impalcati

Impalcati is the plural form of impalcato, a term used in Italian civil engineering, architecture, and construction to refer to two related concepts: the structural deck of a bridge or building, and, in a temporary sense, the scaffolding or formwork erected to support construction work.

In the structural sense, an impalcato denotes the horizontal load-bearing surface that forms the deck of a bridge, the floor slab of a building, or the platform of an elevated structure. It transmits traffic loads, environmental forces, and transmitted loads to the substructure (piers, abutments, or supporting beams). Impalcati can be designed as concrete slabs, steel or composite decks, and may be cast in place or assembled from precast elements. They are typically integrated with waterproofing, reinforcement, finishing layers, and connecting elements that tie the deck to girders and supports.

In a temporary sense, impalcato also refers to scaffolding or formwork used during construction or maintenance. This form of impalcato consists of modular elements such as frames, tubes, planks, and braces that create a safe working platform around or over a structure. Temporary impalcati are engineered to bear anticipated loads, allow access for workers, and to be dismantled after completion.

Regional usage may emphasize one meaning over the other. In common parlance, impalcato often points to the structural deck, while impalcatura or impalcato in the plural can denote scaffolding arrangements associated with a project.