There is no denying that the foundation of modern society is construction.
It has helped humanity progress by offering the means to make our lives more convenient and comfortable, whether it be through buildings, homes, roads, tunnels, or bridges. Modern technology has been fundamental to the development of the construction sector since its inception. The capacity to design and build complete structures digitally has greatly improved speed and efficiency while also drastically lowering prices. In addition, modern construction materials are stronger, more adaptable, and more resilient, enabling the creation of more durable structures that are safer and more ecologically friendly. Using formwork is one of the main aspects contributing to developing high-quality commercial concrete buildings. And this article will discuss the various types of formworks and their significance in modern construction projects.
What is Formwork?
Formwork is an ancillary construction where new concrete is poured into permanent or temporary moulds, which harden. Forms or shutters are the terms for constructed elements that come into contact with hardening concrete. Depending on the intended function of the structure and the project budget, various formwork types may be employed. Three of the most common formwork types utilised in construction nowadays are described below:
- Traditional Timber Formwork – Wood and plywood are used to make this formwork. Although it is simple to create, it has a limited shelf life and requires a lot of time, making it unsuitable for huge structures. However, timber formwork is incredibly adaptable and perfect for use in complex construction areas.
- Engineered Formwork System – This formwork has evolved and is constructed of prefabricated modules with metal frames, most often steel or aluminium. This formwork can be built much more quickly with pins, clips, and screws and is far less expensive than traditional timber formwork because you may reuse it thousands of times before it needs to be replaced.
- Re-Usable Plastic Formwork – This formwork uses modular and interconnecting systems to create extremely changeable but straightforward structures. This formwork, which uses incredibly strong and lightweight panels, is especially well-suited for projects involving identical structures, such as mass housing initiatives.
The Significance of Formwork in Construction
There are numerous benefits to using formwork in construction that you cannot achieve with alternative technologies. First and foremost, the safety of workers is of utmost importance in the construction sector, and formwork offers appropriate access and working platforms that guarantee worker safety throughout construction. By minimising the floor-to-floor construction cycle time, good formwork also significantly minimises the amount of time needed to complete a project. Because construction is so expensive, proper formwork is essential to keeping costs down and staying within budget constraints. Last but not least, the quality of the formwork employed during construction is exclusively responsible for the concrete structure’s surface finishing. Any roller-compacted concrete (RCC) surface does not require plastering when using an engineered formwork system. The cost of fixing faulty concrete finishing makes it imperative to utilise high-quality formwork constantly.
The effectiveness and cost of each project and worker safety are greatly impacted by the quality of the formwork utilised. Here at Pro-Tilt Construction Pty. Ltd., we utilise quality formwork to ensure the safety of our workers and deliver fast and cost-effective construction services. We offer full commercial and industrial builds and high-quality building solutions for various clients, particularly in the Northern Melbourne areas and Melbourne Central Business District. Our projects are world-class, and if you want to consult us, feel free to call us at (03) 9359 0088 today!