When conducting construction, a private developer will have to deal with dozens of companies that produce fixed formwork. The vast majority of firms are domestic manufacturers, many of which are successfully modifying standard technologies. The owner can choose the system that suits him.

Structurally, the system is divided into the following groups:

• flat reinforced panels;
• frame systems, including prefabricated blocks from various sheet materials or polystyrene foam blocks.

Frame systems form two formwork contours, in which there is steel reinforcement and concrete pouring. In the section, the structure "formwork/reinforced concrete/formwork" is obtained.

The cast system is popularly called a "thermoblock", where the main material is gas-filled polystyrene foam, with a density of 25-40 kg / m³. Both sheets are already equipped with hard jumpers. The dimensions of the products are different for all manufacturers, but the average consumption of concrete is 0.13 cubic meters per m² of surface.

Insulation in fixed formwork can be used as an additional heat-insulating layer. This approach will provide additional economic and technological bonuses.

Prefabricated blocks are formed by two sheets of cement, gypsum, polystyrene or wood concrete. Before installation, they are assembled into a single volumetric-spatial structure using component materials. The distance is maintained with the help of polymer spacers, which blocks the formation of cold bridges. Sometimes removable metal ties are used.

Formwork 3D - flat self-supporting reinforced panels, their parenting element is a slab made of expanded polystyrene (100-270 mm), with a density of 15 kg / m³. Both sides are reinforced with black welded mesh (4mm, 50x59). The size of each panel is 3000x1200 mm. On both sides, the material is covered with layers of durable concrete (5 cm), not lower than B30, for which standard manual technologies such as “fur coats” can be used.

formwork

Construction technology involves creating the shape of the future base and then pouring it with concrete. This is a monolithic building. Fixed formwork, as can be understood from its name, cannot be dismantled. It is left in the form of a shirt around the poured monolithic foundation.

Fixed formwork, price and material selection factors for the foundation

If a private builder needs a fixed formwork for the foundation, which can be bought at any specialized company, It is recommended to pay attention to the following factors:

• one of the most successful decisions can be the choice of formwork made of expanded polystyrene;
• for arranging the base, you can choose blocks of 25x25x100 cm in size;
• to calculate the amount of material, you can focus on the fact that 1 m2 of the base area will require a consumption of 4 blocks;
• the average cost of one block is 140 rubles. Costs for square meter surfaces will be no more than 560 r. (4 blocks * 140 rubles);
• the cost of similar materials will be 30-40% more expensive;
• after the implementation of all works, taking into account the laying of reinforcement, the arrangement of a sand cushion, concrete pouring, etc. total cost 1 m2 of foundation will average about 3700 r.

In addition to significant budget savings, fixed formwork provides heat savings and greater strength. The technique allows you to build a reinforced concrete monolith, which is characterized by high durability. A private builder receives an almost eternal object. Another plus is fire safety and environmental friendliness, other advantages are demonstrated in the (relative to fixed formwork) video.

Finishing of the facade can be carried out using various materials, but decorative sheet concrete (30 mm) is economically viable. Gypsum panels are being installed inside the building

Do-it-yourself fixed formwork for the foundation - materials

It is necessary to choose materials based on the properties that it will give to the finished base. In private construction, reinforced concrete slabs, polystyrene foam, and sheet metal are used.

Characteristics of metal fixed formwork:

• high cost;
• most often, when arranging structures, metal modules are used, which can serve as cladding. If the choice fell on such formwork, it is better to choose steel sheets with a thickness of 1-2 mm;
• high strength of the foundation - most often this material is used in the construction pile foundation from metal pipes that are filled with concrete mortar. The construction of a strip foundation also takes place, but the price of the work will be sky-high;
• strapping with reinforcement is much easier - the rods can be welded directly to the formwork;
• the material is best used on complex, loose, heaving soils;
• having the skills to work with metal, the builder is able to build such a formwork with his own hands. Reinforcement bars are driven into the soil as guides. Sheets are welded to them;
• so that the steel does not bend under the pressure of the mass of the solution, a crate of wooden bars is equipped.

Characteristics of formwork made of expanded polystyrene:

• the material serves as a waterproofing and insulation in the finished base;
• it is neutral and chemically inert, which eliminates the development of fungi and mold on the surface;
• soundproofing properties - an excellent characteristic for the foundation;
• using modules of different sizes and configurations, the necessary geometry is typed, which duplicates the foundation plan;
• formwork is formed by two sheets of dense foamed polystyrene. Fixing is done with spacers and brackets. The nodes are connected by means of protrusions and recesses, similar to the tongue and groove system. There are also protrusions on the inner surface, which determines the best adhesion to concrete. As a result, a single monolithic structure with high strength properties is formed;
• working with the material is not physically difficult, since the weight of one block does not exceed a few kilograms.

Partially fixed formwork helps to save money. Blocks can be dismantled and used to assemble the next rows of the system

Characteristics of formwork made of reinforced concrete blocks:

• for do-it-yourself construction of light buildings, baths, garages, the use of such material is not advisable. However, if it is built three-storey house, you can consider this option;
• the blocks are distinguished by a large mass and for the work it will be necessary to attract lifting equipment and a team of workers;
• the assembly process itself takes a little time;
• plates are mounted in a dug pit, which are fixed with spacers;
• the system is reinforced inside and outside and poured with concrete;
• the arrangement of such formwork allows to reduce the consumption of concrete, if reinforced concrete blocks have a high thickness;
• for formwork, it is better to choose reinforced concrete blocks with a strength of at least 350 kg / cm², water permeability W4, frost resistance F75 and water absorption up to 6%;
• the material can be used for the construction of ceilings, walls, prefabricated monolithic basements;
• the price of one block starts from 500 r / pc. With data on the footprint and block sizes, the total cost can be calculated.

Reinforced concrete can be replaced with a material such as expanded clay concrete, which resembles lightweight cinder block. The finished formwork is simple, but requires insulation and high financial costs.

For the arrangement of interior partitions, you can use glass-magnesite fixed formwork. It has high refractory properties. Magnesite glass sheets with a thickness of 8-10 mm are subject to selection. The system is filled with fiber foam concrete or expanded polystyrene concrete with reinforcing additives.

Not so long ago, non-removable wooden formwork was used in private construction, but today this system is obsolete. Despite the ease of installation and low cost, a lot of amplifiers and connecting elements are used for foundation work, which is a significant drawback.

Where to buy material?

The construction market is saturated with various offers from many companies. But where to go to buy a quality product?

Fixed formwork, a photo of which can be found in any building catalog, is one of the most affordable systems suitable for private construction

Landmarks for a private builder:

• the company must have experience in the manufacture of fixed formwork. You can see from what year it has been on the market and read reviews about its activities;
• the manufacturing process should provide materials with a well-defined geometry and standard sizes. This will save and reduce the amount of waste;
• the possibility of delivery;
• if we are talking about foam blocks, you need to contact those companies where the blocks are produced with special dovetail notches on the inside. This will ensure maximum adhesion of the surface to concrete;
• if work is carried out in the southern regions, materials of smaller thickness are selected and vice versa.

The cost of fixed formwork depends on many factors. The final costs of construction depend on the grade of concrete used, reinforcement, ventilation, etc. Fixed formwork for the foundation, the price of which is considered affordable, remains the most relevant design for private construction.

Fixed formwork and how to work with it are shown in the video:

The construction of any house always begins with laying the foundation. The durability of the entire structure depends on how strong and warm it will be. Usually, traditional removable formwork is used for the foundation. It is cheap, since any available materials are used during installation. But during the operation of the house, freezing is very soon detected, which leads to rapid destruction. Solving this issue requires additional efforts and costs for insulation.

To avoid problems with thermal insulation, energy-saving technologies come to the rescue. An excellent way to insulate at the initial stage is the fixed formwork method for the foundation.

Peculiarities

It is a modular form, consisting of building blocks or slabs. It is mounted directly at the foundation site and filled with mortar. In the process of hardening, the walls are reliably spliced ​​with concrete and form monolithic structure which cannot be dismantled. On top of it, you can immediately lay the base plate.

The use of non-separable formwork provides the developer with a double effect:

• reduces installation time;
• protects the monolithic base of the house from freezing and heat loss during operation.

The method is also used in the construction of plinths and walls. Finished surfaces are smooth, even, easier to veneer. Construction experts recommend laying foundations in one-piece boxes when erecting low-rise buildings, country houses, cottages, industrial facilities, insulated pools and sports complexes.

Basic materials

To build the formwork, you can choose blocks of various shapes and sizes: for foundations, walls, corners or architectural elements.

1. Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene) is the most common version of the building base. The frame consists of two plates fastened with steel bridges. It is characterized by moderate strength, light weight, wide availability and cheap cost. It is an excellent thermal insulator that does not interfere with air circulation. Finished surfaces need cladding.
2. Polystyrene concrete is a durable composite material with the inclusion of porous filler. Compared to foam, it has more weight and a low level of thermal insulation.
3. Fiberboard is a mixture of wood chips and a binder component (Portland cement or magnesite). It has excellent sound absorption, moisture resistance and vapor impermeability, non-flammable, retains heat well. The formwork is most suitable for the reconstruction of the base, as well as the laying of interior partitions. The use of wood limits the service life, so it is rarely used in practice.

In practice, there are also one-piece formworks made of expanded clay concrete, wood concrete, glass magnesite, glass fiber reinforced concrete. When installing, use one or combine several types of materials. The choice depends on the purpose of the foundation.

Advantages and disadvantages

In order to choose the correct form during the construction of the foundation, it is necessary to make a comparative analysis different types and realistically evaluate the technical and operational characteristics of fixed formwork.

Advantages:

• simple installation technology;
• high assembly speed;
• lack of additional parts (props and struts);
• the ability to build a foundation of ideal geometric shapes with a high bearing capacity;
• tightness of butt joints;
• the presence of technological holes for laying engineering communications;
• savings on heat-insulating materials;
• seasonal independence.

Disadvantages:

• the need to use a construction vibrator;
• device for additional thermal and waterproofing of the base of the foundation;
• high price.

The technology of mounting a strip foundation made of expanded polystyrene

The construction of the fixed part of the formwork begins with the preparation of the trench. To do this, carefully level the surface of the soil around the entire perimeter of the base. The building level helps to verify the accuracy.

1. Lay a drainage layer of sand and gravel mixture 150 mm thick at the bottom of the trench. Thoroughly tamp, pouring cement milk. The bulk cushion can be additionally filled with a thin (no more than 50 mm) cement screed.

2. Spread a waterproofing agent - a roll of geotextile or roofing material.

3. Lay a layer of bottom blocks with a closed bottom - this is the basis of the foundation. To connect the corners, use special rotary elements or mounting foam. You can also use ready-made plugs to facilitate fitting.

4. Lay out the next 2-3 rows from box-shaped blocks that do not have a top and bottom. Laying should be carried out with an offset. Grooves on the ends provide a tight horizontal connection.

5. In each row of formwork, stretch a reinforcing bar through the internal through holes.

6. After laying the third or fourth row, strengthen the base vertically. To do this, choose steel bars with a length equal to the height of the formwork.

7. Fill the foam box with concrete mortar grade M150. Turn on the vibrator, which will ensure the density and uniformity of the fill. If there is no special equipment, you can compact the concrete manually. Suitable for this wooden beam with crossbar.

8. After filling three or four rows with reinforcement and concrete, continue laying the foundation.

Fixed formwork made of expanded polystyrene cannot be left outdoors for a long time, especially in summer. Direct sunlight contributes to the accelerated destruction of the material.

How to inexpensively make a non-separable structure with your own hands?

The high cost of foam formwork often becomes an obstacle to budget projects. To save on the foundation, you can build a form with your own hands from improvised materials: chipboard, fiberboard, steel frame, pipe scraps. The main thing is that the structure withstands the pressure of the solution and does not leak.

• Prepare a mold for making blocks. It is most convenient to choose a steel box and lay it out with thin polystyrene foam gaskets.
• Pour the molds with sand-cement mortar, prepared in a ratio of 1:4. You can also buy ready-made concrete grade M150.
• Place the filled elements on a vibrating table and compact the concrete mass, freeing it from voids and air bubbles.
• Fold the forms for hardening under a canopy. Withstand 5-6 days.
• After the solution sets well and gains strength, shake the blocks out of the molds. As a result, ready-made elements for mounting the base are obtained.

Price overview for foam formwork

The blocks are not unified, so their cost can vary greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer. Before you buy Construction Materials, you need to decide on the type and size, as well as correctly calculate their number.

Name of blocks	Dimensions length/width/height, mm	Thermal insulation thickness internal/external, mm	Price with VAT, rub/m2
Standard (straight main)	1250×250×250	50/50	490-540
	1250×300×250	50/100	550-600
	1200×300×250	50/100	600-660
	1250×300×500	50/100	760-820
	1400×315×400	70/70	700-770
	1050	70/70	525-580
End	1250	50/50	500-550
	1250×300×500	50/100	700-780
	1250	50/100	770-820
Angle 90° left/right	700/400	50/50	500-550
	1250/500	50/100	570-620
	650/450	50/100	780-830
	1400	70/70	700-750
Wall swivel 135°	700×250×250	50/50	690-750
	700×250×250	50/100	760-800
	1400×315×400	70/70	880-900
Stub	150×50×250		20-28
Jumper	213×86×60		8-10

The price of blocks reinforced with additional thermal insulation is about 2 times higher.

Concrete foundation blocks

Foundation blocks are special concrete products that are widely used to equip the foundations of various buildings. They act as an alternative solution to traditional methods of creating foundations, since with their help it is possible to abandon the formwork, which allows reducing the consumption of reinforcement, concrete and seriously speeding up the work.

Production features

Our company "Concord Concrete North-West" is engaged in the production of fixed formwork from concrete blocks in accordance with the latest French technologies. The technique consists in the use of hypervibrocompression, due to which it is possible to achieve excellent concrete density indicators, which makes it possible to give the blocks strength like stone materials.

An important advantage of the technology is environmental safety. To prepare the mixture, clean sand, cement composition, quartzite, and also water are used. At the same time, harmful additives and slag are not included in the mass.

The porous structure makes it possible to achieve low interest water absorption. Dry-pressed concrete does not have capillaries that promote the movement of liquid, which gives decent frost resistance. A small capillarity provides excellent waterproofing properties, since water does not rise up. In France, such bases are not subjected to additional moisture isolation procedures.

Areas of use of foundation blocks

• Creation of foundations for buildings.
• Basement construction.
• Construction of swimming pools.
• Arrangement of retaining walls.

Advantages of our products

• Opportunity to refuse formwork.
• High speed and ease of installation without the use of special lifting mechanisms.
• Achieving flawless foundation geometry.
• Reducing the cost of rebar and concrete by 30%.
• Seismic resistance.
• Reducing earthworks.
• Compliance with applicable environmental standards.
• High adhesion to various materials.

Buying blocks for the foundation

The company "Concord Concrete North-West" is independently engaged in the manufacture of foundation blocks and offers the most profitable terms cooperation.

Contact our experts to get answers to your questions and order quality products that meet modern requirements. We carry out delivery of products across St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region.

The pouring of the foundation is carried out in a pre-equipped formwork. This design must be mounted in compliance with a number of established rules and regulations. Familiarize yourself with the features of the existing varieties of formwork, the procedure for their calculation, instructions for the construction of the most common structures and get to work.

Of course, before erecting the formwork, you need to decide on the type of foundation that you will build. We recommend reading the following materials on our portal:

- first of all, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the step-by-step technology for erecting a strip foundation. In which, among other things, it is told about the method of erecting timber formwork.

Formwork materials

Foundation formwork can be made from different materials.

Metal

The most versatile and most expensive formwork option. To assemble the structure, steel sheets 1-2 mm thick are used.

Metal formwork is perfect for arranging tape and monolithic foundation structures. can be welded directly to the formwork sheets, which will increase the rigidity of the foundation.

The main advantage of the metal is the simplicity and convenience of its processing - the sheets can be bent without any problems to the required shape of the concrete base.

The main disadvantage of metal formwork is its very high cost when compared with other existing options.

Reinforced concrete

Relatively expensive type of formwork.

Such formwork is equipped with concrete slabs. Depending on the thickness of the slabs used, when pouring the foundation, it will be possible to slightly reduce the consumption concrete mix, which will save on the construction of the foundation without compromising the strength and other important characteristics of the structure.

Among the shortcomings, it should be noted the large weight of the plates, which requires the involvement of special equipment for their installation.

At the same time, if the formwork is made from ready-made slabs and the dimensions of one element are not enough, additional spacers will have to be installed, which will also not have the best effect on the final cost of the structure.

Styrofoam

Very good quality and practical. The formwork is assembled from ready-made individual blocks of expanded polystyrene. Formwork elements are extremely easy to install. They can be processed without any problems to the required shape.

The main disadvantages are the difficulties at the stage of selecting certain structural elements (usually these are roundings and corners) and the relatively high cost.

improvised materials

In the process of arranging the formwork, make sure that its walls are installed exclusively vertically.

It is important that there are no large gaps in the structure. Seal gaps with suitable improvised materials. In this case, a gap with a width of more than 4-5 mm is considered large - such a gap will be quite enough for a leak concrete mortar.

Additionally, to prevent small leaks of the solution, you can attach a plastic film to the inner surface of the formwork walls.

Removable formwork is recommended to be dismantled only after the foundation has gained the necessary strength. On average, it takes 3-5 weeks. The gaps left after the dismantling of the formwork are usually covered with soil. In some situations, they are poured with concrete or cement

Successful work!

Prices for different types of building boards

Building boards

Video - Do-it-yourself formwork for the foundation

Construction technologies are developing every day. They penetrate into all stages of the construction of buildings and, of course, did not ignore the sphere of construction of foundations.

The construction of each building after the drafting of the project begins with the construction of the foundation. Very often it is made with wooden formwork, however modern technologies allow you to use innovative methods and use fixed formwork. What is it and how to build a foundation using fixed formwork with your own hands?

The technique of building foundations using fixed formwork was invented and began to be introduced about 15 years ago. At the same time, all the main stages of the construction of foundations remained the same, there are changes only at the stage of formwork formation. Let us briefly recall how a monolithic concrete strip foundation.

What should be considered when erecting formwork for the foundation?

At the beginning of every foundation lies a project. The calculation of the foundation structure is based on two main conditions - the bearing capacity of the soil of your site and the severity of the building being erected. Depending on this, the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe base and the brand of concrete used are calculated.

After calculating the foundation, clearing follows construction site and its markup. This is a very painstaking work, since the geometry of the entire building under construction depends on its correct implementation.

The classic concrete strip foundation is placed in the formwork, which, in turn, is placed in a trench dug in the ground. At the bottom of the trench, sand and crushed stone pillows are laid successively.

And here the visible differences between removable and fixed formwork begin. Removable formwork is a rather complex carpentry structure, consisting of many elements. In order to build it correctly, you need to have solid technological skills.

But the fixed formwork is assembled simply, like the well-known children's Lego constructor. In addition, fixed formwork does not need to be dismantled, since it plays another important role in the foundation - it is a heat-insulating layer. In classic formwork designs, thermal insulation has to be laid additionally - at the next stages of work. When using fixed formwork, you get "two in one", that is, both a concrete mortar limiter and a thermal insulation layer.

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 rods connected into some kind of cage. The bars at the intersections are welded together or connected with a knitting wire.

As the advantages of fixed formwork, it can be noted that it absolutely does not absorb water. Thus, you can be sure that the correct proportions of the poured concrete solution are maintained.

As a heat insulator, some types of fixed formwork are fire resistant and are extremely resistant to damp environments.

However, there are also disadvantages to this design. First of all, it's expensive. But at the same time, it is worth remembering that by using fixed formwork you can save on the heat-insulating layer.

Video - foundation using fixed formwork part 1

Video - building a foundation using fixed formwork part 2

Types of fixed formwork

Designers have developed several types of fixed formwork. Let's see what the modern construction industry can provide you.

The classic type of fixed formwork is expanded polystyrene boards. Despite their lightness, they are strong enough, are excellent heat insulators and at the same time do not interfere with the necessary air circulation.

The next type are molds made from a mixture of wood chips and cement. This type of fixed formwork boasts excellent soundproofing properties. To preserve heat in such plates, there are small air bubbles between the wood chips. Despite the fact that, in fact, a short-lived tree is used in the construction, its special processing allows such a slab to retain its qualities for a long time. In addition, such specially treated wood chips do not ignite and do not absorb moisture.

Fiberboard fixed formwork 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 slab essentially repeats the previous design. This type of fixed formwork has excellent resistance to fire, such plates serve as a reliable barrier to steam and retain heat well in your home.

Construction technologies using fixed formwork

In addition to the construction of foundations, 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 build a wall using fixed formwork, it must be installed on a waterproofed foundation. The slabs are fixed on the reinforcing bars left sticking out of the foundation. These rods serve as the basis for the formation of new rows of reinforcing mesh, while adjacent rods must overlap.

When installing the first row of fixed formwork, carefully check the locations of future doorways and the junction of internal walls.

Next, gradually increase the mesh of reinforcing bars and both walls of the fixed formwork. In fact, you are preparing the basis for creating a kind of sandwich - a structure where two layers of heat-insulating material will limit the concrete casting with a metal frame.

When pouring a concrete solution into a fixed formwork, the same technologies should be used as when forming any concrete casting. It is advisable 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 processed in order to prevent the occurrence of air voids in its thickness. This can be done either with the help of specialized equipment - deep vibrators, or simply by piercing a mass of concrete with a sharp object.

If you are building concrete walls with non-removable formwork, then during their construction it is also necessary to carefully monitor the places where utilities are connected and the building structural elements are formed. It is best to lay the places of their penetration or construction in advance, so as not to hammer the hardened concrete later.

If you purchase high-quality, resilient fixed formwork blocks, carefully prepare the fasteners and securely fasten the installed structure, then building a foundation or walls with fixed formwork can be a fairly affordable process.