A recent study by the University of Cambridge has found that plastic formwork is being used to replace traditional wood or steel for construction projects. The use of this material reduces cost and environmental impact, while still providing a safe foundation for buildings.
It is used in many different projects like buildings, bridges etc. It is also used in dams , sea walls because Plastic Concrete can be used in water.
People are often not aware of the use of plastic formwork in construction. This blog post will explore the benefits and drawbacks to using this type of formwork in order to provide a better understanding.
Variable Use of Plastic Formwork in construction
Concrete construction is a well-known building material, but when you are in the process of pouring concrete it creates significant financial issues when materials are wasted.
Plastic formwork can be utilized in order to minimize this excess material. Plastic formwork is an important part of building structures to prevent forms from wasting resources through excess or unintentional usage.
Basic Features of Plastic Formwork
Forms for concrete slabs generally consist of six components: corner pieces, end caps, gusset plates, studs, web stiffeners, and bolts. Plastic formwork has all these components plus features such as air holes to reduce weight and allow airflow during pours.
It also comes with adjustable feet that lock into position around the perimeter of the form so it does not slip when pouring begins .
Durability:
Forms used for concrete slabs are typically made out of plywood, steel, aluminum, and wood. Plywood was the most commonly used prior to the 1990’s because it was cheap and available in standard sizes that could be cut into any shape to fit the desired purpose.
After the 1990’s manufacturers started producing tougher plastic that would last longer than plywood so many builders began switching over due to its durability.
Cost Effective:
Plastic is a popular choice because the production costs are cheaper than they were for plywood so builders can afford to use more complex forms without increasing their budget significantly.
Plastic also allows users more creative freedom when designing forms for concrete slabs because there are much less limitations than with other materials such as thicker plastic that cannot be bent into certain shapes.
Easy to Use:
Plastic there are many benefits including better structural integrity, ease of use, faster installation time, durability of material after multiple pours, ability of designs to be crafted behind certain barriers where it is difficult or impossible to reach with human hands, and reduction of waste materials.
Plastic makes it easy for people involved in pouring concrete slabs to have clean edges that do not require as much prep work because there will be less debris and excess materials to clean up.
Ability to build complex shapes:
Plastic formwork has also allowed architects and engineers the ability to create more complex shapes compared with traditional wood which will allow for greater innovation within architectural designs.
Plastic is environmentally friendly, easy to use, and does not waste resources through excess production.
Plastic formwork is a great solution for construction projects looking to cut costs during the building process while still maintaining a high standard of durability and efficiency.
Ideal Solution:
Plastic formwork can be ideal because it provides better structural integrity than traditional plywood forms, allows designers more options due to its malleability, reduces waste by requiring less labor , creates more efficient methods of pouring concrete compared with multiple pieces bolted together, and is relatively cheap compared with both metal alternatives .
Reduces Material Waste:
Plastic is also very durable and can last through multiple pours, unlike plywood which loses its durability after the first pour and must be replaced. Plastic formwork also reduces material waste compared with plywood or steel alternatives .
Price of Plastic Formwork:
Plastic formwork is one of the cheapest alternatives available on the market at around $2 per square foot compared with aluminum at approximately $4 per square foot. Plastic is also very easy to assemble compared with other materials.
Plastic formwork reduces work site waste because there is no excess material that needs to be thrown away after it has been used. Plastic also saves money in the long run because it lasts through multiple projects which cuts down on costs eventually while saving time and energy .
Some Disadvantage of Plastic Formwork
- The disadvantages of plastic formwork are minimal when compared with other concrete construction elements.
- Plastic formwork requires special tools for installation which must be rented, unlike some other forms which can be installed by hand .
- Plastic also does not provide the same level of strength as aluminum so if heavy loads will need to be put onto the completed slab then aluminum might be a better option.
- Plastic forms require extra work during cleanup at the end of project which would not be necessary if another material, like metal, is used for the form.
- Plastic formwork is only available in certain thicknesses so it may not fulfill all design needs at times . Plastic forms are also more expensive than some other materials on the market which could potentially discourage people from using them.
- Plastic can also break under heavy loads , unlike some other construction elements that will bend or flex to absorb excess pressure during pours.
Although plastic concrete forms do have some disadvantages when compared with other building materials, they provide a much lower cost and allow more creative freedom when designing a project for a specific purpose or function because there are fewer limitations.
Plastic does not warp over time due to moisture in the environment and lasts through multiple projects which reduces costs
Conclusion:
Plastic formwork is a new type of building material that has been gaining popularity in the construction industry. It’s used to create large, rigid structures for buildings and other projects.
The advantages of using plastic formwork are numerous. Plastic is very durable, easy to use, and less expensive than traditional steel or aluminum materials. This article will explore some of the ways in which plastic formwork can be used effectively by contractors to keep costs down while creating beautiful results.