Formwork
Formwork
FORMWORK
TOPICS INSIDE
þ Tunnel form
þ Modular formwork
þ Wall formwork
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þ Jump formwork
þ Slip formwork
þ Form release agents
FORMWORK
The selection of formwork depends upon the type of concrete and the
temperature of the pour as they both a ect the pressure exerted. The
formwork sides should be capable enough to resist the hydrostatic
pressure of the wet concrete which will diminish to zero within several
hours depending on the rate of setting and curing. In this edition of
eMag. we have covered topics such as Tunnel form, Modular formwork,
Wall formwork, Jump formwork, Slip formwork, and Form release
agents.
04 06
10 14
T
unnel form is a formwork Ÿ Collapsible strut provides clear- izontal leveling.
system that allows the cast- ance for form stripping Ÿ Installation of all utility conduits in
ing of walls and slabs in Ÿ The composite wheel assemblies the shell reduces the internal finish-
one operation resulting in help in accurate form positioning ing work
a cellular RCC structure. It and blackouts eliminate nailing Ÿ Tunnel formwork required less slab
combines speed, quality, Ÿ Multiple rooms can be concreted cycle time due to that construction
and accuracy with the flexibility and and that provides flexibility in becomes fast and reliable
economy of in-situ construction. The scheduling. Ÿ Construction of box-type structure
system creates an efficient load- Ÿ Tunnel form can be adapted to spe- is safe against horizontal forces like
bearing structure for use in a wide vari- cial building features, like balco- earthquake and cyclone forces
ety of applications. A tunnel form is a nies. Ÿ Tunnel formwork is available in half
box-sized steel fabricated form that Ÿ Allows variety in architectural units in the shape of an inverted L
allows the wall and the slab to be cast in designing Ÿ Ensures correct application and
a single operation. The system creates Ÿ The dimensional accuracy of the completion of the project by mini-
an efficient concrete wall slab load- concrete structure allows the place- mizing measurement errors during
bearing structure for use in a wide vari- ment of partition walls and fixing of the production process
ety of applications. The typical assem- all other finishing material such as Ÿ Comes with integral working plat-
bly of various elements of the tunnel joinery right after casting forms and an edge protection sys-
formwork system. It is most suitable for Ÿ Standard push-pull props can be tem
mass housing & fast build projects used at every tunnel dimension due Ÿ High seismic resistance due to
which require more repetitions at a to their telescopic nature and make monolithic slab & walls construc-
faster rate of building construction. it very easy to adjust vertical and hor- tion
While the initial cost of formwork is very
high, it is more than made up by faster
construction, the number of repeti-
tions, zero rework, and low mainte-
nance cost. Tunnel form has integral
working platforms and edge protection
systems. In addition, the repetitive, pre-
dictable nature of the tasks involved
encourages familiarity with operations,
and, once training is complete, pro-
ductivity improves as construction pro-
gresses. The minimal requirement for
tools and equipment when moving the
tunnel form further reduces the risk of
accidents on site.
Conclusion
S
lip form construction involves about 300mm per hour, supporting itself on tled in place while the form itself
pouring concrete into the top the core and not relying on support or ac- slowly moves ahead.
of a continuously moving cess from other parts of the building or per- Ÿ Tapered slip forming is also used in the
formwork. As the concrete is manent works. construction of conical chimneys, cool-
poured, the formwork is ing towers, piers and other tall con-
raised vertically at a speed Different types of slip formwork crete structures involving constant or
that allows the concrete to changing thicknesses in walls, diame-
harden before it is free from the formwork There are six types of slip formwork accord- ters and/or shapes. A form is used with
at the bottom. The concrete to be used ing to the direction of work. sections that overlap so that one grad-
needs to be workable enough to be placed ually slides over the other. This is com-
into the form and consolidated by vibration, Ÿ Vertical slip forming the concrete form monly done in chimney construction
yet quick-setting enough to emerge from may be surrounded by a platform on but it is not satisfactory for architec-
the form with strength. The concrete must which workers stand, placing steel rein- tural concrete because the lap shows.
be constantly monitored for its setting rate forcing rods into the concrete and en- While the tapered slip-forming process
to ensure the forms are not being raised too suring a smooth pour. Together, the con- is similar to that used on the standard
fast. It is a self-contained formwork system crete form and working platform are slip-forming, it requires greater atten-
and can require little crane-time during con- raised utilizing hydraulic jacks. tion, contractor experience and exper-
struction. This is a formwork system that can Ÿ Horizontal slip forming for pavement tise to ensure the success of such pro-
be used to form any regular shape or core. and traffic separation walls concrete is jects.
The formwork rises continuously, at a rate of laid down, vibrated, worked, and set- Ÿ The Cantilever forming is used as
Advantages of slip formwork construction rary works are required allowing the Ÿ A major cost of concrete structure con-
construction site to be less congested, struction is the required formwork to re-
Ÿ Slip forming can achieve high produc- and so safer. tain the concrete till it can be safely de-
tion rates, however, once continuous Ÿ The exposed concrete can be finished shuttered and be able to support itself
concreting has begun there is little flex- at the bottom of the rising formwork. and other imposed loads.
ibility for change and so very careful Ÿ There is flexibility in that tapering Ÿ The formwork needs to be continually
planning is required. structures with wall reductions can be removed to newer locations and then
Ÿ Only minimal scaffolding and tempo- achieved. re-erected.
Ÿ In the case of slip form building, the
formwork is erected only once and re-
mains intact until the entire structure is
completed.
Ÿ The reduction in the movement of
formwork and workers also leads to far
more safe working conditions that also
make it a major advantage.
J
ump form or climbing formwork Advantages of jump formwork main building.
is used for large vertical concrete Ÿ Good quality surface finishes.
structures. Jump form systems Ÿ Faster construction Ÿ The climbing forms may be designed
comprise the formwork and work- Ÿ Does not require a crane to move for operating in the high winds.
ing platforms for cleaning/fixing them, reducing your general condi- Ÿ It's very easy to plan the construction
of the formwork, steel fixing and tion cost. activities because of the repetitive
concreting. The formwork supports itself Ÿ Increased construction speed is nature of work.
on the concrete cast earlier so does not obtained by allowing the vertical and Ÿ Engineered nature of jump form sys-
rely on support or access from other parts horizontal parts of a building to be tems allows quick and precise adjust-
of the building or permanent works. It can built concurrently. ment of the formwork in all planes.
be an effective solution for buildings that Ÿ The formwork is supported inde- Ÿ Minimizes the usage of scaffolding
are either very repetitive in form (such as pendently so that the sheer walls as and temp work platforms.
towers or skyscrapers) or that require a well as core walls may be completed Ÿ Long lengths can be obtained com-
seamless wall structure. before the rest of the structure of the bining different sections.
Ÿ Minimizes labor time and has a combined with the engineered the help of a crane. The availability of
better productivity rate. nature of the formwork, allows fine the crane is crucial.
Ÿ Other protection systems (Screens) tuning of the construction opera- Ÿ Guided climbing jump form- it also
can be hung off a big Jump Form and tions, which in turn leads to minimal uses the crane but it also offers
climbed with the system. concrete wastage. greater level of safety and security as
Ÿ Long lengths can be obtained com- Ÿ Many repeated uses of formwork are well as control while lifting the units
bining different sections for each par- possible before maintenance or which are anchored as well as
ticular project. replacement is needed, the number guided by the structures.
Ÿ Can be used at an inclined angle. of uses depending on the quality of Ÿ Self-climbing jump form- it doesn't
Ÿ The formwork system is easy to clean the surface finish of concrete speci- need a crane since it climbs on the
and reuse with little formwork waste fied. rails up to the building with the help
generated compared to traditional of hydraulic jacks.
Different types of jump formwork
formwork. Ÿ liding form: This type of formwork is
Ÿ Climbing formwork systems offer similar to the self-climbing type
Ÿ Normal jump or the climbing form-
simplicity, safety and cost effective- above. However, the climbing pro-
the units are lifted off individually off
ness for certain high-rise building cess is continuous instead of inter-
the structures and then relocated at
structures. mittent, and is usually only inter-
the next level of construction with
Ÿ The repetitive nature of the work, rupted for a very short time (for exam-
ple to fix the mounting mechanisms
to new anchoring points). The
advantage is that it will produce
seamless structures, but it requires a
continuous, uninterrupted process
throughout, with serious potential
quality and stability problems if the
pour has to be stopped.
Applications of jump formwork
Ÿ Shear walls
Ÿ Core walls
Ÿ Lift shafts
Ÿ Stair shafts
Ÿ Bridge pylons
M
odular formwork sys- recover purchase costs by reusing or Advantages of modular formwork;
tems are designed reselling materials once the job is com-
with standardized plete. The modular formwork system is Modular formwork systems are
panels and compo- designed with standardized panels and designed with standardized panels and
nent items to reduce components to reduce or limit cutting component items to reduce or limit the
or limit the need for cutting material on materials on site. This speeds up the need for cutting material on site. This
site. This speeds up the overall process entire process and therefore reduces speeds up the overall process and there-
and therefore requires less labour on on-site labour. They can also be inter- fore requires less labour on site. Its
site. They are also interchangeable with changed with conventional methods. advantages includes;
conventional methods. Modular Commercial, civil, and industrial con-
Formwork Systems are generally easy to tractors can replace the traditional Ÿ Fast assembly when compared to
assemble and much faster than con- methods of cast-in-place concrete engi- conventional formwork
ventional Formwork, saving time, neering by using modular formwork sys- Ÿ Less complications and “surprises”
allowing you to pour sooner. The sys- tems and quickly achieve one-time cast- on site,
tem saves contractors by reducing the ing, thereby minimizing the financial Ÿ Hire costs were significantly less
costs associated with conventional pur- expenditure of labour and materials. than the upfront purchases for con-
chases. This eliminates the need to ventional formwork components,
W
a l l
formwork is
a reusable
form that
allows a
m a n u f a c-
turer to create sections of a con-
crete wall. The wall formwork origi-
nally consisted of the frame and
accessories. This results in a modu-
lar system with a wide range of
applications and long service life,
and universal and high efficiency for
walls in medium to big scale pro-
jects under crane assistance.It can
be adjusted individually to adapt to
complex shapes and high loads.
Generally, the concrete building
structure with high requirements
on the surface and the anchoring
pattern can be effectively realized
using the frame wall formwork.
Ÿ Quick construction
F
orm release agents ease tion efficiency. Even when a release holes
formwork removal, agent is used, factors such as irregular Ÿ Surface finish for the concrete
extending the useful life applications or improper release member cast
of a form and improving agent choice may have a dramatic Ÿ Reduce the loss of water from the
the smoothness and tex- effect on the quality and consistency concrete due to absorption in the
ture of concrete sur- of the finished product. In the con- case of timber forms
faces. Releasing agents are coatings crete construction industry, form Ÿ Reduce leakage of water and
added to the surface of the formwork release agents prevent the adhesion moisture during curing of con-
prior to concreting, in order to allow of freshly placed concrete to the form- crete
quick removal of formwork or shutter- ing surface, usually plywood, overlaid Ÿ Protects the formwork and
ing. Release agents provide the critical plywood, steel or aluminum. In this makes the reuse of shuttering
barrier between a molding surface application, there are two types of possible
and the substrate, facilitating the sepa- release agents available: barrier and Ÿ Helps in reducing cracks due to
ration of the cured part from the reactive. internal restraints
mold. Without such a barrier in place,
Functions of Form Release Agents Types of Form Release Agents
the substrate would become fused to
the mold surface, resulting in difficult Ÿ Easy removal of shuttering The two main types available are bar-
clean-up and dramatic loss in produc- Ÿ Reduce the incidence of blow- rier and chemically active.
Barrier-type agents create a barrier finished quality. The chemical reacts Mold release agents
between the form and the concrete. with cement to produce a form of
Mold release agents are sprayed
These are not recommended for soap at the interface. Recommended
directly onto the tool steel of the mold.
architectural concrete, because they for all high-quality work, they should
These include among others some sili-
can cause stains, surface air voids, and be applied lightly by spray to avoid
cone and some fluorocarbon-based
problems with form removal in very retardation. The increased cost is com-
materials. Other mold release agents
cold or very hot weather; they also pensated for by better coverage com-
are coated or sprayed onto the sur-
may prevent subsequent adhesion of pared with oil-based materials. They
face of the molding powder. This is
coatings to the hardened concrete. generally have good weathering resis-
done in batch blenders just before
Chemically active form release agents tance. Certain of the proprietary chem-
pack out to avoid passage through an
(certain types of fatty acids) react with ical agents are of the 'drying type' and
extruder. Mold release agents func-
calcium ions in the cement paste to so are particularly suited to use in
tion by coming to the surface between
produce a soap that prevents con- dusty, dry climates, on soffit
plastic and tool. Some fluoropolymers
crete from bonding to the formwork. formwork, and in pre-stressed con-
do not mix or dissolve well in the poly-
Based on the reactivity, they are crete applications.
mer, but they do have a good affinity
divided into buffered (partially) reac-
Mold Cream Emulsions for the die or mold surface. Other
tive and fully reactive. Buffered agents
mold release agents dissolve in hot
produce an improved soap film that Mold cream emulsions has to be
polymer but come out of solution dur-
helps remove entrapped air and may mixed thoroughly before using and
ing the extrusion or molding process.
promote better flow of a thin skin of dilution is not allowed. Emulsions of
Mold release agents may have more
cement paste at the surface of the water in oil tend to be removed by
than one function. Some stay on the
form. rain, but minimise blowholes and are
plastic surface and lubricate the plas-
good general-purpose release agents.
Under these two broader categories tic. Others bring other additives with
there are several types, which are dis- De-Shuttering Oil (DSO) them as they go the shape or part sur-
cussed below. face. This is useful for surface active
A water-based mold release agent,
additives, such as biocides and some
Chemical Release Agents which produces clean and stain-free,
UV stabilizers.
high-quality concrete. It is available in
A chemical release agent specifically
a sprayable form and ready to use as a
formulated to give an easy release of
direct application in required places. It
plastic and thermoplastic mould lin-
should be applied in the light film
ers, providing a high-quality surface fin-
either by brush or sprayer. If it is over-
ish but is suitable for all types of
applied, the excess release agent
formwork. It is easily applied and may
should be drained before it dries.
be applied to formwork immediately
Pools of DSO cannot be allowed to dry
prior to casting without reducing the
as it causes surface retardation of con- Mold Release Agents
crete. Neat Oil with surfactant
uses. After subsequent uses, these that don't leave an oily or waxy great depth.
forms produce a less quality surface residue that interfere later with Ÿ The time period before stripping.
on the concrete. the adhesion of plaster or paint. Ÿ The environment of the cast con-
Some contractors consider it suf- crete.
Tips on Choosing the form release
ficient to wet the forms with water Ÿ Uniformity of performance of the
agent
if surfaces are to be plastered. If release agent.
One valuable standard for the evalua- the striped surface is slightly
Application of form release agents
tion and selection of a release agent is rough the plaster will adhere
prior experience. However, the safest better. Release agents should be applied to a
approach is to evaluate different com- Ÿ The durability of the final surface. clean form before the reinforcement
mercial release agents under actual The release agent should not has been placed to reduce the likeli-
use conditions, either on a test panel cause the concrete surface to hood of inadvertently applying it to
or on an architectural portion of the soften and dust. Moreover, it the reinforcement. If the release agent
concrete on the project. In addition, should not impede wetting of sur- does come in contact with reinforce-
information should be obtained from faces that are to be water cured ment it should be wiped clean before
the manufacturer of the release agent nor should they otherwise hinder placing the concrete. When applying
about the kind of form surface for the proper functioning of curing for a release agent it is best to follow
which the product is intended and the compounds. the manufacturer's instructions.
proper method of application. In mak- Ÿ Discoloration and staining. On When too much form release is used,
ing the selection the following may forms for architectural concrete, it is not only wasteful and inefficient,
have to be considered; regardless of the kind of concrete but it leads to a number of other asso-
finish, a 1 00-percent non-staining ciated problems with the finished
Ÿ Compatibility of the release agent
form release agent free from pig- product. He who holds the wand
with the form material or form
ments should be used. It will pre- determines the amount of material
sealer; that is, whether the
vent uneven coloring of the con- being applied, so proper training is cru-
release agent softens the plastic
crete. The type of release agent cial. The actual cover thickness will
from the face.
used is of less importance, how- depend on the application method
Ÿ Final surface requirements. If sur-
ever, for exposed aggregate con- and viscosity of the product, which is
faces are to be plastered or
crete because the discoloration related to the ambient temperature.
painted, the form contact area
usually does not penetrate to any
should be treated with materials
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