Concrete Forming Systems and Other Factors that Influence the Outcome of Construction

8/16/2019

Until a few decades ago, structures made entirely of metal or precast concrete were thought to be impossible to build. Now, they are emerging like mushrooms and posing a challenge to traditional construction. Then again, even if this new construction method continues to become popular, concrete will remain a staple building material and on-site pouring and curing will not be removed from the process anytime soon.

On the other side of innovation, years of efforts to find better ways to handle concrete and build safer structures are slowly paying off. What were once mere concepts, such as using special additives to expedite concrete curing or using aluminum for forming system material, are now coming to fruition. Regardless, the factors that influence the success of a construction project remain the same. Here are the major ones that every builder needs to consider.

Weight of the Concrete

One of the biggest mistakes a builder can commit when leading a construction project, especially the concrete pouring process, is underestimating the weight of concrete. Keep in mind that, although fluid in form, concrete contains cement, sand, and gravel, each of which has a significant weight of its own. Together, they can weigh several hundred kilograms per square meter. Mishandling concrete because you miscalculated its weight can lead to fatal accident in the construction site.

Concrete Pouring Process

The quality of the cured concrete depends not only on how the aggregates were mixed but also on the manner by which the concrete is poured into the formwork. You have to make sure that all the aggregates are evenly distributed and no voids exist within the column, beam, or slab. This is why special concrete vibrators are used to eliminate air pockets that can create break points in the structure, which can be dangerous during an earthquake.

Formwork Architecture

Of course, it’s not just the concrete that requires quality control; the concrete forming systems, too. Not only do they have to be made from superior materials, but they have to be accurately designed to carry the weight of concrete until it becomes capable of carrying its own weight. They have to be equipped with sufficient belts and braces to prevent the panels from bursting and causing concrete or even water to leak out.

Thanks to the advancement in construction technology, today’s concrete forms are made of stronger materials. Top providers of concrete wall forms for sale, such as LECO Concrete Forms & Supplies, offer aluminum forms, which apparently are more durable and more flexible than plywood. They even have a smooth surface so the concrete no longer needs additional finish.

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Avoiding Resurfacing with Aluminum Concrete Forming Systems

7/22/2019

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One of the most annoying jobs in a construction project is concrete resurfacing. This is the process of applying a thin layer of cement on top of newly cured concrete to create a smooth overlay. Back when modern formwork technology was not yet available, this process was requisite in most concrete works, as the available concrete forming methods weren’t capable of achieving a slick finish.

Builders don’t prefer concrete resurfacing for three main reasons. One, despite how thin the overlay is, it still adds to the dimension of the structure, which then contributes to the discrepancies in the design specifications. Also, additional concrete layer may add to the weight, especially if a large amount is needed to correct certain flaws. Lastly, if the builder isn’t careful, the cement mortar may not properly adhere to the concrete’s surface, which may crack and come off over time.

Causes of Flaws on Concrete

Concrete resurfacing can be avoided if concrete is laid properly. Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to achieve perfection when laying concrete. There will always be uneven or rugged sections that need to be smoothed out once concrete is fully cured. In some cases, pieces of gravel may be sticking out and require concealment, although that’s a clear indicator of poor workmanship and poses safety risks, so more invasive correction may be required.

These flaws usually form due to the imperfections on the surface of the concrete forming system used. Traditional materials such as plywood or fiberboard produce particularly unappealing finish due to their uneven grains. Also, when they are not adequately supported, portions of the formwork may slightly bulge, creating dips and lumps that obviously need correction.

Solving the Issue with Aluminum Concrete Forming Systems

If the problem is the type material the formwork is made of, then the solution to the flaws on concrete is to find a material with little to no flaws on its interior surface. The best option is aluminum concrete forms. Not only does aluminum have the smooth surface necessary to produce smooth concrete finish but it’s also very durable. Meaning, it can retain its shape throughout the curing stage, consequently preventing bulging of the concrete.

When you use high-quality aluminum concrete wall forms for sale, you are not just ensuring the smoothness of the surface of the concrete, but its strength too, considering that formworks play a crucial role in the quality of concrete finishes. Make sure to obtain your aluminum concrete forms from a reputable provider like LECO Corporation to achieve excellent results.

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Basic Facts about Concrete Forming Systems Every Construction Professional Should Know

3/26/2019

All kinds of construction project—vertical and horizontal alike—that involve the use of concrete require a well-designed formwork. Even modular buildings have their concrete parts fabricated using some kind of forming system. Every construction professional must be well-versed in the design and setup of concrete forming systems to ensure the success of each project.

Purpose and Economy

Formwork is a temporary structure intended to contain and hold up fresh concrete until it is hard enough to support its own weight and the weight of the expected load. It consists of the mold or sheathing that makes contact with concrete and the bracing and other supporting members that keep the sheathing from bursting.

The cost of formwork usually exceeds that of the reinforced concrete itself. This is why builders are in constant search for innovative solutions not just to minimize its cost but also to make it more sustainable. Top suppliers of concrete wall forms for sale, such as LECO Corporation, are leading the way to providing more efficient options such as aluminum concrete forms that can be reused in multiple projects.

Design and Construction

Like the concrete structure itself, a formwork has to be precisely designed and constructed, each component carefully measured to maximize all necessary resources. The supporting members, in particular, must comply with the standard dimensions of the form. It is also crucial to ensure that the concrete forming system is designed for reuse, although custom components may no longer be reusable.

Material Considerations

When choosing material for your formwork, you have to factor in the size, shape, and weight of the structure. For standard-sized columns and beams, wooden formwork may still apply, but bigger structures require stronger and more flexible materials, such as aluminum. Not only is this material strong, considering that it is metal, but it’s also more flexible than any available material. It can be bent and folded to conform to intricate design specifications.

It’s also vital to choose a material that produces a smooth finish. This way plastering in less visible areas can be avoided. Again, the best material with this kind of property is aluminum, simply because it doesn’t have the grains and streaks that are characteristic of wood.

Whether you are a private individual planning your own home construction or a building contractor looking to upgrade your services, you can definitely benefit from using today’s concrete forming systems. The country’s leading innovators are at the frontier of discovering not just new materials but also new techniques in making formworks more durable and sustainable.

Source:

https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.703App

Using Concrete Forming Systems and Other Ways to Produce Hard-Wearing Concrete

2/20/2019

Reinforced concrete is arguably the most hard-wearing construction material ever discovered. This is evidenced by the many ancient structures made of concrete that remain standing to this day. Unfortunately, concrete’s durability isn’t dependent on its nature alone, because if it does, then why are some of the concrete structures built just in the last few decades already crumbling? What makes them different from those ancient structures?

The perfect ingredients of a durable reinforced concrete are yet to be discovered, but there are many factors that you can consider to achieve a certain level of durability that is substantially safe and suitable for your project. Here are some of them:

Correct Mixture

It has been known for a long time that for concrete to be strong, it must contain five different ingredients—cement, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate, water, and admixture. While this combination works for most types of concrete work, there is no one-size-fits-all concrete concoction. That’s because there are other forces at play in construction that have a direct effect on the performance of concrete. For instance, the soil on which the footing will be laid may contain some kind of sulfate or is freezing cold, which might affect the rate by which the concrete will cure. All of these factors have to be taken into account when creating a concrete mix design.

Correct concrete mixture doesn’t only mean having the right types of material but also, and more importantly, having the right amount of each of those materials. Excess amount of any of them could lead to a poor-quality concrete mixture. For instance, if you add too much free water, you’ll produce a thin, difficult-to-cure result. Concrete must have low permeability but not too low that it already turns brittle.

Right Placement

Concrete’s fluidity can deceive you into thinking that it is light and easy to handle. In truth, it is dangerously heavy, even heavier that it’s dry, hard state, so you have to be careful when handling it. You have to use the most reliable concrete forming systems available to make sure your concrete will stay intact and not shift a single inch in size until it completely cures. Even the slightest change in dimension could have a detrimental effect on the stability of the finished structure so make sure that the concrete forming systems you will use come from the best supplier.

Proper Curing

Contrary to popular belief, curing is not simply drying. If it is, then there should have been no need for another term to describe the process. In truth, curing actually means maintaining conditions that will allow the concrete to harden and gain strength optimally. In other words, it’s a continuous process that must be done with care and precision to prevent concrete from shrinking and cracking, and not simple a stage where everyone has to wait until the concrete dries up like many people think.

There are many other ways you can ensure the high quality of your concrete. Apart from buying only superior concrete wall forms for sale from top providers like LECO Corporation, you can also benefit from hiring the top masons and engineers in your team to ensure proper execution of every step in the concrete laying process.

Source:

https://blog.kryton.com/2014/06/five-ways-make-concrete-durable/

Concrete Forming Systems and Other Factors that May Influence the Concrete Pouring Process

12/18/2018

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Despite the popularity of modular buildings, many still prefer cast-in-place construction because it produces high-strength structures. Compared to assembling prefabricated components, builders are able to ensure the stability of a structure with cast-in-place construction, particularly when constructing high-rises, simply because it allows for proper integration of reinforcement.

Handling concrete, however, is trickier than it seems, which is probably why modular construction is preferred for some projects. A few important considerations have to be made to make sure the output is safe and stable. Here are some of them:

Weather

Observing the weather is one of the most critical tasks of a builder, and it’s easy to understand why. If, for some reason, they fail to predict the weather and it begins to rain when they started pouring concrete, rainwater might get mixed up with concrete, affecting its viscosity. That can be dangerous as even the slightest increase or decrease in the gooeyness of concrete can affect the properties of the final product. Not getting enough sun for a long period of time after pouring can also be a huge problem. Builders must carefully analyze the weather pattern to be able to make a suitable schedule for pouring and curing.

Reinforcement

Before pouring the concrete, the builder must carry out a final inspection of the reinforcing bars to make sure no columns or beams are lacking stirrups or rebars. Losing one of these components can have a significant effect on the tensile strength of the concrete structural components. When earthquake happens, the parts that have inadequate reinforcement will tend to twist or bend faster.

Labor

Concrete pouring is a labor-intensive work. It involves non-stop mixing, pouring, and screeding, which could take hours depending on which part of the structure is being poured with concrete. The process won’t stop until all areas that can be allowed to dry without compromising the stability of the structure is covered. All this work requires a huge workforce so the builder has to pool a huge number of workers before starting the pouring of concrete. These workers are usually asked to work overtime until the work is done.

Formwork

Another crucial part of the concrete pouring process is setting up the formwork. For large structures in which tons of concrete is needed, high-quality concrete forming systems from top providers like LECO Corporation are necessary to avoid deformation or worse collapse. The formwork should be strong enough to hold in the concrete until curing is completed.

There are many other factors that require careful consideration when pouring concrete. All building codes have to be followed to ensure that the structure will stand up strong and last for as long as possible. Of course, superior concrete wall forms for sale play a critical role in the success of any building project, small and large scale alike.

Source:
https://www.hunker.com/13401173/the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-cast-in-place-concrete

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The Amazing Benefits of Using Aluminum Concrete Forming Systems

11/19/2018

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Forming systems have been used for construction since time immemorial. Whether it’s clay or concrete that needs curing and hardening, a forming system can hold it in place until the desired shape is achieved. For millennia, concrete forming systems have evolved into stronger and more efficient structures. They’ve come a long way since the day when the only available materials were stone and wood. Now, we have aluminum concrete forming systems to boot, and they offer a great deal of benefits.

Flexibility

Perhaps the greatest weakness of wood, the oldest and most popular concrete forming material, is that it has a very limited capacity, mainly because it’s organic and it’s lighter and less dense than concrete. Wood can’t even bend enough to hold circular columns or structures, so a complex support and scaffolding should be included in the formwork. Aluminum forming systems, on the other hand, come with aluminum plates, which bend well.

Recyclability

Aluminum is a non-ferrous metal. It does not rust. Especially because concrete forms are exposed to the moisture from the concrete itself, they really have to be corrosion-resistant or else they will compromise concrete’s structural integrity as they rust. Not only is aluminum capable of holding up until the end of the curing period but it can also be recycled or even reused immediately for another project.

Smooth Finish

The aluminum plates and sheets manufactured into concrete wall forms for sale have a smooth finish, so you can expect the output to be coating-ready without the need for plastering. Unlike wooden forms that are likely to imprint grains and surface flaws on the concrete, aluminum plates don’t have any marks or traces to leave behind.

Higher Capacity

Forming systems are designed to resist the outward pressure exerted by the weight of concrete. This pressure creates tension within the concrete form, enough to break apart any material that has low tensile strength. It’s a good thing metals like aluminum are known for their high tensile strength. In fact, they are at the top of the chain when it comes to tension resistance.

With all these amazing features of aluminum concrete forming systems, any smart contractor like you wouldn’t hesitate to include them in their services. In fact, since it is considered an upgrade to have aluminum concrete forms in your options, you can mention it in your ads as an added perk to attract more clients. Just make sure to get the forms from a reputable supplier like LECO Corporation.

Source:

https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=1446

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What You Need to Know about Building Walls and Concrete Forming Systems

10/23/2018

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Any habitable structure consists of at least five major elements—foundation, floor, wall, columns, and beams. You’ve probably heard much about a structure’s foundation, columns, and beams since they function mainly as load bearers, but haven’t given much notice to the other naturally non-load-bearing elements, particularly the walls.

Considering that walls function as mere covering and partition of a building, they are usually not the focus of most construction-related discussions. In fact, in actual construction, they are usually built last. Nonetheless, there’s more to these walls than you almost certainly know. Here are some information about them that you might find useful in making decisions for your own construction projects.

They Are Not Always Non-Load-Bearing

Walls are often classified as non-load-bearing, and it’s easy to understand why. If you remove them, the structure would most likely remain standing. But this is not always the case. Most architectural designs include load-bearing walls for added support. This is done to prevent a structure from collapsing on sections where column and beam support is expected to be weak. They provide either a continuous support along the girder or perpendicular to it.

They Come in Different Types

A concrete wall is often made of cement blocks, mortar, and sometimes reinforcement. The cement blocks builders use come in at least four types, each of which provides a different level of support and stability. Depending on their function in the structure, their construction may or may not require concrete forming systems.

Solid Concrete Blocks – These are cement blocks that do not have holes or hollows for reinforcement, hence the name. They can come in the form of bricks, carved stones, or concrete itself. The only material that connects them is mortar.

Hollow Concrete Blocks – Often used in small-scale construction, this consists of hollows, which allow the insertion of reinforcement bars. The hollows are later filled with mortar, making the final output compact.

Lightweight Aerated Concrete Blocks – This is a lightweight, precast, foam concrete building material that provides support, insulation, and resistance to fire and mold. It is less dense than conventional cement blocks but makes a strong, solid material when bound with mortar.

Fly Ash Concrete Blocks – They are technically a type of hollow block, except they are made from a mix of class C or class F fly ash and water. The high concentration of calcium in the class C fly ash makes the particles cement themselves when mixed with water and dried.

They Need Formwork, Too

In small-scale construction, with most walls anticipated to be non-load-bearing, strategic stacking of the cement blocks is enough to set up the walls. For more stable and finer result, forms can be used. Not only will the additional mortar further bolster the solidity of the walls, but it will also provide a finer finish that may no longer need manual plastering.

In case you find using formwork more efficient and safe for your structure, do so but make sure to comply with existing building standards. For best results, buy concrete wall forms for sale from one of the country’s leading providers, such as LECO. They sure have a range of choices that can help you find the most suitable one for your project.

Source:

How to Identify a Load-Bearing Wall, lifehacker.com

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What You Need to Know about Concrete before Using Concrete Forming Systems in Your Project

9/11/2018

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It’s hard to imagine a construction project that does not involve the use of concrete. For millennia, builders have used all sorts of composite material they produce by combining fine and coarse aggregates. The most trusted option, which is still extensively used today even with the growing popularity of “sustainable” materials, is concrete, and for good reasons. The following information may enlighten you on the real reason why concrete is still the best construction material available.

Fire and Water Resistance

Although the formula for making concrete includes water as the binder, the final output is actually impervious. Meaning, water or any other fluid cannot seep through it, except if the concrete was poorly done and has tiny voids within it. The final output is also essentially a rock, and so it doesn’t burn like wood or plastic. It has a higher thermal resistance than metal as well, which makes it a perfect material for constructing structures that are intended for applications involving high heat.

Impressive Compressive Strength

One of the biggest adversaries of builders is the inevitable force of gravity. The taller the structure, the greater gravitational force they have to resist. Failure to resist gravity can cause collapse. No other material can handle the compressive force of gravity than concrete. Metals like steel may seem capable due to their toughness but they are actually good at resisting tension, not compression. Concrete, with the right concrete forming systems in place, can perform that role better. In fact, to resist both compression and tension, which are both present in any structural system, builders have learned to reinforce concrete with steel bars.

Visibility and Safety

Concrete has always been the ideal material for building roads and other kinds of horizontal structures mainly because of its compressive strength, too. Unlike asphalt, it can efficiently handle moving loads without sustaining major damage. It’s also bright-colored, making concrete roads look visible even at night, consequently improving road safety. Unfortunately, because its source is unsustainable and building miles upon miles of roads may require a great volume of material, the cost of concrete is also disappointingly prohibitive.

Heavy Enough to Cause Compression

While concrete is excellent in resisting compression, it is heavy enough to cause compression itself. Nevertheless, its compressive strength is way too stronger to handle its own weight, making the construction of high-rise concrete structures possible, although that’s almost mainly due to the reinforcement within its core.

With these basic facts about concrete, you can think of a better idea of how you should handle it during construction. For instance, as you anticipate the immense weight of concrete, it won’t be difficult to decide the type of concrete wall forms for sale to purchase and use. However, all of the considerations are already found in building codes. All you have to do is to follow them.

Source:

10 Surprising Facts About Concrete You Never Heard About Before, tiltwall.ca

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Concrete Forming Systems: How Do You Know If You Are Using the Right Material?

8/27/2018

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Thirteen construction workers were severely injured while working at a mixed-use development in Oakland, California on May 2017. The cause of the accident was the collapse of a shoring system while concrete was being poured into the formwork it was supporting. Investigators later found evidence that point to safety violations committed by the three main contractors of the project, who were later fined $147,315 for damages.

This incident is a perfect example of the disaster that can happen if the concrete forming systems used during construction fall short of building standards, which begs the question, “what type of formwork is safe to use?” or “how do you know which type of material makes a good formwork?”

The truth is that there are a range of options to choose from, each of which can perform well depending on several essential factors, including the size of the project, the loading involved, the part of the structure that needs concreting, and the like. Here are the most commonly used types of formwork used for construction.

Timber

Before synthetic materials were introduced to the construction industry, builders had relied heavily on timber. They used it in almost anything, be it as formwork components or as the actual structural components. As a formwork material, timber exhibits exceptional strength and durability. While it is practically organic, properly treated timber can hold up to excessive weight and resist infestation. Even in modern construction work, this material is still a viable choice of material for building formwork systems. However, for large projects that involve incredible amount of load, timber is usually replaced with tougher materials, such as metal or plastic.

Plastic

While plastic in general has a reputation for poor quality, there are certain types of plastic that can rival timber and some metal alloys in terms of robustness. Not only are they easy to manufacture and use, but plastic formwork systems are also reusable. Unfortunately though, plastics have far lower tolerance to stresses compared to today’s high-quality aluminum concrete wall forms for sale from top providers like LECO Concrete Forms and Supplies.

Metal

Those who can’t afford to risk the success of their construction projects should go with metal concrete forms. Compared to other materials, metal has a higher tensile strength, which is essential to the function of a formwork. As concrete is poured into the formwork, tension builds up on the interior surface of the mold. Metal can easily hold up to this kind of pressure better than other materials. And because it is made of aluminum, a notoriously corrosion-resistant metal, rusting has been completely removed from the list of potential issues.

The evolution of construction materials has made it easier for builders to find suitable formwork materials for their projects. The options are almost limitless but the best is always the one that promises great results. For guaranteed successful formwork construction, get in touch with a world-class concrete form manufacturer, such as LECO Concrete Forms and Supplies.

Sources:

Types of Formwork (Shuttering) for Concrete Construction and its Properties, theconstructor.org
Three contractors cited by Cal/OSHA in formwork collapse that injured 13 workers, safety.blr.com

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Here's How You Can Utilize Concrete Forming Systems in Your Structure

8/30/2017

When you need to build a structure that could withstand the elements, you need to choose your materials carefully. It has to be durable as well as incredibly easy and effective to work with so it does not negatively affect build efficiency. Hence, you should definitely consider using concrete forming systems to get the job done.

A concrete forming system allows for concrete to be formed in such a way that it would fit a particular architectural design without compromising stability. These forms are usually made of aluminum which makes them not only very light but sturdy as well. They also require only a hammer and a couple of wrenches to use. Hence, it’s a cost efficient option for any project you are working on. As for maintenance, aluminum concrete forms hardly require any, so long as good quality form oil is used with every pour.

That said, there are many ways that you can utilize concrete forming systems in your current construction project.

Basements

You can use concrete forming systems to construct a basement with a strong perimeter around it so that there is no chance that water or any other system from below ground would penetrate into the room once it’s already in use. It also ensures that the structure would hold against any possible soil erosion.

Retaining Walls

Every structure requires sturdy retaining walls and that's exactly what one formed with a concrete forming system provides you. They keep soil out effectively so you are sure that structural integrity is never compromised. Depending on what you are building, take note too that there are two different types of flared bracing that you can choose from when you require some concrete wall forms. If you are unsure which one would suit your project best, you can always consult with your architects and engineers.

If you are looking to build a structure that is sturdy and cost efficient, consider utilizing concrete forming systems for various architectural details of your project. In using this, one thing is for certain. Through the use of concrete forming systems, the structures you build will stay standing proudly and in good condition for a very long time, without blowing the budget.

Sources:

Working with Concrete, cement.org
Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs), cement.or

<<Previous

Concrete Forming Systems and Other Factors that Influence the Outcome of Construction

Weight of the Concrete

Concrete Pouring Process

Formwork Architecture

Avoiding Resurfacing with Aluminum Concrete Forming Systems

Causes of Flaws on Concrete

Solving the Issue with Aluminum Concrete Forming Systems

Basic Facts about Concrete Forming Systems Every Construction Professional Should Know

Using Concrete Forming Systems and Other Ways to Produce Hard-Wearing Concrete

Concrete Forming Systems and Other Factors that May Influence the Concrete Pouring Process

The Amazing Benefits of Using Aluminum Concrete Forming Systems

What You Need to Know about Building Walls and Concrete Forming Systems

What You Need to Know about Concrete before Using Concrete Forming Systems in Your Project

Concrete Forming Systems: How Do You Know If You Are Using the Right Material?

Here's How You Can Utilize Concrete Forming Systems in Your Structure

LECO Concrete Forms & Supply

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