Key Questions to Ask When Ordering Aluminum Concrete Form

Concrete is a durable, versatile, and liquid building material that is a viable choice for many construction projects. Without proper forming, however, concrete is useless for most construction projects.

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This article will cover what concrete forming is, how to use it in concrete construction, how it works, and much more.

Let's delve in:

1. What Is Concrete Forming?

A concrete form is a temporary or permanent barrier that molds concrete into a specific shape until it hardens enough to retain that shape.

Concrete forming is crucial to the construction of concrete structures. It allows concrete to dry fully in the correct shape without cracking or sagging.

Although concrete forming is not new, it has evolved over time.

Concrete forming dates back to ancient Roman times when they first used reeds, then graduated to wood, stacked rocks, and bricks. Well-known structures like the Colosseum and Pantheon were both built with the help of formwork.

Since then, we've designed entire concrete forming systems that are much less rudimentary.

2. How Is Concrete Forming Used?

So, how are concrete forms used in erecting a concrete project?

A concrete slab is the easiest and most well-known concrete product you can create using a form. However, there is so much more that you can do with the help of concrete forms.

Various components are built with the help of concrete forms and joined together to create a complete concrete structure.

These components include:

• Foundations
• Walls
• Ceilings
• Beams
• Columns
• Paths
• Walkways
• Sidewalks
• Driveways

Vertical Formwork

You can form concrete from the ground up or from one structure to another. These are vertical and horizontal formworks.

Use vertical formworks to create foundations, walls, and columns. You'll have to anchor these to the subsoil. Vertical formworks need tie rods or wires to keep the concrete from expanding the form outward.

Horizontal Formwork

Horizontal formwork creates concrete forms off the ground. These are useful for components like ceilings and beams.

These need much more rigid support from columns, braces, struts, or fully formed walls to hold the form in place until the concrete sets.

3. How Does Concrete Forming Work?

Concrete contractors will prepare the building site by removing debris and excess soil with an excavator.

They then erect the formwork at the job site before pouring concrete. Contractors can choose which type of formwork to use based on the project.

They use these forms to keep the concrete in the desired shape until set. One project will often require the use of many concrete forms to complete.

Forms are erected and dismantled strategically to ensure the supporting concrete is stable before adding more on top.

Components of Concrete Formwork

While there are many different types of formworks available, most share several common components.

Each component plays an integral role in holding the concrete in the correct shape and allowing it to gain strength and durability.

Formwork Sheeting

Formwork sheeting refers to the pieces that touch the concrete and hold it into the form. These can be aluminum, acrylic, fiberglass, or plywood sheets.

Formwork sheeting is also known as formwork shell; using it can add texture to decorative concrete.

Formwork Bearers

Formwork bearers are support beams for the sheeting to help with the weight of the concrete. These are usually made of steel beams and clamps to quickly build a concrete wall form.

Formwork Ties

Another reinforcement used in formwork is formwork ties. These consist of steel tie wire strung around the bearers and woven through the form boards.

This wire is then tightened by twisting it with a hand tool. Formwork ties help to strengthen the form as a whole.

Other common ways to increase the strength of the form are to use fasteners, latches, and joints.

Rebar

Steel stakes called rebar go inside the formwork to reinforce and strengthen the structure before pouring the concrete.

4. How Do You Know What Type of Concrete Form to Use?

There are many types of concrete forms on the market, and each has its benefits and downfalls.

When determining which formwork to use for your project, you must consider the formwork's cost.

The most inexpensive formwork is more labor intensive, less efficient, and more susceptible to collapse. However, it will save you a ton of money.

An expensive premade system is safer, more labor efficient, and improves productivity on the project.

While the initial investment is significantly higher, much of the cost is regained on labor and the longer life cycle of the formwork itself.

Rent or Buy?

Many project owners who don't foresee the need to own formwork in the future will choose to rent engineered formwork systems. Rentals require little maintenance since the rental company will care for the system.

However, if multiple projects need completing, buying formwork would be more economical than renting it.

Of course, owning formwork systems requires storage and regular maintenance in order to maintain their strength.

Six Major Types

There are six significant formwork types that you can use to mold concrete.

Keep reading to understand their differences and what each is best for.

1. Timber Forms

The oldest and cheapest type of concrete form is the timber form.

Most contractors know how to build these forms. They are lightweight and can be made into any shape you desire.

They do have a couple of pitfalls. First, they are the most labor-intensive type of form to build. Erecting timber forms can take as long as building the structure itself.

The second pitfall is that plywood sheeting is not the most durable and won't have as long of a life cycle as steel or plastic forms.

2. Engineered Forms

These prefabricated, engineered forms are the safest and strongest form for concrete available on the market.

They are also one of the most expensive, but they are easily put together and last a long time when well maintained.

3. Plastic Forms

Plastic forms are usually modular to allow for the creation of different shapes. They're also incredibly lightweight but surprisingly powerful and easy to keep.

4. ICF Forms

ICF, or insulated concrete forms, are permanent forms that stay with the structure even after the concrete has dried completely.

These forms are easily set up, add extra insulation, and eliminate any fears of weakness in the concrete due to incorrect forming.

5. Stay-in-Place Forms

Stay-in-place forms are made from different materials that don't corrode. They stay in the concrete even after it has fully dried.

These are similar to ICF forms but don't provide much insulation.

For more Aluminum Concrete Forminformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

The types of stay-in-place forms include:

• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
• Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP)
• Galvanized coiled sheet
• Fabricated steel
• Carbon/epoxy thin shell

6. Flexible Forms

Flexible forms are just as the name implies. They can bend and twist to create fluid concrete forms such as curves and domes.

As you can see, each type of formwork has its pros and cons, and every project has unique needs. While one project could use multiple forms, you cannot use every form for every project.

Choosing the type of concrete forms for your project is a balance of:

• Cost
• Efficiency
• Your contractor's proficiency with the form
• And the value it will bring to the project itself

5. How Do You Design Concrete Forms?

Once you've chosen your concrete form type, you must design the form to create your concrete structure.

You'll need to determine your form's square footage and ensure you have enough material to create it.

You also need to be sure that your formwork is strong enough to support the load of the pour and the vibration after.

The pressure of the concrete against the formwork is the most critical issue. The height of the pour, the concrete pour rate, the concrete's weight, and the air temperature at the pouring time all affect the pressure.

You should do a total calculation of the load and pressure before designing your formwork. This article explains how to do it, sharing the methods and specific formulas to use.

Use the proper thickness of sheeting-plywood grade, steel, or plastic sheeting to ensure that your formwork will support your pour based on your calculations.

You must also use the proper amount of props, beams, and supports to hold the vertical and horizontal loads as well as the lateral pressure. All joints, including isolation joints, need to be leakproof.

Most forms will require the addition of rebar to reinforce the concrete and add stability. This quick read will help you determine when to include rebar in your formwork design.

6. What Are Some Common Mistakes to Avoid?

You should be aware of some common mistakes made during formwork design so you can avoid repeating them on your project.

Here they are:

Not Caring for Formwork Properly

Damaged formwork can cause collapse during a pour. That is why it is essential to properly care for formwork before, during, and after each use.

To keep your formwork in pristine condition, you should clean and oil the formwork after each use.

It's important to know how to properly care for and maintain formwork down to the type of oil to use and how to clean it correctly.

Removing Formwork Too Early

Patience is critical during the construction of concrete structures. Removing the formwork too early can cause a weakening in the structural integrity of the concrete (and the entire structure).

Incorrect Assembly of Formwork

It is also vital that you assemble your formwork correctly. When using pre-engineered formwork, directions should come with it. Follow these to a tee.

Use the correct amount of bearers and ties and space them correctly to support the pressure of the concrete. This includes expansion joints and anchor bolts.

Not Following Shoring Safety Guidelines

You'll risk injury to your workers or property damage if you don't enforce safety guidelines.

Regarding formwork, the best way to keep everyone safe is by following shoring guidelines.

Safway Services outlines shoring safety guidelines here .

7. Can You Reuse Concrete Forms?

Formwork can be a very costly part of your project but reusing them saves you a lot on material costs.

Some forms are permanent, like ICF or stay-in-place forms, and so won't be reused, leaving only temporary forms for reuse.

Of course, you can only reuse certain temporary forms. Pre-engineered forms are created to be able to be set up and taken down repeatedly, so they are easily reusable.

You can also reuse precast forms (and plywood or acrylic) with the help of a special addition.

Apply Release Agent

To help you reuse formwork, you can apply a release agent to the formwork sheeting before pouring the concrete.

You can also use plastic sheeting or form liners that you can peel off to keep the concrete from sticking to the formwork.

Plywood panels for forms have an exterior layer of resin applied to help repel moisture and add stability for easier release.

This article can help you learn more about release agents and keeping concrete from sticking to your forms so you can reuse them.

Even with the help of release agents and other helpful tools, the strength of formwork decreases with time and each use. You should also inspect formwork carefully before each use.

Conclusion

Hopefully, these answers helped squash any doubts about the use and purpose of concrete forming in your next concrete projects. By following the methods and applying the information in this guide, your concrete formwork should be top-notch.

Proper concrete forming is crucial for the most sound, stable, and long-lasting concrete structures.

It's of the utmost importance to use high-quality concrete formwork. It helps you ensure that you end up with the necessarily concrete final product, and good formwork also helps you prevent formwork fails. The use of formwork that's not appropriate for a particular job or formwork that simply isn't in good condition can put your workers at risk. It can also lead to issues that are costly and time-consuming to address. It's much better to use the right formwork and end up with the results you want than to risk using the wrong formwork and end up with results that require you to re-do the work.

Requirements

You may be wondering, though, how to determine if concrete formwork is high-quality enough for your project. This may especially be the case if you're looking to buy used formwork or rent used formwork. Buying or renting used forms can save you a sizable amount of money and help lower your overall project costs. Since engineered forms (steel and aluminum formwork) can be used over and over again without any problems, buying used is often a smart decision with relatively few risks. It's important, though, to pay attention to certain things when assessing the condition of forms before you buy.

Recommendations

Below are some recommendations to help you decide formwork meets your quality standards:

• The formwork should be able to adequately support both dead and live loads associated with your specific project. To maintain safety and quality concrete construction, the formwork has to be strong enough for the job.

• It should be able to maintain its shape with the use of props and braces.

• Its joints should be leak-proof and in good condition.

• The formwork should not be distorted, damaged, or warped in any areas. It should not be rusted or corroded to the point that its capabilities would be affected.

• Assuming the formwork is temporary rather than permanent, it should be easy to remove and not cause any damage to concrete during removal.

• The formwork should be intended for multiple uses, which may not be the case with certain types of timber formwork, for instance.

• All concrete residue from previous use should be removed.

• If you are able to obtain information about how the formwork has been maintained, it can be helpful to know that a release agent was applied to it immediately after its last use. Additionally, you may want to inquire about where and how formwork has been stored while not in use. It's best if it's been stored in a covered, dry area.

Final Thoughts

You should also take the kind of concrete you're going to be using and the pouring temperature of that concrete into consideration when figuring out if particular formwork is ideal for your particular project. In addition to investing in quality formwork, you should be sure to invest in high quality falsework to accompany it. The time you invest into getting the right formwork and materials for your concrete construction project will be well worth it once you achieve the desired finish product!

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