Siddharth J. Shah, Technical Director, Cosmos Construction Machinery & Equipment Pvt. Ltd in an interview with B2B Purchase

Can you brief us on the latest design trends in scaffolding and formworks?

 Due to the typical procedure of casting the columns first, followed by pouring the beams and slabs, finishing the supporting system, which includes scaffolding and formwork, for multi-story buildings within the allotted time period seems complicated. The efficient alternative is to cast the slab, wall, and beam all at once, creating a monolithic structure in a single pour to finish the floor casting and do away with staged construction. This was accomplished by using the lightweight aluminium alloy 6061-T6, a pre-designed product created explicitly for high-rise buildings that provides an uncomplicated work approach and does away with the need for professional carpenter work. Also, the entire material can be moved to the following floor without support as the slab reaches the necessary strength, casting the whole floor at once. As a result, each floor slab’s casting time is increased from the usual 28 days to 10 days. The product’s usability ensures high repetitions for a typical floor structure. The pre-engineered design achieves dimensional accuracy and a fine finish on the concrete surface, eliminating the need for masonry work. It is also a user-friendly technology for unskilled labour. 

How do the new-age design demands influence the selection of materials for scaffoldings and formworks? 

The new-age design requires replacing traditional construction methods with faster work technology. Lightweight aluminium material can be used by unskilled labour, user-friendly pre-designed and customised products, making it cost-effective for skyscrapers while ensuring quality and safety with an 8-day slab cycle, smoothens the cash flow process.

 What are the new developments and technologies trending in the market?

 Due to the frequent fluctuations of aluminium alloy, people are adopting the same technology using plastic and plywood products to achieve the same finish. Let’s look at the adoption of new materials and technologies. I believe the people and the industry are picking up fast and are active in adopting them because the project completion and handover were achieved within the stipulated time, with the adoption of the formwork system being the critical factor.

 What critical challenges do scaffolding and formwork face in the current market?

 The primary causality is the large fluctuations in the raw material prices of aluminium alloy, which cause an extension in the production cycle by keeping raw material stock and increasing capital investment. Many builders and contractors are drawn to new construction technologies for project completion. As a result, the product is in high demand and garners a lot of attention in the market.