The concrete wall technology was developed to enable the execution of works with more efficiency, low investment cost and high structural performance.
However, for it to be executed with quality, it is necessary to apply your construction techniques correctly and choose good inputs for its construction, with special attention to the materials used in the structure and mortar, as well as the forms for concrete walls chosen for each project.
For these reasons, concrete walls are increasingly being used in works of all kinds, and are particularly in demand when it comes to large scale productions or large buildings. In this article, we will present the main characteristics of this structural technique and understand how to guarantee a quality result.
See, below, what concrete walls molded in situ are, what types of forms for concrete walls are available on the market, and the importance of using release agent in their execution. Check it out below.
What are concrete walls mounted on site?
The term “in loco” is used in civil construction as an expression originating from Latin, which means “in place” or “in the place itself”. Thus, it is used to characterize elements that are built on the construction site itself - and the concrete wall mounted on site is executed directly at its destination.
To make this possible, forms for concrete walls are used - specific molds for the construction of this type of element, whose main objective is to mold fresh concrete and support all the pressures of casting the concrete, until the mass acquires sufficient strength to deform.
Therefore, it is important that they are watertight and strictly maintain the geometry of the parts being molded, avoiding deformation of the walls and the appearance of pathological manifestations in the future.
As a result, this is a rationalized and practical construction method, widely used in the most diverse projects. It can be suitable for the construction of homes of any size and buildings with no limit on the number of floors, as well as for any other type of reinforced concrete work.
In the same way, it adapts well to conventional reinforced concrete skeleton structures, dividing or retaining walls, foundations and containers, prefabricated and prestressed concrete elements, and any other type of concrete construction methodology.
The advantages of concrete walls
This concrete wall system offers several construction benefits, ensuring practical, cost-effective, and high-performance execution. See, below, the main advantages that this construction method provides:
Resource savings
The molding of the walls on site avoids double work, reducing transportation costs and the emission of gases with the movement of large parts, as well as labor costs. In addition, the walls are executed in the final thickness, which eliminates the need for plastering and reduces material costs.
High productivity and fast execution
Executing concrete walls eliminates several steps common in the traditional method, such as brickwork, plastering, and cuts for inlays. Therefore, with this system, it is possible to build up to three times faster than the conventional method, even considering the execution of pillars, beams and blocks for closure.
High performance and resistance
The concreting of the walls in place causes a single structural element to be created. This type of monolithic structure is stronger than fencing with traditional masonry walls, as it causes tensions to be distributed and absorbed in a systemic way.
Sustainability and more economy
The on-site concrete system reduces material waste and promotes a reduction of up to 80% in waste generation when compared to other construction methods. In addition, it allows greater quality control with concrete walls, which reduces the need for maintenance.
Aesthetic and finishing pattern
The pieces built with the formwork system for concrete walls have excellent results in the final geometry, with a high level of finish in terms of the flatness of the surfaces, the linearity of the edges, and plumb, level and square criteria. Thus, they guarantee high aesthetic results for the work.
What are the types of forms for concrete walls?
There are already several types of forms for concrete walls available on the market, using different materials. The most used are:
Plastic forms
Plastic concrete wall forms use frames and sheets made of recyclable plastic to structure the panels. The plastic is directly in contact with the concrete part, and the support is made with braces of metal structures. This type of shape has evolved considerably in recent years, becoming more resistant and supporting concrete loads more efficiently.
Metallic forms
The metal forms are those that use aluminum to manufacture the molds and the structure for the concrete. They are known for the good surface quality they guarantee the final result, as well as their high construction productivity. Other advantages that make this a popular choice of forms for concrete walls are sustainability and practicality: the molds are recyclable and very light, making them easier to handle on the construction site and saving resources.
Mixed forms
These are the forms for concrete walls that use metal frames and sheets of plywood or synthetic material to finish the concrete part. The frames can be made of steel or aluminum, and this type of shape offers the advantage of allowing for flexible measurements, adapting to different projects - one of the main disadvantages of other types of forms for concrete walls.
On the other hand, these panels are heavier than the other options, and require the replacement of the plywood sheets, and replacement is recommended every cycle of 30 uses.
Climbing forms
The treads are the forms for concrete walls most used in buildings with multiple floors. They require a crane at the construction site to be moved, but they significantly increase labor productivity, as they are transported all at once.
For this purpose, they are structured with large panels, using service scaffolding - which reduces the assembly steps and reduces the time needed to move from one floor to the other.
The importance of using a quality mold release agent
The mold release agent for concrete walls is an oil-based chemical whose main purpose is to create a thin layer between the forms and the concrete. As a result, it prevents adhesion between the concrete and the mold, which facilitates the deforming process, bringing several benefits to the construction, such as:
- The lifespan of the forms is extended
- The concrete gets a superior finish
- Productivity on the construction site increases, as the time needed to unmold the concrete and clean the forms is reduced.
Thus, the proper use of the release agent guarantees many advantages to the work. However, care must be taken when choosing the product and its application. The selection of a quality release agent and compliance with the manufacturer's recommendations is essential to avoid the appearance of stains and ensure product efficiency, ensuring an increase in the final quality of the parts.
Blok is a company committed to the development of quality products for the construction site, using new technologies to offer the best in the market for its construction. Check out our mold release agents and ensure the good performance of your concrete wall forms.
.webp)
