Safe working platforms – state-of-the-art with the Naue ‘hybrid method’
Naue sets new standards in geotechnical engineering with its hybrid method and innovative geosynthetic materials
Temporary working platforms are essential for the safe use of heavy construction equipment such as piling rigs or cranes. When erected on soft, cohesive soils, their stability and bearing capacity are particularly crucial for safe construction operations. Inadequate performance of the working platform can lead to excessive deformation or even failure of the structure, with considerable safety risks and economic consequences.
To improve the performance of temporary working platforms, geogrids and geocomposites (a combination of geogrid and nonwoven geotextile) are increasingly being used to stabilise and reinforce the unbound base course. The nonwoven geotextile component prevents the unbound base course from mixing with the soft, fine-grained subgrade. The interaction of the two product components increases the bearing capacity of the working platform, reduces differential settlements and optimises the use of unbound granular material. This brings both ecological and economic advantages.
The performance of Secugrid® geogrids and Combigrid® geocomposites has been investigated and successfully proven in large-scale laboratory and field tests in unbound base courses over soft, cohesive subgrade soils under typical loads from tracked construction equipment. The findings have been incorporated into a modified design approach for temporary working platforms, known as the ‘Hybrid Method’. This is based on the recognised BR-470 design approach ‘Working Platforms for Tracked Plant’.
The Naue ‘Hybrid Method’ is available to users via specially developed software (Naue Platform) on the Naue Portal. Several projects have now been successfully planned and implemented using the Naue Platform software.
In 2025, the ‘Temporary Works Forum (TWf)’ and the ‘European Federation of Foundation Contractors (EFFC) in cooperation with the Deep Foundations Institute (DFI)’ each published a recommendation for the design and construction of temporary working platforms:
Technical Works Forum (TWf): Design and construction of granular working platforms for construction plant. A guide to good practice, February 2025.
European Federation of Foundation Contractors (EFFC) / Deep Foundations Institute (DFI): Guide to Working Platforms, 2nd Edition, May 2025.
Both recommendations provide practical, up-to-date standards for the planning, execution and quality assurance of temporary working platforms, thereby enhancing the safety, sustainability and cost-effectiveness of this construction method.
The Naue ‘Hybrid Method’ and its scientific basis are mentioned in both newly published recommendations. This not only underlines the practical suitability of our solution, but also recognises the intensive research and development work that has been carried out in this field in recent years.
