Choosing The Most Suitable Formwork System For Your Work
From the conception of the idea, through the design of the plans to assemble the structures, the use of construction techniques based on formwork systems poses important changes in the dynamics of execution of massive civil works. To know the advantages that the construction system represents through formwork, it is necessary to know what they consist of.
What Is Formwork?
Formwork is a system of temporary or permanent molds used to shape fresh concrete or similar materials; these serve as a framework for lifting concrete structures, preventing their parts from experiencing deformations until the optimal setting is achieved.
The formwork systems are easy to use, versatile, and allow optimization of construction times. In addition, the position and technique used in the installation process on-site and the materials with which they are manufactured allow the formwork to be cataloged or classified.
Types Of Formwork By Position
Horizontal formwork
They are structures used to shape slabs or beams. Its installation requires auxiliary elements such as falsework or struts arranged vertically to support loads of the materials.
Vertical formwork:
Vertical formworks are structures used for the construction of walls, columns, and pillars. Like the previous ones, these molds also need auxiliary elements.
By Construction System
Modular formwork
They are prefabricated and reusable pieces. They can be made of metal or plastic. Its installation consists of external parts supported by fittings, screws, or clips that speed up the assembly and disassembly processes. They are recommended for large works.
Traditional formwork
They are preferably made of wood. Its versatility in creating structures characterizes it. Although they can be used in large-scale works, they are recommended, mainly for medium or small works, because their implementation takes more time than modular ones.
Lost formwork
As the name that has given represents, in this case, it is not intended to recover the forms that are used for the molding of concrete, which is why the most used materials for their manufacture are plastic, cardboard, or ceramics. . Another important feature of this formwork system is that the material is permanently attached to the structure.
Sliding formwork
This system of molds is recommended for works in which the thickness and height of the structures are variable. For its installation, a hydraulic lifting system is necessary to move the parts with the greatest precision. One of the main advantages of sliding formwork is that the assembly, casting, and molding can be done simultaneously.
Aluminum Formwork
Formwork system recommended for the rapid construction of walls, columns, beams, and platforms. They are made up of reusable aluminum modules. In this segment, you can find hand-held molds, easy to operate and install.
There are also molds known as Climbing Systems. Their installation is done by using cranes to move and locate them in the different sections of the building under construction.
Advantages Of Formwork
One of the most significant advantages of using suitable formwork system for your work is that they require a short construction period that can range from an average of one house per day – in the case of aluminum formwork to four days with a normal construction formwork. This pace of installation greatly reduces the total cost of construction.
A clear example of this efficiency is aluminum formwork, simple structures that can be installed, in some cases, without any supportive mechanical equipment. For the extraction of the mold, only a set of levers and a basic technique are necessary.