Modular vs. Conventional Formwork: Which is Best for Quick Construction?

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With rapid urbanization, new developments and needs for utilities, and the influx of people moving into cities the need for quick construction has become essential. The construction industry often relies on formworks to build a sturdy and robust structure.

One is conventional formwork, which has been used for centuries, and the other is modular formwork, which has recently been used for decades. They are both effective in building structures that are of high quality, have a solid base and foundation, and can be built keeping safety measures in mind.  Both of them provide these, however, one thing that sets them apart is how quickly they can build up things.

Conventional formwork, as its name suggests, uses old methods that require formwork to be set up on-site. Modular formwork, armed with modern technologies and prefabricated systems, cuts down the assembling time and increases the overall efficiency needed for quick construction in today’s world. 

Moreover, modular formwork offers additional benefits that are not limited to quick setup. This guide covers all the reasons why modular formwork is used for speedy construction. Let’s explore the reasons.

 

What is Modular Formwork?

For those who are wondering what exactly modular formwork is, well, it is just like traditional formwork. However, in modular formwork, the construction process becomes quicker and faster.

Modular formwork uses modern technologies that use prefabricated panels while building and supporting the wet concrete structure into the solid concrete.

Because prefabricated panels are used in modular formwork, it is easier for workers to assemble them quickly into desired shapes without wasting time. Depending on the quality of the modular forms used, these panels can be reused multiple times in different projects.

Modular formworks are commonly used during the construction process of bridges, residential buildings, commercial buildings, dams, and many more. Some modular formworks are non-porous, which also makes it easier to remove the formwork when the liquid concrete is hardened and set.

This makes them cost-effective, flexible, and safe options, as modular formworks are meant and designed to reduce the risk of casualties during construction.

 

Types of Modular Formwork Available in India

Many modular formworks are gaining traction in fast construction. Some of them are steel, aluminum, plastic, and plywood formworks. All of these modular types are often used in building walls, columns, slabs, floors, and even climbing formwork.

Steel modular formwork is mostly used in projects that require heavy load lifting. It is made of superior-quality steel, which is known for its strength and robustness. Because of its strong, durable nature, steel formwork is quite often reused.

Aluminum formwork is similar to steel. However, it is slightly lighter than steel and can be handled more easily. This formwork can be used to build complex structures as it is easily customizable, which speeds up the construction process.

Plastic formwork is one of the most widely popular modular forms in the world. Plastic formworks is one of the few forms that can be made using recycled materials, which makes it not just eco-friendly but also reusable. It is also easy to clean and non-reactive to moisture and chemicals.

Lastly, Plywood formwork is generally used in small-scale projects that often call for high finishes. It is also one of the most affordable formwork options among other modular formworks. It is easy to use and set up, and it provides smooth finishes, which reduces the time taken for additional work.

 

System Formwork vs. Conventional Formwork: Key Differences

By now, you should have an idea of modular formwork. However, some of you might still be unclear about conventional formwork.

Here is a brief explanation before we move on to the main topic.

Conventional formwork is the oldest formwork technique, used for thousands of years. It is still used during small building projects, restoration projects, or minor repairs. This method usually uses wood, which is converted into forms that hold the concrete together. In traditional formwork, forms are cut on-site, which is quite time-consuming.

Here are some major differences between conventional formwork and modular formwork that will help you understand why modular formwork is mostly preferred for quick construction.

  • The major difference between conversational and modular formwork is that one is pre-engineered. It just needs to be joined on-site, and these parts can be used in some other projects while later needing to be cut down and assembled on-site with preciseness, which is often labour and time-consuming.
  • Because of the prefabricated system, modular formworks are much quicker and more efficient than traditional formworks. They do not need more workers to work on, speeding up the entire construction process. This also reduces the overall operational cost, unlike conventional formworks, which require manual cutting and adjustment.
  • Modular systems may not be affordable. They usually have higher initial costs because of the advanced technologies and materials used during the process, making them unsuitable for small projects that might have money restrictions.
  • However, despite the higher initial cost, it can be offset by other benefits that modular formwork offers, such as reusability, durability, and longevity, in contrast to conventional formworks, which have a low initial cost but can not be used for a longer duration.
  • Modular formwork is designed to reduce waste and minimize the environmental impact by allowing their materials to be reused multiple times in different projects. This lessens the need to buy new formworks for every new project. They are also less prone to damage caused by wear and tear. On the other hand, conventional formworks have limited reusability and can not be used for multiple projects with the same measures. They often keep degrading with time which reduces their use cycle drastically.
  • Modular formworks are made using high-quality materials that ensure high-end and smooth concrete finishes. However, in conventional formwork, the quality of finishes depends vastly on what type of quality you have and the skills of the workers, as more often, additional work is needed to be done on the final product.
  • Another reason modular formworks are best for quick construction is that they can be used safely, even in fast-paced building processes. They are made using sturdy components that minimize the risk of accidents or structural issues that usually happen with conventional formworks.
  • Because of their designs and structure, modular formworks can easily be used and customized into any shape and size depending on the specifications and requirements. While conventional formworks are not that flexible, they can only be used in standardized projects.

 

Advantages of Modular Formwork in Construction

There are many noteworthy benefits that modular formwork offers.

For example, it lessens the time taken for assembly and dismantling the formwork, making the entire building process quicker and faster than ever. It also improves productivity by streamlining and making the whole process smooth. 

The core components of modular formworks, like panels and braces, can be used in other projects effortlessly.

This reduces the overall cost of peruse and makes it a more cost-effective option in the long run. It also reduces manual workers by half for certain processes like with climbing formwork workers don’t need to set up formwork while constructing every new floor.

 

Final Thoughts: Why Modular Formwork is Revolutionizing Construction

Modular formwork is a revolutionary modern construction tool that streamlines and speeds up the whole setup and curing process. It is a perfect mixture of speed, efficiency, quality, and reusability. This reduces the time usually taken for assembly by half, making modular formwork very suitable for larger-scale projects where time and quality are everything.

While there is a diverse range of types that are offered in modular systems, it is still expensive and has a high initial cost that makes it not an ideal option for many small projects with constrained budgets.

Though modular formwork has a higher initial cost, it is still more environmentally friendly than traditional formwork as it reduces waste, has a higher use cycle than traditional formwork, can be easily maintained, and has high durability and high-quality finishes.

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