Concrete Forming Equipment

Molds

• Concrete formwork is basically a mold that keeps the concrete in place until it hardens. The concrete is very heavy, of course, so the mold must be tough enough to keep it in place. The larger the volume of concrete involved, the stronger the formwork must be. If the concrete is less than 6 inches in height, the form is often made from simple wooden boards nailed to wooden stakes. The only equipment you need is wood, nails and a hammer.

Premanufactured Systems

• Making a wall requires a much larger amount of concrete, and simple wooden boards could very well collapse under the strain. In cases like these, engineers may use stronger wood with a metal frame or even walls made from metal to hold the concrete in place while it hardens. The wood or metal wall pieces are linked together by metal pins or latches; ties secure reinforcing bars inside the concrete so they stay in place.

Insulating Concrete Forms

• Most forms are designed to be removed once the concrete has hardened. Insulating concrete forms, however, are an exception. These forms are made from insulating foam that slows the rate of heat loss through the wall or similar structure and they are left intact once construction is complete. Insulating concrete forms can help improve insulation for homes and businesses by keeping them warmer in cold weather and reducing heating bills.

Considerations

• Some small-scale projects make use of foam or laminated board molds designed to give the concrete an elegant or aesthetically appealing shape like a scalloped edge. Typically, these decorative forms are screw-mounted on a board to keep them in place while the concrete hardens. Very large construction projects like bridges and high-rises, by contrast, use forms made from high-grade steel. Often the formwork for these kinds of projects weighs many thousands of pounds.