Self-Spanning Concrete Formwork
EFCO’s experience, engineering, and forming technology have developed the PLATE GIRDER® forming system. This is with many of your forming needs in mind, including bridges, stadiums, marine work, and power plants, together with wall forming and elevator and shaft forming for high-rise construction. The system is here to deliver the best value and lowest in-place concrete costs. The PLATE GIRDER forming system will meet your needs for strong, durable, and yet versatile concrete forming. The form panels of the EFCO PLATE GIRDER forming system work in a similar manner to a girder but with four important additional features for forming concrete. The heavy gauge EFCO steel web does double duty, acting also as the form face sheet.
Large Gang Walls
The EFCO corner bearing block in the PLATE GIRDER® form insures the transfer of the flange forces between the individual modular forms. This provides EFCO’s PLATE GIRDER forming system with its unique self-spanning characteristics which enable the contractor to pour aerial concrete without expensive and time-consuming inter-span shoring.
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
- Modular
- All-steel face sheet provides consistent finish
- Self-spanning
- Fewer ties mean increased productivity
- Large panels and picks
- Rugged taper ties
Project Photos
What is Formwork?
Formwork can refer to an engineered system that is used to efficiently form and support poured concrete.
What is an Engineered Formwork Systems?
Engineered formwork systems consist of prefabricated steel panels. The advantage of using these systems are to increase the speed of construction, increased durability and longevity, and the ability to span formwork across supports. EFCO provides a wide variety of products including HAND-E-FORM, EFCO LITE, PLATE GIRDER, and SUPER PLATE GIRDER. For more information on what system would best fit your applications, please contact us.
What Is Self Spanning Formwork?
All-steel ribs of the PLATE GIRDER® system form panels serve not only as web stiffeners but also as beams to transfer the horizontal pressures of the liquid concrete from the form face plate to the form panel top and bottom flanges.
Size Options for PLATE GIRDER®
The PLATE GIRDER forming system comes in modular lengths and widths that can easily be connected giving flexibility for changing job conditions.
How do you determine the pressure exerted on formwork when pouring concrete?
Concrete form pressure is determined based on the height of concrete being placed. The height of concrete times the density of concrete will determine the pressure exerted on the forms at a given depth. EFCO forms, such as PLATE GIRDER, are rated for a maximum allowable pressure to be exerted from the concrete. As concrete transitions from a flowable liquid mix to a solid, the concrete will no longer continue to build pressure with depth. Monitoring this transition point is important to ensure the allowable pressure on the forms isn’t exceeded. For more information, see “A Practical Guide to Concrete Pressure & Formwork”