Column formwork has formed part of our architectural landscape for centuries. Square or rounded, pillars have been used as additional interior support in homesteads. In ancient Greece and Rome, the concept was expanded upon by adding aesthetic appeal to the outside of a structure with elaborate pillars adorning the entranceways of buildings. Taking the original concept from ancient civilisations, column formwork has grown in leaps and bounds, providing structural support as well as aesthetic appeal.
Major Benefits of Column Formwork
Where it used to take months to create the desired column, it can be done in a matter of days with the use of pre-cast moulds. Shaped and sized according to the needs of a project, the modular design allows them to be assembled quickly on-site. Reusable and adjustable, they can be used multiple times without compromising structural integrity and can be clamped on-site to give different column sizes. Used in conjunction with beam work, it allows for quick, precise, and clean construction.
We at Disc-O-Scaff offer a variety of formwork moulds made from high-grade steel, making them easily transportable and reusable.
The Designs that Make the Structures
Whether constructing bridges, high-rise office parks, piers, or parking structures, the design goal needs to consider technical, functional, and safety aspects. Different design shapes are used dependent on the structures being built:
- Square or rectangular pillars are the most common forms and are used in general construction, for example, in multi-level parking lots.
- Circular pillars are specially designed and used mainly in piling and building elevations. Perfect examples of circular column formwork are in office parks and retail shopping centres.
- Having the same construct as square or rectangular, L-shaped pillars are utilised in the corners of boundary walls.
- T-shaped pillars form the basic structure for bridges and piers as they offer additional structural support for pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
The Technical and Functional Aspects
Column formwork is primarily designed to support compressive loads from beams and slabs and then transfer them to the ground through the footing. The strength of the material used, the shape and size of the cross sections, as well as the length and position of the columns as support at both ends determine the stability.
Whether straight or inclined, rounded or square, used with other building materials, column formwork not only lends structural support but can transform the exterior, adding aesthetic appeal to commercial constructs.
Formwork Designed to Last
We at Disc-O-Scaff have been supplying the construction industry with scaffolding and formwork for over 10 years. The multi-application of our economy form panels makes them ideal for the construction of walls, columns, bridges, and almost any concrete construct. Manufactured in different sizes and shapes, we can accommodate any project. Contact us and we will find the right formwork solution for you.