Technical Design Solutions for Theatre

Stressed-Skin Platform Units

Bronislaw Sammler

 

Stressed-skin platforms are a variation on stressed-skin panels used in building construction. They are especially useful for long spans where heavy beams and numerous supporting legs are visually or logistically undesirable.

A stressed-skin platform consists of stringers that run the full length of the span and are covered on both sides with plywood. Lumber headers are placed across the stringers at each end of the panel. If the platform is longer than the plywood being used, the plywood butt joints must be backed with plywood splice plates centered on the joint and backed with lumber blocking. The plates that fit between the stringers should be as thick as the skin being spliced. The length ...