Alejandro Garcia

Imagine your life if you didn’t erect scaffolds anymore.

-	No more back pain
-	No more working under the rain
-	No more finding new work when the project ends
-	No more working offshore
-	No more missing your kids' birthdays

Sounds pretty good, right?

But you’ve tried moving into scaffold design, and you gave up.

Here’s why – You’ve heard you’ll need an engineering degree.

But you don’t want to spend 3-4 years at university:

You want to find out if scaffold design is for you without wasting time and money.

That’s where the Scaffold Design Academy comes in.

“Scaffold Design Academy?”

Let me explain.

It’s an online course that takes you from scaffolder to scaffold designer, step by step.

First, you’ll discover the “magic” behind engineers' formulas.

Next, you’ll learn the scaffold regulations, so you can do everything by the book and cover yourself if things go wrong.

Still with me?

Now you’ll combine everything to design and calculate your first access scaffold.

Leaving you with a recipe that you’ll follow for every design in the future.

Then it’s time to design other types of scaffolds so you become familiar with the most common solutions.

Once you’re ready, you’ll organize and annotate your drawings to avoid getting phone calls from the scaffolders:

“This is wrong! I cannot build it!”

Finally, you get a certificate, and all the skills needed to work as a scaffold designer.

Now, you may be thinking, “Are there other options to learn scaffold design?”

There are.

You can get a job as a trainee scaffold designer, with a big pay cut.

And learn on the job:

-	AutoCAD
-	Engineering
-	TG20, EN 12811, BS 5975…
-	Tube & fitting, Layher, Metrix, Haki…

However, you won’t always have someone available to guide you and ask questions.

That’s where I come in.

I’ve developed the Scaffold Design Academy so you can learn at your own pace, under my radar.

All you have to do is follow the course and ask questions.

You in?

Great.

Then DM me here to start.

Scaffold Engineer

Scaffold Talks

Founder

PSD Prime Scaffold and Structural Designs Limited

“Is Alejandro any good?"

As soon as they heard I was making interviews, my previous employer sent me an offer.

And PSD - Part II began straight away:

I already knew the people and procedures, so I began calculating scaffolds as soon as I sat down.

I became a Chartered Engineer (CEng MICE) at the end of 2019, so the company could offer now a new service:

Approval In Principle (AIP) documents.

My role was quite like in 2018. I did:
•	Scaffold drawings
•	Calculations
•	CAT2 checks
•	CAT3 checks

However now, as a Senior engineer, I used to receive complex designs only.

I also dedicated more time to answer questions and teach others than before: I was more experienced, and I learned new things on my previous role at AECOM.

But even a Senior engineer can learn new tricks:

I designed line crossing scaffolds over highways and railways.

I knew nothing about line crossings before.

How did I learn?

•	I read every guidance and standard about the subject
•	Revised previous designs other engineers had done
•	I asked them about their designs
•	Developed my own calculations template that explained every step on the way, so anyone could follow through
•	Designed many new line crossing scaffolds (tube & fitting, and Haki), up to 56 m span
Some of my line crossing scaffolds were sent for a CAT3 check (verification by a different firm) and never received any comment.
I’d say I learned all right.

I bet you knew nothing about scaffolding when you started as a labourer.

You heard you could make some money.

And said, “I’m in.

First day on site:

“Pass me 10 doubles!

“What the devil is a double?

Little by little, day after day, you kept on learning.
•	You learned by doing
•	You learned by watching scaffolders work
•	You learned by studying for your Part 1 and Part 2

Even if you know nothing about scaffold design, you can learn from someone who explains it using:
•	Videos
•	Examples
•	Straightforward language

Are you ready to become a scaffold designer?

Senior Scaffold Design Engineer

AECOM

After calculating many bridge scaffolds, why not try working as a Bridge Engineer?

Especially, when you get an offer at the world’s biggest civil engineering consulting firm.

How many bridges did I design?

None.

However, I learned many things about structural engineering, maintenance and health & safety that I’ve brought into my scaffold designs.

For example, I inspected more than 40 structures made of concrete, steel, timber and masonry:

•	bridges
•	subways
•	car parks
•	retaining walls

Now, after writing or checking more than 70 reports, I can understand what defects an engineer is describing, and how damaged the structure is.

This is very helpful when you must design a scaffold to refurbish a structure: you don’t want to make things worse with the scaffold.

Once it was clear that there would be no bridge designs available for a long time, I went back into scaffold design.

It wasn’t the right role for me, but I couldn’t find out until I tried.

You’re a scaffolder.

Your knees hurt, and you know you must stop erecting scaffolds.

You cannot do it for too long.

You must get a new role, and scaffold design has caught your interest.

However, you have a lot of questions and doubts:

“Is scaffold design right for me?
“Am I smart enough? I didn’t finish high school.
“I don’t want to waste time and money.

Let me tell you:

I don’t know you, but I do know plenty of scaffold designers:

You are smart enough.

And if you can check that your salary is correct (basic math operations), you’ll be fine to understand the engineering principles. 

I’ve received during the last months dozens of messages from scaffolders like you, asking:

“Can you teach me scaffold design?

That’s why I uploaded all my Scaffold Design for Scaffolders videos to YouTube.

And that’s why I’ve developed the Scaffold Design Academy: an online course that takes you, step by step,

From Scaffolder to Scaffold Designer.

Do you want to find out if scaffold design is for you?

You must try.

Bridge Engineer

“Can you start tomorrow?

That’s how my scaffold design career began in the UK.

And it was quite a ride:

I had experience with system scaffolding (Ringlock), but none with tube & fitting.

First task: read TG20:13.

(I thought the Yellow Pages were more interesting)

Then, I drew a couple of independents.

(I bet someone had to delete everything and redo the design)

One day I received a couple of examples: drawing and calculations.

Things started to make some sense.

With that in mind, I had to design a new scaffold for a client.

I thought it would be easy: just follow the examples.

Well, I was wrong: I did plenty of mistakes.

And I continued making mistakes for several weeks, while learning about:
•	Dog bones
•	Singles
•	Doubles
•	Transoms
•	Timber boards
•	TG20
•	Work at height regulations
•	CDM 2015

It took me around 10 weeks to understand everything and get my head around designing tube & fitting scaffolds.

But before the 3rd month ended, I was already checking calculations prepared by senior engineers.

From then on, I continued to practice and improve my work.

One day, I also began teaching other engineers about scaffold design.

They would come to me to
•	Get clarity on a calculation
•	Ask for advice to solve a problem
•	Understand better a European standard

For 18 months, I kept on improving, and designed many types of scaffolds, up to 66 m high.

I used tube & fitting, Layher, Metrix, Haki… to design:
•	cantilevers
•	protection platforms
•	temporary roofs
•	gantries
•	lifting frames
•	free-standing scaffolds
•	loading bays
•	hoist runoffs
•	facade retention

I did learn scaffold design, but it wasn’t fun at the beginning.

I also made plenty of mistakes along the way.

It shouldn’t be so complicated.

That’s why I’ve developed the Scaffold Design Academy:

The online course I wish existed when I started.

Lots of videos, documents, templates, examples… that guide you, step by step, and in straightforward language,

From zero to scaffold designer.

Scaffold Design Engineer & Temporary Works Engineer

Indenor Ingeniería y Construcciones

I had spent 12 months trying to get another job.

When my uncle offered me a position in his business, I didn’t hesitate.

The project was interesting: a desalinization plant in Qatar to produce 300,000 m³ of drinking water per day.

(Enough to fill 80 Olympic swimming pools every day. They needed a lot of water for the 2022 World Cup visitors)

We were one cog in the wheel, responsible for designing all the pipe supports.

(All supports were made of steel, anchored into concrete, or bolted to the building structure)

How many?
300.

Who oversaw the delivery?
Me.

Deadlines?
Tighter than piano strings: our client would lose a fortune for every 24-h of delay.

And we would lose our main client.

To make things worse, the construction works were at full speed in Qatar, while buildings and pipes design went ahead in Spain.

This meant lots of changes (sometimes 2 or 3 updates in the same day), that needed to be registered.

And drawings and calculations updated.

For example: one day, I designed 6 pipe supports anchored to the building wall.

The day after, there was no wall.

As a scaffolder, you’ve had similar experiences on site:

“I want all scaffold grounded.
“It’s done.
“Why didn’t you bridge the main entrance?

Well, you didn’t because they didn’t ask for it.

But anyway, now you must modify the scaffold, and keep track of it.

Another day they may want to add loading bays.

And so on.

You won’t need to keep track of changes to learn scaffold design:

I’ll do it for you.

You’ll have lifetime access to the Scaffold Design Academy.

So, every time I upload a new module, you’ll have it too.

•	New version of TG20? You’ll get a video with the changes
•	New examples? You’ll have them on your account
•	New components? You’ll be the first to know

Are you ready to become a Scaffold Designer?

DM me here or email me at alejandro@alejandrogarcia.xyz

Project Structural Engineer - Quality Manager

Grupo Resa

This was my first scaffolding experience.

Right after finishing my master's.

I didn’t know what I was getting into, but I had what they needed:

•	Engineering degree
•	AutoCAD skills
•	English

I learned nothing about scaffolding at university.

How did I start my role then?

Studying.

My manager told me about European standards EN 12810, 12811 and 12812.

So I read them and asked questions.

I was working for a scaffolding manufacturer, so I continued with the Resablok (ringlock) and R-70 (frame scaffold) user manuals.

I also visited the workshop and the yard to see the components first-hand.

Once I became familiar with the product and the regulations, I began drawing scaffolds.

First, I took some older projects and tried doing them myself.

Then, when I was ready, I got involved in a new project: Oil tanks in Saudi Arabia.

I had to design splay scaffolds using Resablok.

And design I did.

Then came another project.

And another.

I had learned how to design scaffolds.

Then, one morning, the Managing Director called me to his office:

“Next week, when you are in Romania…

You don’t need to visit Romania to learn scaffold design.

But you’ll need a teacher: someone who’s been there, than that.

I teach because I’ve been student for more than 20 years.

I missed many classes at university because the professor could not teach.

I’d rather spend the time studying by myself.

I can explain complex terms in straightforward language, so anyone can understand.

I’ve recorded 17 YouTube videos teaching engineering in simple language.

(So simple even my mother understands)

I’ve published more than 300 posts on LinkedIn about scaffolding and scaffold design.

(Shared by hundreds of scaffolders because they understand and learn)

With that experience, I’ve created the Scaffold Design Academy, an online course that will take you from scaffolder to scaffold designer:

•	Step by step
•	At your own pace
•	Without wasting years and a fortune going to university

Scaffold Design Engineer

Euroresa Schele SRL

“We’ll pick you up at 3 am."

“We are meeting a new client at the Port of Agigea at 6."

That was my welcome call after landing in Bucharest.

I heard the great news on the car:

“We aren't meeting a client. We’ve won a contract with a multinational company, and you’re our site engineer."

I had never been on site before and knew almost nothing about scaffolding.

It was a challenge.

What was the project scope?

Cover the Ocean Endeavor oil rig with scaffolding, so they could upgrade it for the freezing Black Sea temperatures.

First week went by like a hurricane:

•	Scaffolders putting up scaffold like there was no tomorrow
•	Discussing with our site manager the scaffold materials they would need in the coming days
•	Make the components arrive from our main depot and other warehouses across Romania (I was the company’s Logistics Manager too)
•	Deal with the client, who had more than 20 years of scaffolding experience
•	Realize the business was losing a fortune each day, and notify the Director so he could negotiate a new contract

And the coming weeks?

I kept on learning, as fast as I could:

•	I helped the scaffolders carrying components, and discovered how heavy they are
•	I learned what materials the scaffolders prefer to erect the scaffold and why
•	Client “happiness” when you’ve run out of couplers across the country
•	Observed, first hand, the critical importance of health & safety
•	How disgusting the coffee from the site machine can be

This went on from Monday to Sunday, from 6 to 6.

Thankfully, we finished 2 days ahead of schedule.

I knew nothing when I arrived.

I was thrown into the fire, and learned by doing.

I wish I had received training before going on site: I’d have avoided many mistakes and wasted time.

Fortunately, you have it much easier to learn scaffold design:

•	You have scaffolding experience
•	You have my Scaffold Design Academy to learn at your own pace
•	You’ll have me by your side to answer all your questions

Are you in?

Site Engineer & Logistics Manager

Universidad de Burgos

I worked for the AUSINCO (Auscultation, Instrumentation and Control of Structures) Research Group.
I calculated the loads sustained for two months by a wind turbine from the strains recorded by strain gauges. To carry on the task I managed a 5,000,000 values database.

Research assistant

Grupo Elsamex

Elsamex specializes in conservation and construction of infrastructures.
At the Highway Maintenance Office of the A-6 Highway (Madrid-La Coruña), I verified the state of the highway (pavement, barriers), and made the reports of car accidents and works adjacent to the road.

Highway maintenance engineer

I help Civil Engineering & Construction businesses to get more clients with their website, blog & Linkedin | Chartered Civil Engineer turned Copywriter | English & Spanish

You cannot erect scaffolds forever.

When you started as a teenager, you felt like Superman.

However, raising materials will take its toll on your body:

You may get arthritis, knee surgery, spine damage…

Until one day, you stop.

You have thought about moving into scaffold design.

Well, there are only two ways to become a Scaffold Designer:

1. On the job, through trial and error.
2. With training.

Most scaffold designers fall into the first category.

They get a job as graduate designer, with a big pay cut.

Someone will explain briefly how to use AutoCAD, and give you an access scaffold to draw: plans, sections, tie details…

Even if you can draw the scaffold, you don’t know why you did it like that.

And you feel you are making no progress.

Resulting in lower income, time wasted, and wanting to give up:

“When will I make the same money I was making as a scaffolder?”

Best case scenario - you prepare drawings for an independent access scaffold.

On top of that, you're probably struggling with calculations:

“Is this too difficult for me?”
“Why am I taking so long to learn?”

Now, imagine you have someone who can guide you, share his experience, and answer all your questions.

You get familiar with the scaffolding standards, and start drawing scaffolds on your own.

You understand the engineering principles, and it becomes easier to calculate the stability of the structure.

You're becoming a Scaffold Designer.

"How will I get there?", I hear you ask.

Here’s how.

By following my 5-step program, taking you from Scaffolder to Scaffold Designer in 12 months.

•	Phase 1, you’ll understand the engineering principles so you can calculate the most common structures.
•	Phase 2, you’ll learn the rules of the game, so you won’t have any issues with the law.
•	Phase 3, you’ll put everything together to calculate an access scaffold.
•	Phase 4, you’ll continue to practice with other types of scaffolds: bridges, cantilevers, free-standing…
•	Phase 5, you’ll make sure the information (drawings and calculations) is easy to understand, so the scaffolders don't call you.

Working with me, you get:

1.	A senior scaffold designer by your side, so you’ll get all your questions answered.
2.	Learn scaffold design step by step, without wasting time.
3.	A scaffold design course full of examples (drawings and calculations) and templates.
4.	Life access to future updates
5.	A lifelong career in scaffolding as a scaffold designer.

Back to you.

Are you tired of erecting scaffolds?

Then let's talk.

DM me here, or send me an email at alejandro@alejandrogarcia.xyz

Why is the bending capacity of a timber scaffold board 0.475 kN·m?


I'm talking about the C24 225x38 mm boards (manufactured in accordance with BS 2482:2009) used in the UK.

The moment capacity of a beam section is:

M = σ · I / y

• σ: bending stress
• I: second moment of area
• y: distance to the neutral axis

The TG20:21 equations, based on BS 5268-2:2002, apply the same equation, and add some modification factors to consider:

• Internal/external use
• Duration of loading
• Timber depth
• Load sharing between components

With a loading duration of 6 months, you arrive at an allowable bending moment of 0.475 kN·m.

----------------------
I'm Alejandro Garcia.

I can explain scaffold design to my mother.

#scaffolding #construction #civilengineering #scaffolddesign #temporaryworks

I teach scaffold design in simple language | CEng MICE

5 types of forces acting on a scaffold


𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲?

A force is any action or influence on a body that may alter its position, its movement or its dimensions.

For example, if you push somebody, you will alter his position or movement: you are applying a force.

If you squeeze a balloon with your hands, it will deform: you are applying a force.


Let me describe the 5 types of forces considering a 21 ft scaffold tube (and other examples).


𝗧𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻

You apply tension when you try to stretch (or elongate) the tube, with the forces acting along the longitudinal axis.

For example, when you erect a suspended access scaffold, the uprights will stretch slightly.

Or just consider a swing: the rope is holding a weight, and will be in tension.

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻

This is the opposite: you try to shorten the tube.

For example, an independent scaffold upright is in compression because it supports all the loads coming from the scaffold to the ground.

When you sit on a chair, all legs are in compression too.

𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴

If you stand on a ledger, it will bend: your weight is a bending force.

Or a temporary roof covered with snow: the roof beams will bend slightly.

You can see this effect on a swimming pool: pay attention next time someone stands on the springboard.

𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿

Shear forces cause a section of a solid to slide past its neighbouring part.

To put it another way, one section of the surface is forced in one direction while another is forced in the opposite direction.

Imagine the force is a huge knife trying to cut the scaffold tube (or the aluminium beam) in 2.

Or think of how you cut a butter bar.

𝗧𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻

Torsion occurs when you try to twist the tube.

At home, you do it everytime you want to wring out a clothe.



Is this interesting?

Then you should join my Scaffold Design newsletter, where I teach scaffold design, week by week, email by email.

Link in the comments. 👇

----------------------
I'm Alejandro Garcia.

I can explain scaffold design to my mother.

#scaffolding #construction #civilengineering #scaffolddesign #temporaryworks

If you are building something, it will take time.


And longer than you think.

It applies to anything:

- Relationships 
- Your own business 
- A new career in scaffold design 

When you build something, and want to make it right, don't rush:

It takes time.

Keep doing it every day, brick by brick.

If you make a mistake, fix it, learn, and continue.

You'll be surprised how far you've reached once you look back.

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