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Civil and Infrastructure Services: What are Formwork Design Prerequisites?

08 May 2023

Formwork design is an essential part of civil and infrastructure services in construction and comes with its technicalities.The important concerns and criteria that must be addressed during forming and designing formwork systems for concrete structures are called formwork design prerequisites.Formwork is a temporary structure that holds fresh (i.e., uncured) concrete until it is strong enough to sustain itself and the applied loads. It is an important part of the project, accounting for up to 60% of the total cost of the finished concrete project.

A set of fundamental rules governs every formwork. To accomplish the maximum number of reuses, acceptable tolerances must be allowed, appropriate materials must be used, artistry requirements must be met, construction must be designed for ease of installation and stripping, and formwork must be cared for and maintained.Although formwork is temporary, care must be taken to avoid damaging permanent work.

Formwork Governance Principles

Three main principles govern formwork design and construction:

1. The precision of the concrete shape and the quality of the final completed surface.

2. The formwork structure’s safety strength. People’s safety, both carpenters and the general public.

3. The structural frame is generally the most expensive component, a prominent and crucial aspect throughout construction.

Formwork Design Requirements

Consider the following while developing formwork:

Forms and shutters

Forms and shutters must be strong enough to withstand dead weight, living load, and hydrostatic pressure. Sheathing must be stiff enough to withstand bulging.

Pressure

Pressures on the form face are applied to formwork for vertical concrete features such as columns and walls. This is due to the new concrete’s fluid motion. The pressure of the fluid concrete on the vertical sides rises in direct proportion to the depth of the concrete. The form’s maximal pressure is located at the bottom. This maximum pressure for full-depth fluid concrete is known as the hydrostatic pressure for concrete, and it generally happens when the concrete is laid swiftly.The bracing should not be able to be removed by impact or wind from any direction.

Erection And Deconstruction

Erection and deconstruction must be completed as quickly as feasible. Hence the formwork design and assembly procedures must be as simple as possible. The formwork should be easy to remove without damaging the concrete.

Stability And Strength

The formwork must be built to handle the weight of wet concrete and the stresses and forces generated during construction.

Reusability And Durability

The formwork should be built to survive several uses and resist wear and tear to save replacement costs.

Safety

The formwork must be built to protect the public and nearby properties from falling debris while ensuring employees’ safety during construction.

Precision And Accuracy

The formwork should be created so the concrete structure has precise proportions, alignment, and finish.

Accessibility And Usability

The formwork should be easy to erect, deconstruct, and move to various places on the construction site

Considerations For The Environment

The formwork should be designed to be easily recycled or reused while minimising waste and environmental effects.

Cost-effectiveness

The design of the formwork should strike a balance between the cost of materials and labour and the needed performance and quality criteria.

Formwork design is critical to any construction project, requiring careful planning and preparation. By understanding the prerequisites of formwork design, including building design and planning, materials, safety requirements, and environmental factors, construction professionals can ensure that their projects proceed smoothly and safely. Proper formwork design can complete construction projects efficiently, safely, and to the highest standards.

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