What is Formwork or Formworking?

The past century has ushered in the rapid development of new technology, equipment and worksite safety for construction.

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Heavy machinery reduces workloads; battery-powered tools assist tradesmen, and formwork technology has evolved. But what is formwork, and why is it so important?

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What is Formwork?

Formwork is a permanent or temporary casing where fresh concrete is poured until it cures into the desired shape. The tried and tested process has persisted from ancient civilisation to modern times.

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Formwork structures should retain shape, remain braced and watertight, and be appropriately sized according to the scope of construction. It is vital that formwork can support the weight of wet concrete without strain.

Speed and safety on a construction site continue to improve as equipment and building materials evolve. As a result, workers have access to an array of safer, cheaper, and more robust materials than before.

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Now the construction industry can approach a job from multiple angles. Each new formwork system suits specific applications.

Workers choose based on project scope, budget, structure, and the surrounding environment. This is evident in the different categories of formwork available on the market. Copyright © Shandong Unique International Trade Co.,Ltd All Rights Reserved.

Modular vs Regular

Formwork has a significant range of tools each suited for different uses. Traditional formwork and shuttering consists of plywood and timber structures. The choice of materials makes them essential and affordable. Traditional formwork is ideal for smaller residential projects as a result.

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Modular systems have emerged over the last century and their popularity continues to skyrocket. The modular category comprises of steel, fabrics and plastics. Components arrive at sites ready for assembly.

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The modular type of formwork is easy to use on larger worksites and consists of a single material. Both features make it a significant draw for large-scale concrete formwork. https://www.lvijoist.com/

Types of Formwork

Below we will explain the different concrete systems utilised on construction sites. Shandong Unique International Trade Co.,Ltd

Timber Formwork

Out of all the types, timber formwork is one of the most widely used materials (and oldest) out of all types listed. Builders create these structures from lumber and plywood. It remains the preferential formwork type on smaller jobs where labour costs are lower than timber.

Timber is a lightweight material to handle compared to its engineered counterparts. It is cost-effective on smaller projects, flexible and can be reused. Its flexibility stems from onsite fabrication. https://www.lvijoist.com/

Builders can shape the dimensions to whatever is required. Unfortunately, reusability is very limited in contrast to steel or aluminium.

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Timber formwork is also time-consuming to construct and inappropriate for a large-scale project. https://www.lvijoist.com/

Engineered Formwork

Composed of steel or aluminium, engineered formwork involves connecting prefabricated components. Its modular capability allows easy assembly and makes it viable on large-scale construction sites.

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Because of its material, engineered formwork has high durability and low maintenance cost. These qualities give it the highest reusability rate out of any current process. www.lvijoist.com

Steel formwork offers a smoother surface finish over timber for concrete. It has many applications, including curved structures such as sewers and tunnels. The components are completely waterproof, preventing honeycomb headaches.

Despite the overwhelming advantages, using steel or aluminium to support small residential sites is ineffective and a waste of resources. It is not practical or cost-effective for every job, so companies reserve it for large-scale endeavours. Powered by Shandong Unique International Trade Co.,Ltd

Aluminium builds are more lightweight and cost-effective than steel. Unfortunately, they cannot be altered once erected. Furthermore, aluminium is slightly weaker than steel. Copyright © Shandong Unique International Trade Co.,Ltd All Rights Reserved.

Insulated Formwork

Insulated formwork is an interlocking, modular design cut from Insulated Concrete Forms (or ICF) and assembled on-site. Its popularity is only now rising among formwork companies and sites, especially in housing. www.lvijoist.com

Many are beginning to capitalise on the process as its environmental and practical savings. This will only speed up as it becomes widespread knowledge in the concrete formwork community. Unique

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Insulated formwork offers an array of benefits not present in alternatives. ICF improves building safety with its fire-resistant material. The nature of the design provides houses with improved acoustic and thermal insulation. Similar to engineered counterparts, ICF is durable and easy to use and assemble.

Fabric Formwork

As its name hints, this fabric-like structure can mould concrete into any shape, no matter how abstract. It’s the next step in complex concrete structures as technology, and the construction industry evolves.

Plastic Formwork

Plastic alternatives combine an interlock system with a lightweight material. The outcome is a formwork that can withstand over 100 uses. The rapidly growing product is popular on residential sites. Its application in large-scale commercial projects is non-existent.

Plastic formwork is extremely lightweight and easy to handle and assemble. In addition, sheets are highly cost-effective because of their reusable nature.

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