Construction sites across the country and around the world are currently up and running. Reports show there’s an ongoing uptick in the demand for new construction services as well as renovations. On top of that, slowdowns in the industry have led to significant delays. Shortages of workers and supply deficiencies due to the pandemic have left many crews struggling to catch up. At the same time, many are trying to work around unexpected issues on their worksites, such as cramped spaces and a lack of availability of the necessary machinery.
Using Formwork to Foster Construction
Virtually all construction crews use Concrete Form Systems to foster their projects. Newly poured concrete doesn’t exactly hold its shape well. As such, it can, quite literally, get away from you. Without formwork to keep it in place until it hardens, you’re left with little more than a mess. Formwork also helps to pave the way for smoother, more even surfaces and stronger structures.
Different types of concrete formwork are available. While timber is a commonly used material for concrete forms, it’s certainly not the only one. Plywood is also a popular solution. Fiberglass is often used as well because it’s sturdy and light. Steel is used for formwork in many situations, too. All these materials provide solid structures that help prevent leaking among other benefits. Still, not all of them are right for all situations. Certain materials and types of forms just aren’t strong enough to hold up to all construction needs.
Heavy-Duty Requirements
Some concrete formwork is larger, bulkier, and heavier than other versions. That means it can’t always be put into place by hand. It may need heavy-duty equipment to help the process along. Cranes are often the machines of choice for this purpose. They’re powerful and versatile, making them the perfect tool for moving formwork into place.
Overcoming Restrictions
Having said all that, cranes aren’t always an option. Sometimes, there’s just not enough heavy machinery available to go around. In such cases, making use of a crane could mean days or weeks of waiting until one becomes available. That would lead to serious delays and other problems. Cranes simply won’t fit in some areas, either. There may not be enough space available to bring in such equipment. Cramped spaces could render cranes not only useless but dangerous.
Can Formwork Be Installed without a Crane?
The short answer here is yes. In many cases, formwork can be installed without the use of a crane. Some forms are small enough to be placed manually or with smaller equipment. Certain types of formwork are also light and agile enough to be manually manipulated. Keep in mind, though, not all types of formwork are lightweight enough to be moved by hand. On the other hand, some formwork is light enough to be moved manually but not strong enough to serve its purpose.
Finding the Right Formwork for the Job
Concrete is essential to the construction industry. It’s used in countless instances and for numerous purposes. In all of them, formwork is crucial. Several types of formwork are on the market to suit the diverse needs of construction crews and the projects they’re completing. Cranes are often needed to get the formwork into place, but they’re not always available or practical. With the right types of formwork, though, a crane may not be necessary to keep the project flowing smoothly.
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