The construction industry is a field where ordinary construction processes like pouring concrete or laying asphalt, can be just as exciting as raising skyscrapers.
However, the construction industry is a long-standing one that’s always changing and adapting to new challenges. And with the industry constantly evolving, it is important that formwork planning adapts as well.
The formwork plans often go unnoticed, yet without them, the rest of the construction process will never happen. Without formwork, we would not have buildings or other infrastructure that we rely on every day.
That means that formwork is a critical component of any modern construction project, and if it’s not planned properly, then the entire structure could be compromised.
This blog post will cover what formwork is, the importance of good formwork plans, formworks typers, and the requirements for planning great formwork for your next construction project!
Formwork is a term used to refer to the process of creating a temporary mold for forming the concrete needed to build the construction.
Formwork is the foundation of any structure in construction. It consists of components made from wood, metal, plastic or other materials that provide support for the wet concrete until it dries out and hardens enough to support itself.
Good formwork contributes to a higher quality project because it provides better details and a more precise concrete surface. And without this formwork, construction would not be possible in many situations.
Here’s why good formwork planning is extremely important in modern construction projects:
– Formwork is the foundation for a form support system. If the groundwork isn’t done properly, it can have an adverse effect on how things are built above ground level, and it can be detrimental to your overall project management!
– Formwork is a highly important safety factor of the project. Skimping out on formwork planning will mean putting more workers to complete tasks. That not only leads to higher labor costs but also puts your workers in danger because of the lack of proper working platforms.
– Formwork is also important for productivity. Without good formwork, there will be less efficient production due to the extra time lost with mistakes or delays. At the end of the day, this would mean lower profits and more headaches for you.
– Lastly, the formwork directly influences the quality. There is a risk of poor overall construction quality because of common issues like cantilevering that could happen when there are not enough reinforcement materials included.
1. Always have in mind that formwork should be strong enough to support the loads from the superstructure.
2. Formworks should be adequately planned and constructed to provide strength, stability, and permanent form suitable for the conditions of use.
3. For stability reasons, it’s important that formwork is not too narrow or deep. There should be adequate temporary supports on both sides of the form in order to prevent collapse from lateral forces such as wind pressure or from cambering under load from the superstructure.
4. The formwork should be as lightweight as possible because this means that the formwork will be easier to construct and move.
5. The formwork needs to be easily removable in order to avoid damage to the concrete.
6. Formworks should have a minimum time in service, as a longer service life can lead to corrosion of reinforcement or loss of form integrity.
7. The final requirement is an adequate amount of joint sealant, where joints occur between adjacent panels on both sides at each panel junction. Remember that the joints must be leak-proof.
There are many different types of formworks that can be used, which will dictate the functionality of the formwork.
The most popular types of formworks are:
Timber Formworks
Timber formworks are among the oldest and most used formworks in various circumstances where there is not enough space for heavy lifting or where it’s expensive to use other materials. Their wide use in the construction industry is due to their lightweight and economic nature.
They also work well if you need something that can easily be moved around construction sites like scaffolding. This type will provide long-term stability without the need for regular maintenance.
Reinforced Concrete Formworks
One of the most common formworks used today is reinforced concrete, which has become popular in recent decades because of its durability, versatility, and cost-effectiveness.
This type will provide excellent stability without the need for regular maintenance as well as great strength during use by providing support for both vertical and horizontal loads.
Plastic Formwork
Plastic forming techniques have been implemented in many projects since they allow for a high degree of precision.
This formwork has become popular mainly because it provides excellent accuracy throughout the process, and because it’s more affordable than the other types. However, this technique can require some maintenance work on a regular basis.
Other honorable mentions of formwork types: fabric formworks, wire formworks, vacuum formworks…
It’s 2021, and moving from 2D CAD to 3D CAD can be a great way to take your automated formwork design process to the next level.
By using CAD software that can work in 3D, you will have more accurate drawings for designing the concrete placement and the formwork around it.
Including all aspects into a single drawing when planning your formworks saves time and confusion when coordinating with different departments on site.
In addition, having everything at eye level helps you to avoid errors from misreading measurements taken off of paper blueprints.
The 3D formwork planning also allows easier identification if there’s any confusion between materials onsite.
To conclude, formwork is critical to any modern construction project. The properly planned formwork can lead to a successful structure and can protect it against future issues.
Contact us for precise and efficient formwork planning that takes into account all aspects of the process including materials, layout, design, and safety precautions.
We’ll be happy to help you plan out an excellent formwork system so that you enjoy both cost savings while also avoiding costly mistakes in the early stages!
