Theatre Design & Technology - Spring 2019 - 29

SAMPLE COST COMPARISON
FOR FRAMING MATERIALS
MATERIAL
2"x2" Carbon Fiber Tubing
(Square Braided)
Steel 2x2x.059

PRICE PER UNIT
2X2X96
$242.25

SAMPLE COST COMPARISON
FOR FRAMING MATERIALS

PRICE PER
UNIT 2X2X48
$121.25

$13.52

respectively. In the construction and
weighing process, legs were not included in weight measurements because
decking platforms do not have legs in every application. Adjustments to the final
weights may go up depending on the material used. Stud walls and apple boxes
were used to elevate and evaluate the
platforms for purposes of deflection testing. The apple boxes substituted for legs
and the stud walls are the preferred way
to hold platforms in some shops.
If users wish to attach legs, the
manufacturer sells brackets and gussets
that can be used to sleeve the leg. The
bracket is attached to the frame with adhesive. Steel or wood legs attached with
adhesive is possible, however this solu-

$6.76

MATERIAL

PRICE PER UNIT
2X2X96

PRICE PER UNIT
2X2X48

2"x1"x16ga Steel

$9.04

$4.52

2"x4" Wood - Pine

$4.16

$2.08

tion is not ideal. In practice, the purpose
of platforms is to be reused at adjustable
heights. The "glued' legs would either
have to remain the same size or be cut.
Eventually, this becomes the law of diminishing returns; joining additional platforms would require brackets or clamps.
And, again, if punctured, the wall of the
composite loses structural integrity.

Testing the New Solution
To obtain the material and mechanical
properties of the frame, static load deflection and compression tests were done
with relevant shear, elasticity of modulus, and moment of inertia analysis. The
SDSU shop did not have the equipment
to complete dynamic state loading or

WEIGHT COMPARISONS in LBS.
FRAME MATERIAL
2"x2" Carbon Fiber
Tubing (Square
Braided)

FRAME
ONLY

WITH
TOP
7

2"x4"x3/16" Steel

120

200

2"x1"x16ga Steel

114

2"x4" Wood - Pine

108

shock/impulse loading deflection tests.
For reference: The recommended allowance for live load (human) on a beam is
40 pounds per square foot for residential
loading (Holden, et. al. 2015, 360-361).
The approach was to start testing structural evaluations for both parallel and perpendicular stress deflections. Platforms

GOING GREEN FOR A SAFER INDUSTRY

ARE YOU ON THE MAP?
OVER 3,500 CERTIFICATIONS ISSUED
The number of ETCP Certifications has grown over 1000% since
2016, which has increased safety in workplaces all over North
America. When will you add your pin to the map and join the
other ETCP Certified Riggers, Entertainment Electricians and
Portable Power Distribution Technicians who have made a
commitment to safety?
The above map illustrates the approximate number of statewide certifications with
each dot representing up to five. Certifications have also been issued in Costa Rica,
Guam, Japan and the Netherlands.

etcp.esta.org
etcp@esta.org
Setting the stage for safety.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR
TOP CONTRIBUTORS AND MEDIA PARTNERS
Senior Executive Producers: PSAV
Executive Producers: IATSE, Live Nation, PRG and USITT
Media Partners: Church Production, Facility Manager, IATSE,
Lighting&Sound America, Live Design, Pollstar, Protocol,
Technologies for Worship, and Theatre Design & Technology

ESTA * AMPTP * CITT | ICTS * ESA * IATSE * IAVM * INFOCOMM * THE LEAGUE * TEA * USITT

SPRING 2019

THEATRE DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

| 29

http://etcp.esta.org

Theatre Design & Technology - Spring 2019

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