Formworks are no novel instrument for construction sites. For thousands of years, construction workers have used formworks. But, of late, with the advancement of technology, formworks have become more productive. Several types of formwork have been developed over the years, each having unique properties and thereby providing opportunities for the engineers to match their choice of formwork for different project requirements. This section will review different formwork materials and types, including temporary, permanent, and insulated concrete forms (ICF), and explore how they affect the concrete.
This means that plastic formworks for walls, slabs, columns, etc. have accelerated the pace of construction considerably. Plus, working with these new alternatives requires fewer laborers, cutting the overall cost. In a nutshell, plastic formworks have made construction cheaper and faster.
What are formworks?
Formwork refers to a variety of molds that accommodate wet concrete. Given enough time, this wet concrete mixture solidifies within the mold. Once hardened, construction workers remove the formwork gently and use the solid structure for construction.
Therefore, various construction structures owe their precision and uniform dimension to formworks. This is why for ages, construction sites have relied on formworks made of different materials. Depending on the structure needed, formworks can also be of various types.
Hence, understanding and managing the costs associated with formwork is essential for project success. This section will reflect on various aspects of formwork cost analysis, including formwork material costs, labor costs, reuse and recycling considerations, and the impact of technology on formwork costs.
Types of Formworks
The most popular and widely used varieties of formworks are wall forms, slab forms, column forms, box forms, etc. For large-scale construction works, wall forms and slab formworks play a critical role in ensuring structural integrity, and dimensional precision of speedy construction. The use of modern formworks has reduced both the time requirement and cost of construction projects. Here are a few ways in which wall and slab forms have made construction projects faster and more cost-effective.
Wall and Slab Formwork
The components of modern wall formworks such as panel sheathing, studs, braces, ties, and spreaders ensure that the concrete hardens sooner and without any deformities. Plastic wall forms are easy to use and install and require only a few laborers to set them.
Wall formwork is often modular and comes in various shapes, sizes, designs, and configurations. Wall formwork is frequently engineered according to factors like the desired concrete finish. It can be used for small-scale residential projects large-scale heavy civil projects and everything in between. Below you’ll find some of the popular applications for wall formwork:
Slab Formwork essentially consists of a horizontal load-bearing structure that supports the formlining and transfers the forces into the shoring. The requirements for slab formwork vary, depending on your project’s floor plan, room dimensions, ceiling height, slab thickness, and underside of slab.
The wall and slab formworks not only reduce the time needed for concrete hardening but also curtail the overall cost. Also, walls made using plastic formworks ensure that the surface does not feature any pores or unevenness.
Plastic formwork can also be a cost-effective solution, especially when recycled materials are used. Labor costs are a major component of formwork costs. These include the costs of assembling and disassembling the formwork, inspecting the formwork for safety, and repairing and maintaining the formwork. Factors that can impact labor costs include the complexity of the formwork system, the skill level of the workers, and local wage rates. Labor costs can be reduced through efficient formwork design, worker training, and the use of formwork systems that are easy to assemble and disassemble. Reusable formwork systems, such as modular or system formwork, may have a higher initial cost but can result in lower costs per use if reused many times.
Plastic comes off the solid walls easily. So, construction houses can skip the step of polishing the concrete surface. The formwork also remains entirely clean. A thorough water jet is all it needs to be ready for its next application.
Similarly, slab formworks are also useful in reducing cost and construction time. In today’s construction arena, demand for projects soars higher every day.
So, finishing the work faster is considered advantageous. Also, when the cost of every project decreases, the profit margins swell making future projects all more feasible. Much like wall forms, slab forms also feature plastic bodies and several clips and clasps that enable easy installation and dismantling, even eliminating the need for plastering at times.
Construction houses can use these formworks for several projects in a row. Replacing timber and plywood with plastic for manufacturing these formworks has added to their longevity and usability. Now, plastic slab formworks remain useful for more than 100 projects and can handle climatic hazards effortlessly.
NovaFormWorks is a renowned name in manufacturing plastic formwork in India. The collection includes modular shuttering, wall forms, slab forms, and many others. You can also order tailor-made formworks suitable for your construction sites.
