Temporary Structures in Construction – USA Practices

Many aspects of temporary structures in construction are different from permanent structures, thus requiring somewhat different design philosophies. The purpose of this article is to instill in the novice and reinforce in the seasoned structural engineer the importance, intricacies, and some do’s and don’ts of temporary structures in construction in an attempt to improve design practices and mitigate construction failures. It discusses selected aspects of the business and practice of temporary structures in construction focusing on design philosophies and criteria; construction attitudes and practices; codes and standards in the USA and elsewhere; responsibilities of the owner, designer, and contractor; and provides references of pertinent literature, as well as highlights of SEI/ASCE 37-02 Design Loads on Structures during Construction Standard.