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Omniform - The Concept
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OMNIFORM takes the concept of precast concrete permanent formwork and strips it down to the bare essentials.
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Initially designed to accommodate the requirements of two way spanning and post tensioned slabs, OMNIFORM is only 30mm thick, requires no stripping and with erection rates of over 100mē per hour offers a viable and cost effective alternative to temporary plywood support systems.
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| The OMNIFORM system contains no structural reinforcement with the OMNIA lattice girder providing structural strength in the temporary condition (construction stage). Polypropylene fibres have been introduced to improve both impact and fire resistance. |
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All of the in-situ slab reinforcement is placed over the top of the panels, with the lower reinforcement or stressing tendons (in the case of post tensioned floor slabs) spaced to the required soffit cover and the upper reinforcement sitting on the lattice girder, which acts as a chair. The panels are manufactured under quality controlled factory conditions in 2.4m widths for spans of up to 10m. in 200mm increments.
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Background to the Development of Omniform
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Traditional in situ construction, which is the most popular form of concrete construction in the UK, enables the designer to harmonise both design optimisation and layout flexibility. However, for the contractor, speed of construction is inhibited largely due to the need to provide and prop formwork and subsequently to strip once the slab is cast, whilst at the same time maintaining a quality finish to the concrete surface.
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In contrast to in-situ, most pre-cast flooring systems utilise one way spanning action resulting in a fast erection time but reduced flexibility of layout. OMNIA permanent formwork systems however, do not suffer from this disadvantage offering substantial freedom in layout design but maintaining speed of erection and high quality soffit finish.
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OMNIFORM was specifically designed to accommodate the requirements of two-way spanning or post-tensioned flat slabs which offer significant advantages over one-way spanning slabs providing cost effective design, lower storey heights, greater flexibility of partition layout and simplified horizontal service locations. The use of OMNIFORM now enables speed and ease of construction to be added to these advantages harmonising the best of both forms of concrete construction. Flexibility of layout, savings in design and speed of erection are further enhanced by the elimination of stripping. The total flexibility that OMNIFORM provides has not previously been available with precast concrete construction in the U.K. and as such is a product for the future.
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Benefits Of Omniform
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| The Benefits of using Omniform are: |
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Enables a more economical 2 way spanning slab design to be accommodated |
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Total installation cost is considerably reduced compared to traditional formwork systems as it requires no stripping |
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Allows greater flexibility of layout including positioning of service holes |
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Speed and ease of erection 100mē +/hr |
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High quality factory produced product |
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Just-in-time delivery / supply |
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Can be used on both reinforced and post tensioned floor slabs |
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The development of OMNIFORM has come about as a direct result of the growing interest in flat slab construction (including post tensioned slabs) leading to the construction of quicker, more cost efficient concrete frames. The use of the product at Cardington resulted in savings of up to 25% being made in both erection and stripping times.
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Compared to traditional in-situ formwork systems, OMNIA, as a viable alternative, is expected to lead to greater use of precast permanent formwork throughout the UK with the resultant benefits to the concrete frame and construction industries.
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