Importance of Formwork Design in Concrete
A strong and sturdy formwork sets the potential of quality for structural concrete construction. This is why in-depth planning and quality workmanship are crucial to the process of building the formwork of your building. There are many details to consider in the formwork planning process including materials used, how and where the formwork components will be fabricated and how the forms will be set within the structure. Conducting a thorough planning process to make decisions for every detail of the formwork design is necessary to build the strong formwork your structure needs. Hiring a skilled and experienced heavy industrial contractor to build your formwork will render the best results for large projects. Heavy industrial contractors who have successfully constructed a variety of larger structures will be better able to select the right design method for your project. To give you a better idea of the design methods that might be used for your project, here is a list of the common formwork designs used by heavy industrial contractors today.
Types of Concrete Formwork
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Timber formwork:
The process of timber formwork begins onsite. Here the forms are made from timber and plywood then connected to build the formwork’s structure. Although this formwork design is the most flexible, it is generally not the preferred design method for larger buildings because it becomes time consuming. However, some larger structures still use timber formwork on complex sections because of its flexibility.
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Engineered formwork:
The components of an engineered formwork are prefabricated off site. They’re generally made from steel or aluminum that is coated on the application side to prevent a reaction between the cement and the metal used. This is the preferred design method for larger structures because it can be constructed quickly and requires little maintenance throughout the life of the building.
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Reusable plastic formwork:
This design method is used to build a variety of simple concrete structures. The construction process includes the connection of interlocking modules made from lightweight and robust materials to build the formwork. The low cost of reusable plastic formwork makes it ideal for mass housing schemes.
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Permanent insulated formwork:
The modules for permanent insulated formwork are fabricated onsite out of insulating concrete forms. These forms are made to stay in place after curing and provide a number of benefits like increased strength and insulation and faster construction.
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Stay-in-place formwork:
The construction process for stay-in-place formwork begins on site with the fabrication of reinforced plastic forms made in the shape of hollow tubes. These forms are used for columns and piers and stay in place after curing for added reinforcement.
Now that you have a basic understanding of the possible design processes for your structure’s formwork, it’s time to get started on construction! As mentioned earlier, finding a capable heavy industrial contractor for larger jobs is crucial to the success of your project. At Wollam Construction, we value quality workmanship, teamwork, safety and strong customer relationships. Our team is experienced and skilled in formwork design and construction and will be happy to help you build the strong foundation your structure needs to stand the test of time. Visit us online today and check out our project gallery to see what we can do for you!
