System and method for concrete forming

Abstract

A system and a method for concrete forming uses a self-driven formwork machine. The self-driven machine is provided with a lifting system, for lifting objects from the ground like a rebar reinforcing cage. The present invention avoids the use of cranes, such that construction cost and execution time, are greatly reduced. The present invention is preferably used for constructing a capital or lintel on top of a pillar, although it can also be used for constructing other overhanging concrete structures.

Claims

1. A formwork system for constructing a capital on top of a pillar, the formwork system comprising: a first formwork machine and a second formwork machine, each formwork machine in turn comprising: a self-driven vehicle, an extendable and retractable mechanism mounted on the self-driven vehicle, a formwork supporting structure mounted on the extendable and retractable mechanism, such that the formwork supporting structure can be raised and lowered above the self-driven vehicle, wherein the formwork supporting structure is fitted with coupling means configured for coupling the formwork supporting structure with the pillar, and wherein the formwork supporting structure is configured as a self-supporting structure such that it can remain coupled by itself to the pillar after uncoupling the formwork supporting structure from the extendable and retractable mechanism, the formwork system further comprising: formwork panels supported by the formwork supporting structures of the first and second formwork machines, when the first and second formwork machines are coupled to the pillar for forming the capital on top of the pillar, and a lifting system supported by the formwork supporting structure, wherein the lifting system is configured for lifting objects above the formwork supporting structure.

2. The formwork system of claim 1, wherein the formwork supporting structure is rotatable about an axis orthogonal to ground.

3. The formwork system of claim 1, wherein the formwork supporting structure and the extendable and retractable mechanism are jointly rotatable about an axis orthogonal to ground.

4. The formwork system of claim 1, wherein the formwork supporting structure can be coupled and uncoupled from the extendable and retractable mechanism.

5. The formwork system of claim 1, wherein the self-driven vehicle has a horizontal platform, and wherein the formwork supporting structure and the extendable and retractable mechanism are jointly rotatable on the self-driven vehicle's platform.

6. The formwork system of claim 1, wherein the self-driven vehicle is a tracked vehicle.

7. The formwork system of claim 1, wherein the lifting system comprises a davit operated by a hydraulic cylinder.

8. The formwork system of claim 1, wherein the lifting system comprises a first davit operated by a first hydraulic cylinder supported by the formwork supporting structure of the first formwork machine, and a second davit operated by a second hydraulic cylinder and supported by the formwork supporting structure of the second formwork machine.

9. The formwork system of claim 1, wherein the extendable and retractable mechanism is configured for raising and lowering the formwork supporting structure in a vertical direction parallel to an axis of the pillar, or in a direction with a vertical component.

10. The formwork system of claim 9, wherein the extendable and retractable mechanism is a scissor lift operated by a hydraulic cylinder.

11. The formwork system of claim 1, wherein the coupling means for coupling the formwork supporting structure with the pillar are clamping members pivotally mounted in the formwork supporting structures and operated by hydraulic cylinders to pivotally move between a clamping position in which the formwork supporting structures are coupled with the pillar and a released position in which the formwork supporting structures are uncoupled from the pillar.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Preferred embodiments of the invention are henceforth described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1. shows a front elevational view of a formwork system according to the invention, when the formwork machines are shown in a retracted position and prior to their coupling with a pillar.

(3) FIG. 2. shows a side elevational view of the representation of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3. shows a front elevational view of a rebar reinforcing cage and the ancillary rebar supporting wheeled frame.

(5) FIG. 4. shows a side elevational view with the rebar reinforcing cage on the ground, and the clamping means in the locked position as part of the process of assembling the formwork.

(6) FIG. 5. shows a side elevational view of a formwork machine in its extended position and in the process of lifting a rebar cage.

(7) FIG. 6. shows a top plan view of the formwork machine of FIG. 5.

(8) FIG. 7. shows a front elevational view of the formwork system coupled to a pillar with the two formwork machines in their extended position.

(9) FIG. 8. shows a similar representation than FIG. 7.

(10) FIG. 9. shows a front elevational view with the formwork machines in their retracted position in the process of disassembling the formwork once a concrete capital has been formed.

(11) FIG. 10. shows a side elevational view of the representation of FIG. 9.

(12) FIG. 11. shows a top plan view of a formwork machine that illustrate the capacity of the formwork supporting structure to rotate about an axis with respect to the vehicle, to maintain the centre of gravity of the machine with the tracks of the vehicle while the machine moves on inclined surfaces.

(13) FIG. 12. shows a side elevational view of a formwork machine moving by itself to a next capital construction site.

(14) FIG. 13. shows a formwork machine being transported to a construction site by means of a gondola truck.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(15) FIG. 1 shows a formwork system (1) comprising a first formwork machine (2a) and a second formwork machine (2b), each formwork machine (2a,2b) comprising a self-driven vehicle (3a,3b), a vertically extendable and retractable mechanism (4a,4b) mounted on the self-driven vehicle (3a,3b), and a formwork supporting structure (5a,5b) mounted on the vertically extendable and retractable mechanism (4a,4b), such that the formwork supporting structures (5a,5b) can be moved vertically above the respective self-driven vehicle (3a,3b).

(16) Preferably, first and second self-driven vehicles (3a,3b) in this implementation are tracked vehicles, that do not require rails or conditioned surfaces.

(17) Preferably, first and second extendable and retractable mechanisms (4a,4b), are configured for vertically raising and lowering first and second formwork supporting structures (5a,5b) above the self-driven vehicle and along respective axis (Xa,Xb) parallel to the axis (X) of a pillar (9) on top of which a capital (10) is to be constructed.

(18) In the exemplary implementation shown in the figures, first and second extendable and retractable mechanisms (4a,4b), are scissor-type lift operated by a hydraulic cylinder that perform the vertical movement along axis (Xa,Xb). This extendable and retractable mechanisms (4a,4b), are capable of elevating the formwork supporting structures (5a,5b) up to 30 meters above the ground and preferably are remote controlled, such that the formwork supporting structures (5a,5b) can be easily and rapidly elevated to the required height of each pillar (the height of the pillars varies along the highway trace), and to the curvature of the highway trace, which otherwise would be too slow and complicated using cranes.

(19) In addition, each formwork machine (2a,2b) is provided with a lifting system (6a,6b) supported by the respective formwork supporting structure (5a,5b). Each lifting system (6a,6b) is configured for lifting objects above the formwork supporting structure (5a,5b).

(20) In the example shown in the figures, the lifting system (6a,6b) comprises first and second davits (7a,7b) articulately attached on top of the formwork supporting structure (5a,5b), and operated respectively by first and second hydraulic cylinders (8a,8b). A transversal beam (16) is supported at its ends by the first and second davits (7a,7b), and is fitted with motorized hoist (17a,17b) and the required cables.

(21) As it can be observed in FIGS. 1 and 2, the formwork machines (2a,2b) features a very compact and low profile, such that the machines can move along and below a highway to be constructed or existing and nearby highways.

(22) FIG. 3 shows a rebar reinforcing cage (11) resting on a wheeled frame (12) in turn resting on the ground (13).

(23) Each formwork machine (2a,2b) is fitted with coupling means configured for coupling the formwork supporting structures (5a,5b) with the top end of a pillar (9) preferably vertically installed in the ground (13). These coupling means are realized in this implementation, as clamping members (14) pivotally mounted in the formwork supporting structures (5a,5b), and operated by hydraulic cylinders (15) to pivotally move between a clamping position (shown in FIG. 4) in which the formwork supporting structures (5a,5b) are coupled with the pillar (9), and a released position (shown in FIG. 10) in which the formwork supporting structures (5a,5b) are uncoupled from the pillar (9).

(24) Additionally, each formwork machine (2a,2b) is provided with a ladder (18a,18b) formed by several ladder segments articulately joined between them, and coupled with the formwork supporting structures and the self-driven vehicles, as shown in FIG. 5, such that each ladder (18a,18b) is extendable and retractable together with the first and second extendable and retractable mechanisms (4a,4b). In addition, the steps of the ladder segments are articulated, so that the steps are always horizontal in any position of the extendable and retractable mechanisms (4a,4b).

(25) The formwork supporting structures (5a,5b) can be coupled and uncoupled from the respective extendable and retractable mechanism (4a,4b), and the formwork supporting structures (5a,5b) are configured as self-supporting structure that can remain coupled by themselves to a pillar (9), once the formwork supporting structures (5a,5b) are uncoupled from the extendable and retractable mechanisms (4a,4b).

(26) As shown in FIG. 8, the formwork system comprises formwork panels (19) couplable to the formwork supporting structures (5a,5b) of the first and second formwork machines (2a,2b), when the first and second formwork machines (2a,2b) are coupled to a pillar (9) to configure a mould (20) having the shape of the capital (10) to be constructed.

(27) Each of the first and second self-driven vehicles (3a,3b) has a horizontal platform (21a,21b), and the formwork supporting structure and the extendable and retractable mechanism are jointly movable sideways on the respective self-driven vehicle's platform, as indicated by the arrows in FIGS. 1 and 9, to facilitate the operation of coupling and uncoupling the formwork supporting structures (5a,5b) to the pillar (9). In particular, as represented in FIG. 9, once the capital has been formed, the two formwork supporting structures (5a,5b) are separated from each other, as to liberate the formwork system from the pillar (9) to be able to move it to the next construction site.

(28) Furthermore, the formwork supporting structures (5a,5b) alone or together with the extendable and retractable mechanisms (4a,4b), are jointly rotatable about an axis orthogonal to ground (13), such that the formwork supporting structures (5a,5b) can be accurately positioned according to the curvature of the highway track.