You’ve probably heard about formwork failures from time to time, where huge building collapses like a heap. This resembles real work, where a building or structure collapses due to formwork failure.
Formwork is critical in the construction business for shaping and supporting fresh concrete. The primary role of using formwork in construction is to provide temporary framework support to the concrete before it can stand on its own without collapsing. However, sometimes, these formworks cannot support the wet concrete, which results in the sudden collapse of the formwork.
Hence, it is important to understand the common reason that causes formwork failure. This guide will help you understand why the formwork failed and will help you prepare for a better future.
Types of Formwork Failure in Construction
More often formworks collapse can lead to a severe delay in project completion. Moreover, it can also increase the overall expense of the construction work. Here are some of the common types of formwork failures that commonly occur at the construction site.
Understanding such failures will help you prevent such astronomical costs to repair and replace formwork defects.
1. Overloading or Using Inappropriate Formwork
There are various types of formwork, and each formwork offers a different load-bearing capacity. In most cases, more concrete is poured than the formwork’s actual load-bearing capacity; this results in formwork failure. When formworks are subjected to weights greater than their designed capacity, formwork is bound to fail. For instance, plastic formworks are not meant for heavy load-bearing projects; if they are used for such projects, they’re naturally bound to fail.
2. Using Defective or Damaged Formwork
Another common reason for formwork failure is using formwork that is defective, damaged, or made up of inferior-quality materials. All of these are the reasons behind the lapse of the formwork. For example, if you use formwork that has reached its life expectancy, it will not be able to hold the wet concrete properly in one place, leading to cracks, warping, or curling of the formwork.
3. Incorrect Assembly of Formwork
If the formwork is assembled incorrectly, then it is liable to collapse or break down. In addition, if the formwork is not installed according to the design and plan, it leads to structural issues that can weaken the base of the structure or, in the end, cause it to collapse. Therefore, proper installation and setup of the formwork are necessary to support the wet concrete and also maintain the integrity of the structure without any damage.
4. Not Maintaining the Curing Conditions for Concrete
Another aspect that often causes formwork failure is not following the proper conditions for concrete curing. This means that if the wet concrete is not kept at the ideal temperature and conditions during the curing process, it will be difficult for the concrete to set and achieve its intended strength and durability. For instance, it is important to cover the formwork when the concrete is poured; if it is not done, then wet concrete will dry up too quickly, which could lead to cracks in the concrete.
Common Causes of Formwork Collapse
Formwork failure can happen for various reasons. Knowing these failures beforehand will ensure a safer construction process.
Here are some of the key reasons that cause the formwork failures.
- Poorly planned designs and plans that do not take load bearing into consideration result in formwork failure. This includes incorrect weight measurements, not having a proper clearance of the designs and the complexity of the structure.
- Form not securing, bracing formwork to incorrect installation, and misalignment of the formwork cause formwork to collapse out of the blue.
- Moreover, to save money, most of the contractors opt for formwork that is made from low-quality materials. However, this is the main cause that contributes to formwork failure. Low-quality formworks are not meant for heavy-weight loading, nor are they strong enough to hold on to concrete after a few uses.
- Exceeding the load-bearing capacity or curing concrete more than the actual capacity of the formwork ends up in a collapsing or weak structure. Placing too much concrete at once or adding additional weight can cause failure.
- Other errors commonly occur due to a lack of skill and workmanship. Workers who are not skilled often end up making minor mistakes, which can cost you a lot.
- Also, formwork needs proper care and maintenance. They need to be inspected properly before and after use; if not, it could be disastrous for your project. If formwork is not properly maintained, regardless of being made of high quality, it will end up weakening with time, which might lead to the potential failure of the formwork.
- Certain materials, like wood or steel (not coated with an anti-rust solution), are not meant to be used in adverse conditions. Bad weather conditions, like heavy rain or strong winds, can weaken formwork and increase the risk of collapse.
What Causes Failures In Concrete Formwork?
Failure in concrete formwork can arise due to several reasons. Here are some reasons that can cause the failure in concrete formwork.
Improper Removal and Formwork Timings
Timing is very crucial to setting the concrete. Formwork is used until the wet concrete is set and gains enough strength that it will not collapse, and only the temporary framework is removed. However, if the framework is removed way before the concrete is set, it is natural for the concrete to develop cracks and have weak durability and base. For example, if the slab formwork is removed too early before the slab is properly hardened, it will not be able to support the weight of the concrete and can be deformed and, in most cases, collapse.
Use of Defective or Faulty Formwork Parts
Using formwork components with cracked panels or faulty joints can only compromise the structure’s integrity. Also, if the formwork is not maintained or cleaned properly before reusing it for new concrete, it can affect the adhesion and alignment. For example, suppose the formwork has any leftovers from the previous concrete. In that case, this residual can cause the new concrete not to bond properly, weakening the concrete’s structure even after following the proper formwork guidelines.
Improper Cleaning and Maintenance of Formwork
Another factor that has a significant impact on the concrete structure is not aligning the formwork properly. Improper adjustments to the formwork lead to an unstable structure. If the formwork is not adjusted according to the weight of the concrete, it will fail to support the weight of the concrete. Also, it is vital to ensure the proper consistency of the ratio of water to cement. Inconsistency between the two results in uneven curing and load distribution. For example, if the concrete mixture is too wet or too dry, it would also affect the framework support.
The Prevention Strategies for Avoiding Formwork Failures
Overall, the integrity of the formwork determines the efficiency of the construction process. For any successful and safe construction process, it is important to ensure that they are the right fit for the project’s requirements and specifications. Not opting for the right formwork can often cause formwork to collapse.
Failure in formwork can also cause other issues like increasing operational costs, project delays, and casualties. Hence, proper planning, using high-quality formwork materials, hiring skilled laborers, and adhering to safety standards are essential to prevent such failures. Also, ensuring not to overload, proper installation and assembly, and providing proper aftercare reduces the risk of formwork failure.
How NovaFormworks Can Help Prevent Formwork Failures?
By now, you might have understood how important it is to go with high-quality, reliable, and durable materials; if you looking out for one, NovaFormworks stands out. NovaFormworks is the best provider of quality plastic formwork solutions that meet the diverse demands of today’s construction challenges.
They focus on creating and providing formwork solutions that are strong enough to hold onto the extra weight and pressure of the concrete and are reusable. Their formworks are meant and designed to handle heavy weights along with rough handling, which reduces the risk of formwork failure. Whether you are working on small-scale or large-scale projects, NovaFormworks is the right place for you.
