Ultimate Guide Of Different Types Of Formwork

When you use concrete for the construction then one of the important parts is the formwork. It is used temporarily. Formwork helps to form the required shape by holding the mold and the newly poured concrete. It is kept till the concrete is fully cured and start to support itself. In this article let us discuss some basic information about formwork and different type of formwork available in the market.

Different types of materials are used for making concrete. Some of the popular materials are aluminium, steel, and timber. The final shape of the building structure is formed using the pre-formed panels. The formwork should be strong to withstand the poured concrete load. It must also support the extra load used during the construction process like machines and equipment. Vertical formwork concreting is known as concrete wall formwork.

Formwork used for horizontal concreting is called as a slab or floor formwork. General formwork is also known as shuttering. It must be braced and propped in a sufficient way in both vertical and horizontal directions. So that the shape of the concrete can be retained until it is completely cured. The formwork can be removed after the proper setting or curing of the concrete. Permanent formworks are left in the same place and its forms are part of the finished structure. 

The function of the formwork and falsework is different. Formwork is used for maintaining the shape of the concrete while falsework is used for extra support for the existing structure. If there is some problem with the self-support of the formwork structure then the contractor uses falsework as additional support. 

Conventional type formworks are made up of steel or timber element and when it comes to modern formwork it consists of panels or modular units in it.  The formwork system is used for forming different configurations based on the project need.

Some of the common application of formwork systems are listed below:

• Concrete wall formwork: Almost all the elements of the vertical formworks are covered in the concrete wall formwork. Steel and timber are used for making wall formwork. If you need a large vertical output then you can use a modular system. It is mainly used for commercial projects, infrastructure projects, and sewerage or water treatment plants. 
• Climbing formwork: If you need special formwork for production ahead the constructed building is called climbing formwork. Tall buildings that have different levels use this climbing formwork. It is mainly used in the construction of large bridge piers and hi-rise towers. Crane is used for moving the climbing formwork. Some formwork systems can be moved using a hydraulic system. 
• Column formwork: Column formworks are available in different sizes. They are used for forming different shapes in the construction industry. It is used for constructing office blocks, residential towers, and other small size commercial projects. 

Some of the other formworks types used in the construction process are curved formwork and single-sided formwork. If you are using formwork for a small size project then the best option is wooden formwork.