Working Platforms – Industry Update

The topic of working platforms provided much to discuss at the DFI-EFFC International Conference on Deep Foundations and Ground Improvement, recently held in Berlin.

Before the conference fully commenced, the EFFC/DFI Task Group for Working Platforms met to debate the next set of actions for publishing a new edition of the Guide to Working Platforms.  In particular, the Task Group discussed ways to advance the industry’s knowledge of the insitu testing of platforms, platform design methods and the bearing pressures exerted by our modern-day rigs.  The Task Group agreed it would commission some trials across the globe to evaluate how applicable and practical these tests could be, as well as how the results could be interpreted.  The plan is to carry out these side-by-side tests over the next 12 months with initial results being made available as early as November 2022.

The conference itself included a dedicated session on working platforms at which six speakers delivered their work on this complex topic.  The presentations included the comparison and simulation of platform designs, the use of plate load tests for platform verification, methods of physically testing the bearing pressures under the rig tracks and methods of modelling and analysing track pressures.  There was also an opportunity to discuss leading practice across different countries covering the design, installation, testing and maintenance of working platforms. Online proceedings are available now for all registered delegates and are available for sale in the DFI publications store at www.dfi.org.

The pre-conference meeting and conference presentations proved a great opportunity to share current thinking on how the industry can improve the way it provides a safe and effective surface from which to carry out our vital geotechnical work.