formwork

formwork
Since it was established in 1989, with a small manufacturing base in Qwa Qwa and a hire yard in Botswana, Uni-Span
has grown to become one of the major players in the scaffolding and formwork industry in South Africa.

Uni-Span is today one of the biggest scaffolding suppliers in the country and has, in Investec Bank, a financial partner that
understands the scaffolding business and is committed to making capital available to increase capacity as demand arises.

Over and above its supply of formwork and scaffolding to various contractors across diverse building sites, the company
is also involved in some of the countrys key infrastructure and industrial development projects. Uni-Span is supplying
main contractors and subcontractors providing insulation, cladding and painting services to the refineries, mines and power
generation plants.

Uni-Span has its own design office and in-house engineering expertise and has the ability to design standard support,
formwork and access systems to the clients particular requirements. The design team calculates specific quantities and
loadings of scaffolding and formwork for each contract using the latest CAD software.

THE WALL SYSTEM

The Uni-Span system consists of all steel economy panels. These are
available in a combination of sizes from 75mm to 600mm wide and
900mm to 3000mm long. Special sizes can also be made to order.
The panels are joined by wedge sets which are inserted through slots
in the punched flat which forms the edge of the panel.
The panels are aligned by either tube or channel walers which are
clamped to the panels with B or C clamps.
For heavy duty concrete work, form soldiers are used. The panels are
then gangformed and crane handled.
The panels are tied together to form parallel faces using tie systems.
The versatile panel system can be used to construct: walls , columns
beams, culverts, bridges and pile caps.
The panel system consists of 6 basic elements: Steel economy panels,
tubular or channel walers, wedge sets, tie systems, push-pull props
or plumbing brackets and access brackets.

Panels
ECONOMY PANEL
Economy panels are an advanced multi-purpose formwork system
because:
-

Stiffeners are built into the panel, therefore only two scaffold
tube or channel walers are required for alignment.

Minimum clamps are required

Rapid assembly with wedge sets

Can easily be erected by unskilled labour

Accommodates any tie system

Durable steel face plate cannot be damaged by vibrators or

penetrated by the reinforcing steel

The automatic precision on assembly, results in 100%

dimensional accuracy of the finished concrete

Multi use - walls and decking

The economy panels main application is for vertical walling.

It can also be used for horizontal beam soffits and for slabs
where an off the shutter finish is required.

75 - 300mm wide

Length

Width

Mass

Length

Width

Mass

Length

Width

Mass

Length

Width

Mass

mm

mm

kg

mm

mm

kg

mm

mm

kg

mm

mm

kg

Accessories

Clip & Wedge Set

Heavy Duty Wedge Set

Wedge Assembly

Mass

Mass

Mass

0.1kg

Connects panels together.

Working C Clamp

Connects panels together.

B Clamp
Mass

Connects channel to economy panel.

0.2kg

0.8kg

For rapid connection of tube to panels for

accurate alignment.

1.5kg

Connects column boxes and uniform panels

together.

C Clamp
Mass

1.1kg

For rapid connection of channel to panels

for accurate alignment.

Form Panel Clamp

Tube Waler Clamp

Channel Waler Clamp

Mass

Mass

Mass

0.4kg

Connects form soldiers to panels.

0.6kg

Connects tube to form soldier.

0.9kg

Connects channel to form soldier.

Panels
INTERNAL CORNER PANEL
ICPs come in the full range of EF Panel lengths forming 150 x 150mm internal
corners. They can be used for the internal corner between a drop beam and

Size (mm)

Mass (kg)

3 000 x 150 x 150

39.1

2 700 x 150 x 150

35.3

2 400 x 150 x 150

33.2

2 100 x 150 x 150

31.5

1 800 x 150 x 150

25.0

1 500 x 150 x 150

23.8

1 200 x 150 x 150

16.2

900 x 150 x 150

12.4

slab soffit as well as vertical corners.

FILLER PLATE

EXTERNAL CORNER ANGLE

Filler plates fill in gaps when using non-standard

ECAs have a fixed size of 50mm x 50mm and are used to

modules and facilitate stripping in confined areas.

connect the panels at a 90o angle on walls or columns.

Size (mm)

Mass (kg)

Size (mm)

Mass (kg)

3 000 x 200

15.8

3 000 x 50 x 50

11.3

2 700 x 200

14.3

2 700 x 50 x 50

10.2

2 400 x 200

12.7

2 400 x 50 x 50

9.1

2 100 x 200

11.1

2 100 x 50 x 50

7.9

1 800 x 200

9.5

1 800 x 50 x 50

6.8

1 500 x 200

8.0

1 500 x 50 x 50

5.7

1 200 x 200

6.4

1 200 x 50 x 50

4.5

900 x 200

4.8

900 x 50 x 50

3.4

INTERNAL SPLAY PANEL

SPLAY PANEL

Size (mm)

Mass (kg)

1 200 x 200 x 100 x 135o Internal Splay

15.1

900 x 200 x 100 x 135o Internal Splay

11.6

EXTERNAL SPLAY PANEL

Size (mm)

Mass (kg)
o

15.1

11.6

1 200 x 200 x 100 x 135 External Splay

900 x 200 x 100 x 135 External Splay

Designed to obtain 135o corners. Two of these panels

may be used in conjunction with a small timber strip to
obtain different face widths.

WALLING SYSTEM - ERECTION PROCEDURE

For Crane Handled Gangform System
1. The panels are laid out on a flat surface and joined with wedge sets.
2. Tubes and/or channels are attached to the panels with B or C
clamps.
3. The assembled wall is lifted into position either manually or with a
crane.
4. Ties are inserted through the tie holes, the plastic tube having been
cut to the correct length in accordance with the width of the concrete
wall to be poured.
5. Push-pull props are secured to the ground and to the gangform and
are adjusted to achieve accurate vertical plumbing.

Assembly of external and internal wall shutters.

Steel faced economy panels and single channel aligning walers including
form soldiers complete with plumbing and access bracket fittings.

Typical wall plan showing a panel layout of economy panels and internal
corner panels using aligning channels with ties through the panel onto
twin channel soldiers.

Wall system
FORM SOLDIERS
The form soldier is used for gangform wall shutters where
crane handling is available. The shutter becomes a precision
unit ideal for perfect off the shutter finishes.

Structural web system enables ties and anchors to be

positioned anywhere in its height.

Ideally suited for climbing formwork.

Can be used as bearers for heavy structures.

Form soldiers have plan dimensions of 300m deep x 150mm

wide.
Properties of major axis:
Moment of inertia 3 598cm4
Section modulus 240cm3
Allowable tie load 85kN at any point.
Form soldier I = 3598cm4

Z = 240cm3

Size (mm)

Mass (kg)

3 600

82.5

3 300

76.2

3 000

69.9

2 700

63.5

2 400

57.3

2 100

51.1

1 800

44.8

1 500

38.5

1 200

32.2

FORM BOTTOM PLATE

Panel clamp for connecting

horizontal steel panels directly to
the face of the form soldier.
Mass 0.26kg

Bottom plate facilitates fixing or

lifting. This bolts directly to the
bottom of the form soldier and
panels.
Mass 2.25 kg

Form soldier gangform assembly

GANGFORMS

Note: Alignment channel at back of

form soldiers for aligning gangforms

An assembled gangform shutter with economy

An assembled gangform shutter with economy

Panels are assembled horizontally and fastened

panels. Vertically assembled. Horizontal 100

panels. Vertically assembled. Standard scaffold

to the form soldier with form panel clamps.

x 50 channel walers are C clamped to the

tube is B clamped to the panels and fastened

Top and bottom aligning channels are used

panels and fastened to the form soldiers with

to the form soldiers with tube waler clamps.

on the form soldier to give strength to the form.

channel waler clamps.

PUSH-PULL PROP
The push-pull prop has a double collar, which enables
the walls and columns to be accurately plumbed. Used
on walls and column boxes for speedy erection and
ease of alignment.
Description

Size (mm)

Mass (kg)

No 1

1 676 - 3 124

19.6

No 2

1 981 - 3 352

20.5

No 3

2 590 - 3 962

22.7

No 4

3 200 - 4 876

26.9

Prop Swivel Foot Assembly

1.5

Wall system
FLEXFORM PANELS
Flexform panels are used for the construction of curved walls with
a radius of between 3 and 20 metres.
The tube is radiused to the required diameter and then the flexform
panel is fastened to the tube to create the circular shutter required.
Filler panels are used on the external shutter to accommodate
the difference in the outside circumference.
The panel has a 2mm steel face plate and is attached to the
radiused tube with B clamps.

Size (mm)

Mass (kg)

1 500 x 600

26.5

1 500 x 450

22.7

1 200 x 600

21.7

1 200 x 450

15.7

900 x 600

16.0

900 x 450

11.9

STANDARD WALL TIE ASSEMBLY

All items are recoverable after casting, except for
the plastic tube.
Diameter (mm)

kg/m

Load kN

20

2.5

120

16

1.6

84

12

0.8

40

Factor of safety 1.9

ROUND BAR TIE

WATER BAR TIE

Positive stop-in cone gives accurate wall size.

Round bar ties are similar to crimp ties except that the bars
are made of 12, 20 or 24mm mild steel bars. (Also available
as water ties).

FERRULE TIE SYSTEM

FERRULE TIGHTENER JACK

All components fully recoverable except for the ferrule tube.

To tension rods prior to tightening the ferrule grub screw.

Wall system
ANCHOR SCREWS
Recoverable anchor screws are used for fixing brackets and formwork to concrete.
Size (mm)

Load at
5MPa kN

M36 x 430

110

M24 x 280

Tie load
kN

Concrete
MPa

Mass
(kg)

Outside
diameter (mm)

Maximum depth
of thread (mm)

215

16

1.6

58

64

60

95

12

1.1

39

50

M20 x 200

30

50

10

0.9

39

38

M20 x 120

10

50

19

0.6

39

38

Anchor screw bolted onto standard

economy panel.
Safe loading capacities are based on a load
factor of 1.5:1 on ultimate pull-out values.

EXTRACTOR TOOL
The anchor screws are cast in and are
easily removed using an extractor tool.

CAUTION:
Although graph is based on actual tests, it is
given as a general guide only. Where warranted
a greater safety factor should be used.

PLASTIC SHUTTER BUTTON

Used for closing ferrule tie holes in steel or
PLASTIC CORNER FILLET

timber shutters. Available for different size

50mm lip of plastic corner with slots to attach to economy

holes. Inexpensive and robust.

panels with wedge sets, and wedge assemblies for attaching

to columns. When dismantling formwork, plastic corners
come off automatically and are ready for re-use.

a(mm)

b (mm)

c (mm)

10

10

14

15

15

17

18

18

25

A self-adhesive polyurethane foam sealing

20

20

28

strip which prevents grout loss through joints

25

25

35

in formwork.

PLASTIC FERRULE TUBING

Plastic tubing replaces more expensive materials. Used to facilitate recovery
of thru ties. Supplied in up to 3m lengths.

PUSH-ON PLASTIC CONE

To be attached to each end of ferrule tubing. Can easily be extracted from
a concrete structure for re-use. The push-on cone forms a chamfered recess
in concrete structures for ease of subsequent grouting. This prevents grout
penetrating into ferrule tubing during casting of concrete.

GROUTEX

CLIMBING SYSTEM
Uni-Spans gangform climbing system is crane handled and
fixed to the concrete with anchor screws. The plumbing
bracket has an adjustment screw which is used for vertical
alignment. The hanging bracket provides a safe working
platform for grouting and removal of lower anchors.
Access brackets provide for a three board working platform
685mm wide. The access bracket can be attached to the
form soldier at the required position.

Plumbing Bracket
The plumbing bracket has two attachment points 1200mm
apart to bolt the bracket vertically to the form soldier. An
adjustment screw which extends 900mm from the form soldier
is used for vertical alignment.

Wall system

CLIMBING SYSTEM
This climbing system is crane handled and is easily
plumbed and aligned. A minimum amount of crane time
is required to simply lift the shutter and hook it onto the
climbing cone which was cast into the concrete on the
previous pour.
The scissor action allows the formwork to be rolled back
to enable the panels to be cleaned and oiled in position
without having to lower the shutter to the ground or the
floor below.

Formwork

ECONOMY PANEL COLUMN BOX

Economy panels can be perfectly adapted for the
construction of square or rectangular columns
Only 4 different components are required:
Economy panels in various sizes
External corner angles
Column wedge sets
Push-pull props

A TYPE COLUMN BOX

A type column boxes are purpose made with 3mm / 4mm
steel face plate for maximum durability and client specification.
Wedge assemblies used for easy connection, fast erection
and accurate assembly. Built-in corners ensure that the boxes
are self-squaring. Height: supplied in increments of 300mm
Width: available in all sizes from 150mm

To form square or rectangular columns where

square corners are required.

Column boxes
STANDARD CIRCULAR COLUMN
Various sizes can be manufactured to suit
column size requirements

Mushroom heads can be attached to

the column boxes.

COFFERS

Downstand beams are incorporated in the coffer system

thus making for quick and easy erection

Coffer or trough floors give a reduction in concrete and

reinforcing steel

The slab is lighter, resulting in a reduction in weight of

foundations and support

Coffers and troughs can be used on the standard

Uni-Stage support system

They can be kwikstripped thereby effecting a substantial

saving in the number of coffers and troughs required

The plastic or fibreglass units are light and easy to handle

Coffer or waffle slabs are used to construct large two-way

spanning floors.
Depending on the type of coffers to be used, the fibreglass
type can be used in conjunction with the kwikstrip beams
while the plastic coffer type can be used on a platform
constructed out of timber girders or table forms.

Coffers

STANDARD 900 SERIES

Rib (mm)

Slope
1:8 (mm)

Coffer
Depth (mm)

900

128

78

625

-277

26.45

900

128

65

525

-231

23.68

900

128

53

425

-195

20.95

900

128

40

325

-158

18.22

900

128

28

225

-116

15.30

Grid (mm)

Approx
Displacement (m3)

(kg)

Uni-Spans all-steel kwikstrip decking system is fast to erect, easy to handle and has only six basic components.

THE SYSTEM
The complete modular system enables easy erection and
stripping.
After three days the panels can be stripped leaving the
support work, i.e. jacks, standards and ledgers, in place
until the concrete has cured.
The components can be packed into pallets to allow for
easy transportation.
The system consists of 6 basic components:
1

Base Jack

Standard

Ledger

Double-headed jack

Kwikstrip beam

Deck panel

Slab system
KWIKSTRIP SYSTEM
This system allows the slab formwork to be stripped only three days after concrete has
been poured. The double- headed jack allows the support work to remain in place
thereby avoiding re-propping.

PHASE 1
Complete slab and support system erected.

PHASE 2
Reinforcing steel placed and concrete poured.
One day after concreting the second set of support can be erected on the floor above.

PHASE 3
After three days deck panels and kwikstrip beams are stripped without removing
the support (A double set of support is supplied).

Features of the kwikstrip system

- Maximum utilisation of the equipment
- Eliminates any deflections of the slab
- No re-propping required
- Can be used with coffers and troughs.

After stripping level 1 the panels and

kwikstrip beams can immediately be
placed on the second set of support
previously erected on level 2.

DOUBLE-HEADED JACK
The top collar can be wound down to release the beams
and panels only three days after pouring of concrete.
Tube 38mm diameter x 4mm
Thread 610 R/O
Mass 7.7kg

LEDGER
The ledger has a captive wedge assembly which locates
into the lug on the standard.

STANDARD
The standards have staggered lugs at 500mm centres to
enable ledgers to be attached where required. Each standard
takes a load of four tons with ledgers placed in 4 directions
at a maximum of 1.5m centres and can be joined by a
connector.

BASE JACK
Tube 38mm diameter x 4mm
Thread 610 R/O
Mass 4.3kg

Slab system
DECK PANEL

CANTILEVER BRACKET

The deck panel is manufactured from 2.5 or 3mm plate. The edges
are coined to ensure that the panels butt up to each other resulting
in a perfect concrete finish on the underneath of the slab.

Loadings are based

on 2.5mm face plate
and a 2.5mm folded
channel stiffener.

KWIKSTRIP BEAM

Coined Deck Panel

Heavy duty kwikstrip beams are manufactured from 3mm

plate. They support the deck panels which can be
removed with the beams after three days and placed on
an extra set of support in the next area to be concreted.

Size (mm)

Mass (kg)

1 219 x 457

18.3

1 219 x 305

10.3

1 219 x 229

8.2

1 219 x 152

6.2

914 x 610

17.3

914 x 457

14.1

914 x 305

7.8

914 x 229

6.3

914 x 152

4.7

825 x 450

12.3

825 x 300

7.2

825 x 200

4.4

825 x 100

3.4

Coined H/D Kwikstrip Beam

Length (mm)

Mass (kg)

Load kN

2 500

27.5

42

2 000

22.6

42

1 500

15.1

37

1 000

8.9

26

900

7.9

29

1 425 x 450 (double stiffener) 21.7

1 425 x 300

DECK FILLER
Deck fillers facilitate make-up
sections by sliding over the
adjacent deck panels.

14.5

Base Jack 610 R/O

Mass

4.3kg

J Head Jack 610 R/O

Mass

38mm x 4mm tube

The base jack is used to
accommodate variations in ground
levels. Adjustments of 610 or 457
are available.

Mass

38mm x 4mm tube

The J head can take a 9 x 3 timber
bearer or a 100mm x 50mm steel
channel.

Swivel Jack
Mass

4.9kg

8.6kg

38mm Solid bar stem.

The swivel jack provides stability on
uneven surfaces with 180 rotation
for extra flexibility.

U Head Jack 610 R/O

5.1kg

Mass

38mm x 4mm tube

The U head can take twin timber
or a double 100mm x 50mm steel
channel.

J Head Spigot
Mass

Double Headed Jack 610 R/O

1.5kg

150mm x 75mm x 6mm

Can take 9 x 3 timber bearer or
a 100mm x 50mm steel channel.
Used to carry single timber bearers.
The spigot fits into the head of the
prop.

8.0kg

Double headed jacks are inserted

into the top of a standard to secure
the kwikstrip beam into position.

U Head Spigot
Mass

1.8kg

200mm x 150mm x 8mm

Can take twin timber or a double 100mm x 50mm
steel channel.
Used to carry two single timber bearers or box floor
centres. The spigot fits into the head of the prop.

Accessories

Channel
Mass

11kg/m

100mm x 50mm channel. Used

mainly as straight walers on wall
shutters and also as bearers on
soffit panels. Radiused channel
also available.

BOX FLOOR CENTRES

- Fully adjustable to accommodate any span within their range.
- Quickly erected, providing the contractor with a substantial saving in time and labour.
- Retract to facilitate easy transportation and storage.
- Light, compact and easy to handle
- Have no loose parts.

BOX FLOOR CENTRE

BOX FLOOR CENTRE HANGER BRACKET

Eliminates shoring by using the walls to support
the box floor centre.

Size

Length (mm)

Mass (kg)

No. 1

1 219 - 2 286

16.5

No. 2

1 829 - 3 353

23.1

No. 3

2 439 - 4 724

31.2

Props

STANDARD PROP - 10kN

BEAMHEAD PROP INNER

The versatile standard prop is available in four sizes which

provide a range of propping heights from 1.676m to
4.876m. Props are multi-functional and can be used to
back- prop both beams and slabs until the concrete has
cured. They are also widely used to support box floor
centres on which decking plates are placed to form light
slabs suitable for low cost housing developments. The
box floor centres are adjustable to cater for different widths
between walls. The three sizes of box floor centres allow
for a minimum span of 1.219m up to a maximum of 4.724m.
Allows for quick erection and
Size

Length (mm)

Mass (kg)

No. 1

1 676 - 3 124

20.1

finish with 100% accuracy in

No. 2

1 981 - 3 352

21.0

the construction of the beam.

No. 3

2 590 - 3 962

23.3

No. 4

3 200 - 4 876

27.4

stripping and ensures a perfect

HIGH LOAD CAPACITY 20Kn AND 30Kn PROPS

Props are made of steel tubing. The low weight combined with highload-bearing capacity makes
these steel props very cost effective. They are used as support to a propping height of 4000mm. They
are available in both galvanised and painted form.
20Kn RANGE

4 000

3 500

3 000
2 210
1 960
1 710

20-300

20-350

20-400

L = 1 710 - 3 000 (mm)

L = 1 960 - 3 500 (mm)

L = 2 210 - 4 000 (mm)

Weight = 15.9kg

Weight = 19.4kg

Weight = 22.8kg

Loading Capacity: 20Kn The permissible prop load is 20Kn for all extension lengths

30Kn RANGE

3 500

3 000

1 960
1 710

30-300

30-350

L = 1 710 - 3 000 (mm)

L = 1 960 - 3 500 (mm)

Weight = 18.9kg

Weight = 23.0kg

Loading Capacity: 30Kn The permissible prop load is 30 Kn for all extension lengths

HD Props

Accessories

FORK HEAD SPIGOT

Is used to keep the main bearers centrally positioned over the props.

INTERMEDIATE PROP HEAD

Is used to locate the intermediate props in position along the length of a main bearer

Uni-span has a Level 4, Value Added Supplier, B-BBEE Rating

Uni-span Group of Companies and Branches.

/ E-mail: [email protected]

/ E-mail: [email protected]

/ E-mail: [email protected]

UNI-SPAN GHANA
Plot 68/9 & 18, Tema Industrial Area, Accra / Tel +233 (0) 30 290 1529 / E-mail: [email protected]

UNI-SPAN LEPHALALE
Hanglip Industrial Park, Lephalale / Tel + 27 (0) 78 803 1418

2014