Low-Waste Construction Technologies Based on the Use of Formwork Systems with Composite Formwork Facing

The paper views sustainable urban development in the context of ensuring environmental safety of natural and industrial ambience. Because nowadays in-situ construction proves one of the most rapidly advancing construction technologies, the study focuses on improving formwork systems, which, as compared to reinforcement and concrete works, involve higher installation and stripping labor costs. The authors’ approach to improving formworks’ environmental performance relies on enhancing their operational reliability by upgrading such characteristics as turnaround, technological adaptability, maintainability, which helps reduce the construction time and extend the construction systems’ lifespan. The experience of the global formworks producers specializing in composite facing formworks was explored. Thee long-term use of such formworks has proven these systems highly reliable. This research compares formwork facing made of composite armatilen™ board developed by the Russian company LLC MATIL and laminated plywood globally widespread in formwork fabrication. Armatilen™ board is experimentally confirmed to have better moisture resistance, maintainability, serviceability, concrete surface quality etc. Considering these advantages, the board is strongly advised for application in formwork systems used for shop-fabrication of three-dimensional modular building blocks. Some facing characteristics are provided in tabular form for comparing the formwork facing options. Armatilen™ formwork facing is also found to be undecayable and disposable without causing significant damage to the natural and industrial environment. Armatilen™ composite board is multifunctional and can be used outside the construction industry. The use of armatilen™ board in place of natural wood and layered wood-based materials ensures the ecological balance of natural systems.