Classification of construction formwork and its characteristics?

Construction formwork can be categorized according to material, structure and usage. Here are some common classifications of construction formwork and their characteristics:

1. Wooden formwork:

- Characteristics: wooden formwork is the most common and traditional type of formwork. They are made of wood and have good plasticity and workability. Wooden formwork is suitable for structures of all shapes and sizes and is easy to work with and customize.

- Advantages: relatively low cost, reusable, lightweight, easy to handle and install. Wooden formwork also offers good thermal insulation and good constructability.

- Disadvantages: wooden formwork is susceptible to moisture, deformation and wear and tear and requires regular maintenance and replacement.

2. Steel formwork:

- Features: Steel formwork is made of steel and has high strength and durability. They are suitable for large projects and structures that need to withstand high loads. Steel formwork can be adapted and reorganized as required for various complex structural forms.

- Advantages: high load-bearing capacity and stability, easy to assemble and disassemble, able to be reused many times. The surface of the steel mold plate is smooth and does not texture the concrete surface.

- Disadvantages: Higher cost, higher weight, requires specialized operation and equipment. Steel mold plate is easy to rust in the humid environment, need to be anticorrosion treatment.

3. Aluminum alloy formwork:

- Features: aluminum alloy formwork is made of aluminum alloy material, which is lightweight, strong and corrosion-resistant. Aluminum alloy formwork is suitable for projects that require frequent disassembly and movement, such as tunnels, subways and so on.

- Advantages: light weight, easy to handle and install, long service life. Aluminum alloy formwork has good flatness and surface smoothness, which can reduce the treatment of concrete surface.

- Disadvantages: Higher cost, not suitable for large spans and high loaded structures. Aluminum formwork is susceptible to hammering and scratching and requires careful use and maintenance.

4. Plastic formwork:

- Features: Plastic formwork is made of plastic material which is lightweight, waterproof and corrosion resistant. Plastic formwork is suitable for some simple structures and projects that require quick construction.

- Advantages: light weight, easy to handle and install, good waterproof performance. Plastic formwork has a smooth surface which reduces the need to treat the concrete surface.

- Disadvantages: low load bearing capacity, not suitable for large and highly loaded structures. Plastic formwork is susceptible to scratches and bumps and requires careful use and maintenance.

These are the common classifications of formwork for construction projects and their characteristics, and the selection of the suitable type of formwork should take into account the project requirements, budget, construction conditions and the expected number of uses. In practice, construction professionals will choose and design according to the specific situation.