Formwork for floors

It is imperative to guarantee the stability and longevity of floors during the construction of any structure. A crucial component in accomplishing this is the application of formwork. Concrete is supported by formwork until it reaches a strength where it can stand on its own. Making informed decisions during construction projects can be facilitated by having a basic understanding of formwork for floors.

Formwork holds freshly poured concrete in place and shapes it while it hardens, acting as a temporary mold. Formwork can be made of a variety of materials, such as plastic, steel, aluminum, and wood. Every material has benefits of its own and is selected according to the project’s particular needs.

A level and sturdy floor can only be achieved by properly arranging the formwork. Concrete that has been properly aligned and fastened will cure uniformly and keep its shape. Errors in the installation of formwork can result in structural problems and expensive future repairs.

This post will discuss the various kinds of formwork, their advantages, and installation advice. Whether you are an experienced builder or a do-it-yourselfer, knowing formwork for floors will help you become a better builder and make better projects.

Formwork for floors – composition, main requirements and advantages of the structure

A monolithic floor is one of the building’s more complex features. Once you’ve made the decision to fill it yourself, thoroughly review the specifications for prefabricated formwork.

The intricate structure of floor formwork is made up of the following parts:

• support units, which are telescopic formwork supports, scaffolding or wooden beams. A correctly selected distance between the supports allows you to evenly distribute the load on the support;
• a base formed from sheet materials. For the manufacture of the formwork base, plywood sheets with increased moisture resistance, board panels or metal profiles are used;
• wooden or metal beams located mutually perpendicular. The strength of the formwork structure depends on the rigidity of the beam elements, which perceive the mass of concrete before and after hardening.

DIY Formwork is put together using a previously created drawing or sketch as a guide. Let’s examine the primary prerequisites for formwork:

1. Increased safety margin. Elements of the formwork structure perceive the weight of liquid and hardened concrete, as well as the mass of the reinforcement frame.
2. Reliability and safety. It is important to ensure the rigidity of the base on which workers move during reinforcement and pouring concrete.
3. Long service life. Dismountable formwork consisting of standardized elements is a reusable structure. It is reused after dismantling.
4. Maintaining integrity under loads. In the process of surface and deep compaction of the concrete mass, increased dynamic loads occur, which are transferred to the formwork elements.
5. Possibility of accelerated installation. Design features of standard sections and supporting elements provide for the possibility of accelerated assembly of formwork.
6. Ease of disassembly. After the concrete has gained exposure strength, the formwork, consisting of individual units, is easily dismantled for reuse.

The floor’s formwork offers a number of benefits. Principal benefits:

• accelerated assembly rates and the ability to dismantle on your own;
• no need to use lifting devices;
• the possibility of using for pouring floors of complex configuration;
• stability and reliability;
• ease of delivery to the installation site;
• the possibility of repeated use after disassembly;
• long service life.

Let’s delve deeper into the formwork design options.

Types of formwork structures

The following categories apply to formworks used in the concreting of reinforced concrete floors:

• stationary structures that cannot be dismantled after the concrete has hardened. Elements of permanent formwork include waterproofing materials, as well as thermal insulation sheets, which allows for additional waterproofing and insulation of the building. After concreting, the stationary formwork will become a structural element of reinforced concrete structures. The use of a permanent form allows you to reduce the amount of labor costs for installation. Permanent forms made of modern building materials provide additional decorativeness of the building;

• removable formwork, disassembled after the concrete solution has hardened. Dismantled structures are used more often than stationary ones. They are cheaper and, if necessary, are made by their own efforts. Many developers rent such formwork, which allows them to reduce costs and quickly complete concreting. Dismountable structures are divided by complexity. Simple formwork installed in a horizontal plane and volumetric ones with a complex shape are used. Small and large-sized modules are used, as well as sliding elements lifted vertically.

The intricacy of the structure to be built and the project’s specifications dictate the formwork design to be used.

Preparation of materials for assembling the formwork frame

The formwork’s design characteristics determine the list of required materials.

The following building materials will require the assembly of plywood, wooden or metal -profile structure:

• sheet plywood of increased moisture resistance. The sheet material is used 20-25 mm thick. The presence of a laminated coating will simplify the dismantling of formwork after hardening of concrete;
• Strict boards. Strong lumber should be used without falling knots and defects. The optimal thickness of the boards is 40 mm with a width of 200 mm;
• Profiled sheet. It is made of sheet metal, resistant to loads and has increased strength due to corrugations located with an equal interval.

Additionally, there are several components that need to be prepared:

• supporting elements;
• longitudinal beams;
• transverse bars;
• brackets;
• universal forks;
• tripods.

The dimensions and selection of materials and components are contingent upon the properties of the formwork structure.

What types of racks are used?

Formwork supports come in a variety of designs. Support elements of the following kinds are employed:

1. Sliding telescopic structures. Include a support unit made in the form of a tripod, a prefabricated stand and a platform with clamps for beams. Telescopic supports are used in the construction of formwork for pouring monolithic floors at a height of up to 4 m.
2. Starter and additional stands made of metal profile. Used as support elements in the construction of volumetric formwork and connected with wedge or cup fasteners. With the help of a set of supports, volumetric formwork structures up to 18 m high are erected.
3. Wooden beams, logs and pipes. Widely used by private developers when concreting interfloor floors in low-rise buildings. Supports are installed in a vertical position and fixed in place using inclined braces.

A particular kind of formwork support is chosen based on the concrete floor thickness and the height of the formwork.

Formwork for the floor – device and installation principle

The formwork is set up very easily. It is made up of a series of vertical supports that guarantee the longitudinal and transverse beams’ immobility. The beams are covered with sheet material. The thickness of the monolithic slab is reflected in the height of the flanging that is made along the sheet base’s perimeter. Formwork’s primary responsibility is to guarantee the concrete solution’s immobility and preserve its shape until the final hardening process. The dependability and lifespan of the built instructions are determined by how well the formwork components are installed.

The floor formwork installation is done using the following algorithm, regardless of the formwork structure’s design features:

1. Support racks are installed in a vertical position with a step of 1-1.2 m.
2. The transverse and longitudinal beams are laid on the supporting surface.
3. The sheet material is fastened to the supporting beams of the supporting frame.
4. The edging elements are assembled and fixed along the perimeter of the formwork.

The joint zones are sealed and the horizontality is controlled once the aforementioned procedures are finished. There are subtle differences in the installation of metal profile formwork and plywood. Let’s ponder them in greater depth.

The technology of manufacturing formwork using corrugated sheets

Many developers use profiled sheets when building formwork over a larger area. The material is corrugated and has the markings H and NS on it. Because of the mass of the concrete mortar and the weight of the reinforcement frame, it can withstand higher forces. The formwork can be reliably sealed thanks to the profile sheets’ snug fit. Additional reinforcement for the structure is provided by the material’s corrugated surface.

When installing formwork from a profile sheet, follow these steps:

1. Fix vertically supporting elements.
2. Lay and fix longitudinal crossbars.
3. Fasten cross beams on beams.
4. Place profile sheets on the frame.
5. Attach the profile sheet to the supporting frame.

The assembly’s dependability, the structure’s horizontality, and gap sealing still need to be done. It is essential to place the reinforcing frame inside the assembled formwork before pouring the concrete mixture to create a monolithic floor.

How to install formwork using moisture-proof plywood?

Plywood sheets are a good choice when building formwork for pouring interfloor ceilings in private homes. You can cut expenses by using plywood in place of pricey steel plates. Using plywood that is resistant to moisture is crucial. After the concrete has hardened, it will be easier to disassemble the sheets if you use plywood with extra lamination.

Installing plywood formwork components follows a similar process to putting together a formwork structure made of corrugated sheet:

1. First, install wooden beams with a cross-section of 10×10 cm.
2. Then install transverse and longitudinal beams.
3. The elements of the structure are connected using fixing elements.
4. Plywood sheets are laid and fastened with self-tapping screws to the supporting frame.
5. Plywood blanks for flanging are cut and fastened along the contour of the formwork.

Make sure there are no spaces between the plywood sheets, in the joint areas, or in the corner areas. Polyurethane foam needs to be used to fill in the spaces. When working, be mindful of the formwork’s horizontality and the dependability of the fixation. The surface of the formwork is covered with polyethylene film to make it easier to disassemble plywood panels and stop the plywood from absorbing moisture.

For floors, formwork is a must for producing sturdy, level surfaces. It ensures that the finished product is stable and long-lasting by supporting the concrete as it cures and sets. The quality of your floor can be greatly improved with the correct formwork.

Formwork comes in a variety of forms, such as conventional wood, reusable plastic, and contemporary metal systems. Every variety has benefits, ranging from affordability to usability and durability. Choosing the right formwork for your project will rely on its particular requirements.

Installing things correctly is essential. Any problems during the pouring and curing process can be avoided by making sure the formwork is properly aligned and firmly fastened. In the long run, saving time and effort by carefully setting up formwork will minimize the need for repairs or adjustments.

To summarize, superior concrete floors can be achieved by purchasing high-quality formwork and installing it according to best practices. As it guarantees long-term durability and provides a solid base for additional construction, the foundation is essential to any building.

When building with concrete, formwork is essential for floors because it provides the mold needed to shape and support the concrete until it solidifies and reaches the right strength. Through this procedure, you can be sure that the floor structure is sturdy, level, and free from cracks or uneven surfaces in the future. Be it a residential or commercial project, knowing the different kinds of formwork, what materials to use, and how to install them properly is crucial to the outcome.

Video on the topic

Floor formwork from DOKA. Obzorchik – a new gun from Max

Collapse of a floor slab during concreting

Installation of floor formwork | Upex

Floor formwork H20

The formwork has collapsed