In a nutshell, formwork is the mold wherein fresh concrete is poured and formed. The mold, which can be permanent or temporary, holds the poured concrete and shapes it until it solidifies and becomes strong enough to support itself and other loads.
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Formwork is also known as “shuttering.” However, in certain parts of the world, shuttering refers to using plywood or timber to create the mold.
Formwork systems can be classified according to the following parameters:
Construction costs usually consist of building materials (ca. 45%), labor (ca. 45%), and operating expenses (ca. 10%). Formwork material comprises 15% of the total building material and contributes roughly 44% of the total labor. Meanwhile, formwork construction accounts for up to 25% of the total cost of building the structure. For this reason, many builders and construction companies prefer reusable forms (panel forms). The process of removing formwork is called “stripping.”
As the name suggests, column formwork is used in the construction of circular or rectangular columns. Columns have formwork sections with a “closed load transmission,” which is supported by the formwork’s design and the guaranteed tensile strength rather than by using ties.
Steel formwork is often used to form circular columns as it is economical and available in incremental dimensions. Single-use forms, which are destroyed and disposed of during stripping, can be used as an alternative. However, using single-use formwork is not advisable if you need to construct multiple circular columns.
Meanwhile, rectangular columns are formed using three systems depending on their specifications. For instance, classic timber girders with steel walers and a plywood facing are often used when builders need to construct a significant number of columns with special dimensions. The windmill system, which is composed of columns or multipurpose panels of frame formwork systems, is suitable for building single columns with a standard dimension.
Finally, a foldable column formwork is highly suitable for columns with great heights. Because all the essential components (panels, connecting devices, ladders, and access platforms) are integrated into this type of column formwork, it helps builders reduce their construction time and costs.
Wall formwork comes in different types and classifications, as outlined below.
Conventional
Conventional wall formwork consists of boards or sheets and squared timber. It is flexible, but it can be costly and time-consuming as each component must be assembled on-site. In addition, all of its parts should be made according to the project’s specifications, and they must be nailed together and dismantled again after concreting.
Girder
This is a better version of the conventional formwork. Its components, which usually consist of dimensionally stable girders with two chords and one web, have been standardized to facilitate the assembly of identical and ready-to-use panels. The connection of the panels has also been systematized.
Frame
This type of wall formwork helps reduce labor time since its essential components (forming face, support for forming face, and steel walers) are assembled as one panel. The profile nose of the frames protects the edges of the forming face, thereby extending its lifespan. Connecting devices are used when assembling the frame panels to large-sized units, which are then usually transported by crane.
Crane-independent (hand-set)
This type of formwork can be moved by hand. Because of weight considerations, it is usually made of aluminum or plastic. It can take less concrete pressure than crane-dependent formwork, and is often used in housing and municipal construction projects.
Crane-dependent
Crane-dependent formwork systems feature a large frame and formwork panels, usually made of steel. As a result, they cannot be moved manually. Since they can resist more fresh concrete pressures than crane-independent forms, they are suitable for the construction of commercial buildings and other extensive infrastructure projects.
Two-sided
As the name implies, two-sided formwork is erected on both sides of the wall. Its formwork ties, which are usually sleeved by spacing plastic tubes so they can be reused, take up the fresh concrete pressure. Push-pull props or large heavy-duty braces are attached to the formwork to align and secure it against wind loads during operation.
Single-sided
Single-sided formwork is used when the concrete has to be poured against existing structures or when builders need to do concreting against a hill or soil. This is why it is most suitable for reconstruction jobs. With this type of formwork system, concrete pressure is transferred from the formwork to the base plates through a support structure.
Prefabricated
This formwork consists of two prefabricated concrete panels which are assembled in advance, and then transported and filled with concrete on-site. Braces and push-pull props are often used to secure the walls, while working and safety scaffolds are installed with the help of special adapters to make the construction process more cost-effective. Prefabricated formwork helps minimize project duration and labor costs. However, pre-planning is required to ensure that it is transported safely to the site.
Circular
Circular formwork is designed for the construction of curved and polygonal walls. It is also quite useful in the construction of specific concrete structures, such as septic tanks and car park ramps. This formwork system comes in three different types:
Climbing
Climbing formwork is quite useful in the construction of high-rise concrete structures, such as control towers and skyscrapers, because it climbs with the wall. It comprises large wall formwork mounted to a climbing scaffold. There are three different types of climbing formwork:
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MEVA is an industry leader offering a wide variety of wall formwork systems that provide highly efficient shuttering, flexibility, and reliability. Our products are lightweight and easy to assemble, and therefore will facilitate the rapid completion of your construction projects. Click here to learn more.
Rent or buy? How many times have you asked yourself this question when you need equipment, especially if it is worth a lot of money?
How many times have you found yourself having to weigh up the pros and cons of both options?
Renting involves paying a fixed monthly cost and requires less available cash, but ultimately, you do not own the asset. Buying, on the other hand, requires having available capital and then managing the asset (maintenance, transportation, etc.).
We live in a world of ever-increasing availability and choice, where the sharing economy is making it more possible to share assets by renting them. Such assets include bicycles, electric scooters, cars, and office equipment (PCs, printers, etc.). There are also platforms where you can rent clothes, private property, and many other products from all sectors.
In other words, we live in a world where owning assets is less and less important, where value is more about being able to use the right product, at the right time, and only for the time that you need it.
Given this trend, the rental of formwork is also becoming increasingly common.
Why? Because it is convenient. Let’s take a look at the reasons.
1. THE RIGHT MATERIAL FOR THE REQUIRED PERIOD OF TIME
Renting means having the right amount for the job, for the required length of time. In the formwork sector, this can make all the difference, especially when working on special projects where the structure requires a formwork study, such as for a tailor-made solution. Such formwork is unlikely to be needed for other projects, either because of its distinctive features or because of the large amount of material.
In this case, it would be somewhat inconvenient to invest large amounts of money in formwork equipment which may only be used for a single job or for solutions that are not very repetitive.
The time factor is another fundamental factor. For example, creating a circular tank may involve using large amounts of formwork for a short period of time. This means that investing in material would make financial sense for the company.
Having the right formwork equipment just for the required time could be absolutely the right solution in order to avoid large investments in equipment when there are doubts about future returns.
2. LESS FINANCIAL COMMITMENT
Renting makes it easier to balance your cash flow. The costs are much lower and more controlled compared to buying, where there are always limitations on payment terms or discounts and you need significant liquidity. At a time in history when liquidity in the construction sector is a problem, being able to control it is a great advantage.
To better manage expenses and rental fees, it is essential to have tight control of the equipment on site, avoiding larger formwork orders than necessary, and above all, trying to respect the time allocated at the beginning of the rental. This will make it possible to achieve even greater profitability by optimizing the productivity of rented equipment.
3. LOWER WAREHOUSE OCCUPANCY
Buying materials also involves management costs. In the case of formwork, buying means considering storage, handling, and transportation costs, which can, in many cases, be very significant.
In fact, formwork can be heavy and occupy a lot of space, which is not easy to address without enough trailers or the right means of transport.
Maintenance also requires dedicated, competent people who know how to handle the formwork properly, repair it, and change the necessary components when they deteriorate.
Investing in formwork is often assessed while underestimating all the management costs, and a correct assessment of rental/purchase options should weigh up all these costs in the best possible way:
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Galvanized Thread Bar. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.