Building Type Tunnel Formwork
It is a method of construction with concrete casting of the walls and floor at the same time
1 - Advantages
• Fast construction,
• Economy provided by shorter time of construction,
• Perfect daily rhythm of construction,
• Monolithic structure,
• 6 tons/m ² resistance of formwork,
• Fair face surface which does not require any plaster coating, thanks to exceptional finishing,
• Precision of dimensions results use of complementary structural prefabricated elements with standardization,
• Working safety.
With the tunnel formwork the period of construction is very short compared to the traditional methods. Many researches on the subject show shortening around 50% for the period of concrete works. A team of 10-12 workers can assemble in the day, formwork of 1-2 apartments and cast the concrete. The full number of labor necessary for a set of formwork is 22-23 workers, including the steel fixers, form workers, masons, a plumber, an electrician, a crane operator.
The economy comes after the capture of daily rhythm.
The installation of the electrical supply and plumbing network, heating and ventilation in the formwork before the concreting would make it possible to reduce later work.
Finishing works can be started immediately after concrete works. That reduces total construction time. Thanks to the concrete dimensional accuracy such as walls and partitions, joinery can be placed immediately after casting.
Almost all fine works such as plastering are not necessary due to the fair face.
Painting, wallpaper or similar decoration materials can be applied directly.
Casting of walls and floor in once provides a monolithic structure. In the seismic zones buildings where the tunnel formwork system was used are more resistant and they are accepted by standards.
2 - Standard size of the tunnel:
Height : 2.30 - 3.00 m
Length : 0.625 - 1.25 - 2.50 m
Width : 1.05 - 1.35 - 1.65 - 1.95 - 2.25 - 2.55 - 2.85 m
According to the hoisting capacity, these elements can be combined up to 12.50 m length.
With 7 types and 21 various combinations of tunnel formwork one obtains standard widths from 2.10 to 5.70 m.
There is no limit to dimensions. However, standard dimensions should be preferred for re-use in future projects. The requirements for size are filled by the production of specific models.