Formwork Engineering Marvels: How Technology is Revolutionising the Construction Industry
If you have ever wondered how construction can turn an architect’s vision into reality, the answer is through several types of formwork. Without these temporary moulds, many of the modern architectural marvels that dot the urban landscape wouldn’t exist. Formwork, also referred to as shuttering, is defined by the structural element that is being built and can be square, rectangular, or circular.
From the early centuries of reed and fibre framework to the introduction of reusable steel formwork, advancements in technology have given the construction industry the necessary tools to create modern marvels on-site at a much quicker pace. We at Nhleko Scaffolding & Formwork would like you to gain an insight into how technology has played a vital role in revolutionising the use of formwork in construction as well as the many benefits that steel shuttering has over its traditional counterparts.
How Formwork Has Evolved through the Centuries
Ancient Romans were the first civilisation to introduce concrete formwork successfully for standard construction and have been the inspiration for future generations to create monolithic structures, such as the Pantheon and Colosseum that have stood the test of time. Taking a leaf from the building feats of ancient Rome, reed and fibre moulds were replaced by timber providing additional strength, flexibility, and moisture resistance.
As timber was (and still is) prone to warping, swelling, and changing shape over time, further improvements in formwork needed to be implemented. The Industrial Revolution introduced mass-production techniques, making construction components more readily available. In the 1950s, there was an abundance of steel formwork for concrete forming, which could be seen in the massive skyscrapers, bridges, and tunnels in populated areas. Still used today because of its efficiency, durability, and custom framing techniques, steel is the preferred choice of formwork for construction.
Why Use Steel Formwork?
Steel is a versatile and durable material that is used for several applications, among them formwork. Relatively simplistic to assemble and dismantle, these modular frameworks enable the construction industry to reuse the formwork over multiple builds. At Nhleko Scaffolding & Formwork, we offer fabricated steel moulds that are ideal for curved or circular structural elements.
- Steel is stronger and has a longer lifespan than timber or plywood shuttering.
- Assembly and dismantling can be done quicker, greatly speeding up on-site construction time.
- Unlike other types of formwork that may require further treatment, once removed, the quality of the exposed concrete is good.
- Steel formwork is not prone to absorbing moisture from concrete or shrinking.
- When exposed to the elements, there is no warping or distortion.
- This modular formwork can be removed in varying stages without damaging the concrete.
As much as we bestow the advantages of steel formwork, please bear in mind that shuttering can only be removed once the concrete has reached strengths to at least twice the stresses it may be subjected to. Careful removal will also prevent the load from transferring directly to the concrete. Many considerations make for good formwork, which we will gladly discuss with you.
Symbiotic Relationship between Scaffolding and Formwork
At Nhleko Scaffolding & Formwork, we pride ourselves on our end-to-end project management consultancy, which assists you in optimising efficiency on the construction site. By offering scaffolding together with our formwork solutions, it not only provides safe access for workers to operate from heights but also scaffold towers to provide stability and support to freshly poured concrete forms, giving them time to cure. Both the formwork and scaffolding can be safely removed by your construction company or us once the concrete has set.
Align Your Construction with the Leading Formwork Supplier
Preferring to keep your construction solutions under one umbrella means that you are aligning your interests with a company that has seen the successful completion of several formwork installations. We have supplied and assembled formwork for over 15 homes, including different types of designs such as rib and block slab shuttering.
Innovative Products and Service Offerings
We at Nhleko Scaffolding & Formwork are one of the fastest-growing companies and are making great strides in the construction industry through our innovative product and service offerings. We mainly specialise in scaffolding and formwork solutions but have seen the importance of project management consultancy and how it greatly benefits construction companies both large and small. Whether your next project is to adorn the urban skyline with an outrageous modern marvel or to reconstruct a home, contact us and we will gladly assist you.