Formwork 101 - An introductory Guide - MEVA UK

2. Aluminium

If you want a formwork frame that is as strong, durable, and reliable as steel but not as heavy, aluminium is certainly an excellent choice. It is lightweight and doesn’t absorb moisture, so there is no warping or shrinking. Most importantly, it can be reused a significant number of times, helping you minimise construction costs while maximising your savings.

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Besides the advantages discussed above, here are the other benefits of using an aluminium formwork frame:

• Because it’s lightweight and mostly crane-independent, and helps to speed up the construction of the project. This allows you to save time and labour, and ultimately minimise overall costs.

• It can have powder-coating to create an impact- and scratch-resistant surface and ensure easy cleaning.

• It offers a cost-effective solution when building a significant number of symmetrical structures.

• It can have welded-in nuts for easy and quick assembly of accessories, such as brackets or guarding rails.

• It can be repaired and refurbished multiple times.

• It has less concrete adhesion compared to other materials.

Similar to steel formwork, aluminium is relatively more expensive than timber or plywood. However, the long-term savings it can offer you will certainly make up for its initial cost. Also, with a wide range of aluminium formwork systems available today, such as the product offerings we have here at MEVA, finding the system that meets your specific needs and budget is fast and easy.

2. Column

As the name suggests, column formwork is used in the construction of circular or rectangular columns. Columns have formwork sections with a “closed load transmission”, which is supported by the formwork’s design and the guaranteed tensile strength rather than by using ties.

Steel formwork is often used to form circular columns as it is economical and available in incremental dimensions. Single-use forms, which are destroyed and disposed of during stripping, can be used as an alternative. However, using single-use formwork is not advisable if you need to construct multiple circular columns.
Meanwhile, rectangular columns are formed using three systems depending on their specifications. For instance, classic timber girders with steel walers and a plywood facing are often used when builders need to form a significant number of columns with special dimensions. The windmill system, which is composed of columns or multi-purpose panels of frame formwork systems, is suited for building single columns with a standard dimension.

Finally, a foldable column formwork is highly suitable for columns with great heights. Because all the essential components (panels, connecting devices, ladders, and access platforms) are integrated into this type of column formwork, it helps builders reduce construction time and costs.

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If you are looking for column formwork that features intelligent design and is developed to maximise safety in the workplace, you can’t go wrong with the circular and column formwork systems we have here at MEVA. Our products are designed with optimum efficiency in mind to help builders save time and labour. 

3. Wall

Wall formwork comes in different types and classifications, including:

Conventional
It consists of boards or sheets and squared timber. It is flexible, but it can be costly and time-consuming since each component must be assembled on site. Also, all of its parts should be made specifically according to the project’s specifications and must be nailed together and dismantled again after concreting.

Girder
It is a better version of the conventional formwork. Its components, which usually consist of dimensionally stable girders with two chords and one web, have been standardised to facilitate the assembly of identical and ready-to-use panels. The connection of the panels has also been systematised.

Frame
This type of wall formwork helps reduce labour time since its essential components (forming face, support for forming face, and steel walers) are assembled as one panel. The profile nose of the frames protects the edges of the forming face, thus, extending its lifespan. Connecting devices are used when assembling the frame panels to large-size units, which are then usually transported by crane.

Crane-independent (hand-set)
This type of formwork can be moved by hand. Because of weight considerations, it is usually made of aluminium or plastic. It can take less concrete pressure than crane-dependent formwork and is often used in housing and municipal construction projects.

Crane-dependent 
Crane-dependent formwork systems feature a large frame and formwork panels, usually steel. As a result, they cannot be moved manually. Since they can resist more fresh concrete pressures than crane-independent forms, they are suitable for the construction of commercial buildings and other extensive infrastructure projects.

Two-sided
As the name implies, two-sided formwork is put up on both sides of the wall. Its formwork ties, which are usually sleeved by spacing plastic tubes so they can be reused, take up the fresh concrete pressure. Push-pull props or large heavy-duty braces are attached to the formwork to align it and secure it against wind loads during operation.

Single-sided
Single-side formwork is used when concrete has to be poured against existing structures or when builders need to do concreting against a hill or soil. This is why it is most suitable for reconstruction jobs. In this type of formwork system, concrete pressure is transferred from the formwork into the base plates through a support structure. 

Prefabricated
It consists of two prefabricated concrete panels, which are then assembled in advance and then transported and filled with concrete onsite. Braces and push-pull props are often used to secure the walls, while working and safety scaffolds are installed with the help of special adapters to make the construction process more cost-effective. Prefabricated formwork helps minimise project duration and labour. However, pre-planning is required to ensure that it is transported safely to the job site.

Circular
It is designed for the construction of curved and polygonal walls. It is also quite useful in the construction of specific concrete structures, such as septic tanks and car park ramps. This formwork system comes in different types: round girder, flexible girder, and polygonal.

• Round girder – timber spacers are added between the timber girders and steel walers so the formwork can be adjusted to the required radius. 
• Flexible girder – suited for the construction of curved walls with different radii. It comprises timber/steel girders and a spindle, which allows builders to adjust the formwork to the required radius without having to re-assemble the panels.
• Polygonal – existing “flat” frame formwork panels can be refurbished as polygonal formwork by adding supplementary radius panels and rails, allowing builders to minimise costs.

Climbing
Climbing formwork is quite useful in the construction of high-rise concrete structures, such as control towers and skyscrapers, because it climbs with the wall. It is composed of large wall formwork mounted to a climbing scaffold. There are different types of climbing formwork. They are: crane-dependent, self-climbing, single-sided climbing, and slipform.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of scaffolding shuttering. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

• Crane-dependent – the climbing unit (scaffold and formwork) requires the help of a crane to reach the next cycle.
• Self-climbing – an automatic climbing system that doesn’t require a crane’s assistance to reach the next suspension point. Hydraulic rams/pumps lift the scaffold, secondary platform, and formwork to the next pouring cycle. It is ideal for the construction of very tall concrete structures.
• Slipform – a two-sided formwork that slides upwards along the structure being built at a rate of 20-25cm per hour. A system of pipe rods, which is integrated into the already set concrete, supports the slipform.
• MEVA is an industry leader offering a wide variety of wall formwork systems that provide efficient shuttering, flexibility, and reliability. Our products are lightweight and easy to assemble to facilitate the quick completion of your construction projects.