The 6-month research thesis evaluates the performance of locally available woven geotextiles as formwork material. Woven geotextile fabrics have excellent potential as a formwork material. Because of its permeable nature, it has a property of eradicating surplus water and air-voids from the concrete while concreting.  Fabric being extremely lightweight is therefore easy to handle. Due to its flexible nature, it is versatile in casting varied curved forms, which are difficult to cast using conventional formwork. This research evaluates the performance of locally available woven geotextile fabrics as formwork material. Fabrics are selected by conducting a series of mechanical tests to check their physical properties. The changes in concrete properties due to fabric formwork are investigated and documented through this research.  Various qualitative and quantitative tests are conducted to understand the influence of fabric formwork on concrete casting process and concrete properties. The research resulted in encouraging results in terms of fabrics ability to increase the surface hardness of concrete and cast thin shell elements. Based upon the experiences gained from the practical experiments the research also discusses interesting outcomes and future applications for such formwork technology.

Publication : A. Shah, A. Shah, P. Shah, “Performance Evaluation of Fabric Formwork”, in International Conference on Construction Research / Eduardo Torroja Institute. Architecture, Engineering and, Concrete, Madrid, November 2018.