When structural propping and loading bays are required

Structural propping is temporary load-bearing support. It carries loads that a building cannot safely carry in its current condition, until permanent structure is restored. Loading bays are engineered platforms for landing plant, equipment and materials by crane, sized to the actual loads being landed. Both are safety-critical, both are engineered before install, and both are required across a wider range of Adelaide jobs than most PMs realise.

The common triggers:

• Removing a load-bearing wall or column during retrofit
• Slab support during multi-storey construction sequencing (back-propping)
• Wall propping during partial demolition
• Foundation underpinning where the structure above must be temporarily supported
• Concrete cutting works needing temporary slab, beam or wall support
• Landing plant, equipment or materials by crane on a working level
• Temporary supports during structural repair of beams, columns or slabs
• Formwork support for slab pours where the pour geometry exceeds standard formwork span

If your engineer or building surveyor has specified propping, or if the demolition sequence removes any load-bearing element, or if crane deliveries need a landing platform, this is the page.

Propping and loading bay systems Epic delivers

Acrow props or Proscaf scaffold as propping. Standard steel Acrow props for point loads and modular support. Engineered Proscaf ringlock scaffold used as propping where the load path calls for a wider footprint or where propping needs to integrate with an access scaffold. The engineering decides which system fits the load.

Slab support (formwork propping). Engineered against pour geometry, slab thickness and concrete cure time.

Back-propping. Multi-storey slab support where fresh pours are carried through the levels below until the concrete gains sufficient strength.

Wall propping. Horizontal push propping for retrofit and demolition, engineered per wall against height, load direction and lateral restraint requirements.

Structural propping for demolition and retrofit. Load transfer during removal of load-bearing walls, columns or beams. Includes needle beams and transfer frames where the load must be redistributed horizontally before being redirected to props.

Concrete cutting propping. Temporary support to slabs, beams and walls during saw cutting, core drilling and new openings. Engineered before the cut is made, so the load path holds through the operation.

Loading bays. Engineered scaffold loading platforms for landing plant, equipment and materials by crane. Drawings and load calculations are done to the actual loads to be landed, not template kits. Sized to the crane hook, the deck reach, and the crew working the bay.

Named projects

Modbury Hospital (head contractor: O’Connors, 2025). Engineered 4-tonne loading bay carrying a 1,700 kg scissor lift, sized to the deck reach and the working crew.

Adelaide Festival Theatre (head contractor: Delta, 2023). Concrete cutting deck engineered to hold the cut sequence safely through the operation.

Adelaide Central Market. Engineered roof propping scaffold supporting existing roof trusses, engineered up to 30 kN per support.

Karen Rolton Oval, Gladys Elphick Park. Engineered propping scaffold rated to 5 tonnes (50 kN) per support, holding a stadium lighting pole.

Standards conformance

Structural propping in Australia is governed by the AS 3610 series. AS 3610.1:2018 is the current version for design of formwork and falsework. The older AS 3610-1995 remains the reference for surface finish classes on the resulting concrete. Epic designs to AS 3610.1:2018, and where surface finish class is specified, formwork is detailed against AS 3610-1995 alongside. Where propping integrates with scaffold, AS/NZS 1576 and AS/NZS 4576 also apply.

Why Epic on structural propping and loading bays

Engineered, not guessed. Every propping and loading bay system is designed against calculated loads, not template kits. Modbury Hospital’s loading bay was engineered to carry the actual 1,700 kg scissor lift being landed on it. Karen Rolton Oval’s stadium lighting pole propping was engineered to a rated 5 tonnes per support. That is what “engineered” means in practice.

Two systems, one engineering standard. Acrow props or engineered Proscaf scaffold used as propping, chosen by the engineering. The design certifies the system, not the other way round.

Single vendor for propping, scaffold and access. Most Adelaide jobs that need propping also need scaffold, handrail or hoist. Combining these under one contract simplifies design coordination, reduces subcontractor interfaces, and gives the principal contractor a single point of responsibility for all temporary works.

Compliance workflow signed off up front. All designs meet AS 3610.1:2018 and are certified by DC Engineering (CPEng). Third-party review is priced into the quote where required, so there is no scramble when the compliance pack is requested.

What a propping or loading bay engagement looks like

1. Site visit and load path. Reuben or Bryan walks the site with your engineer. We identify the loads, the load path and the compliance workflow.
1. Load calculation and engineered drawings. Signed by DC Engineering (CPEng) before mobilisation.
1. Mobilisation and install. Ticketed crew installs to drawings. Certificate of Compliance issued on completion.
1. Monthly inspection. Documented cadence for the duration of hire.
1. De-prop and hand back. Coordinated to your programme and to the reinstatement of permanent structure.