For sturdy, long-lasting ceiling construction, formwork is essential. In order to keep the concrete in place while it sets and hardens, formwork serves as a makeshift mold. Purchasing the appropriate formwork is crucial to guaranteeing that the strength and finish of your ceiling turn out as intended.
The size of the ceiling, the kind of concrete you’re using, and your budget can all influence the type of formwork you choose. A variety of options are available, ranging from more contemporary materials like metal or plastic systems to more conventional timber formwork. Every option has advantages and disadvantages of its own, so it’s critical to weigh the pros and cons before choosing.
Installing your formwork comes next after you’ve chosen it. The secret to getting a smooth, level ceiling is proper installation. The formwork must be carefully set up, making sure it is correctly aligned and well-supported. Before pouring the concrete, this process entails measuring and adjusting to make sure everything is precisely in place.
You can position yourself for success by being mindful of the installation procedure as well as the formwork you choose. A well-done formwork setup will help create a finished ceiling that is more dependable and polished in addition to supporting the concrete.
- Advantages of monolithic floors
- Requirements for formwork
- Types of structure
- Racks
- Installation of the floor on a profiled sheet
- Monolithic floor on moisture-resistant plywood
- Video on the topic
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Advantages of monolithic floors
When selecting a building material, a number of considerations must be made as they will impact both the estimated cost and the length of time needed to complete the project. The benefits of installing floor formwork are numerous.
- such a structure can be installed independently, without involving construction equipment;
- building material is cheaper;
- It is durable and therefore reliable in operation;
- installation possible when constructing buildings of various shapes.
Three materials are needed to fill the floor: floor formwork, individual reinforcement chosen based on the type of building, and a mixture of concrete grade B25 and higher. Metal reinforcement needs to be protected with concrete.
In order to determine the strength and permeability of sounds, the concrete slab needs to be at least 6 cm thick. Iron rods that are bent upward serve as the supporting reinforcement to keep the slabs close to the wall from cracking.
Overlapping requires the creation of a unique belt in order to secure the reinforcement. The reinforcement structure itself folds in two directions and has a load-bearing function.
Requirements for formwork
Because the quality of a monolithic floor affects people’s lives, installers should approach its construction with particular care. For this reason, it’s essential to adhere to every detail, even the smallest ones, when installing formwork for floors. The following criteria must be met in order to install formwork for monolithic floors:
- ultra-high strength of structures;
- the ability of formwork for floor slabs to withstand various dynamic loads;
- installation must be strictly horizontal;
- assembly and disassembly of the structure must be easy;
- under no circumstances is bending of the structure allowed;
- the safety of workers must be ensured during construction work;
- the service life of the structure must be more than 10 cycles.
These kinds of structures have to comply with GOST standards, which state that they have to:
- the average density must be D400-500 kg per 1 m³;
- concrete should be marked B2.5 and higher;
- the compressive strength of the structure is 38.6-47.1 kgf/cm²;
- frost resistance is 35 cycles;
- high fire resistance, because.. according to GOST, this structure is made of non-combustible material;
- environmental friendliness is 2;
- when drying, the deformation should not exceed 0.5 mm per 1 m.
Dimensional deviations can be as much as 0.5 mm in height and 1 mm in length. Adherence to these guidelines will enable superior floor formwork installation.
Types of structure
There are various methods for filling the working surface, which is situated between floors, with both permanent and movable formwork. A good estimate is included in the construction of apartment buildings with several stories, and jacks are typically used to install mobile panels.
When building a house on one’s own, a dependable yet less expensive construction method is required. Under such circumstances, floor formwork installation—which is typically completed with less expensive building materials—occurs most frequently.
The detachable framework is composed of wooden planks and includes:
- stop bar;
- spacer;
- embedded and cover boards;
- wire tie.
It is easy to locate the design diagram online. The permanent structure is made up of more materials and is more intricate.
These buildings are constructed from leftover materials:
- corrugated sheet;
- waterproof plywood;
- wood.
Corrugated sheet is the best material if a heavy load is anticipated on the future floor. For the construction of the top floor, which has a non-residential attic, plywood or wood formwork is appropriate.
For ceiling projects, selecting the appropriate formwork is essential to guaranteeing a smooth and effective concrete pour. This post will explain the various forms of formwork that are available, ranging from conventional wooden systems to contemporary modular options, and will offer clear instructions on how to install them correctly. You can achieve a long-lasting, well-finished ceiling and stay clear of common pitfalls by being aware of your options and using the proper installation techniques.
Racks
The following categories of formwork racks exist:
- telescopic;
- volumetric.
When building a residential floor, telescopic racks are utilized; if the floor is higher than the typical height of a residential apartment, a volumetric structure should be used. The following elements make up the racks’ most recent version:
Its design is similar to that of a big tripod. The work surface is attached to the rack by means of the fork situated at its highest point. This component is made of sturdy metal that is 0.5 cm thick, to which four pipes with cross sections are welded. These pipes serve as clamps for beams. The tripod provides structural stability, allowing the rack to be positioned vertically and distributing the load evenly when pouring concrete over the floor.
It is preferable to purchase standard designs in order to construct a 30 cm floor, which is the typical standard for a residential building. These racks are labeled STO or STZ and may have open or closed threads.
The following are possible sizes for the rack that the factory produces:
- 1.7-3.1 m;
- 2-3.7 m;
- 2.4-4.2 m;
- 3-4.5 m.
Size 1 is used and the installation step is 1.5 m when building a private home.
Installation of the floor on a profiled sheet
When filling the floors by hand, it is best to use corrugated metal sheets in areas with wide spans. Though the cost of such a design is higher, during construction the reliability is far higher than with wood.
The following is how formwork for a floor slab is constructed:
- installation of a supporting structure in the form of beams;
- correct laying and fastening of corrugated sheets;
- installation of reinforcement;
- pouring concrete mortar;
- compacting the mortar.
The following floor beams are used on short spans, about 5 m, between floors: channel 16 or I-beam 20. It is imperative to adhere to the guidelines when installing the profile, one of which states that every edge of the sheet needs to be perpendicular to the supporting beams. There must be at least 10 cm of support on all sides.
In order to construct formwork for a monolithic floor, profile sheets bearing the markings "H" for a horizontal structure, "C" for a vertical structure, and "NS" for a universal building material are taken.
It is not possible to use "C" grade material when building house floors because it is the least reliable material and will bend easily under load.
Strength, load-bearing capacity, minimal building material consumption, low floor weight, and negligible load on the foundation are some benefits of this type of floor. As a result, designers of compact buildings are increasingly using this design.
Monolithic floor on moisture-resistant plywood
The high cost of steel sheets makes them unsuitable for building ceilings in summer kitchens or very small houses. In these situations, moisture-resistant plywood—which is also available in sheets—is utilized. Because it is unacceptable to have concrete damaged by moisture during pouring, moisture resistance is a crucial component of such materials.
Materials like plywood with improved moisture resistance, load-bearing wood beams, and support posts are used during installation work. For instance, a section of 10 by 10 cm will be sufficient when accounting for 150 kg/m2 for a flight of 4 m and a beam pitch of 1 m.
Self-tapping screws are used to fasten. Plastic latches are used to secure the reinforcement, which has been calculated and recorded in the project. Waterproofing in the form of a film is frequently added as an extra.
| Type of Formwork | Description and Installation Tips |
| Timber Formwork | Easy to customize and install, suitable for small projects. Requires regular maintenance to prevent damage from moisture. |
| Steel Formwork | Durable and reusable, ideal for large projects. Heavier and more expensive but offers a smooth finish. |
| Aluminum Formwork | Lightweight and strong, perfect for quick installation. Cost-effective for repetitive use but can be prone to denting. |
| Plastic Formwork | Lightweight and reusable, good for complex shapes. Less durable compared to metal but easy to handle and clean. |
| Modular Formwork | Pre-engineered and easy to assemble, suitable for various designs. Reduces labor costs and speeds up construction time. |
For any construction project, selecting the appropriate formwork for the ceiling is essential because it creates the foundation for a sturdy and dependable structure. Every option, including prefabricated panels, contemporary plastic systems, and conventional timber formwork, has advantages and disadvantages. While prefabricated panels offer quick setup and consistent results, timber is frequently praised for its versatility and affordability. Because plastic formwork is durable and reusable, even though it may cost more, it can be a wise investment.
When putting in formwork, precision is essential. Ascertain that the formwork is positioned accurately and firmly to avoid any problems during the concrete pour. This guarantees that when the concrete hardens, the ceiling will have the proper strength and form. Additionally, it’s critical to look for any holes or other weaknesses in the formwork, as these could result in flaws in the finished ceiling.
The ideal formwork option will ultimately depend on the particular requirements of your project, such as the financial constraints, schedule, and structural specifications. A seamless building process and a long-lasting, high-quality ceiling can be ensured by taking the time to evaluate these variables and choose the right formwork. You lay a solid foundation for the success of your project by paying close attention to both the formwork installation and selection process.
