Types of Formwork for Concrete Construction

Concrete constructions rely on formwork, which is a temporary structure used to hold wet concrete in place until it sets. Formwork accounts for 25-30% of the whole budget.

In construction, timber formwork is typically used for smaller projects, whereas aluminum and steel are employed for larger projects because of their lower initial costs. Plastic formwork is an interlocking formwork that can also be used for small building projects.

On the other hand, fabric formwork is better for making concrete members with complex designs. In the realm of formwork, tunnel formwork has a unique niche. Tunnel formwork is used to build both the RCC slab and the wall at the same time. Tunnel formwork also has a shorter cycle time.

Concrete is in a flexible state when it is slanted, so it requires temporary bracing and casing to keep it in place until it hardens. Formwork, Form, or Shuttering refers to this temporary enclosing structure.

Small units, such as lintels, cornices, etc., have specialized formwork called a mold. Centering refers to the method of building forms for circular structures like arches, domes, and the like.

The formwork retains its form in accordance with the profile of the concrete component. The formwork is set up correctly, and concrete is poured into it.

The formwork must be kept in place until the concrete has reached a strength to sustain the impacts.

Due to the high expense of formwork (20–25 times the cost of concrete), it must be well-designed and well-maintained to achieve significant savings throughout construction.

Formwork Types

Below are some examples of common formwork used in construction.

· Timber formwork

· Steel formwork

· Plywood formwork

· Aluminum formwork

· Plastic formwork

· Fabric formwork

· Tunnel formwork

Employing fiberglass or precast concrete for curved formwork is common practice.

Timber Formwork

Construction formwork made of timber predates all other materials by several decades. The usage of this material in construction dates back to antiquity.

Timber formwork is commonly employed in small construction projects due to its portability and possible on-site fabrication to get the desired concrete size and shape.

However, timber formwork is a time-consuming formwork option for large-scale construction. Timber formwork also has a shorter lifespan compared to other forms of formwork.

When utilized for smaller projects, timber formwork is more cost-effective than steel or aluminum formwork.

Steel Formwork

Steel is the most cost-effective material if the formwork needs to be reused. Steel formwork is more expensive up front, but it saves money in the long run because it can be used repeatedly on massive projects and is simple to set up and take down. This results in a sleek finish on the concrete.

Steel formwork speeds up the construction process for irregular shapes like circular columns and curved surfaces.

Because of its strength, durability, lifespan, and reusability, steel formwork is by far the industry standard.

Plywood Formwork

When it comes to building, plywood formwork is the modern alternative to traditional timber formwork. Plywood is used as a base for the concrete in this formwork. Various plywood sheets are joined together to form the desired shape and size for the concrete. When covering greater areas, larger panels can be used, which results in less time spent on the job.

Aluminum Formwork

Aluminum formwork, sometimes called mivan formwork or mivan shuttering, is commonly used in the building industry. It's a lot like using steel formwork.

Compared to alternative formwork forms, most studies have found that aluminum formwork saves money on large-scale building projects.

Aluminum formwork is quick to set up, easy to use, and affordable. It saves a lot of money on a repetitive building layout.

The necessity for plastering is reduced because of the aluminum formwork's increased productivity and the concrete's flawless form finish.

Plastic Formwork

Plastic is now commonly used as a formwork material as well. The lightweight plastic formworks system consists of an interconnected system or individual modules. Small, repetitive construction projects are ideal for plastic formworks. Plastic formwork can be easily rinsed clean with water.

Tunnel Formwork

One specialized form of construction equipment that has recently gained popularity for tall buildings is called tunnel formwork.

Tunnels are often built using room formwork, in which both the slab and walls of the tunnel are cast in a single, uninterrupted pour of RCC. The curing process is hastened by using hot air blows, or thermal curing, on the concrete. Tunnel formwork systems typically have a short cycle of around 1-3 days.

When building rooms that need to be built out repeatedly, the tunnel formwork design comes in handy.

Formwork Requirements

For a successful building project, the following are necessary qualities in the formwork used.

· Easy removal

· Economy

· Less Leakage

· Rigidity

· Smooth surface

· Strength

· Supports

Contact us for the best custom aluminum formwork for construction, and let us ensure you enjoy high-quality production with top-notch precision.