Facts about Formwork for Concrete
As construction requirements evolve over time, so do the materials, techniques, and equipment used to turn our visions into reality. The use of concrete and its ability to be cast into any shape necessary completely revolutionised modern construction techniques. This necessitated the creation of formwork – a way to mould concrete in the required shapes on site, allowing for greater flexibility in construction, more cost-effective use of resources, and much speedier completion times.
What Formwork Is
This is the name given to the temporary structure that is created to provide a mould for the concrete. This mould is created in the required shape and size for the specific construction project. The formworkshould maintain the size, provide the alignment, as well as withstand deflection in order to meet the requirements of the relevant structure.
Requirements of Good Formwork
- It must be strong enough to withstand a variety of live and dead loads relevant to the project in question. This includes the weight of the workers, the wet concrete, its own weight, and the weight or pressure of the reinforcements, to name but a few.
- The mould must be completely rigid and correctly supported to maintain the required shape and angles without any deviation or distortion.
- You definitely don’t want any of the concrete to leak and go to waste before setting, so you need the joints to fit together tightly.
- It should be created in a way that allows the parts to be removed easily, in a logical sequence, and without doing any damage to the set concrete.
- The surface of the panels must be smooth in the interest of neat and accurate work.
- The material used to create the parts of the formwork should be able to withstand the effects of the sun, temperature fluctuations, and rain/moisture without warping or deteriorating while in use.
- It should be made from a relatively inexpensive material that is readily available.
- It should be lightweight and reusable.
Where to Find Quality Formwork in South Africa
Disc-O-Scaff is based in Elandsfontein in Gauteng but has been supplying quality formwork and scaffolding to numerous projects large and small throughout Southern Africa for over 10 years. All components are manufactured in-house using SABS-approved materials only to ensure products of the highest standard. We take quality, safety, and customer service very seriously. Talk to us for more information on our products, as well as to request a custom quote for your next project.