Concrete is the most popular material in construction. It is made from a mixture of aggregate, water, and cement and is inexpensive, durable, and shapable. This mixture is placed into a mold to harden. This process of setting your concrete project is known as formwork. Formwork as a process is entirely separate from pouring concrete. This article looks at how concrete & formwork go hand in hand and how an expert formwork company is an expert in both. Keep reading to find out!

How Concrete & Formwork Go Hand in Hand

Formwork is an expansive area of services that includes molds and forms built on construction sites to hold the concrete mixture as it cures. Concrete construction depends on formwork solutions to provide the necessary support systems while the concrete hardens and becomes strong enough to support itself. That’s how concrete and formwork go hand in hand.

Concrete formwork, therefore, refers to a mold or frame which holds wet concrete until it dries to create the desired structure that the construction project needs. Concrete formwork can either be temporary or permanent. When the formwork is temporary, it is removed when the concrete sets. This type (temporary) of formwork is more common than permanent formwork. It can also be reused for other projects when no longer needed, significantly benefiting the contractor.

Concrete and formwork can be cast in concrete when used with steel reinforcing. A well-placed and braced formwork results in well-placed and formed concrete.

Formwork is essential because when it is well built, it allows you to vibrate the concrete into place and eliminate air pockets that leave behind holes that eventually require patching. Additionally, a good formwork holds its shape when heavy concrete is poured in.

Using concrete formwork in construction is also known as “shuttering.” The primary purpose of concrete formwork is to achieve the desired concrete shape with great precision. Moreover, the use of formwork, as opposed to other methods of setting concrete, is quicker and more efficient.

Below are some of the projects where concrete formwork is used:

– Construction of residential and commercial skyscrapers like the century tower in Australia airports, high rises, etc.
– Construction of bridges, like the Houghton Highway Bridge.
– Construction of highways
– Construction of overpass
– Industrial and energy construction
– Tunnel construction
– Construction of wastewater treatment plant
– Types and Styles of Formwork
– Formwork is of many different shapes, sizes, and styles to suit the needs of each project. Some popular styles include column forms, bridge overhang brackets, and box culvert forms. There are also different types of formworks based on the materials used and how they will be used. Below are examples of the most popular types of formworks:

Engineered Formwork Systems

Engineered formwork refers to prefabricated structures featuring metal frames – mostly aluminium or steel. They are quick to install and easy to remove once the concrete sets. Additionally, they are durable and can be reused and re-purposed for several other projects.

Timber formwork

This formwork is a popular choice, although its installation may take longer than it does with steel or aluminium formwork. However, this formwork is less durable, so it can’t be reused for any number of projects without degrading.

Permanent insulated formwork

This formwork is the most common permanent type of formwork. The formwork is usually foam and remains in place once the concrete dries up. The advantage of using this formwork is that it improves the thermal conditions of a structure and keeps it better insulated from changes in outside temperature.

Plastic Formwork

This formwork features modular and interlocking structures which you can easily build according to the desired shape and size and remove when no longer needed. It is a good choice for mass housing projects requiring low costs and simple concrete formwork systems.

Stay-In-Place Formwork

This formwork is also made of plastic and can easily be installed on-site. It is common in column applications and pier construction. This formwork is a permanent type and reinforces the strength of concrete structures.

How An Expert Formwork Company Will Be Experts at Both Specialties

Formwork draws the line between the success and failure of construction projects. Without formwork, the business runs a significant danger of encountering a never-ending number of disasters throughout the concreting phase of the construction project. During construction works, formwork shapes concrete and contains it while it’s fresh until it hardens. Your company can be an expert in both specialties when the formwork can meet the following standards:

– The capacity to withstand dead and live loads.
– Ability to retain its shape with good props and braces.
– Have leak-proof joints.
– During the removal of the formwork, the process must not damage the concrete.
– The formwork should be made of reusable material.
– The formwork should be as lightweight as possible.
– The formwork material should not warp or distort.
– During the formwork selection, you must also consider the type of concrete and the pouring temperature because both affect the pressure exerted on the formwork. Additionally, your formwork must be capable of resisting loads of wet and dry concrete. Finally, being an expert in both formwork quality and working with concrete needs a qualified workforce and adequate supervision.

With these in place, your company will be an all-around expert in formwork and concrete.

Conclusion

Due to its exceptional properties, concrete is one of the most widely used construction materials. However, to create building elements with concrete, it must be poured into a specially designed mold known as formwork or shuttering. This article has shown that formwork can use temporary or permanent molds, holding the concrete in shape until it hardens and achieves enough strength to support itself. The most suitable formwork for a project varies depending on the building design. This article has also discussed how concrete and formwork go hand in hand and how an expert formwork company will be experts in both specialties. Feel free to use these tips to become an expert in concrete and formwork for your projects.