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technology

Tapaswini Mohapatra Samant

Aluminium Formwork-
An Innovation
in Construction
Technology
A Breakthrough in Affordable Mass Construction Sector
Fast, Simple, Adaptable and Cost Effective

c
onstruction Industry
Construction is one of the significant sectors of Indian
economy and is an integral part of the development. Today
India’s urban population is the second largest in the world and
its future development leads to increased demand for housing .To cope
with this problem India should desperately need to plan for acquisition of
land and rapid creation of dwelling units.
Keeping in view the gigantic task of providing affordable shelter to
masses, adoption of a cost – effective technology assumes greater signifi-
cance. As a result of experimentation of innovate construction techniques
and modern construction management it is now possible to achieve an
overall saving to the extent of 10% in the total cost of housing construction
compared to the cost of traditional housing.

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Innovations in Construction Present technologies d) According to nature of operation.
The traditional mode of construction available in India e) According to brand name of
for individual houses comprising load 1) Prefabrication Technology the product.
bearing walls with an appropriate 2) Formwork Technology Leading players in this indus-
roof above or reinforced concrete 3) Outinard Technology try are Doka, Mascon System, MFE
(RC) framed structure construction 4) Precast Technology Formwork Technology (Mivan), Meva,
with infill masonry walls would be Waco, Forming Access and Support,
totally inadequate for mass housing Formwork Inc (FASI), Peri, BSL Scaffolding, Uday
construction industry in view of the Formwork usage has become very Structurals & Engineers, Paschal and
rapid rate of construction. Further, extensive in construction industry, Pranav Construction Systems.
such constructions are prone to thanks to the advantages it offers in In this article we are listing about
poor quality control even in case of terms of quicker execution and better aluminum formwork system. Different
contractors with substantial resources results. Indian construction industry systems have their own advantages
and experience. “For undertaking has started using some of the world but one needs to choose a formwork
mass housing works, it is necessary to class technologies. Several formwork which best supports individual project
have innovative technologies which systems are in use at different places requirement.
are capable of fast rate construction in the world; eventually the systems
and are able to deliver good which are reasonably economical and ALUMINIUM FORMWORK
quality and durable structure in cost easy for operation with semi skilled TECHNOLOGY
effective manner”. labour are more useful in India. This technology is a revolutionary
Fortunately some of the advanced construction system, which has been
technologies catering to faster speed Classification of Formwork quite extensively used in India.
of construction are already available a) According to size. Using this unique formwork, walls,
in the country. e.g. prefabrication, b) According to location of use. floor slabs, columns, beams, stairs,
autoclaved blocks, tunnel formwork, c) According to materials of balconies together with door and
aluminum formwork etc. construction. window openings are cast in place

In India there are number of buildings constructed with the help of the above system which has been proved to be very economical and
satisfactory for Indian Construction Environment

January 2014 ARCHITECTURE - Time Space & People 31


technology

in a single site based operation. The


The basic element of Formwork technology is the panel which
resulting building structure is very
is a framework of extruded aluminium sections, welded to an
strong, accurate in dimensions and
tolerances, with a high quality of
aluminium sheet. The panels are made from a high strength
finished concrete surface. It is fast, aluminium alloy, with the face or contact surface of the
adaptable and very cost effective. panel, from 4mm thick plate, which is welded to a framework
Formwork technology makes use of of specially designed extruded sections, to form a robust
concrete as the principal building component. It can be reused over 250 times, the initial cost
material for the prime reasons of cost appears high; however the ultimate cost per sft of forming area
and accessibility. It can construct all is less when compared to traditional methods.
type of concrete structures.

ERECTING FORMWORK FOR CONSTRUCTION


The advantages
of this System
1) Total system forms
the complete
concrete structure.
2) Custom designed to suit project
requirements.
3) Unsurpassed construction speed.
4) High quality finish.
5) Cost effective.
6) Panels can be reused up to
250 times.
7) Erected using unskilled labor. 

Implementation of

The aluminium formwork provides an integrated scaffolding system which reduces the
cost of scaffolding requirements. The mechanical and electrical installation is simplified as
conduits are embedded in the structure by precise engineering of outlets and service ducts

32 ARCHITECTURE - Time Space & People January 2014


ECONOMICS OF MIVAN FORMWORK
Construction Speed This affordable group housing
Description
A B C D
in Gomti Nagar, Lucknow is
designed with regular shapes,
Construction speed 3 flats/day 4 flats/day 5 flats/day 6 flats/day
symmetry. Typical floor plan
Period of const. 23 months 18.7 months 16.2 months 14.2 months
is followed considering all
Forming area 741.9 989.2 1236.5 1483.8
possible spatial needs. The
Misc formwork 55.5 55.5 55.5 55.5 Targeted Buyers are of Income
Total formwork to be ordered 797.4 1044.7 1292 1539 range: 15,000 to 20,000
Cost of formwork 14353200 18804600 23256000 27707400 rupees (monthly house hold
Two third of the loaded cost 9568800 12536400 1550400 18471600 income) Middle Income Group.
Profit & Overhead 15% 1435320 1880460 2325600 2770740
Total Rs. 11004120 14416860 17829600 21242340 SLAB
Cost per flat, Rs 9825 12872 15919 18966

Formwork Technologies multiple repetitive units, like apart-


in India ments, affordable houses, large scaled
Architects & developers are constantly gated communities etc. Use of this
looking for new technologies to technology in India will certainly help
achieve their goal. Many established to increase awareness as well as the
architectural firms & housing devel- usage of system formwork.
opment companies are using this
technology. Many leading architec- Case Study of Buildings
tural firms are playing vital role in the Using Formwork
country in bringing this technology Technology
to frontline. GREEN WOODS for LDA@ LUCKNOW.
Architects, planners, engineers are Scope: 700 units
aiming at using this advance con- Design: concrete walls.
struction technologies to accelerate System formwork: 6000 sq.mt.
the speed & quality of construction. Project Type (s): High rise residential
After an extensive research in this building.
subjects, this solution was brought Architectural consultancy: Team One
forward which will be beneficial with India Pvt Ltd, Hyderabad STAIRCASE

ALUMINIUM SHUTTERINGS STILT WINDOW


Deshuttering of the panels Stilt form in conventional style Wall panels fixed with pins

January 2014 ARCHITECTURE - Time Space & People 33


technology

On removal of the formwork • Complete concrete structure


mould a high quality concrete finish is • Cost effective
produced to accurate tolerances. The • Erected using unskilled labor
high tolerance of the finish means that • Because of small sizes panels
no further plastering is required. finishing lines are seen on
the concrete surfaces which
can be treated with required
finishings
• Large volume of work is
there, which makes the
project cost effective SEMI CONSTRUCTED HALL

KITCHEN AT CONSTRUCTION STAGE

Buildings are constructed quickly


and easily by unskilled labour with
hammer being the only tool required.
The result is a typical 4 to 5 day cycle
for floor – to – floor construction.
The project is completed not only
on stipulated period of time but also
ELEVATION- WORK IN PROGRESS
paid off with its attributes.

CONSTRUCTION & FINISHING WORK IS DONE BLOCK AFTER BLOCK


Speedy & quality dwelling units were provided
Thus the project architect has concluded that quality and speed must be given due to the people of middle income groups at very
consideration with regards to economy reasonable costs

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Jaypee Greens Sun Court, Greater Noida
ELEVATION IN THE PROCESS OF FININSHING

ORCHID WOODS, GOREGAON(E), MUMBAI

By the time construction of one block starts other block will be ready to occupy

Spaghetti complex
Mumbai Kharghar
Location: Navi Mumbai
Project Type: Residential building
Architect: Hafeez Contractor
Design: Load Bearing wall & slab
Cycle: 4 days per floor Buildings Constructed with Aluminum
System formwork: 6000 sq.mt. Formwork Technology in India

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technology

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
OUT LINE:
FACTORS FORMWORK CONVENTIONAL
1) Mass housing with
1 QUALITY Superior Normal repetitive design
2) Cost effective
(in housing)
3) Time saving
2 SPEED OF Fast, as wall & floor cast Slow due to step by step
CONSTRUCTION together and curing overnight completion
3 AESTHETICS Smooth finish clean lines Column – Beam show
slight Projection
4 EXTERNAL FINISHES No frequent finishing required Finishing requires in every
(permanent facia finishing) 3 years
5 RAW MATERIAL Some what more than Normal
Conventional
6 MAINTENANCE Repairing & finishing not Repair & maintenance for
required frequently plane walls, ceilings. Painting
of outer & Inner walls.
7 COST Less Standard
8 TIME Fast 14 – 21 days curing process

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Conclusion: Thus it can be concluded that • FORMWORK BROADENS ITS
 Architects & engineers not only build quality and speed must be given HORIZON - By Syed Ameen Kader
but also enhance the quality of life. due consideration with regards to • Constructionweekonline.in TOP
Their creativity and technical skill economy. Good construction will never 4 INNOVATIVE FORMWORKS IN
help to plan, design, construct and put off to projects speed nor will it be INDIA - By Syed Ameen Kader
operate the facilities essential to life. uneconomical. In fact time consuming • Wikipedia Encyclopedia
It is the need of time to analyze repairs and modification due to poor • Engineering Projects -
the depth of the problem and quality work generally delay the job www.architectjaved.com
find effective solutions. Formwork and cause additional financial impact
technology serves as a cost effective on the project. Thus, we can conclude Tapaswini Mohapatra Samant did
and efficient tool to solve the that the overall cost of the project using her education from ABIT Piloo Modi
College of Architecture (PMCA) Cuttack,
problems of the mega housing aluminium formwork technology is Odisha and currently working as
project all over the world. It aims lesser when compared to project using Assistant Professor in the department
of Architecture at Vaishnavi School
to maximize the use of modern traditional methods.
of Architecture & Planning (VSAP),
construction techniques and Hyderabad. Has worked for Team One
equipments on its entire project. Refrences : India Pvt Ltd, Hyderabad & has been one
of the team player in the organization for
This technology has great • MIVAN- (Components, Assembly,
the GREEN WOODS @ Lucknow project
potential for application in India to Case studies) - www.mivan.com mentioned in the article. She can be
provide affordable housing to its • MASCON- (Components, Assembly, contacted at tapaswini.03@gmail.com.
rising population. Case studies) - www.mascon.com Photographs: Courtesy the Author.

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