Concrete formwork involves creating temporary or permanent molds for pouring concrete structures. Plywood and sheet metal are common materials used, with plywood being versatile and easily manipulated. Roadform, made of steel, is another option but can be heavy and expensive. The main goal is to prevent concrete from leaking or overflowing during the setting process.
Concrete formwork is the process of making molds into which concrete can be poured to create finished concrete structures. The concrete formwork process usually involves the process of creating temporary structures and supports, although in some cases these structures and supports may be permanent. Plywood is a common material used for formwork, and plywood boards are supported by other pieces of wood or metal known as falsework. Sheet metal can also be used for formwork, although wood is often used to reduce costs and to facilitate the process of creating formwork quickly and effectively.
Plywood used for concrete formwork must be treated properly; most plywood sheets are water resistant to prevent warping, cracking and rotting while they are in place and support the concrete. Large sheets of plywood are usually used to create a smooth, level surface once the concrete has hardened. Plywood can be manipulated or cut easily to create various shapes, making it a versatile material for concrete formwork. In some cases, the plywood can be reused as long as it isn’t damaged in the formwork process. Plywood should be stored in a cool, dry place and sheets should be cleaned thoroughly after use.
Roadform is another type of concrete formwork commonly used in the concrete pouring process. The road form is generally made from steel and will come in long sections which can be stacked on top of each other and secured in place using dummy steel spikes. These plates are easy to install, extremely strong, rigid and comfortable to use. However, they can be more expensive than plywood shapes, and the metal street shape can be very heavy and bulky. Transporting road shapes can be problematic, as projects may require a large number of shapes that can weigh a significant amount when loaded onto a trailer or flatbed truck.
The main job of any type of concrete formwork is to keep the viscous concrete in place while it sets or dries. This means that the formwork cannot have gaps through which the concrete can leak during the placing process. This can lead to an uneven finished structure or air pockets in the concrete. Concrete formwork panels must therefore often be buried in the ground to prevent viscous concrete from seeping out of the bottom of the formwork. If the panels cannot be sunk into the ground, they will need to be weighted down or otherwise secured so that the concrete will not overflow.
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