Concrete formwork is a temporary or permanent mould that is filled with wet concrete. As plywood is used in formwork, the kind of plywood used affects the appearance, rigidity and reuse of the entire concrete structure.
So, we are going to take a look at the considerations when choosing plywood for formwork and the following:
Factors to Consider
Why Plywood is so Popular in Construction
Industry Advancements
Types of Plywood for Formwork
Structural Plywood
This is a plywood classified for strength. This kind of plywood has a high bearing quality that sustains weight. It is recommended for use in heavy and major construction, where mechanical support is of utmost importance.
Film-Faced Plywood
The front face of the plywood is treated with a waterproof coated film so that it not only has a smooth surface but is also recyclable. Film-faced plywood is often used in concrete formwork.
High-Density Overlay (HDO) Plywood
HDO plywood features an impregnated fibre surface containing resin that creates a hard, durable and water-resistant layer, providing a superior concrete surface and improved potential for reusability.
Medium-Density Overlay (MDO) Plywood
MDO is somewhat in the in-between: The overlay is not hooded off like it is in HDO, but, like HDO, MDO has a lower-density underlayment. MDO looks good and is cheaper than HDO, plus is suited to work where a high-quality finish is desired, but a perfect one is optional.
Factors to Consider
Durability
Reusable living is also dependent upon the durability of the plywood. HDO and MDO types of plywood are more durable and can be used many times.
Finish Quality
The difference in overlay results in a different concrete finish. HDO makes the finish smoother than MDO or ordinary plywood.
Load-Bearing Capacity
Think of the load of the concrete and the forces of pouring. There are greater loads for structural plywood compared to other options.
Environmental Conditions
If the formwork is exposed to the elements, select water-resistant, UV-resistant, and temperature-resistant treated plywood.
Getting concrete formwork correct on the first try will save you money. Therefore, the kind of plywood you need to use will depend on the concrete formwork being applied.
Why Plywood is so Effective in Many Settings
Plywood is one of the most suitable composite materials for formwork applications, in large part due to its ability to perform well in all of the below-stated instances:
Strength and Stability
The cross-laminated structure of each sheet of plywood – multiple thinner layers of wood veneers bonded together with alternate grain directions – provides the material with exceptional strength and dimensional stability.
This also means that it can take on heavy loads and won’t warp or split so that the overall structure can stay resistant to failure over many years.
Cost-Effectiveness
Plywood is much more cost-effective than using solid wood or other engineered wood products such as laminated veneer lumber. Coupled with the highly optimised manufacturing process, plywood saves a lot of building and labour costs, which is reflected in the rapid expansion of housing developments in and around Sydney.
Versatility and Customisation
For instance, plywood is easy to cut. Depending on certain project-specific needs, it can easily be shaped and formed to any size and shape level. It comes in various thicknesses, grades and finishes, so it can easily be adapted to any construction needs.
Environmental Sustainability
More on its environmental impact. Plenty of plywood came from sustainably managed forests.
Today, plywood may be considered an eco-friendly alternative to some timber applications, especially if sourced from a neurogenic landscape.
Given the advancing technologies in the timber industry, the majority of plywood in the market comes from areas where wood resources are carefully monitored to ensure sustainability.
Resistance to Moisture and Weather
Coupled with the ability to produce plywood with treatments and coatings to improve resistance to moisture, weather and insects, this is a versatile product for use either internally or externally.
These characteristics mean that ply formwork is ideally suited to formwork. It produces a reliable, durable end product that meets a project’s exact specifications.
Its quality concrete cast surface, good weight-to-strength ratio, no deflection, and high durability are the main reasons it is widely used in modern-day construction.
By the mid-20th century, plywood was used almost everywhere in Australia, from plywood formwork shed walls, fencing, portable classrooms for schools and formwork offices for building sites.
Click here to find out how modern-day carpenters in Sydney use formwork ply to upgrade a shop's facade and overall aesthetic appeal.
Industrial Advancements
Plywood saw further innovations after the Second World War, which came alongside broader industrial advances that made huge quantities of plywood more affordable, widely available and versatile.
Numerous resins were invented in the postwar era, leading to better manufacturing methods. Plywood could now be mass-produced with fewer waste products and higher success rates.
As well as being used in the booming aircraft industry, plywood could now be utilised by anyone wanting to construct simple modern buildings.
Economic Growth
Led by strong economic growth following the Second World War, Australia’s construction boom created an ever-expanding demand for materials that were cheap, flexible and reliable. Plywood is all of those things.
Technological Innovations
New adhesives and treatments also improved resistance to environmental stresses, rendering plywood formwork suitable for use in the more hostile Australian climate. As well, increasing the strength and load-bearing capacity of plywood enabled its use in concrete formwork.
Summary
These factors together made plywood formwork extremely popular in Australia for a whole host of uses in foundation and building construction, including a smooth-finished appearance of concrete structures, affordability, strength, and adaptability. Contact LF Construction Services for detailed information on how we can apply this to your project.
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