A formwork element, kit, assembly and method

Abstract

An elongate formwork element including: an elongate web extending along a longitudinal axis and including first and second sides laterally spaced from the axis; side panel edge receivers, disposed at the first and second sides, each receiver configured to receive an edge portion of a plywood sheet. A formwork assembly for creating formwork for a wall, the assembly including: a plurality of formwork frame elements, including: one or more elongate base frame elements; one or more elongate end frame elements; one or more elongate intermediate frame elements; and a plurality of panels, wherein the one or more frame elements include an elongate web extending along a longitudinal axis and having first and second sides laterally spaced from the axis, and first and second receivers disposed at the sides for receiving an edge of one of the plurality of panels, one end of the end frames and intermediate frames being located on the base, in use to receive poured cement to form a solid concrete structure.

Description

A FORMWORK ELEMENT, KIT, ASSEMBLY AND METHODTechnical Field

[0001] The present technology relates generally to methods and components for constructing formwork, constructing concrete structures and walls; also to formwork elements, formwork kits and formwork assemblies.Background

[0002] Formwork is a structure, usually temporary, which has voids and hollow sections into which ready-mix concrete or cement slurry is poured. The formwork provides support for a concrete structure of a desired shape until the concrete can support itself. The formwork is usually removed after the concrete cures.

[0003] Concrete formwork takes time and skilled labour to set up because useful formwork is strong enough such that it can hold the concrete in a selected shape, during concrete curing. Concrete, in the quantities required to make structural walls and floors, is very heavy, so the formwork has to resist a great deal of mass. Known systems generally need supports to support an outer later, which sometimes is plywood.

[0004] A known formwork system needs steel framing to support a plywood outer layer.

[0005] There are plastic systems that are known, but they generally require complex and thick one-piece extruded sections to support the load of the concrete within the formwork.

[0006] These known systems become fiddly, time consuming and expensive to set up and install before a concrete pour. Overall construction time can blow out as a result.

[0007] The present technology seeks to ameliorate one or more of the abovementioned disadvantages or at least provide a useful new alternative to known formwork systems, elements and methods.Summary of Invention

[0008] Broadly, the present technology provides a formwork element which is configured to be disposed in a concrete structure to extend as a transverse web across a concrete structure, the element being such that it retains two sheets of plywood at each end.

[0009] The invention broadly in another aspect provides tension support to a concrete wall or slab.

[0010] Broadly the present technology provides a formwork system which is configured to use the concrete pressure inside the formwork to help the system shape up. Preferred embodiments utilise a formwork element including a web for engaging with an internal portion of a concrete slab or wall to facilitate resistance to tension inside the concrete, and a plate receiver, and a plate in use engaged with the receiver to oppose concrete pressure.

[0011] In accordance with one aspect of the present technology there is provided an elongate formwork element including: an elongate web extending along a longitudinal axis and including first and second sides laterally spaced from the axis; side panel edge receivers, disposed at the first and second sides, each receiver configured to receive an edge portion of a plywood sheet.

[0012] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a formwork kit including: a plurality of elongate formwork elements, each including: a web including first and second sides; and one or more receivers, the or each receiver being disposed at the firstand / or second sides, the or each receiver configured to retain an edge portion of a plywood sheet; and a bag or strap or container or tie for holding the formwork elements together for transportation to a worksite.

[0013] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a formwork assembly including: a plurality of elongate formwork frame elements, each including: a web including first and second sides; and one or more receivers, the or each receiver being disposed at respective first and / or second sides, the or each receiver configured to cooperate with, or interengage with, an edge portion of a formwork panel; and a plurality of formwork panels, having edges configured to cooperate and interengage with a receiver, the arrangement in use to receive poured cement to form a structure such as for example a wall or floor.

[0014] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a formwork assembly for creating formwork for a wall, the assembly including: a plurality of formwork frame elements, including: one or more elongate base frame elements; one or more elongate end frame elements; one or more elongate intermediate frame elements; and a plurality of panels, wherein the one or more frame elements include an elongate web extending along a longitudinal axis and having first and second sides laterally spaced from the axis, and first and second receivers disposed at the sides for receiving an edge of one of the plurality of panels, one end of the end frames and intermediate frames being located on the base, in use to receive poured cement to form a solid concrete structure.

[0015] In an embodiment the receiver is a channel with spaced apart side walls for cooperating with the edge of one of the plurality of panels.

[0016] In an embodiment each of the webs includes an aperture for receiving one or more reinforcing bars.

[0017] In an embodiment the apertures are hemispherical to receive one reinforcing bar.

[0018] In an embodiment there is one channel on each side to receive the panel edge, the channel extending from a front wall of the web. This embodiment is the base frame element.

[0019] In an embodiment there are two channels on each side of the web, extending from both front and rear walls of the web.

[0020] In an embodiment the channels extend perpendicularly to the walls of the web.

[0021] In an embodiment the channels extend at an angle to the walls of the web.

[0022] In an embodiment the channels include one side wall longer than the other, to facilitate loading the edge of the panel into the channels.

[0023] In an embodiment the webs include apertures which are scalloped on a bottom edge for receiving concrete slurry and a plurality of reinforcing bars therethrough.

[0024] In an embodiment there are provided apertures every 100mm or so along the web.

[0025] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of installing formwork, the method including the steps of: installing a plurality of formwork elements on or in relation to a structure, the one or more frame elements include an elongate web extending along a longitudinal axis and having first and second sides laterally spaced from the axis, and first and second receivers disposed at the sides for receiving an edge of one of the plurality of panels; and mounting the edges of a plurality of formwork panels or sheets in the receivers so as to inhibit the formwork sheets from removal from a retained position in the receivers during a concrete pour into the formwork.

[0026] In one embodiment the web is an elongate web, much like a line or a cord or a string or a finger.

[0027] In one embodiment the web is a plate or a sheet.

[0028] In one embodiment the web is flexible such as for example a Kevlar sheet or similar

[0029] In one embodiment the web is rigid.

[0030] In one embodiment the web is a plate of plastic, steel, metal, or some other rigid body.

[0031] In one embodiment the plate or sheet includes apertures to receive reinforcing.

[0032] In one embodiment the receiver includes a recess for receiving an end of a plywood sheet.

[0033] In one embodiment the receiver recess includes a bight to receive an end of a plywood sheet.

[0034] In one embodiment the receiver recess includes a recess disposed between two flanges.

[0035] In an embodiment the receiver is a channel disposed between two side walls extending from the web.

[0036] In an embodiment the receiver includes a T-flange.

[0037] The receiver could include a clip, clamp, teeth, barbs, locks, a thicker or larger end, a ball, a boss, or any kind of protrusion behind which a panel could sit when installed in the way described in this specification.

[0038] In an embodiment the receiver includes a first flange disposed at one end region of the web and a second flange spaced from the first flange along the web, extending transversely from the web.

[0039] In an embodiment the first and second flanges are disposed about 20mm apart along the web.

[0040] In an embodiment the first flange is longer than the second flange.

[0041] In an embodiment the flanges or channel walls extend perpendicularly to the web. In this embodiment the formwork panels which are assembled in the perpendicularly-extending channels meet to form the parallel surfaces a wall at their inside face.

[0042] In an embodiment the flanges or channel walls extend at an angle to the web to form a corner, or end, formwork element. In this embodiment the formwork panels which are assembled in the angled channels meet to form a kind of mitre joint.

[0043] In an embodiment the formwork element is a T-section at the first end of the web, wherein the first flanges extend transversely to both sides of the web.

[0044] In an embodiment the formwork element includes a T-section at the second end of the web.

[0045] In an embodiment there are T-sections at the first and second ends of the web, so that the formwork element is an I-beam.

[0046] In an embodiment there are recesses formed at both ends of the web, on both sides of the web, to retain plywood extending on both sides of the web, at both ends of the web.

[0047] In an embodiment the web is the same length as another web.

[0048] In an embodiment a kit includes formwork elements of different lengths to make a contoured wall or roof.

[0049] In one embodiment the kit includes formwork web elements of about 50mm, 60mm, 70mm, 80mm, 90mm, 100mm, 110mm, 120mm, 125mm, 130mm, 140mm, 150mm, 160mm, 170mm, 180mm, 190mm, 200mm, 210mm, 220mm, 230mm, 240mm, 250mm, or other suitable length.

[0050] In an embodiment the method includes spacing the formwork panels apart across the wall by about 100mm, or 150mm, or 200mm, or 250mm, or 300mm, or other suitable distance.

[0051] In an embodiment the formwork elements are spaced along a wall 300mm, 450mm, 600mm, 750mm or 875mm or 1000mm apart.

[0052] In an embodiment the webs are about 100mm wide, which means that the formwork panels or sheets are spaced apart across a wall width to make the wall width 100mm. The webs may also be 150mm, or 200mm, or 250mm, or 300mm to make walls of that width.

[0053] In the embodiment with the 100mm width, there is a hemisphere-shaped aperture to receive a reinforcing bar 75, 175,275, 375. In the embodiments with the wider webs, there is an aperture with a scalloped bottom to receive in the one or more scallops, a plurality of reinforcing bars 75, 175,275, 375.

[0054] In an embodiment the plywood is about 20mm thick.

[0055] In an embodiment the channel or flange walls are about 20mm apart but they could be 10, 15, 25, 30, 35, 40 or 50mm apart to accommodate plywood panels of that thickness.

[0056] In an embodiment the plywood is about 100mm wide, or 150mm, or 200mm, or 250mm, or 300mm, or 350mm, or 400mm, or 450mm, or 600mm, or 750mm, or suitable width. This means, in the wall or formwork assembly, the formwork elements are spaced from one another along the wall by this much.

[0057] In an embodiment the plywood is about 2400mm high, or 2700mm, or 3000mm, or 3300mm, or 3600mm, or 3900mm, or any suitable height.

[0058] In an embodiment the end, base or intermediate formwork frame elements are extruded, or moulded, or additively-printed units.

[0059] In one embodiment the elongate frame elements are polymer, plastic or GRP, carbon fibre.

[0060] In an embodiment the webs are about 1mm thick, or 2mm or 3mm.

[0061] In an embodiment the channel walls are about 1mm thick, or 2mm or 3mm.Brief Description of Drawings

[0062] To enable a clearer understanding, an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0063] Figure 1 is a cross section view of a wall formwork assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, where there are formwork elements with panel edge receivers and plywood panels mounted in the receivers at either end thereof;

[0064] Figure 2 is a cross section view of a similar wall formwork assembly to that shown in Figure 1;

[0065] Figure 3 is a cross section view of a wall shown with a formwork assembly of an embodiment of the present invention, the formwork frame elements extending vertically;

[0066] Figure 4 is a cross section view of a wall shown with a formwork assembly in which the formwork frame element webs extend horizontally;

[0067] Figure 5 is a cross section view of a formwork frame element in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, showing a detail view of an embodiment of retainer, in which there is a recess between two flanges;

[0068] Figure 6 is a detail view of a receiver of the formwork frame element;

[0069] Figure 7 is a cross section view of the formwork frame element from inside, looking outward.An embodiment in more detail

[0070] Figure 8 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a mid-wall or intermediate elongate formwork frame element, for supporting plywood sheets extending parallel to one another, along a wall;

[0071] Figure 9 is the same view of a slightly different embodiment of mid-wall web from that shown in Figure 8, wherein the formwork frame element retains the plywood sheets at the side edges, but the web is wider, and the apertures for allowing reinforcing bars 75, 175,275, 375 and cement flow are different in shape to accommodate more reinforcing bars;

[0072] Figure 10 is a end formwork frame element, similar to that shown in Figures 8 and 9, but not for a mid-wall or intermediate disposition in which the plywood panels extend parallel with each other, but for supporting two plywood panels disposed perpendicular to one another at a corner or vertex or edge;

[0073] Figure 11 is a corner element which is wider than that shown in Figure 10, and with apertures similar in shape to those shown in Figure 9 to accommodate more reinforcing bars 75, 175,275, 375;

[0074] Figure 12 is a base channel formwork frame element which can receive plywood bases in recesses or channels, and can receive reinforcing starter bars through the apertures;

[0075] Figure 13 is another embodiment of base channel formwork frame element, similar to that shown in Figure 12, but which is wider and which can accommodate more starter bars;

[0076] Figure 14 is a plan view of a formwork cell of an embodiment of the present invention, showing plywood sheet forms at the sides, web forms at the ends, and a base channel to support the plywood sheet forms;

[0077] Figure 15 is a plan view schematic view of a multi-cell formwork for a wall, generally indicating at least four of the cells shown in Figure 14;

[0078] Figure 16 is a side elevation view of the multi-cell formwork for a wall, with cement slurry being indicated as being poured from one end;

[0079] Figure 17 is a plan view of the multi-cell formwork wall with the cement slurry being indicated as being poured in the left hand end cells;

[0080] Figure 18 is an end section view of the multi-cell formwork wall being shown from the left end of Figures 16 and 17, showing the left end in the front, which is set up vertically and plumb, and the right hand end being shown in the rear, with dashed lines, before a pour;

[0081] Figure 19 is a front elevation view of a multi-cell formwork wall construction showing plywood form panels being stacked between continuous extruded formwork webs;

[0082] Figure 20 is a front elevation view of a multi-cell formwork wall construction showing the plywood form sheets being stacked between discrete extruded formwork webs;

[0083] Figure 21 is an example of a curved plywood form sheet which could be supported between formwork webs to make a wall or other structure with a curved face;

[0084] Figure 22 shows a plurality of formwork structures constructed with embodiments of the present invention; some with horizontally-extending formwork webs and plywood form sheets, and others with vertically-extending formwork webs and plywood form sheets;

[0085] Figure 23 is a formwork structure shown from one end, showing the end plywood forms and the side plywood forms all supported by the corner and mid-wall formwork webs and all installed on base channels;

[0086] Figure 24 is a wall made of concrete poured into the formwork of Figure 23, with the plywood form sheets removed; and

[0087] Figure 25 is the wall of Figure 24 which shows the formwork webs cut and removed, leaving a flat wall surface.Detailed description of Embodiments

[0088] In the description, like numerals denote like parts - 10, 110 refer, for example, to the elongate formwork element.

[0089] So, referring to the drawings there is shown a multi-cellular formwork assembly, shown in Figures 1, 3, 4, 15, 16 and 17, generally indicated at 3. Basically, a concreter carefully sets up one end region (one end, one cell, perhaps two cells, say) of the formwork 5 so that it is vertical, plumb, and generally in shape. The rest of the formwork for the wall is constructed (as shown), down to the second end 6, but it requires a lower dimensional tolerance in setting up, because when a wall is all ready, the concreter pours the concrete 4 in from the first end, and the rest of the formwork shapes up to vertical and plumb by itself as the concrete pours towards the second end.

[0090] Before the concrete is poured, the far end 6, of the walls, indicated with dashed lines, and with the numeral 6, can be seen disposed at a bit of a lean.

[0091] Regardless of the lean, at the distal end 6 there is an automatic shaping up that occurs during a pour because of the structure of the elongate formwork elements 10, 110, 210, 310, the apertures 50 and the receivers 30. This automatic or self shaping occurs principally because of the elongate formwork frame elements, which are generally indicated at 10, each of which are configured to retain the ends of two sheets of formwork panels 20 at each of their sides. The retaining is done by using a receiver 30, which in an embodiment shown, is a channel 32, 132, 232, 332, and in other embodiments shown, is an end flange 31. The action may be called a retaining action because the edge of the formwork panel 20 is retained behind the end flange 31. The receivers 30 may also be channels 32.

[0092] The elongate formwork frame element 10 extends generally along the longitudinal axis 24, 124, 224, and the retainers or receivers 30 are spaced from the axis 224, at the sides 229 of the element 210.

[0093] The elongate formwork frame element 10 could take many forms which are suitable, and may include an elongate web 21, which could be a line or a cord or a string or a finger, which extends between the end receivers 30 or end flanges 31. However, in the embodiment shown, the web 21 is a continuous plate 22 or a sheet 23 which has apertures for facilitating the flow of concrete through the formwork wall structure from one end to the other. The elongate formwork frame element 10 is extruded, printed or moulded and the wall thicknesses of each section may be about 1, 2, 3, or 5mm.

[0094] The web 21 may be flexible such as for example a Kevlar sheet or similar, but in the embodiment shown, the web is rigid. The web 21 may be a plate of plastic, steel, metal, orsome other rigid body. The plate or sheet includes apertures to receive reinforcing (not shown), but the web 21 could provide those apertures by having spaced-apart lines or bars between the receivers 30. The elongate formwork frame element may be extruded, moulded or additively manufactured.

[0095] The receiver 30 includes a recess 32 for receiving an end of the plywood sheet 20. The receiver recess 32 includes a channel 34 to locate and keep an end of the plywood sheet 20 between side walls 35 and 36.

[0096] Side wall 35 is a flange extending transversely from the web, at one side edge. The second side wall 36 is spaced from the flange 35 along the web 21 towards its centre, and it also extends transversely from the web 21. The first and second side walls 35, 36 are disposed about 20mm apart along the web to snugly receive the plywood sheet 20 edge. The flange 35 is about 40mm long to provide a secure fitment of the plywood sheet. The first flange 35 is longer than the second flange 36 to facilitate loading and removal, and to balance them securely. There may be gripping elements or barbs in the flanges to facilitate retention of the plywood sheet 20 ends.

[0097] As shown, the elongate formwork element includes a flange 35 at both the first and second ends of the web 21, so that the elongate formwork element looks like an I-beam. As shown there are recesses 32 formed at both ends of the web 21, on both sides of the web 21, to retain plywood 20 extending on both sides of the web, at both ends of the web 21.In operation

[0098] The formwork apparatus in use, uses the concrete pressure inside the formwork to help the formwork system shape up.

[0099] This self-shaping can be shown most clearly in Figures 15, 16, 17, and 18 in the context of a wall being built.

[0100] First to construct the formwork assembly, a multi-cell formwork structure is built, shown in Figure 15. Cell or box 1 is on the left-hand end, and it is at this end that most of the effort in making the formwork vertical, plumb, and dimensionally accurate is invested. The other cells are constructed, but there can be less investment in dimensional accuracy at least as far as verticality goes, because the thickness of the wall is set by the webs 21 and the elongate formwork frame element 10,110, 210 etc. If the elongate frame elements 10, 110, 210, 310 of the second end, or any of them spaced from the left end, lean over a small amount, then so be it, before a pour, because once the cement is poured in at the (vertical) left end, the concrete will flow slowly through the structure from the bottom up, and from the (vertical) left end, and while that happens, the formwork will straighten itself.

[0101] So, to construct the first cell, cell 1. The first step is to lay the base elongate formwork elements 310 down on a left end of the concrete floor, which may have reinforcing starter bars 99, 399 in it, extending up from the floor. The base channel 310 accommodates those reinforcing bars 399 by having apertures 350. Those bars 399 then extend upwardly through the apertures, 350 in the base channels 310 when the base channel 399 is located on the floor. The side wall channels 332 in the side edges 329 of the base channel 310 extend upwardly to receive a base edge of the formwork panel 20.

[0102] Then, the base edge of an end panel 20 of plywood is located in the end of the base channel 310, and the bottom edges of the end panel 20 are located in the edge channels 332. The other, vertical edges of the end panels 20 are then located in the edge channels 232 of the corner element 210.

[0103] Figure 18 shows an end section view of the multi-cell formwork wall being shown from the left end of Figures 16 and 17, showing the left end in the front, which is set up vertically and plumb, and the right hand end being shown in the rear, with dashed lines, before a pour. Most of the wall (right of the vertical part at the left) starts, before a pour, with its plywood panels at a bit of a lean, and then during the pour, those leaning parts of the wall shape up into the same vertical and plumb disposition of the left hand end of the wall.

[0104] Sometimes a kit can be brought to site, which is a formwork kit and it includes: a plurality of elongate formwork elements 10, each including: a web 21 including first and second ends; and a receiver 30 at the first and second ends of the web 21,the receiver 30 configured to retain a portion of a plywood sheet 20; and a bag or strap or container or tie (not shown) for holding the formwork elements together for transportation to a worksite.

[0105] The kit can include the formwork sheets of widths of about 100mm, and height of 3000mm say. Then the plurality of elongate formwork elements 10 are mounted on or in relation to a structure such as a bottom plate, and they are spaced along the bottom plate. Then there are a plurality of formwork sheets mounted in the receivers 30 on their edges so as to inhibit the formwork sheets from removal from a retained position in the receivers during a concrete pour into the formwork. Reinforcing can be added into holes in the web 21 if they are present. The kit may include formwork elements of different lengths to make a contoured wall or roof, but mostly the webs 21 will be the same. The kit may include formwork web elements of web length about 50mm, 60mm, 70mm, 80mm, 90mm, 100mm, 110mm, 120mm, 125mm, 130mm, 140mm, 150mm, 160mm, 170mm, 180mm, 190mm, 200mm, 210mm, 220mm, 230mm, 240mm, 250mm, or other suitable length.

[0106] The installer may install the formwork elements 10 on the bottom plate apart by about 100mm, or 150mm, or 200mm, or 250mm, or 300mm, or other suitable distance.

[0107] When the concrete is poured, the receivers are cut off and the plywood removed, and then the smooth wall surface or floor surface or roof surface remains. And tension resistance is increased by the remaining web 21. Thus, we have a lost formwork system installed.

[0108] Figures 8 and 9 show another embodiment of the elongate formwork frame element at 10, 110. The elongate formwork frame element is a web 21, 121, which is configured to retain the ends of four sheets of plywood 20, each of the ends retained in a respective channel 32, 132. The channel 32 is formed by a plurality of spaced-apart flanges at each side edge of the web 21. The outside flange is taller than the inside one. In the web there are also apertures 50, 150, 250 for allowing the passage of cement slurry 4 flow along the formwork wall, and which also are configured to receive reinforcing bars 75, 175,275, 375.

[0109] The web 21 includes a T-section at both the first and second ends of the web 121, so that the formwork element takes the form of an I-beam. As shown there are recesses 132formed at both ends of the web 121, in the form of channels, on both sides of the web 121, to retain the ends of plywood, which extend from both sides of the web. The channel 132 is formed from two spaced apart walls 135 on the outside and 136 on the inside. The spacing between is about 20mm to accommodate a plywood panel 20, and the inside wall 136 is lower than the outside wall 135.

[0110] The apertures 50, 150, 250 shown allow the flow of concrete from one side of the web to the other. The apertures 50, 150, 25050 can be semicircular (Figures 7, 9, 11), or with scalloped bottom edges (Figure 8, 10, 12), to receive reinforcing bar. Each aperture for receiving the reinforcing bars facilitates two reinforcing bars disposed in the wall side by side.

[0111] Figures 10 and 11 show a corner receiver 210, which is used to retain plywood sheets at a junction of two adjacent walls disposed at right angles to one another. Again, the apertures 50, 150, 250 are different shapes to receive cement flowing through, as well as different numbers of reinforcing bars, spaced apart in the scallops.

[0112] Figures 12 and 13 are base formwork channel elements 310. The base formwork channels 310 include apertures 350 to receive starter reinforcing bars 399, and side channels 332 to retain the base edges of the plywood panels 20 in place before the concrete is poured. The side channels 332 are formed from two walls, extending from a base web 321, one outside wall 335, spaced from an inside wall 336, the outer one 335 being taller than the inside wall 336.

[0113] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An elongate formwork frame element including: an elongate web extending along a longitudinal axis and including first and second sides laterally spaced from the axis; side panel edge receivers, disposed at the first and second sides, each receiver configured to receive an edge portion of a plywood sheet.

2. A formwork assembly including: a plurality of elongate formwork frame elements, each including: a web including first and second sides; and one or more receivers, the or each receiver being disposed at respective first and / or second sides, the or each receiver configured to cooperate with, or interengage with, an edge portion of a formwork panel; and a plurality of formwork panels, having edges configured to cooperate and interengage with a receiver, the arrangement in use to receive poured cement to form a structure such as for example a wall or floor.

3. A formwork assembly for creating formwork for a wall, the assembly including: a plurality of formwork frame elements, including: one or more elongate base frame elements; one or more elongate end frame elements; one or more elongate intermediate frame elements; and a plurality of panels, wherein the one or more frame elements include an elongate web extending along a longitudinal axis and having first and second sides laterally spaced from the axis, and first and second receivers disposed at the sides for receiving an edge of one of the plurality of panels, one end of the end frames and intermediate frames being located on the base, in use to receive poured cement to form a solid concrete structure.

4. The elongate formwork element or formwork assembly of any one of the abovementioned claims wherein the receiver is a channel with spaced apart side walls for cooperating with the edge of one of the plurality of panels.

5. The elongate formwork element or formwork assembly of any one of the abovementioned claims wherein each of the webs includes an aperture for receiving concrete slurry and one or more reinforcing bars therethrough.

6. The elongate formwork element or formwork assembly of any one of the abovementioned claims wherein the apertures are hemispherical to receive one reinforcing bar.

7. The elongate formwork element or formwork assembly of any one of the abovementioned claims wherein there is one channel on each side to receive the panel edge, the channel extending from a front wall of the web to form the base frame element.

8. In an embodiment there are two channels on each side of the web, extending from both front and rear walls of the web to form an end frame element or mid frame wall element.

9. The elongate formwork element or formwork assembly of any one of the abovementioned claims wherein the channels extend perpendicularly to the walls of the web to form the mid wall element.

10. The elongate formwork element or formwork assembly of any one of the abovementioned claims wherein the channels extend at an angle to the walls of the web to form the end wall element.

11. The elongate formwork element or formwork assembly of any one of the abovementioned claims wherein the channels include one side wall longer than the other, to facilitate loading the edge of the panel into the channels.

12. The elongate formwork element or formwork assembly of any one of the abovementioned claims wherein the webs include apertures which are scalloped on a bottom edge for receiving a plurality of reinforcing bars.

13. The elongate formwork element or formwork assembly of any one of the abovementioned claims wherein there are provided apertures every 100mm or so along the web.

14. A method of installing formwork, the method including the steps of: installing a plurality of formwork elements on or in relation to a structure, the one or more frame elements including an elongate web extending along a longitudinal axis and having first and second sides laterally spaced from the axis, and first and second receivers disposed at the sides for receiving an edge of one of the plurality of panels; and mounting the edges of a plurality of formwork panels or sheets in the receivers so as to inhibit the formwork sheets from removal from a retained position in the receivers during a concrete pour into the formwork.

15. The method in accordance with claim 14 further including the step of making a formwork for a wall wherein a proximal end is made vertical and plumb, while leaving a distal end free.

16. The elongate formwork element or formwork assembly of any one of the abovementioned claims wherein the web is an elongate web, much like a line or a cord or a string or a finger.

17. The elongate formwork element or formwork assembly of any one of the abovementioned claims wherein the web is a plate or a sheet.

18. The elongate formwork element or formwork assembly of any one of the abovementioned claims wherein the web is flexible.

19. The elongate formwork element or formwork assembly of any one of the abovementioned claims wherein the web is rigid.

20. The elongate formwork element or formwork assembly of any one of the abovementioned claims wherein the web is a plate of plastic, steel, metal.

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