Aluminum formwork is a lightweight material used to maintain the shape of concrete until it solidifies. It is easy to transport, install, and disassemble. Steel and plywood are also used, but aluminum is preferred due to its strength and ease of use. The formwork is built in modular panels that can be connected to create various shapes. Falsework is used to secure the panels together. Aluminum formwork can be rented or purchased and is a good choice for small to medium-sized projects.
The concrete pouring process requires a few steps to ensure that the concrete doesn’t lose shape as it hardens. Aluminum formwork is a type of material used to help concrete keep its shape until it is solid and can hold its shape on its own. The term “formwork” refers to panels that can be arranged in such a way as to form a mould; “falsework” refers to posts, connectors, and other hardware that holds the modules together. The aluminum formwork is made of a lightweight metal that is easy to transport, install, disassemble and clean.
There are other types of formwork as well; steel and plywood are the most commonly used types of shapes. However, aluminum formwork has advantages because it is strong yet light and easy to install. Plywood can, however, be susceptible to water damage and can also warp; steel can be heavy, difficult to place, and difficult to store and transport. Aluminum formwork avoids these pitfalls, although it has its own drawbacks. Aluminum is a fairly stiff and brittle metal that tends to break when bent. Steel is more resistant to these types of damage, but tends to be more expensive than steel.
To ensure structural rigidity, the aluminum formwork will be built in pieces. The modular panels can be connected to each other to create various concrete shapes. The panels must be secured together to prevent the concrete from flowing between them; this is done using falsework. In some cases, aluminum formwork can be used in conjunction with other types of formwork materials, especially certain types of plywood that are resistant to water damage. Sometimes steel components are used in conjunction with aluminum shapes for increased durability and stability. Jacks are also usually made from steel, as these units will experience a significant amount of stress during use.
Like other types of formwork, aluminum formwork can be purchased or leased. Modules can be rented for small to medium-sized projects; if the user will often do concrete projects, it is better to buy modules that can be reused. Aluminum is a good choice because it will generally be less expensive than other types of formwork, is easily stored and transported, and can be easily cleaned between uses to ensure the panels can be used for future projects. The thickness of the aluminum will generally determine which projects the shapes will be most appropriate for.
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