Construction companies and contractors routinely use formwork when undertaking a building project. Formwork is a mold that can be temporary or permanent, depending on the specifications of the job at hand. It must be strong enough to bear the weight of the material poured into it, such as concrete. This framework requires a shoring and bracing support system to keep the wet material secure during the curing phase. Construction companies usually separate formwork according to the type of building materials used. However, dividing it into foundation or slab formwork, wall formwork, beam formwork, and column formwork is another classification method.
The Importance of a Good Foundation
A building relies on all of its components working together to give it strength and durability over time. It all starts with the pouring of a slab. To create a stable base, a Slab Formwork System needs to firmly contain the wet material in a level position until the product has hardened and can support itself. A solid base is necessary for carrying the weight of any structure erected upon it.
Most contractors use concrete as the foundation material. Concrete can conform to any shape necessary while it is still wet and pliable. Carpenters build a complex mold, or formwork system, to contain the concrete when it is in a liquid state. This mold must be securely braced and able to withstand the weight of the concrete, reinforcing steel, and the temporary pressure from any workers and equipment standing on top of it. Concrete formwork happens in three stages: assembling and erecting the supportive frame, pouring the concrete, and dismantling the formwork afterward.
Creating Walls That Stand Up
Wall formwork requires framing made from metal, wood, or another type of heavy-duty material. Since vertical walls are load-bearing, proper formwork construction is crucial to ensure straight or curved walls that can hold up to the pressure placed upon them. When building concrete walls, a grid pattern of vertical and horizontal steel bars inside the walls helps the concrete retain its shape and strength. Concrete walls are often chosen for earthquake-prone areas since they hold up better during an earthquake than walls constructed from other materials.
Beams Add a Beautiful Design Element and Strength
Beam formwork takes the shape of a three-sided box that encases a beam’s location. This box is then supported and propped in the proper position and set to the desired level. The beam’s mold must remain in place until the beam has cured. Drying time varies depending on weather, humidity, and air temperature.
Columns May Be Any Shape or Size
Creating columns for a project requires careful measuring and planning. Formwork for a column must accommodate any curves or arches. A vertical mold for a column should also consist of the desired shape and size and may require steel or timber clamps for batch fillings. In some scenarios, the formwork of a column may tie into the beam formwork.
Summing Up Formwork
Timber, plywood, steel, and aluminum are materials used for creating the formwork of a building. Determining which type to use depends on the size of a structure and its overall design. As a project comes to life, the formwork plays an invaluable part in creating a secure, durable building and holds everything in place during the construction phase. Slab formwork can be temporary or permanent, like in a firewall.