Formwork specialist Doka backs up its innovative solutions with expert advice and services.

01 December 2001

International formwork specialist Doka says it backs up a motto of 'capability you can count on' with innovative products as well as technical expertise to ensure the success of any project.

"On every construction project, it's always important to use the best possible formwork for the job in terms of speed, safety and efficiency," says Doka marketing officer Heinrich Ecker. "Modern formwork technology offers a number of ingenious system solutions but the real challenge lies in making the best use of this formwork. This is where a formwork manufacturer's true capability really shows: whether or not it extends a project A-to-Z support with appropriate accompanying services, so as to ensure its success."

"For instance," says Ecker, "advances have been made in civil engineering with new solutions for particular construction methods and innovative forming methods can be used to build composite steel bridges, monolithically-poured tunnels, or pre-stressed concrete shafts for wind turbines."

"Alongside its technical solutions, Doka is always on hand to offer comprehensive advice, planning and delivery of its ready-to-use formworks to the site on request. Because of Doka's high level of capability, it can offer a complete spectrum of services at attractive prices that will compare very favourably with what it would cost the builder to perform the same work itself."

Elaborating on Doka's range of products, Ecker continues: "Doka has focused a good deal of its development on the services sector and this has benefited users of its formwork planning software Tipos. The new version Tipos 4.0 has a wealth of new features to make preparations for the formwork assignment faster and easier. The program now has an automatic forming function for tableforms, complete with all closure zones and Doka's circular formwork H20 can now be 'planned' directly into wall formworks. The new version also has an IFC interface which enables architect drawings to be incorporated three-dimensionally with no loss of information. Another useful detail is a new layout that makes it possible to print large-format plans with frames and plan-headers.

"Doka offers other innovative services packages such as new planning instruments for optimising formwork utilisation on complex projects, all the way through to complete formwork operations scheduling.

"New developments and improvements continue to be a priority at Doka and this can be seen in two highly-versatile system components: the Eurex 60 and Dokadur panels. The lightweight Eurex 60 aluminium prop, with a constant 60 kN load rating at extended lengths of up to 5.50 m, is part of a system solution for both floor slabs and walls, bearing out its claim to be a 'universal' prop. The Dokadur panels - which can be rented - now feature a double-sealed surface and tougher corners. The corundum additive in the sealing layer also makes the panels more scuff-resistant and safer to walk on.

"Two new systems - KS and RS - have been added to Doka's range of column formwork. Designed for forming column cross-sections of up to 60 cm, in 5 cm increments, KS makes it possible to produce top-quality uninterrupted concrete surfaces up to a height of 3.30 m without any stacking joins. An intelligent folding-unfolding mechanism allows particularly rapid and easy working and there is also no need for time-consuming cutting and trimming of the form lining, as this is integrated with the formwork.

"The RS formwork is designed for circular reinforced concrete columns that demand exacting surface quality. Two semicircular formwork halves - manufactured to the highest quality criteria - are linked together quickly and easily using integral quick-acting connectors to make a perfect circular cross-section. Diameters from 30 to 60 cm are available, in 5 cm increments.

"Doka's new Framax universal panel offers a cost-effective and technically perfect solution for working with self-compacting concrete (SCC). A special filler neck on this panel enables the SCC to be poured in the exact location.

"For work on large and high walls and facades, Doka offers its new climbing platform system MKB which combines the advantages of climbing platforms as functional units with those of an advanced facade scaffold. This enables novel types of operating sequences or makes it possible for operating sequences to be merged together, all with the greatest safety. MKB can also be used in conjunction with precast elements to increase speed and safety."

"Doka," concludes Ecker, "sees itself primarily as a partner for its customers, with whom it strives to jointly develop the best possible formwork solution for every project - no matter whether it's a standard assignment or a complex civil-engineering structure."

52

• Doka offers the right support
• Hydraulic lift eases formwork placment
• Japanese scaffolding system promoted

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