Formwork can be removed only when the concrete has stabilized enough to withstand its own weight as well as any loads placed on it; otherwise, it may shift or crumble without support. As one of the active formwork companies Sydney has, this article will come in quite handy for you.
Concrete formwork removal times may be affected by a variety of factors, including:
- Concrete/cement grade
- Cement type
- The temperature
- Type dimension
When pouring concrete for a driveway, wall, or other home improvement project, formwork is typically used to hold the concrete in place until it hardens. Every formwork is permanent, but the majority of formwork is temporary and can be discarded when no longer needed.
When should formwork be removed is a commonly asked question with no easy answer. Learn how long formwork can be used and how to cut formwork without breaking the concrete by reading this article (also known as hitting the formwork).
When should formwork be removed?
Formwork should be withdrawn only after the concrete has hardened to the point that it can support its own weight as well as loads put on it; otherwise, it can change or crumble without support.
Many factors can affect concrete formwork removal times, including:
- Grade of concrete/cement – higher grades can cure faster
- Type of cement – rapid-hardening cement will gain strength faster
- Temperature – concrete sets faster in warmer conditions
- Size of form – larger concrete forms gain strength faster
Concrete formwork striking times
As a rough guide, when using standard cement in normal conditions:
- After 24 to 48 hours, walls, columns, and other vertical formwork may typically be removed. If you choose quick-drying cement, this may be as little as 12 hours.
- Formwork for concrete slabs may normally be removed after three days, and supports after two weeks.
- Formwork for beam soffits should be left in place for 7 days, and props for 2 to 3 weeks.
How to remove formwork: step by step guide
If you built your own timber formwork or you’re using modular steel or aluminium formwork, you should be able to remove the formwork yourself. For more complex jobs, it’s recommended that you hire a concreter or formwork specialist. However, if you want to ignore the top formwork companies or formwork contractors, then read the step-by-step guide below.
Here’s how to remove formwork from a slab, wall or other standard concrete structure.
Tools needed
- Hammer
- Stake puller
- Pry bar
Step 1: Wait for the concrete to set
Allow the concrete to solidify and generate enough strength to support itself for the needed amount of time. For vertical forms, this may entail waiting overnight and removing formwork the next day. It may take several days for horizontal slabs. Removing formwork too soon may cause the surface to droop.
Step 2: Start from the top
First, get rid of the most powerful kinds. Remove any nails that are holding the formwork to the stakes using a hammer. If you use a hammer or pry bar on the concrete, you might cause damage.
Step 3: Remove the stakes
Remove the stakes that are supporting the formwork from the ground with a stake puller. As much as possible, avoid making touch with the concrete surface.
Step 4: Remove the sides
Formwork connected to the sidewalls can be more difficult to remove and may necessitate the use of a pry bar. Use as little effort as possible to remove the formwork from the ground and remove it from the concrete. To assist preserve structural balance, formwork should be eliminated on alternate sides.
Step 5: Recycle or dispose of formwork
If the formwork is still in good shape, it can be reused or saved for future projects. If you must dispose of formwork, do it in a responsible manner.
Tips on How to Install the Concrete Formwork in the Building System
As one of the top formwork companies Sydney features, you definitely want tips on how to install a concrete formwork.
1. The inside of the building formwork should be cleaned. Sundry architectural heritage formwork causes flaws such as slag concrete. Clean architecture formwork should be set aside.
2. Construction formwork, the need of embedded parts, the reserved hole should be fixed at the same time constructing the embedded parts on the formwork, reserve a hole and the hole, not the legacy coincides with a requirement, size, installation is firm, and the metal walk board is firm. Deviation from the acceptance norms and regulations will result in a fine.
3. Building formwork should act as an isolating agent for smear brushes. Besmear brush, choose not to damage the structure, and avoid greasy isolation agent decorative engineering construction. Steel scaffolding boards and concrete at the same time, owing to isolation agent pollution, may meet if visible harmful effects on the concrete structure stress performance, therefore should be avoided when besmear brush contamination occurs.
4. In the case of a multilayer cast-in-place construction, the superstructure formwork and support will be located on the lower floor. At this time, three things should be kept in mind: one, the lower floor should have enough carrying capacity, adding support as needed; two, the lower brackets should be placed on the fundamental alignment; and three, the support shall be set under the column of plate. The laying of the requirements of the plate for the floor in construction, not only for installation on the ground of building formwork, also applies to the post.
5. Building formwork seam should not leak slurry, construction formwork slurry leakage, will cause the appearance of honeycomb pitting surface of concrete, directly affect the quality of concrete. So no matter what kind of material construction formwork, the seam should be tight, no leak slurry. Use wooden construction formwork, as a result of wood absorbing water will rise, so the wooden building formwork seam when installation should not be too tight, should be water wet after the installation is complete, make board joint closure. Water when wet, construction should not be swelling in the formwork.
Final thoughts
With this article, you should have an idea on how formwork is removed. The aim of every building project is to invest less money while achieving more results. However, buying the required components in bulk is not necessarily the easiest solution to this method. Concrete types are often costly and time-consuming to build.