Void formers such as the compressible ones and the ones that are designed from EPS form have several environmental benefits in construction. These are designed from materials like polished rain an have a thinner foundation for slabs thus reducing the amount of concrete that is required. In other words, it can lower the environmental impact of concrete production and transportation.
Void formers reduce the environmental impact of concrete
When creating large building projects, contractors invest heavily in huge slabs of concrete. A void former is essentially used to create avoid in the building so that it remains empty and does not require to be filled in with concrete. This results in a building which has less weight but is structurally durable. It not only helps reduce the environmental impact of concrete but but has a number of other benefits as well.
- Void formers help reduce the dead weight. The ones which are made from expanded polystyrene help decrease the volume and weight of large concrete structures such as buildings bridges and infrastructure projects. The reduction in dead weight uses less concrete.
- The void formers are designed to provide an empty space between the concrete and the soil thereby it reduces the amount of concrete that is required. These provide a temporary support structure for concrete that has been poured in recently until it is able to achieve adequate strength.
- Using void formers require the use of thinner slabs of concrete and also provides insulation in the buildings. The thin slabs of concrete reduce the volume that is required to create a specific structure. On the other hand, void formers also provide structural installation thus optimizing the use of concrete.
- Using void formers results in cost effective building projects and shorter run times. Since void formers decrease the use of concrete is you see the weight of building while increasing strength and therefore is ideal to be used in major constructions such as motorways and laying down foundations.
Some common materials used to make void formers
- Expanded polystyrene or EPS form is pretty much versatile and is used as a material for designing void formers. It is known to be lightweight and can be customised into different shapes and sizes. Despite being lightweight it has got great compressive strength. The void formers are used in the construction of concrete slabs, beams and road infrastructure projects.
- Corrugated paper is used to create degradable void formers that can be used in construction sites which have a sufficient water supply. These are used in place of foam void formers and are lightweight and easy to install.
- Void formers made from moulded plastic are non degradable and remain in one place for a long time. These are generally designed from plastic and Styrofoam.
- Wood and metal are also used to create void formers that are non degradable and have long term support and stability.
- NuPod void formers can also be constructed from expanded metal paper and wood depending on certain applications and the requirements of the project.