Slip form construction is pretty straightforward. You pour concrete at the top of a moving formwork, and once you’ve poured the concrete, the formwork will be raised vertically. This allows the concrete to harden quickly before it is free from the formwork at the bottom.
The concrete created should still be working to be placed in the form and can withstand vibration but should still have quick-setting features to provide much strength. With that being said, you should monitor the concrete to ensure that the form isn’t raised too quickly.
Thanks to slipforming, contractors can create flawless and smooth concrete structures that also provide amazing performance features. Besides that, its impressive quick-setting capacity and workability give it incredible strength to resist collapse and vibration.
If you want to learn more about slip form construction, keep reading. We’ll give you a rundown on the different types, components, and their advantages. Let’s take a look!
The Different Types of Slip Formwork
- Vertical Slip Forming: This type is where the concrete form may be surrounded by a platform. Here, the workers can stand to place steel and rods into the concrete to ensure a smooth pour. With that, the concrete form and platform are raised by hydraulic jacks.
- Horizontal Slip Forming: This type is used for pavement and traffic separation walls. Here, the concrete is laid down, vibrated, worked and adjusted, and then settled in place.
- Tapered Slip Forming: This type is used for conical chimneys, cooling towers, piers, and other similar tall structures that have different thicknesses in diameter, walls, or shapes. Here, a form is utilized in sections, allowing any overlap to gradually slide over the other.
- Cantilever Forming: This type is used by climbers and is independent of cranes. This form system provides maximum protection by providing a self-climbing formwork system that doesn’t use cranes for columns, walls, supports, and more.
- Egg-shaped Slip Forming: You can obtain different shapes by adjusting the mechanism’s axis and vertical circumferential slope.
- Conical Slip Forming: Here, you can construct structures of different wall thicknesses and tapering walls. With this, its formwork comprises cantilever plates and overlapping plates, which are attached securely to steel yoke frames.
What are the Components of Slip Formwork?
- Wales: These holds the vertical forms in place and supports scaffolds and platforms;
- Yokes: These transmit the lifting forces from the jacks straight to the wales. Additionally, it resists the lateral force of plastic concrete in the form;
- Jacks: This provides the necessary force to lift the entire slip form system and also provides as a work area for contractors for placing and finishing;
- Jack Rods: These are climbed up and attached by jacks;
What are the Gains of Slip Formwork Construction?
- Achieves high production rates. However, careful planning is required because there is little flexibility for adjustments;
- Construction is less congested and safer because minimal scaffolding is required;
- There is flexibility in tapering structure, and wall reductions can be achieved;
- The formwork can retain the concrete until it can be de-shuttered while supporting itself and other loads;
- The formwork should only be placed once and will remain intact until the whole structure is complete;
- Safer working conditions, thanks to reduced movement;
The Bottom Line: If You’re Looking for a Fast and Efficient Construction Technique, Consider Slip Formwork
Slip formwork construction provides rapid construction in various structures, like chimneys, cooling towers, silo construction, roadway construction, and more. So if you’re looking for a time-efficient option, this economical technique is your best bet!
How Can We Help You?
With more than 90 years of experience and over 6,000 projects, Borton promises fantastic construction services that will help build your future. Our services include slip form construction, silo construction, silo inspection and repair, bulk material conveying, and more.
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