Formwork, often shuttering while others call it centring, is not a necessity of the construction world; it is a ‘mandatory and must be used’ tool of the construction industry.
It is an essential tool that is a key factor in building structure, and it helps lay out structure on paper to actual real structure. Understanding why formworks are important in construction is crucial because they serve as the backbone of any concrete structure.
Understanding Shuttering and Its Role in Construction
As for those well versed in formwork and shuttering, shuttering and formwork are temporary moulds used to shape your wet concrete into the needed shape and size per the planning. The solid concrete structure you see around you could be your walls, the floor on which you stand, columns or beams that support the structure’s weight, and even the slab, which are all made by using formwork. This is because when you pour wet and thick concrete, it needs something that can hold it together in one place and won’t let it spread. Formworks are used to get the desired results.
There are many types of formworks; they can be classified into two types: traditional formworks, which have been used for centuries (i.e. conventional formworks), while the other is made using advanced technologies (i.e. modular formworks). Each of them is distinct from the other, yet they all have a common goal: to help build a solid, strong, stable, and safe structure.
Different Types of Formwork in Construction
As we said earlier, various formworks are used to mold and shape concrete according to the project requirements and specifications.
Some are more durable than others, while others have lesser life cycles than others. Each formwork has its own plus points and drawbacks, and they are all used as per the construction needs.
Here are some of the commonly used formworks in constructing buildings.
Steel Formwork
One of the commonly used modular formwork is known for its robustness and durability. Steel formworks are mainly used while constructing structures that require heavy load-bearing requirements like dams or bridges. Steel formwork is also typically used during industrial projects. Moreover, steel forms can be reused multiple times without deforming concrete structures.
Timber Formwork
Timber forms are either made using wood or plywood. It is also one of the affordable forms that you can easily find in construction. Additional benefits of using timber formworks are that they can be easily customized into any shape and size, unlike other rigid and stiff forms. This makes it a more suitable and approachable form to work with. Timber formwork is also commonly used during small-scale projects or maybe during restoration work.
Plastic Formwork
Another popular modular formwork option that we have is plastic formwork. Plastic formworks are often made using high-quality and recycled plastics. Despite its high initial cost, plastic formwork is still a cost-effective option in the long term as it does not need frequent maintenance and can effectively work under moderate conditions. It can be reused multiple times without affecting its performance. Moreover, once plastic formwork reaches its life expectancy, it can be recycled back; this reduces construction waste and makes it a more eco and environmentally-friendly option.
Aluminum Formwork
Just like steel, aluminium formwork is known for its strength and durability. However, when we compare the weights of aluminium and steel, we see that the former is lighter. This makes aluminium forms easy to handle and install. Its lightness also makes it easier and quicker for workers to set up and dismantle aluminum forms effortlessly in comparison to other formworks. When discussing large projects, aluminium formwork is smart, and the best bet contractors can make. It is a more cost-effective option that is lightweight, easy to use, and can be reused multiple times.
Fabric Formwork
Last but not least is fabric formwork. Just like plastic formwork, fabric formwork is designed to be eco-friendly and environmentally friendly. It is one of the modular formwork systems that has recently gained more attention. Flexible fabrics like textiles or membranes are used to shape the structure to create a fabric formwork. Once the mold is shaped, wet concrete is poured into it. Fabric formwork is lightweight, and unlike steel or aluminium, it can be recycled and cost much less.
Purpose of Formwork in Construction: Key Benefits
One of the reasons why formwork is essential for construction is the numerous advantages that forms offer.
For example, formworks effectively shape and mould wet concrete into the desired shape.
It ensures concrete is shaped precisely and accordingly as per design. Any changes or slight mistakes can lead to structure deformation or weakness. Formwork reduces the risk of any incidents and casualties that are caused due to improper or unstable structures. However, it’s important to understand the causes of formwork failure, which can lead to dangerous consequences.
Formwork provides smooth finishes to the final concrete structure. It ensures all the concrete structures look uniform in shape and size and have flawless surfaces. This reduces the need for additional finishing work to achieve flawless finishes.
Certain formworks like plastic and steel, which are made using modular systems, reduce the time taken to assemble and set the formwork. They come with prefabricated systems that are pre-cut and just need to be installed together on-site.
Formworks like steel and aluminium, which can be used multiple times, are cost-effective investments. They reduce overall costs and expenses by ensuring high durability and reusability.
Lastly, formworks are easy to install and very flexible, making the whole curing process easier than ever.
Conclusion: The Indispensable Role of Formwork in Modern Construction
In summary, formworks are undoubtedly indispensable. They have multiple uses, which makes them irreplaceable. Be it traditional formworks like timber or wood or modular formworks like steel, plastic offers benefits that make the construction process much easier.
Every kind of formwork has its own function, making solid concrete constructions. NovaFormworks, a top-rated plastic formwork manufacturer in India, keeps shaking up the building industry with its green, money-saving, top-quality plastic formworks.
Overall, using the right formwork improves the quality and efficiency of your construction structure by speeding up the whole process.
