Larger hollow core slabs, such as garage floors or house foundations, may require the use of a concrete power trowel.
The concreting process requires certain steps to ensure that the concrete does not lose its shape during curing. Aluminum formwork is a type of material used to help the concrete support the formwork until it is solid and can support the formwork on its own. The term “formwork” refers to panels that can be arranged to form a mold; “falsework” refers to posts, connectors, and other hardware that holds the forms together. The aluminum formwork is made of light metal and is easy to transport, assemble, disassemble and clean.
There are also other types of formwork; Steel and plywood are the most commonly used types of shapes. However, aluminum formwork is advantageous in that it is durable yet lightweight and easy to assemble. However, plywood can be susceptible to water damage and can also warp; steel can be heavy, difficult to place, and difficult to store and transport. Aluminum formwork avoids these pitfalls, although it has its own drawbacks. Aluminum is a very stiff and brittle metal that tends to crack when bent. Steel is more resistant to this type of damage, but tends to be more expensive than steel.
To guarantee structural rigidity, the aluminum formwork will be built in pieces. Modular panels can be connected to each other to create various concrete shapes. The panels must be fixed to each other to prevent concrete from getting between them; this is done using falsework. In some cases, aluminum formwork can be used in conjunction with other types of formwork materials, particularly certain types of plywood that are resistant to water damage. Sometimes steel components are used in conjunction with aluminum forms for durability and stability. Jacks are also often made of steel, because these units take a significant amount of stress during use.
Like other types of forms, aluminum forms can be purchased or rented. You can rent forms for small and medium projects; If the user is going to carry out specific projects frequently, it is better to buy forms that can be reused. Aluminum is a good choice because it is generally cheaper than other types of formwork, is easily stored and transported, and can be easily cleaned between uses to ensure the panels can be used on future projects. The thickness of the aluminum will often dictate which projects the shapes are best suited for.