RECENT SENARIO IN FORMWORK: ALUMINIUM FORMS

By- Ganapati Waddar, M. Tech, Ist Semester,

USN-5WK18CSE08
Govt. SKSJTI, Bengaluru

INTRODUCTION
Definition

When concrete is placed, it is in a plastic state. It requires to be supported by temporary

supports and casings of the desired shape till it becomes sufficiently strong to support its
own weight. This temporary casing is known as the formwork or forms or shuttering.

The Requirement of good formwork is defined in Figure: 1, these are the criteria will be
satisfied in the good form work. The figure: 2 are for classification of formwork.

Figure: 1 Requirements of good formwork

Figure: 2 Classification of formwork

  
 
 
ALUMINIUM FORMS

Why Aluminium?

Certain aluminium alloys, which are resistant to wet concrete as well as atmospheric
corrosion, are used for making aluminium forms. These forms are very similar to steel
forms. Aluminium formwork has been developed in recent years because of their
lightweight and corrosion resistance. Aluminium panels are generally made with
aluminium frames.
Lightweight props are made from aluminium alloy tubes.

Aluminium Formwork System

Aluminium Formwork System, a comparatively a new technology in India, saves cost,

time and improves the quality of construction. Aluminium Formwork is successfully
used in Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and the Middle East for the construction of
apartments and buildings, both low and high rises. For repetition of building layouts
and for above-the-plinth work, Aluminium Formwork system is very cost effective. This
is one of the systems identified to be very much suitable for Indian conditions for mass
construction, where quality and speed can be achieved at a high level. The speed of
construction of this system will surpass the speed of most of the other construction
methods/technologies. The labour handles this method effectively to speed up the
construction, to assure quality control and durability.

Aluminium Formwork panels can be designed for any condition/component of building

such as bay windows, stairs, balconies and special architectural features. This system
is unique as all the components in a building, including slabs, floors, walls, columns,
beam, staircases, balconies and window hood, are concrete and there is no need for
block works or brick works. It gives a form finish, eliminates the need for external and
internal plaster and the walls can be directly painted with a minimal skim coat, all these
ultimately resulting in cost saving.

  
 
 
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF ALUMINIUM FORMWORK
These are the following advantages and disadvantages of aluminium formwork
systems.
Advantages
1. Savings on overhead expenses due to speedy construction (4 days per floor).
2. Monolithic crack free structures.
3. Doesn't require timber or plywood for construction activities.
4. Casting of walls and slabs possible simultaneously.
5. Doesn't require skilled labor.
6. Floor slab forms removed without moving props.
7. Earthquake resistance of the resulting structures increases manifold..

Disadvantages:
1. Architectural changes not possible in the structure (but some walls can be of
brickwork or openings can be entertained).
2. Due to the tremendous speed of construction, working capital finance needs to be
planned in advance.
3. Paints for HIG schemes needs to be of superior quality. For LIG, form finish is more
than sufficient.

Figure 4: Aluminium Formworks Used In Different Elements