Modern construction projects are not devoid of the use of formwork, whether in private or commercial projects. At the same time, the formwork should be carefully designed, created, installed, supported, braced and maintained until it is eventually removed. The removal can only be done after the formwork has served its purpose of holding the concrete in place and shape. At the same time, the formwork should support all the horizontal and vertical loads exerted on it.
Some of the critical aspects of the use of formwork use include the general preparation, installation and removal, and its safety procedures. The combination is to know about formwork in the current construction projects has been summarized in this article. So, let us begin to take them one after the other.
Formwork equipment
The construction of formwork must be adequately outlined in the construction drawings and plans. They must include all the most recent revisions about jack layout, working decks, showing equipment details, scaffolds and working decks, and other accessories. When we put all pieces in place, it is time to inspect all these factors and elements in the project. For instance, the details include a perfect design and shoring equipment.
The project manager should inspect all the equipment and meet the requirements specified in the detailed formwork drawings. And this inspection should be done before the election process of the formwork itself. Meanwhile, it would help if you avoided shoring equipment that has a potential for damage or is even showing signs of wear already. Apart from inspecting the equipment before the entire process begins, it would help to check them during the installation and immediately after completing the concrete placement inside the formwork.
You also need to inspect all the components thoroughly for any weak point at any point in time. If you find any, try to reinforce them immediately. Some of the items to check includes the shore heads, base plates, screws and extension devices. All these items must be firm and secure within the formwork and the foundation. It also depends on the stage of the construction project.
Concrete aspect of formwork
Builders should watch out for the cast-in-place concrete into a formwork that serves a crucial purpose. At the same time, concrete also has a significant weight that adds to the importance of the formwork and the shoring equipment. As a result, it is crucial to check all the eccentric loads usually placed over all the components of the building members. Moreover, single post shores are placed on top of one another in a tiered fashion. There are additional requirements for the shoring process. These requirements are as follows:
- The vertical dimensions of the shoring should align with the overall formwork
- A qualified engineer who is an expert at structural designs should inspect all the erected shoring components. Meanwhile, a professional designer must have fashioned the pieces in the first place and validated the method
- the project manager should also splice the shores to prevent any misalignment in the building component from the formwork
- At the splicing level, there should be a correct bracing of the beaches in two mutually perpendicular directions
In placing the concrete inside the formwork, there should be no adjustment of single-post shores to raise the formwork. At the same time, when the original forms and shores are removed, it is time to erect the reshoring components. And if you have an excess load on the capacity of the concre te, the formwork provides additional support. Click here to read Importance and Classification of Formwork based on the shape.
Cast-in-Place Concrete
The use of formwork in the cast-in-place construction procedure requires careful planning, design and inspection. Meanwhile, below are the essential guidelines and requirements to provide the best performance under ideal conditions.
- Contractors should maintain the form structure that is present in all the designs, including the specified tolerances. This adherence is vital to keep the alignment of the systems for the formwork process
- The formwork must also not exceed the standard of safety limits, mainly as predetermined in the design blueprint
- When employees need to move around the site, there should be an alternative vertical slip form using scaffolds, rather than treading the formwork itself
- There must be adequate support for all vertical structures for construction, including reinforcing steel for piers, walls, columns and other similar systems. This reinforcement should be strong enough to prevent the possibility of collapse and overturning of the structure
- The employers must also take safety precautions in construction, especially with unrolled wire mesh, which could recoil at any time. At times, the coils and wire may be secured from each end of the role by turning them over in a way that prevents any hazard.
Safety Guidelines for formwork removal
When the formwork has served its purpose, then it is time to remove it from the concrete. At that point, the concrete must have been already set and fit to stand alone while taking the desired shape. However, the removal process must be carefully done and may require the following recommendations as safety procedures.
- It is a capital ‘NO’ to remove any form or shores from the concrete structure until professionals certify the strength. Meanwhile, this period can be determined by the qualified worker when there is an assurance that there is enough support and it can now support the weight and all superimposed loads on it. However, there is an exception to this rule. And the exception is the components used as the slip forms or the slabs on grade
- Another precaution is to verify the strength of the concrete through adherence to the specifications in the approved guideline. In addition to the approved detailed drawings, the construction should also match the testing results. Some of the standard testing procedures are specific to Australian cities such as Melbourne and Sydney. These routine tests are also designed so that the concrete may achieve high compressive strength that must be revealed in the results. In addition, it must have enough power to withstand the weight of superimposed loads.
- Finally, ensure you read through all the technical information of the contract that covers all the necessary procedures. Often, these procedures also contain every method of removing the formwork, including all the appropriate timing of the removal.