The strength, safety, and size of any concrete structure are determined by the type of formwork put in place during construction. The best formwork should have the following characteristics;
- It should be leakage-proof especially at the corner
- Should be lightweight
- Removable formwork should not damage or destroy the concrete in the process
- Should be reusable if it’s not a permanent formwork
Formwork or shuttering is categorized differently. Some are categorized according to the material used, temporal or permanent aspect, and the concrete elements that the formwork supports. The type of formwork that you should use must be the best because it should have enough power to withstand all the materials used in the casting operation, at the same time it should be able to hold and retain the shape firmly as the concrete hardens. Below are some of the best formworks for concrete structures.
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Timber Formwork
Timber framework is on top of the list because it’s the most common and oldest type in the construction industry. This type of shutter is the best because it is easy to find and use. Unlike other formworks, timber shuttering is lightweight and easy to work with. You can manipulate it to any size, height, and shape that are convenient to work with. Timber formwork is very economical especially in small projects and they are readily available locally.
But before settling on timber formwork, you should first find out if it’s infested with pests like termites. This type of formwork is best for projects which have low labor costs.
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Metallic Formwork
They include the steel and aluminum formwork.
Steel Formwork
Steel formwork is the most recommended one because of its durability. Even though steel formwork is exorbitant, you can reuse it over and over. It is worth every penny you spend. The steel framework is strong and provides a smooth and unique concrete finish. This formwork is waterproof and easy to install. There is a decreased honeycomb effect on the concrete when you use this formwork.
Aluminum Formwork
The performance of the aluminum formwork is similar to that of steel formwork. The difference is in the density. Aluminum’s density is lower than steel. This makes aluminum feel lighter and weaker than steel. Learn more about comparative study of aluminum formwork design.
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Fabric Formwork
This type of formwork is the best to use if you want to create interesting and unique designs. Even though it is still new in this world of shuttering, it is suitable for constructing the most complex and irregular concrete shapes. Fabric formwork uses lightweight yet very strong sheet fabrics which are designed to catalyze the fluidity of the concrete to achieve amazing architectural results. This formwork is very economical. It uses less concrete compared to other formworks.
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Insulated Formwork
If you are looking for a permanent formwork that is reliable and very effective, then look no more. The insulated formwork is the most advanced in the shuttering industry. It has the following properties;
- Fire-resistant
- It is thermal
- Rodent-resistant
- It is acoustic
- Permanent
The most common type of insulated formwork right now in the industry is the Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF). Here the concrete structure is insulated using polystyrene boards. These boards are responsible for making sure that the concrete stays in place after it has hardened.
The advantage of using insulated formwork is that it is energy effective and sustainable. This leads to a minimized environmental impact from the construction.
Conclusion
Choose a formwork that will work and support the structure that you want to build. Remember that all formworks vary according to the building design and also the materials to be used.