The benefits of plastic formworks in concrete construction are many. We enumerate the main advantages here:
Cost-effective: The making of formworks is time-consuming as well as costly- formworks make up 25 per cent or even more of the total project cost. However, the cost of making plastic formwork is very low when compared to other materials. This effectively brings down your whole budget considerably.
Durable: Plastic formwork, when compared to formworks made of other material, is more durable. Its prodigious strength and toughness make it longer lasting and can actually be used in as many as 80 to 100 projects if handled with care.
Flexible: The suppleness of plastic is only well known. The extreme flexibility of plastic makes plastic formwork more useful when compared to others. It can be employed in different shapes during the course of your construction.
Labour friendly: Plastic formworks is the most labour-friendly formwork system. It is not only lighter in weight but also fits and plugs easily. Therefore, it can be easily carried by the labour and fixed into place as well. This saves a lot of time and hard work and translates into saving money.
Eco-friendly: Another benefit of plastic formwork in concrete construction is that it is eco-friendly. The use of timber, on the other hand, results in rapid deforestation as it does not last long enough. The long lifespan of plastic formwork makes it the preferred eco-friendly system.
Low maintenance: Needless to mention, plastic is also almost maintenance-free when used carefully. Since concrete does not tend to stick to plastic, cleaning the formwork after use is ‘very easy.
Versatile: There is nothing to harp about regarding the versatility of plastic because it is only too well known! Moulding it into the required shape, its low weight, easy storage etc., makes it the most versatile material to use in formwork systems.
v° No nailing or oiling required: With the use of plastic formwork, no nailing or oiling is required. They fit into place seamlessly. Concrete can be filled directly without oiling because it does not stick to the plastic surface. It has an auto levelling system and hence does not need manual intervention. Takes lesser time to assemble or dismantle compared to other systems. Does not cause leakages. Leakage is a cause of bother because it can cause what is known as ‘honeycombs’ in concrete structures.
Water and rust-resistant— plastic is water and rustproof and does not react with alkali substances. Therefore plastic formwork is especially suited for underground areas etc., where dampness is a factor. Cleaning of plastic formwork is easily done with water and doesn’t consume too much time. Formwork made from other material is difficult to clean and takes up much time. Cracks or minor damages in plastic formwork can easily be sealed with a low voltage hot air gun.
Conclusion
Plastic formworks are thus, without doubt, a modern innovation to have happened in the construction industry. The on site benefits of plastic formworks in concrete construction mentioned in this article is but the tip of the iceberg. To sum up, plastic formworks are influential in speeding up the concrete construction process as well as reducing costs. They are reusable as much as 30 times more than the other formwork types. The toughness of plastic, its flexibility, and labour-friendly aspects are other attributes that add value in the construction field.
