Call For Paper - Upcoming Conferences

Research Article | Open Access | Download PDF
Volume 13 | Issue 6 | Year 2026 | Article Id. IJCE-V13I6P116 | DOI : https://doi.org/10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V13I6P116

Proof of Concept and Stress Analysis of an Improved Telescopic Strut for Slab Formwork: Design and 3D Modeling


Albert Jorddy Valenzuela Inga, Nelfa Estrella Ayuque Almidon, Gianswen Kevin Meza Terbullino, Jesús Eugenio Depaz Huertas, Janet Yéssica Andía Arias

Received Revised Accepted Published
18 Mar 2026 17 Apr 2026 16 May 2026 30 Jun 2026

Citation :

Albert Jorddy Valenzuela Inga, Nelfa Estrella Ayuque Almidon, Gianswen Kevin Meza Terbullino, Jesús Eugenio Depaz Huertas, Janet Yéssica Andía Arias, "Proof of Concept and Stress Analysis of an Improved Telescopic Strut for Slab Formwork: Design and 3D Modeling," International Journal of Civil Engineering, vol. 13, no. 6, pp. 231-240, 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V13I6P116

Abstract

Shoring systems and formwork are necessary in reinforced concrete construction to allow stability during the pouring and setting of the construction. Conventional metal telescopic props, controlled by EN 1065, use a pin-and-hole adjusting system, providing structural constraints that inhibit longevity and enhance the probability of deformation under heavy usage. The present study hypothesizes and analyzes, using the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) in Autodesk Inventor, a better threaded fitting system that will substitute the traditional pin with an Acme threaded mechanism and crank, and create no holes in the tube. ASTM A36 steel in two different configurations was modeled and compared: the traditional model with a pin (BL) and the suggested model with a threaded mechanism (PR) under three loading conditions. The results indicated that the BL model exhibits severe stress levels in the perforated areas, which are characterized by stress of 6895 MPa, displacement of 196 mm, and a safety factor of 0.12 under combined loading. Conversely, the PR model revealed values of 442 MPa, displacements of 16.57 mm, and a factor of safety of 0.56, which are 90 percent less than the deformations. The threaded mechanism redesign removes stress concentrations and enhances load transmission and augmentation of the assembly stiffness without altering the commercial size of the strut. The results confirm that the threaded system is the best to incorporate in the structure to enhance its performance with respect to safety and longevity when used on the ground.

Keywords

Autodesk inventor, Finite Element Analysis, Design, Steel prop, Structural optimization.

References

  1. Wei Li et al., “A Review of Formwork Systems for Modern Concrete Construction,” Structures, vol. 38, pp. 52-63, 2022.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  2. K.H. Mosallam, and W.F. Chen, “Design Considerations for Formwork in Multistorey Concrete Buildings,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 23-30, 1992.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  3. BS EN 1065:1999: Adjustable Telescopic Steel Props. Product Specifications, Design and Assessment by Calculation and Tests, British Standards Institution, 1999. [Online]. Available: https://www.normsplash.com/BSI/128435318/BS-EN-1065?src=spdf
  4. A. Salvadori, “Ultimate Strength of Adjustable Telescopic Steel Props According to Standard EN 1065,” Journal of Constructional Steel Research, vol. 65, no. 10-11, pp. 1964-1970, 2009.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  5. Oluseyi Julius Adebowale, and Justus Ngala Agumba, “Bamboo in Sustainable Construction: Effects on Productivity and Safety,” International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, vol. 74, no. 11, pp. 1-20, 2024.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  6. Seval Pinarbasi, Mertkan Mete, and Aytug Seckin, “Three-Stage Analysis of Adjustable Steel Props with Load-Dependent Support Conditions According to EN 1065,” Steel and Composite Structures, vol. 56, no. 2, pp. 161-175, 2025.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  7. Çetin Karakaya, and Seçil Ekşi, “Numerical Investigation of Perforated Aluminum Tubes with Different Types of Geometrical Discontinuities Under Bending,” International Journal of Computational and Experimental Science and Engineering, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 3486-3493, 2025.
    [
    CrossRef] [Publisher Link]
  8. Erasmo Carrera, and Alfonso Pagani, “Evaluation of the Accuracy of Classical Beam FE Models via Locking-Free Hierarchically Refined Elements,” International Journal of Mechanical Sciences, vol. 100, pp. 169-179, 2015.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  9. Tiexin Wang et al., “Optimization of Shore Bridge Driver Scheduling Strategy Considering Influence of Illumination,” Journal of System Simulation, vol. 32, no. 10, pp. 2059-2065, 2020.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  10. Yasunori Mizushima et al., “Optimization of Formworks Shoring Location as a Continuous Optimization Problem,” Structures, vol. 56, 2023.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  11. Milan Švolík et al., “The Magnitude of Stress in the Prop Depending on Its Manual Tightening,” Buildings, vol. 15, no. 16, pp. 1-18, 2025.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  12. Khaled Mohamed, and Timothy Batchler, “Analysis of Steel Prop Supports Subjected to Vertical and Lateral Loading,” Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration, vol. 39, no. 5, pp. 2001-2010, 2022.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  13. Timothy Batchler, T. Matthews, and D. McElhinney, “Analysis of Steel Props under Different Loading Scenarios,” Series: Mining Publications, pp. 1-8, 2023.
    [
    Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  14. Hao Zhang, Kim J.R. Rasmussen, and Bruce R. Ellingwood, “Reliability Assessment of Steel Scaffold Shoring Structures for Concrete Formwork,” Engineering Structures, vol. 36, pp. 81-89, 2012.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  15. Mohamed Darwish, Ahmed Yehia Elsayed, and Khaled Nassar, “Design and Constructability of a Novel Funicular Arched Steel Truss Falsework,” Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, vol. 144, no. 3, 2018.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  16. Mindaugas Daukšys et al., “Productivity Analysis of Concrete Slab Construction by using Different Types of Formwork,” Journal of Sustainable Architecture and Civil Engineering, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 38-46, 2016.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  17. José Milton de Araújo, Reinforced Concrete Course - Volume 3, Dunas Publishing House, 2003.
    [
    Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  18. Heesoo Kim et al., “Investigation of the Global Structural Behavior of the Prefabricated Shoring System Considering Structural Details,” Buildings, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 1-25, 2023.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  19. Feseha Sahile, and Tsedenia Gebru, “Impact of Shoring and Scaffolding on Construction Performance in Addis Ababa,” Ethiopian International Journal of Engineering and Technology, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 42-62, 2025.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
  20. Eduardo Yurita, “Dispositivo Connecting Device between Telescopic Tubes of Expansion Struts,” ES1320291U, pp. 1-9, 2025.
    [
    Publisher Link]
  21. Cleirton André S. Freitas et al., “Theoretical and Experimental Study of Steel Props Used in Concrete Buildings,” International Journal of Engineering and Technology, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 170-175, 2015.
    [
    CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]