How to install formwork. Formwork for the foundation: types, methods, materials. Metal tie rods

Before you start constructing the formwork for strip foundation, let's look at how many types of formwork structures there are.

The quality of the entire construction largely depends on the quality of the work performed on installing the formwork and on the base of the house, that is, on the foundation.

Types of formwork

The design of the formwork, depending on the type, is divided into two groups:

  • Formwork with removable structure;
  • Formwork that has a non-removable structure.

In construction without forming monolithic, concrete and reinforced concrete structure not enough. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a house or a pre-built frame called formwork.

When self-construction, the formwork for the strip foundation is made by hand. The main thing is to choose the type of formwork and correctly carry out all its step-by-step construction.

Let's take a closer look at each of them.

So, the formwork design, as already mentioned, can be removable or not.

The most famous and widely used type of construction. Removable formwork means that after pouring the strip foundation, this type of formwork must be dismantled.

Moreover, in this case it is removed immediately after the poured concrete has set.

Thanks to this type of formwork it is possible to form a foundation with any shape. This applies not only to strip foundations, but also to flights of stairs, monolithic walls and so on.

A removable structure is made using:

  • Sliced ​​board;
  • Sheets of plywood, which differs from ordinary plywood in increased moisture resistance;
  • Steel sheets, which can be made of any material, that is, both steel and aluminum.

But, for the construction of a strip foundation, it is better to use cut boards, moisture-resistant plywood and wooden beams. You can also simplify the formwork construction process by using a special metal frame for attaching cut boards.

At the same time, remember that it is not worth installing formwork using only plywood. It can only be used if the foundation is small in size.

It is better to opt for beams and wooden boards.

It doesn’t matter what material the formwork structure is made of. The main thing is to follow the basic installation rules during construction.

Not removable formwork It is considered an advantageous type and easy to install; moreover, the speed of construction in this case is much greater than with a permanent structure.

For its construction, improvised materials are most often used. It can be chipboard, fibreboard, metal carcass or even metal or asbestos pipes having a diameter of 150 to 200 mm. Therefore this is a huge plus.

This formwork is easy to install and does not require large earthworks. No spacers or supports are needed during construction.

Fixed

Types of permanent formwork

Metal

This type is considered the most expensive. It is made from steel sheets with a thickness of 1 to 2 mm.

Advantages of this type:

  • good
  • It easily takes the desired shape of the foundation
  • A strip or monolithic foundation will fit perfectly on metal formwork
  • The outer side is easy and simple to process
  • high price.
Reinforced concrete

This species is considered a relative variant.

Advantages:

  • Depending on the thickness of the concrete slabs, the consumption of concrete itself can be significantly reduced. At the same time, its strength will not decrease in any way.
  • The slabs are very heavy
  • If the slabs are not monolithic and one height is not enough, you will have to make spacers
Expanded polystyrene

This option is considered the most practical. In this case, the formwork is assembled from separate blocks, which are fixed together.

Advantages:

  • Easy installation
  • It is possible to give a certain shape
  • Insulation
  • Not very low price
  • Difficulty selecting some elements
Wooden

The material you can use is plywood sheets or boards.

Advantages:

  • Good price
  • Availability of material
  • Easy installation
  • No need to purchase additional equipment for installation
  • Due to the different dimensions of the material, it may be necessary to use additional funds for strengthening and connecting formwork
Available materials

What available materials can be used in the construction of formwork?

  • Pipes
  • Corrugated sheet
  • Slate
  • Any other suitable material, which can provide the desired shape and at the same time prevent cement leakage

Advantages:

  • Cheap construction
  • Assembly complexity
  • Concrete leakage during pouring
  • Possibly low load carrying capacity
  • Additional supports may be needed

How to properly make permanent formwork for a foundation with your own hands?

Do-it-yourself permanent formwork for the foundation

It is being built in several stages.

The first stage - excavation work

After calculating the required capacity of the future formwork, a trench is dug.

Advice: leave a margin of 1 to 2.5 cm between the soil and the future formwork. This method will simplify installation.

If you decide to use reinforcement, then it must be installed at this stage.

The second stage is the construction of formwork elements

At this stage, the formation of the reinforcement frame occurs, if one is used. In addition, a structure with the selected material is erected.

After these steps, the concrete is poured. In about 25 - 30 days, construction can begin. During this time, the concrete will set and harden and it will be possible to proceed to the next steps.

How to assemble formwork for a strip foundation

  • The frame of the structure is only rigid, with strong fixation of all elements;
  • The formwork elements should not have any gaps, all parts of the formwork must fit exactly together;
  • The formwork must withstand the pressure created concrete mortar.

Material is being prepared. These should be cut boards, 20-45 mm in thickness. Width doesn't matter. But the wider the board, the easier and faster it is to construct the formwork.

A board is knocked down from the prepared board with a height in accordance with the height of the foundation.

The panels are fastened together with wooden beams using self-tapping screws, and only the screws are screwed in with their caps from the inside. The slots are additionally lined with slats in accordance with the dimensions of the shield.

The instructions for constructing the formwork themselves look like this:

  • Preparation of the workplace, that is, digging a trench, preparing building material and tools;
  • Cut the boards to size according to the size of the foundation;
  • Manufacturing of shields;
  • Fastening the formwork, fixing the strength from the outside of the structure;
  • Test of strength.

Properly completed formwork construction means there is a complete absence of problems during the manufacture of the strip foundation.

When constructing walls using monolithic construction technology, several types of formwork can be used. In the construction of large civil and industrial facilities, removable panel formwork, allowing you to quickly build long and high walls. In the private sector, a permanent type of formwork systems is used, which allows the entire building to be poured along the finished contour. Each variety has its own pros and cons, as well as device features.

Installation of removable panel wall formwork

The first stage of assembling removable formwork is drawing up a detailed design, which must take into account all the standard and geometric features of the structure being built. Also, before installing and securing the molding complex, appropriate calculations are made to determine:

  • optimal wall thickness taking into account climatic conditions and load-bearing capacity architectural elements and formwork;
  • brand of concrete and reinforcing elements.

Installation diagrams for removable panel formwork for various options walls




After drawing up the technological plan, they move on to the process of installing the formwork system, which includes:

  • connecting formwork panels to each other using locking mechanisms and ties;
  • installation of deck material made of waterproof plywood;
  • bracing the formwork with struts;
  • installation of reinforcing elements;
  • connection of finished blocks (boards) standing in parallel using coupling screws.

Wall formwork panels are connected into successive segments using locks various types, providing reliable fixation and a sufficient level of strength. In straight segments wedge and universal locks can be used. To fasten corner panels, pins or special couplers. After forming a block of the required dimensions, it is necessary to secure it in a vertical position and create conditions for 100% stability.

Wall formwork panels are connected into successive segments using various types of locks

The deck sheet can be installed in a horizontal or vertical position, depending on the size of the formwork frame. The contact surface is fixed to the frame ribs using special fastening devices, the type of which also depends on the type of formwork system.

The struts will help fix the set of formwork panels in a vertical position and also make adjustments. There are two types of these devices: two-level and single-level. They differ in load-bearing capacity and load distribution mechanism. A two-level strut is used for larger structures with high loads.

Reinforcement of the mold for filling is carried out in accordance with technological requirements requirements for the design. Based on the functionality of the wall (load-bearing or not), the type of reinforcement (type, thickness, etc.) is selected. When placing a reinforcing element between the formwork panels, there must be sufficient space left for the concrete to occupy, forming the outer edges of the slab. To ensure a stationary position of the reinforcement inside the formwork, special clamps are used.

To ensure a stationary position of the reinforcement inside the formwork, special clamps are used

After installing the formwork segments in a vertical position (parallel) and laying the reinforcing elements, they are fastened with a clamping screw, which ensures reliable adhesion between the parallel walls of the formwork. Once this stage is completed and all necessary engineering checks have been carried out, the supply of concrete mixture can begin.

Installation of permanent wall formwork

Permanent formwork for construction monolithic structures may have different shape. In addition to the main functions, the material used to create the molding space plays the role of insulation, so the use of this type of formwork is advisable in low-rise private construction. As a rule, polystyrene foam blocks are used in this case.

The design of this type of formwork for monolithic walls consists of forming a molding contour by connecting polymer blocks using profiles already installed on each of the elements. The thickness of the wall depends on the type of blocks used. Pouring the wall can begin after the blocks have been fastened, the form has been reinforced and all checks have been carried out.

Wall reinforcement in permanent formwork

No specialist can calculate the formwork absolutely accurately from an engineering point of view: too many variable objective and subjective factors influence the design.

Let's name just a few of them.

  1. Quality of lumber. In nature, no two boards are completely identical. The strength of lumber depends on developmental defects, quantity, nature and specific place location of knots, etc.
  2. Indicators of concrete. Concrete can have different consistency in viscosity, it depends on the proportions and characteristics of the fractions used during preparation. In addition, the loads on the formwork vary depending on the speed of pouring concrete, the method of compaction and the presence of reinforcement.
  3. Climatic conditions. At sub-zero temperatures, boards have some indicators of physical strength, while in summer they have different indicators. Dry boards can withstand higher forces, but in rainy conditions their strength decreases.

Exist building standards regulating the maximum deflection of the formwork. For the above-ground part of the foundation, the deflection should not exceed 1/400 of the length; for the underground part, the standard has been increased to 1/250 of the length. It is difficult for non-professionals to achieve such values. What should ordinary developers do? When creating formwork, you need to follow the advice experienced builders and your intuition. And remember the main rule - It is better to make any formwork with a clear margin of strength, not to rely on “maybe it will hold up.” It must be remembered that correcting violations of the linearity of concrete is very difficult and expensive.

First, you should know for what purpose you need formwork. If you plan to use it repeatedly, you should use special laminated waterproof plywood or knock down standard shields from quality edged boards.

Laminated plywood formwork

If the formwork is one-time use, then low-quality materials will be used; under certain conditions, you can use pieces of chipboard, ordinary plywood, or even unedged boards. As a rule, for the construction of a bathhouse, you can choose the cheapest formwork option.

According to the design features, the formwork can be:


Manufacturing of removable formwork for strip foundations

Initial data: the formwork will be made of a removable type along the entire height of the foundation, the material of manufacture will be edged boards second grade, 25 mm thick.

There is no one universal algorithm for making formwork; each master makes his own changes taking into account the specific material, characteristics of the foundation and personal preferences. We will tell you only about one of many options.

Step 1. Preparing the shields. Take the dimensions of the trench in length and depth. Do not make the shields large - it will be very difficult to work with them; their length should not exceed 3÷4 meters, depending on the height. Make shields from edged boards as vertical racks you can use the same boards or slats. If you have thin slats, then nail them with an edge.

Practical advice. Never use self-tapping screws to assemble formwork.

  1. Firstly, it takes a long time and to screw them in you need to have a special electric tool.
  2. Secondly, disassembling shields using self-tapping screws is a pain. The holes for the sprocket are clogged with earth or concrete, and “picking” them out is a very thankless and “nervous” job. And self-tapping screws are much more expensive than nails, and for formwork you will need more than one kilogram.
  3. Thirdly, not a single formwork element is tensile; all have a load only in bending or compression. In this case, the nails are not pulled out of the boards; use them calmly. By the way, it is not necessary to take long nails and then bend them “one meter long” from the front side of the shield.

Step 2. Installation of formwork.

Carefully lower the shields into the trench. Prepare pegs for driving into the ground and corner supports. In our case, supports need to be made on both sides approximately every 50÷70 cm.

To Bottom part the shields did not move during fastening, fix it with small pegs or insert spacers of the appropriate length between the opposite shields. There is no need to take them out later; let them remain in the concrete.

The photo shows the supports of the shields

Step 3. Drive pegs into the corners of the trench and stretch a rope between them. The height of the rope should be greater than the height of the above-ground part of the foundation. The fact is that you will not be able to accurately align the formwork along the horizon at a given height; you will have to level the foundation strip manually after pouring.

Step 4. Drive pegs into the bottom of the trench at a level or plumb level; the depth of driving depends on the characteristics of the soil, but in any case it should prevent their horizontal movement.

Step 5. Place one row of shields and temporarily secure them to the vertical pegs. Place the second row and grab it too. Check all markings.






Step 6. Install horizontal spacers between the panels. These can be pieces of metal rods, wooden slats, plastic tubes, etc. The distance between the spacers is about a meter; they are not affected by the pushing force of the concrete, they only serve to facilitate the installation of the formwork.






Step 7 Measure the required width of the formwork at the top, connect two rows of panels together wooden slats to size. This connection will protect the formwork from deformation while pouring concrete. The distance between the slats is approximately 50 centimeters. If you have an above-ground part of more than 50 centimeters, then you need to tie the boards together with a wire to prevent the panels from swelling under the weight of the concrete. Wire with external parties It is fixed to the vertical crossbars, twisted with a slight tension - the walls of the basement part of the foundation will be smooth. When dismantling the formwork, the wire is simply cut off and remains in the concrete.

Step 8 Place the supports of the shields one by one; in the lower part they should rest against the pegs; in the upper part, a small piece of board should be nailed to the shield for support. Constantly check the position of the shields against the rope. If you have correctly installed the internal spacers of the formwork, it will not change its position during installation and fixation. If you see errors, correct them immediately. It happens that some pegs wobble in the ground - you no longer need to count on them. Drive in new ones nearby and attach inclined spacers to them. In place of the junction of the shields you need to put a board and always a support.

Step 9 At the top of the formwork you need to insert pieces plastic pipes for ventilation ducts and technological openings in strip foundations. There are no pipes at hand - make ordinary wooden boxes, then they will be removed and the holes will be straightened.

Step 10 Check again that the foundation formwork is correctly positioned and securely fixed, problem areas needs to be corrected immediately. The formwork must stand firmly and should not wobble even under great effort.

That's it, you can pour concrete. It is recommended to remove the formwork no earlier than two weeks after pouring the concrete. If the weather is hot and dry, the concrete should be watered generously daily. The fact is that the strength of cement depends on the humidity and drying time of the concrete. If water evaporates quickly, then chemical reactions do not have time to end, the reliability of the foundation tape will significantly decrease.












Regarding formwork for columnar foundations, then the work on its production is almost no different from those described above. You just need to immediately make the dimensions of the boards according to the dimensions of the columns. Of course, the small width and height of the posts greatly simplifies the technology of fixing the formwork in the desired position.

Foundations from reinforced monolithic slabs are made for bathhouses built on waterlogged soils or soils with very low load-bearing characteristics. In most cases, the dimensions of the bathhouse do not exceed 4x4 meters. Fill a monolithic slab yourself large sizes quite difficult, it is unlikely that you will be able to achieve its ideal horizontal performance.

Step 1. Level the ground surface as much as possible, pour and compact a sand cushion at least 20 centimeters thick.

Step 2. Prepare the lumber, you will need edged boards and slats. The height of the formwork depends on the thickness of the monolithic foundation; in most cases it is no more than ten centimeters. This means that it is quite enough to have boards 20 cm wide and 20÷30 mm thick.

Step 3. Drive into the corners of the future monolithic slab pegs, pull the rope. Place boards under the rope and secure them with pegs. Drive the pegs firmly into the ground. Place the formwork in the letter “P”, this will make it much more convenient to feed and level the concrete, and you won’t have to step over the formwork every time. When concreting, do not forget about reinforcement.

Step 4. When to the end concrete slab approximately one meter will remain - install the last board, level it, secure its position and continue pouring concrete.

Video - Box slab foundation

Video - Marking and installation of formwork for a monolithic slab

Video - Formwork and reinforcement strapping of a monolithic slab

Now we can consider several questions regarding the use additional materials for the manufacture of formwork.

Instead, you can use roofing felt, roofing felt, thick wax paper or other materials. The use of these materials for upholstery of formwork panels is encouraged. Why?


The film must be installed on the inside of the formwork. To prevent sagging or slipping, secure it with a stapler.

Prices for polyethylene film

polyethylene film

Metal tie rods






If you have them, use them for your health; if not, you shouldn’t buy them specifically for the foundation of a bathhouse. It is advisable to use metal studs on high foundations; they cannot be strengthened with side stops. The studs must be inserted into plastic tubes of the appropriate size; be sure to place washers under the nuts large diameter and pieces of boards.

Prices for tie rods

tie rods

Permanent formwork

The new technology for pouring foundations and erecting walls is characterized by excellent performance characteristics and, unfortunately, the same high price indicators. It significantly speeds up the construction process and acts not only as formwork, but also as insulation. Often used for the construction of monolithic earthquake-resistant reinforced concrete buildings. Load-bearing walls They are not only durable, but also insulated.

Construction companies produce permanent formwork from various materials and with various linear indicators. The specific type of formwork should be selected taking into account the place of its use. There are several types permanent formwork.

  1. Made from highly durable expanded polystyrene foam. It consists of flat plates or blocks, corner turns, spacers, reinforcement clamps, etc. The thickness of the sidewalls can be from 40 to 100 mm. The process of assembling formwork blocks is carried out in tenons; all dimensions must be checked with a level. Depending on the height of the formwork, concrete is poured in several layers along the entire perimeter of the foundation or wall. After pouring the previous layer, several rows of formwork are assembled again and the next one is poured.

  2. Concrete permanent formwork. It is made of durable concrete, the side surfaces of the blocks have spikes and grooves for a strong connection with each other. The walls are held in place by jumpers. Such formwork can be used both for pouring foundations and for erecting monolithic reinforced buildings. The reinforcement is not knitted; vertical rods are inserted into the holes, and horizontal rods are placed on special stops.

  3. Wood-concrete. It can take the form of hollow blocks or flat panels; the front surfaces must be finished; it is used only for the above-ground part of the foundation or walls. The blocks are installed using the dry masonry method; there may be reinforcement inside. The panels are assembled on ties installed inside the concrete. The front surfaces of the screeds have the form of large flat washers; the surfaces of the panels are characterized by high adhesion to all building finishing materials.

It is not economically feasible to use such expensive formwork on strip foundations of a bathhouse. Baths do not require an insulated foundation, and the visible part of the basement is finished with ordinary decorative materials.

Prices for foamed polystyrene foam

expanded polystyrene foam

Possible consequences of poor-quality formwork

Let’s say right away that all the consequences of incorrectly made, installed or fixed formwork are very sad; their elimination requires a lot of effort and money. In the most serious cases, pouring the foundation will have to start from scratch. Let's consider three possible consequences of defects in the construction of formwork.

Option 1. Swelling of the formwork became noticeable during concrete pouring. Stop work immediately and call all helpers for help. Use shovels to remove the concrete where the formwork is swelling. To prevent the concrete from floating back, nail transverse boards at some distance along the entire width inside the formwork. Keep in mind that the concrete will gradually fill the hole; work must be done quickly. Throw concrete at a distance of more than 1.5 meters from the emergency site.

The pressure on the formwork has noticeably weakened - try to level it. It is very good if you manage to adapt the jack and use the beams to slowly level the formwork. You can stretch a wire in a place free of concrete and use it to level the convexity. Very important: do not hit the formwork with a sledgehammer, this way you will make it even worse. The vibration will cause the concrete to float down and further disrupt the straightness of the formwork. Level the shield gradually, without excessive fanaticism. Excessive force may completely break the shield or individual elements fastenings The consequences will be very sad. As soon as you manage to level the shield, immediately fix its position. This time, check the security of the supports with special care.

This case is the easiest; all the others cause much more trouble.

Option 2. Displacement of the formwork was noticed only on the second day.

What to do if the formwork has moved

Important. Not everything that is written on construction forums is true; think with your own head before believing the first piece of advice from an “expert” that catches your eye. Many of these “experts” advise removing the formwork, and while the concrete has not yet gained strength, cut down the mound with a shovel. This is not advice, but mockery. Do not remove the formwork under any circumstances! There is a very high probability that the entire foundation will crack. It may not crumble before your eyes, but may give almost imperceptible cracks, which will reduce the strength of the structure almost to zero. We noticed trouble the next day - that’s it, the train left. Wait until the concrete hardens completely, dismantle the formwork, pick up a hammer drill and work hard.

Option 3. The formwork or part of it fell while pouring concrete. The most unpleasant situation. What to do? Scratch your smart head “silently and with a smile,” remove the concrete, clean the site and start all over again.

We hope that from the second time you will understand how to install formwork correctly. To prevent this from happening, read the article carefully again. You can and should make your own improvements, but only if you have experience in constructing at least three different formworks.

Video - Possible consequences of poor-quality formwork. Gap

Conclusion

Many articles on the Internet begin with the words “the foundation has a great influence on the strength of the building.” This is true. But then you can read that “everyone can do it,” that “there is nothing complicated here,” etc. This is not true. Don't waste your time reading such advice. Think about why the earnings of professional experienced builders are several times higher than the earnings of engineers? Because a professional builder not only has theoretical knowledge, he has tried all the “scientific” recommendations with his own hands.

When starting to make formwork, you need to adhere to two rules.

  1. First, you need to know the job. You shouldn’t think that everything is very simple, you can “somehow mold it” and it “will somehow stand.”
  2. Second. There is no need to be afraid of any work, but you must respect it. You should always have a vision of operations several steps ahead in your head, you should be able to choose from several possible options the most optimal.

Video - Reinforcement and formwork of shallow strip foundations

Video - Installation of braces for formwork

With my own hands, I will devote several articles to installing formwork for the foundation. The correct choice of formwork and adherence to its installation technology are extremely important for obtaining a high-quality result, because in many respects the service life of the entire structure depends on the strength and quality of the foundation. summer cottage. Today we will talk about the types and methods of installing formwork for the foundation.

Formwork materials

Formwork is a pre-prepared frame for pouring the foundation. The main task of formwork is to hold the foundation in in the right place the stated form until it hardens. Installation of formwork is mandatory stage installation of the foundation of a house or any other building that requires a foundation. Before we begin to study the technology of installing formwork, we will consider the types of materials used to construct the frame. Most common following materials for formwork:

  • Metal formwork.Metal formwork mounted from steel sheets up to 2 mm thick. The advantage of metal formwork is the ease of working with it, as well as flexibility and ductility. Steel sheet It bends easily, which allows you to get the formwork (and, consequently, the foundation) of the desired shape. This feature is especially important if you want to round the corners of the foundation. The disadvantage of metal formwork is its price; despite the overall savings in the construction budget, metal formwork will not suit you.


  • Reinforced concrete formwork. Reinforced concrete formwork is convenient, practical and popular. But, in addition to the high price, it has one significant drawback: the large weight of the slabs obliges the owner of the building to hire a team of workers with special lifting equipment. However, using reinforced concrete as formwork saves the amount of concrete that will be required at the foundation pouring stage. It turns out that at one stage the financial losses are greater, at another - less.
  • Polystyrene foam formwork. Expanded polystyrene blocks for formwork are produced industrially, and this is their main difference and advantage. Assembling formwork from expanded polystyrene is simple and quick; the blocks are attached to each other using a special locking groove. The only disadvantage of block formwork is high cost materials.


  • Wood formwork. Wooden formwork is possible from various types wood: sheets of wooden plywood, OSB boards, and even ordinary boards are used. The advantage of wood formwork is its low cost when comparing this type of materials with those listed above. In addition, the installation of wooden formwork is not complicated and intuitive; any man with experience in carpentry can handle it. However, wooden formwork It also has a drawback: it must be properly strengthened, especially in places where the thickness of the concrete being poured increases.

Types of formwork


In addition to the material used, foundation formwork differs in type of construction. There are three main types of formwork, which have functional and structural differences.

  • Permanent formwork for the foundation. As the name suggests, permanent formwork is installed at the foundation installation stage and left in place for the entire life of the building. Most often, reinforced concrete blocks are used as permanent formwork, but polystyrene foam structures often remain in place. Permanent formwork has two significant advantages: you do not waste time dismantling it, and in addition, the formwork performs not only a fixing role, but also an additional technical, sound or heat insulation role.


  • Removable formwork for the foundation. After the foundation has completely dried, the removable formwork is dismantled. The advantage of removable formwork is the possibility of using elements at another construction site. Removable formwork is made from wooden beams, polystyrene foam blocks, metal sheets. The elements are fastened using special groove locks, pins or nails. Despite the need for dismantling, work with removable formwork is considered easier and more accessible.
  • Sliding formwork for foundations. Sliding formwork is a foundation that smoothly transitions into the walls of the future building. The construction of walls begins with pouring the foundation, and layer by layer rises to the ceiling of the building. The main disadvantage of sliding formwork is the difficulty of installing it yourself; to implement this type of formwork you will have to seek help from a team of professionals.

Installation of formwork


Regardless of the chosen material, installation of formwork begins with theoretical and drawing work. The drawing is required for correct calculation formwork for the foundation. To calculate, you will need the length of the perimeter of the building, multiply it by two, since the formwork is installed on both sides of the foundation. Add here the length of the partitions, the width of the foundation, and set aside 5-10% for possible mistakes and corrections in calculations. Further step-by-step instruction depends on the chosen formwork material.


Plywood formwork

  • Do-it-yourself plywood formwork begins with the right choice material. The thicker the future foundation, the greater the load the formwork must withstand, so it is better not to choose plywood sheets less than 3 cm thick.
  • Saw the sheets to the required dimensions, after which the creation of plywood panels will follow: connect the sheets together to obtain the desired formwork height. Use a wooden beam for fixation. It’s easier and faster to use nails as accessories.
  • Install the plywood panels in the prepared ditch in the ground, make sure that no gaps form between the panels (if any appear, remove them before pouring the formwork). Check that the smooth side of the boards is facing inward and the connecting bars are on the outside.
  • Install the reinforcement inside the frame and tie the reinforcing bars together.
  • Using wooden beams, install pegs on both sides of the formwork and dig them into the ground. They are necessary to maintain the pressure of the concrete during pouring.
  • The formwork is ready, you can pour the solution. Do-it-yourself wood formwork is popular for pouring, as the most common among the possible types.


Expanded polystyrene formwork

  • Do-it-yourself polystyrene foam formwork is easier and faster; blocks of material are already ready for use at the time of purchase.
  • Prepare a trench for the foundation, pour a sand cushion on the bottom and lay the selected waterproofing material. Install polystyrene foam blocks in the trench and secure with special locks.
  • During the installation of the blocks, do not forget to install blanks for communication holes, and also at this stage the reinforcement for reinforcing the foundation is laid.
  • After completing the installation of the formwork, check the evenness of the frame using a building level.


Reinforced concrete formwork

  • Do-it-yourself reinforced concrete formwork is a relative concept; without special equipment it will not be possible to install reinforced concrete blocks.
  • Dig a trench, taking into account the thickness of the reinforced concrete blocks. Place a layer of sand and a layer of small pebbles at the bottom.
  • Place the blocks in place after first inside holes for installing fittings. Put the reinforcement in place, tie it together to obtain a reliable fixation.
  • The blocks are installed in several rows, connecting them together using a mounting layer. Make sure that the blocks overlap each other and overlap.
  • Cover the final row of blocks with reinforcing screed; after drying, the formwork is ready for pouring the foundation.


Finally, I will bring to your attention a few secrets of installing strong and reliable formwork:

  • After fixing the formwork, it is important to check the horizontal and vertical position of the structure. To do this, use plumb lines or a building level.
  • Do not allow gaps in the formwork. Gaps larger than 5 mm are considered large and require sealing before pouring concrete.
  • The strongest angle is obtained when the reinforcement is bent in the right place. If it is not possible to bend the rod, use a special connector, or complete the reinforcement by tying the joint with ties.


  • Dismantling the formwork is permitted only after the concrete solution has completely dried. This rule applies to any formwork material.
  • Before starting work, study the maximum amount of materials on the chosen formwork installation method, listen to the advice of experts, and if you don’t feel strong enough or don’t fully understand the whole process, contact the company to call a team of professionals who will carry out the work quickly, efficiently and with a guarantee.

Properly executed formwork is a guarantee of a reliable foundation; approach this stage of construction with all responsibility so that the structure can serve you without problems for many years.

The construction of any monolithic objects, be it a residential building or an industrial building, cannot be done without wall formwork. This design is necessary for the construction of walls and ceilings.

Manufacturers offer many variations to solve problems of any complexity; one of the most popular is the Gamma series formwork.

Formwork material

An important characteristic is the material from which the wall formwork is made. The calculation depends on this required quantity concrete, as well as its weight, strength, cost, installation and finishing. Formworks are made from:

    reinforced concrete;

Each of the materials has its own advantages and disadvantages. Metal formwork is widely used in industrial construction (withstands high speed fills). However, it is very heavy and its installation requires the use of special equipment.

The polystyrene foam form is lightweight and serves as an additional insulating layer. However, the low strength of the material complicates construction (for example, a concrete pump cannot be used for pouring).

Wood, chipboard and plywood are also easily deformed, but at the same time provide light and quick installation. Plastic is sensitive to negative temperatures, but durable and airtight. The main area of ​​use is private construction (if you need to make a shallow foundation or a lightweight building with your own hands), because their installation does not require special skills.

Large developers prefer to carry out work using removable structures, which also includes Gamma formwork. Depending on its purpose, it can be used for the construction of:

    round structures (columns, pillars);

    floors.

The required volume of concrete is calculated taking into account the type of formwork.

Advantages of removable structures

If we're talking about not about one-time construction, prefabricated large-panel or panel formwork - best option, thanks to the following advantages:

    Versatility. Accessories ( special fasteners, rotating elements) allow you to create complex structures.

  1. Installation of removable formwork

    The main components are a block and fastening elements (). Depending on the type of structure (panel, large-panel), the block can have dimensions from 90*60 cm to 330*120 cm. The required size of the panels is calculated taking into account the scale of construction. For construction small house, or regular panel formwork with 1.5*1 m blocks is the best option.

    Panel formwork is easy to assemble with your own hands; installation does not require the use of special equipment, and various components allow you to assemble a structure of any shape. This makes it indispensable for pouring a foundation or erecting walls and ceilings of a one- or two-story building.

    The shield frame is made of metal profile(high carbon steel or aluminum alloy). The shield is plastic or plywood, in some cases it is finished with reinforcing material. Installation of additional stiffening ribs guarantees the strength of the structure.

    A significant advantage of a permanent form is its cost and easy installation. Construction monolithic houses With this design, labor costs can be minimized. Installation of other structures consists of the following stages:

    • a corner block is installed and walls are erected;
    • door and window openings are being installed;
    • concreting is carried out (each stage of pouring is carried out after the previous layer has hardened).

    Features of large-panel formwork

    In addition to the listed elements, Gamma large-panel formwork has the following components:

      inside corner to make a corner block;

      shields on hinges, with the help of which you can form internal and external corners any radius;

      arc-forming element to obtain a rounded section of a wall or ceiling;

      ties that rigidly fix the panels to each other.

    Also, to facilitate work at height, the kit can be supplied with scaffolding for workers, which can be easily attached to a block at the level of any floor. You can purchase additional components as needed; specialists will calculate the required quantity.

    Large-panel formwork is used in the construction of large-scale projects, therefore, special requirements are placed on it. The block must withstand high pouring speeds, and its rigidity must ensure the ideal geometry of the walls and foundation. This is ensured by the following design features:

      shield made of solid rolled profile;

      a special lock that allows additional sheets up to 10 cm thick to be inserted between the panels (to strengthen the structure or provide additional heat and waterproofing);

      fastening elements simultaneously tighten and fasten the panels together;

      the block is covered with a special protective coating (powder paint), such external finishing helps prevent corrosion.

    Today the adjustable removable formwork Gamma is the most optimal solution in terms of price-quality ratio.

    Application of wall formwork (video)

    Selection of formwork for various objects

    They are mainly used when constructing foundations for small objects (dacha, garage) with their own hands. Installation in the trench and pouring are done manually. For heavy structures, the foundation and walls are strengthened by reinforcement. External and exterior decoration possible immediately after the concrete has hardened.

    Permanent panel formwork made of expanded polystyrene has become a popular solution for the construction of small private houses. Thermal insulation properties expanded polystyrene can significantly save space heating costs. In addition, finishing such a building (both inside and outside) is not particularly difficult. Majority finishing materials(plasterboard, facing boards, lining, veneer) are easily attached to sheets of expanded polystyrene.

    Removable panel formwork can be installed to build a shallow strip foundation, in which case it acts as ground floor. Wooden or - the optimal solution for the price, since a shallow foundation does not imply the use complex structures. It is easy to assemble and disassemble with your own hands, using available tools.

    Large-panel formwork (for example, Gamma 330) is used in the construction of multi-storey buildings, industrial facilities, etc. At the same time, thanks to its configuration, it can easily be transformed into a form for ceilings and supporting elements. The accompanying documentation indicates possible schemes assembly and calculation of necessary elements.