

Abstract

Tests were conducted at Oxford Brookes University in to the spigot connections for Cuplok® scaffold systems. The tests were carried out by applying a series of different fixed axial loads together with a variable side load which was increased until failure occurred. The tests showed that the model of spigot behaviour presented by Enright after tests conducted at the University of Sydney in 2008 did not give correlation with the new results. In order to get an improved correlation a statistical model was determined. This model consisted of a multi-linear moment-rotation curve with four different segments. The moment-rotation stiffness of each segment of the curve was given by a set of three different stiffnesses dependent upon the ratio of the axial force to applied moment on the connection. This new model was then tested against full-scale tests on a set of three storeys, three bays tower scaffolds conducted by Chandrangsu and Rasmussen at the University of Sydney with an improved correlation over that determined by these researchers using the model developed by Enright.