Building technologies are developed every day. They penetrate into all stages of the erection of buildings and, of course, did not ignore the sphere of construction of foundation bases.
The erection of each building after the construction of the project begins with the construction of the foundation. Very often it is made with wooden formwork, however modern technologies allow using innovative methods and using non-removable formwork. What is it and how to build a foundation using a fixed formwork with your own hands?
Fixed formwork for foundation
The method of building foundations with the use of non-removable formwork was invented and began to be introduced about 15 years ago. At the same time, all the main stages of building the foundations have remained the same, the changes are only at the stage of forming the formwork. Let us briefly recall how a monolithic concrete strip foundation is being erected.
What should be taken into account when constructing the formwork for the foundation?
At the beginning of each foundation is the project. Calculation of the construction of the foundation is made based on two basic conditions - the bearing capacity of the soil of your site and the severity of the erected building. Depending on this, the base area and the brand of concrete used are calculated.
After calculating the foundation, the construction site and its marking should be cleared. This is a very painstaking work, as the geometry of the entire building depends on its correct conduct.
A classic concrete strip foundation is laid in the formwork, which, in turn, is placed in a trench dug in the ground. On the bottom of the trench are stacked sequentially sand and crushed stone cushions.
But the fixed formwork is going on just like the famous children's designer "Lego".In addition, non-removable formwork does not need to be dismantled, as it plays an important role in the foundation - it is a thermal insulation layer. In the classic forms of the formwork, the insulation must be stacked additionally - at the next stages of the work. When using non-removable formwork, you get a "two in one", that is, a limiter for the concrete solution and a layer of thermal insulation.
Naturally, the use of fixed formwork does not relieve you of the need to build a reinforcing belt inside the formwork. They are made of metal bars, connected in some kind of cell. Rods in the intersection are welded together or connected by a binding wire.
Construction of fixed formwork
As an advantage of non-removable formwork, it can be noted that it does not absorb water at all. In this way, you can be assured of maintaining the correct proportions of the concrete solution being poured.
As a heat insulator, some types of fixed formwork are protected from fire, and they are extremely stable in a humid environment.
But you can note the drawbacks of this design. First of all, it is expensive. But at the same time, it is worth remembering that by using a fixed formwork you can save on the heat-insulating layer.
Video foundation with fixed formwork part 1
Video - foundation construction with fixed formwork part 2
Types of fixed formwork
Designers have developed several types of non-removable formwork. Let's see what the modern construction industry can provide you.
The classic type of fixed formwork is polystyrene boards. Despite their lightness - they are strong enough, they are excellent heat insulators and at the same time do not interfere with the necessary air circulation.
Plates made of expanded polystyrene
The next type is a mixture of wood chips and cement. This type of non-removable formwork can boast excellent sound insulation properties. To preserve heat in such plates, there are small air bubbles between the wood chips. Despite the fact that the construction uses a short-lived tree - its special processing allows such a plate to retain its qualities for a long time. In addition, such specially processed wood chips do not burn and do not absorb moisture.
Fibrolitic non-removable shuttering is a product of the chemical industry. It consists of magnesite, which is mixed with wood shavings. If magnesite is replaced with portland cement, then such a plate essentially repeats the previous construction. This type of non-removable formwork has excellent resistance to fires, such slabs serve as a reliable barrier to steam and keep the heat of your home well.
Fibrolitic non-removable formwork
Construction technologies with fixed formwork
In addition to the construction of foundations, a fixed formwork is also widely used in the construction of walls. Moreover, in some cases such use is the main one.
So, in order to erect a wall using non-removable formwork - it must be installed on a waterproof foundation. Plates are fixed on the reinforcing bars protruding from the foundation. These rods serve as the basis for the formation of new rows of reinforcing mesh, while adjacent rods must be overlapped.
When installing the first row of non-removable formwork, carefully verify the location of future doorways and the junction of internal walls.
Then gradually build up a network of reinforcing bars and both walls of non-removable formwork. In fact, you are preparing the basis for creating a kind of sandwich - a design where two layers of thermal insulation material will limit the concrete casting to the metal frame.
The process of pouring concrete into a non-removable formwork
When pouring a concrete solution into a non-removable formwork, the same techniques should be used as for the formation of any concrete casting. It is desirable to fill the entire volume at a time. If this does not work, then the concrete must be laid in layers. In any case, the raw concrete mass must be treated to prevent the formation of air voids in its thickness. This can be done both with the help of specialized equipment - deep vibrators, and simply pierce the mass of concrete with a sharp object.
Framework of fixed formwork
If you are building concrete walls with fixed formwork, then during their erection it is also necessary to closely monitor the places of engineering communications and the formation of building structure elements. It is best to lay the places of their penetration or construction in advance, so as not to churn the frozen concrete.
Concrete poured into non-removable formwork - photos
If you acquire high-quality, resilient blocks of fixed formwork, carefully prepare the fasteners and securely fix the installed structure - the construction of a foundation or walls with a permanent formwork can be quite an affordable process.
