LARGE AREA SLAB PANEL FORMWORK SYSTEM

Abstract

The various embodiments of the present invention provide a modular slab formwork with easy shuttering and de-shuttering assembly. The formwork comprises a formwork panel and a drophead. The formwork panel comprises a plurality of side connectors, a base frame, and a form-lining. The base frame comprises a corner element on each corner. The drophead is connected to each corner of the formwork panel through the corner element. The corner element forms a locking notch to lock at least two formwork panel with each other as well as with the drophead.

Claims

1. A modular slab formwork with easy shuttering and de-shuttering assembly comprising: a formwork panel, wherein the formwork panel comprises a plurality of side connectors, a base frame, and a form-lining, wherein the base frame comprises a corner element on each corner; a drophead, wherein the drophead is connected to each corner of the formwork panel through the corner element; and a prop, wherein the prop creates a vertical support to the formwork panel through the drophead over a ground surface; wherein, the drophead is hooked to a slotted window of each corner element, wherein the corner element facilitates locking of at least two formwork panel with each other as well as with the drophead through the slotted window.

2. The slab formwork as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base frame has a chamfered corner element with a slotted window and a bottom rim.

3. The slab formwork as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the drophead comprises a top plate, a fly plate, a wedge, a stem, a bottom plate and a locking bolt.

4. The slab formwork as claimed in claim 3, wherein a base plate of the prop is connected to the bottom plate through the locking bolt, wherein the stem is fixed at a central axis of the bottom plate and further connected vertically to the wedge and the top plate respectively.

5. The slab formwork as claimed in claim 1, wherein a corner of the base frame is chamfered at an angle range 40-50 leading to a connection with a top plate of the drophead.

6. The slab formwork as claimed in claim 1, wherein a corner of the base frame is chamfered at a preferable angle range 45.

7. The slab formwork as claimed in claim 5, wherein the wedge has dual action of successive detachment of a corner element formwork panel by releasing the locking followed by gravity-based dropping of fly plate.

8. The slab formwork as claimed in claim 3, wherein the wedge comprises a side guiding and an inner slopping level, wherein the fly plate is interlocked with the wedge through the side guiding.

9. The slab formwork as claimed in claim 8, wherein the fly pate comprises a fly plate pin hinged to the corner element, wherein the fly plate pin is unhinged by applying a lateral force on the wedge leading to an angular movement of the fly plate through the inner slopping level.

Description

E) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings in which:

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective of an erected slab formwork, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrates a side view and a top view respectively of a formwork panel, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIGS. 2c and 2d illustrates a bottom perspective view and a top perspective view respectively of the formwork panel, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d illustrates a side view, a top perspective view of a drophead, a fly plate and a plurality of pins and a wedge respectively, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

F) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In the following detailed description, a reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. The embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that the logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective of an erected slab formwork, according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 1, the formwork comprises a formwork panel 101, a drophead 102, and a prop 108. The formwork panel 101 comprises a plurality of slotted windows 103, a base frame 104, and a form-lining 105 as shown in FIG. 2a-2d. The base frame 104 comprises a corner element 106 on each corner. The base frame 104 has a chamfered corner with the slotted window 103 and a bottom rim 107. The bottom rim 107 together with the drophead 102 and the fly plate pin 308 (shown in FIG. 3b) facilitates self-aligning of the formwork panel 101 with the drophead 102. The drophead 102 is hooked to a slotted window 103 of each corner element 106. The corner element 106 facilitates locking of at least two formwork panels 101 with the drophead 102 through the corner element 106. The drophead 102 is connected to each corner of the formwork panel 101 through the corner element 106.

[0026] With respect to FIG. 3a-3d, the drophead 102 comprises a top plate 301, a fly plate 302, a fly plate pin 308, a wedge 303, a stem 304, a bottom plate 305, a hole provision 306 for locking mechanism to the prop and a locking bolt 307. A base plate of the prop 103 is connected to the bottom plate 305 through the locking bolt 307. The stem 304 is fixed at a central axis of the bottom plate 305 and further connected vertically to the wedge and the top plate 301 respectively. The base frame 104 is chamfered at 45 leading to a connection with a top plate 301 of the drophead 102. The corner element 106 slides into a fly plate 302 of the drophead creating a locking action. The wedge 303 comprises a side guiding 309 and an inner slopping wedge 310. The fly plate 302 is interlocked with the wedge 303 through the side guiding 309. The fly pate 302 comprises a fly plate pin 308 to lock the fly plate in position by tightening of the wedge.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the wedge has dual action i.e. if hammered in an opposite direction, the wedge releases the locking of the corner element from the fly plate pin followed by the gravity based dropping of panel and fly plate along with the wedge.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a shuttering method of the slab formwork comprises the steps of: [0029] a) Install first 3 props in length and width direction of the formwork panel and connect the bracing frames for lateral stability. The installation of the first 3 props creates the first bay. The props are preformed structure providing a vertical support to the erected formwork panel through dropheads. [0030] b) Hang the first formwork panel on two sides of the installed props. [0031] c) Use an erection aid and lift the panel, place it on the 3.sup.rd prop and keep it supported with the erection aid until the 4th prop is installed in the bay. [0032] d) Continue and complete the next bay in similar sequence as provided in Steps a-c. The formwork panels can be erection in both length and width direction. [0033] e) Fix the braces at regular intervals for providing lateral stability. [0034] f) Once all the bays are completed, ensure that the infills are filled using a plurality of filler beams and a shuttering plywood. [0035] g) Ensure that all the props are levelled once all the bays are completed and checked before reinforcement & concreting activities.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a de-shuttering method of the slab formwork comprises the steps of: [0037] a) Hammer the dropheads connected to the formwork panel. The wedge action of drophead ensures a panel-drop of 13 cm from the concreted surface. [0038] b) Slowly lift up, tilt the first formwork panel and then lower the formwork panel. At least two persons are required for the de-shuttering process. [0039] c) Slowly remove the subsequent panels in as explained in Steps (a) and (b). [0040] d) Ensure that no prop is disturbed and is intact with the concreted surface during the de-shuttering.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the props remain in place during the formwork stripping process thereby ensures faster slab cycle.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the props having ground clearance of up to 5 m is possible using PERI props while the present prop is also compatible with various locally developed props if designed as per the PERI loading charts.

G) ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0043] The present slab formwork allows a rapid shuttering and de-shuttering process using a less quantity of labour. Also, the chamfered corner of the formwork panel and the corner element allows self-centering and locking of the formwork panel into the dropheads without requirement of hammering, thus reducing a labour cost and complexity in assembly. The flyplate and wedge of the drophead provides locking of the corner element in position during the shuttering process and also, the dual action wedge ensures the release of corner element providing a safe deshuttering process ensuring detachment of panel during gravity drop of the fly-plate.

[0044] The slab formwork facilitates re-usability for upto 500 times due to rigid metallic base frame and minimum requirement of infills leading to less rupturing of the formwork panels.

[0045] It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.