METHOD FOR ERECTING A SHUTTERING FRAMEWORK

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a method for erecting a shuttering framework. The method comprises the steps of a) mounting one end of a first support to the ground or other stationary object and mounting one end of a first brace to the ground or other stationary object, b) attaching the opposite end of the first brace to the opposite end of the first support or to a position between the two ends of the first support, c) repeating a) and b) for a second support and a second brace, and d) mounting a plurality of ties between the first and second supports. Also disclosed herein is a method of casting concrete.

Claims

1. A method for erecting a shuttering framework, comprising a) mounting one end of a first support to the ground or other stationary object and mounting one end of a first brace to the ground or other stationary object, b) attaching the opposite end of the first brace to the opposite end of the first support or to a position between the two ends of the first support, c) repeating a) and b) for a second support and a second brace, d) mounting a plurality of ties between the first and second support.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein one end of a first extension support is mounted lengthwise to the opposite end of the first support and one end of a second extension support is mounted lengthwise to the opposite end of the second support, and mounting a plurality of ties between the first and second extension supports.

3. The method according to claim 1, comprising mounting one end of an extension support to the ground or other stationary object and mounting one end of an extension brace to the ground or other stationary object, attaching the opposite end of the extension brace to the opposite end of the extension support or to a position between the two ends of the extension support, and mounting a plurality of ties between the extension support and either the first or second support.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the supports are fixed to the ground or other stationary object by anchoring brackets attached to the ends of the supports.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the respective supports are pivotally mounted to the respective anchoring brackets.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the one end of each brace is pivotally mounted to the ground and the opposite end is pivotally mounted to the respective support.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the braces are adjustable in length.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the braces are slidingly engaged with the support.

9. The method according to claim 2, wherein the supports are joined lengthwise using a joining member.

10. The method according to claim 2, wherein the ends of the supports abut one another when joined.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ends of the ties are joined to the supports via brackets or end plates at each end of each tie.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ties are mounted perpendicular to the supports in use.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the supports are channel form, box, or angle in cross section.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ties are channel form, box or angle in cross section.

15. The method according to claim 9, wherein the joining member is channel form, box or angle in cross section.

16. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of fitting a platform to one or more of the supports.

17. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of attaching shuttering board against the side of the framework opposite the braces.

18. A method of casting concrete comprising erecting a shuttering framework according to the method as claimed in claim 17 and pouring concrete against the shuttering board.

19. The method of casting concrete according to claim 18, comprising erecting further frameworks and shuttering to oppose the existing framework, the two frameworks being separated from each other by a gap, wherein the further framework is supported by tie rods mounted between each framework.

20. The method of casting concrete according to claim 18, comprising omitting the step d) of mounting a plurality of ties between the first and second supports and erecting the respective supports between 50 mm and 500 mm of each other, wherein the respective supports are angularly offset from one another.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a shuttering framework erected using an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0032] FIG. 2 shows a three dimensional view of an embodiment of a support according to the invention.

[0033] FIG. 3 shows a three dimensional view of a second embodiment of a support according to the invention.

[0034] FIG. 4 shows a three dimensional view of an embodiment of a tie and bracket according to the invention.

[0035] FIG. 5 shows a three dimensional view of an embodiment of a joining member according to the invention.

[0036] FIG. 6 shows a shuttering framework erected using an embodiment of the method according to the invention, wherein the framework has been extended laterally.

[0037] FIG. 7 shows a cross sectional view through a shuttering framework constructed according to an embodiment of the second aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

[0038] In FIG. 1 there is shown a shuttering framework erected using an embodiment of the method according to the invention. The framework is generally designated 1. A method for erecting the framework 1 is described as follows.

[0039] Firstly, one end of a first support 10a is fixed to the ground and one end of a first brace 20a is fixed to the ground. In the example provided the first support has a pivotal anchoring bracket 2a fixed to one of its ends, and it is this bracket that fixes to the ground. The bracket 2a is a short length of channel section steel and has a base and two opposing sides. The sides have a hole 3 drilled in them to receive a bolt 4. The base also has a hole drilled in it. A rawl bolt (not shown) is introduced through this hole and is imbedded into the ground surface onto which the bracket 2a is placed. The bolt is tightened and this holds the bracket 2a and thus the first support 10a securely to the ground. In the example shown the first support 10a comprises a length of channel section steel. An embodiment of the first support is shown in greater detail in FIG. 2. The first support 10a has a shuttering facing side 11 and opposing structural sides 12a and 12b. Bolt holes 15 are present within the sides 12a and 12b and in the shuttering facing side 11. The first support 10a also has guide holes (not shown) for receiving screws to fix the shuttering board to the side 11. The width of the bracket 2a is greater than the width of the first support 10a so that the first support 10a fits within the bracket 2a. It is important that the shuttering facing side 11 is arranged on the side where the shuttering board is to be mounted. One end of a first brace 20a is fixed to the ground at a position away from the base of the first support 10a and on the non-shuttering side. In the example shown the brace 20a is an Acrow® prop that has a hinged base at one end. It is the hinged base that is bolted to the ground using rawl bolts. This means that the brace can still pivot about its ground position but is prevented from moving laterally. The first brace 20a has a length adjustment portion 21 and an end 22 opposite the end affixed to the ground. Another example of the first support 10a is shown in FIG. 3. I this example, the sides 12a and 12b have slots in them 13a and 13b, running parallel with each other. Also the guide holes for receiving retaining screws are shown as 14.

[0040] Secondly the end 22 of the brace 20a is connected using a bolt fixing to the holes 15 in the top end of the first support 10a. This has the effect of bracing the first support in a fixed position. The angle of elevation of the first support to the ground can be altered by adjusting the length of the brace. Alternatively the brace may be bolted into the slots 13a and 13b (see FIG. 3). In such an embodiment the brace slidingly engage with the supports and are then fixed using bolts. This means that the framework can be quickly erected and then the supports brought into true (or to the angle required) by adjusting the length of the brace.

[0041] The steps above are repeated for a second support 10b and second brace 20b. All components are substantially the same as described above. The second bracket 2b is substantially the same as the first bracket 2a as described above and is fixed to the ground in substantially the same manner as above, as is the second brace.

[0042] Lastly, a plurality of ties 30 are mounted between the first and second supports 10a and 10b. The ties 30 are each channel shape metal and have an end plate 31a and 31b attached to each end. Detail of each tie is shown in FIG. 4. The ties 30 have bolt holes 32 and guide holes 33 along their length. The end plates 31a and 31 b have a central bolt hole 34a and 34b. These are aligned with bolt holes in the first and second support and secured using bolts (see FIG. 6 bolts 100). The ties 30 run at right angles to the supports. The base of the channel section faces the side when the shuttering board is to be attached.

[0043] Shuttering board is attached to the front of the framework 1, which is the side not having the braces 20a 20b etc. The board (plywood for example) is attached using screw fixings which are introduced from the bracing side of the framework and bond the board to the framework 1 without protruding through to the wall side. In such a way, when the wall is created, there are no seam marks, joins or unsightly holes etc.

[0044] The framework 1 may be extended upwardly by joining on lengthwise extension supports to the ends of the existing supports of the erected framework. These extension supports are tied together with ties as described above. It is intended that this process could be repeated as required with supports being joined lengthwise end on end to create tall frameworks of any height. For this a joining member 40 is used to join (lengthwise) two supports together. The joining member (shown in FIG. 5) is a section of channel section steel and fits lengthwise inside the channel section of the two supports, which are arranged to abut one another at their ends. Bolts are engaged through the side walls of each channel section so that no bolts protrude through to the shuttering side of the framework (ie non brace side).

[0045] The framework 1 may be extended laterally by erecting further supports (according to the steps above) and mounting between them and the existing framework a further set of ties. It is intended that this process could be repeated as required. Such a laterally extended structure is shown in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6 the lateral extension is represented by the addition of further supports 10n and braces 20n and ties 30n assembled as described above.

[0046] Plywood shuttering board is attached against the side of the framework opposite the braces. Other types of boarding are suitable such as fibre board or plastic sheet. The shuttering board is attached to the framework from the side of the framework where the braces are positioned. That is to say, screws are introduced from the bracing side of the framework through the holes 14 and 33 and into the board. The length of the fixings is less than the thickness of the board and the metal part of the framework combined. Therefore the fixings do not protrude through to the opposite side of the framework.

[0047] In one example of the invention a concrete wall is created as shown in FIG. 7. A first framework 50 is erected. Then a second framework 60 minus the bracings is erected to oppose the framework 50. The two frameworks 50 and 60 are separated by a gap 70. Metal tie screw rods 72 are mounted between the two frameworks, at the extremity of the frameworks (ie around the structure) and are secured with nuts to hold the two frameworks in position. The metal rods 72 extend around the frameworks 50 and 60 (ie to the side and/or above) and therefore do not go through the gap 70. This is a benefit of the invention, in that supporting ties or rods are not required to go through the gap 70 which means that when the concrete is poured and set there are no channels or rods left in the concrete wall. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the brace 20 supports the first framework 50 and the second framework 60 is supported by the rods 72 which are attached to the first framework 50. Hand rails 75 and platforms 76 are added to the top of the frameworks. Plywood shuttering board 80 is attached as described above and as shown in the figures to face inwardly. Concrete 85 is poured in the gap 70. No kicker is required. The concrete is left to set and then the frameworks are removed leaving a cast wall. The concrete can have conventional reinforcing rods implanted therein.