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Paschal modular formwork has been used on a range of projects in the region.
Formwork systems supplied by Bahrain-based Paschal Concrete Forms Company, the Middle East branch and stockist for Germany’s Paschal, has helped shape some of the major projects in the region including the Bahrain International Racing Circuit and the Alba potline expansion project.
The company, which began its activities in Bahrain in 1998, has since then successfully added about 150 construction companies from the region to its growing list of customers, says a spokesman for the firm.
The formwork system from Paschal offers important benefits such as cost-efficiency, durability and environmental-friendliness, says Amir Delghandi, general manager of Paschal Middle East. The German manufacturer offers a wide range of systems for various applications, the most popular among them being its modular formwork.
Other key attributes of Paschal’s formwork include high speed of erection and quality of finish.
For the construction of Bahrain’s Formula One racetrack, Cebarco and its Malaysian joint venture partner WCT used the Paschal system to speed up the construction of the VIP Tower.
AA Nass Contracting used the system for the foundations of Potrooms 9 and 10 of the Alba line 5 expansion project. Ahmed Mansoor Al Ali is using it for the foundations of the coke unloading silo and hopper, the foundations of the cooling tunnel and the ball mill; the reinforced concrete walls and foundations of the electrical building at liquid pitch area; and the electrical building for the carbon office.
The contractor is also using the system for the power station 4 project for the steam turbine, gas turbine and the HRSG foundations, the blow-down and the condensate pit, the by-pass stack unit, the electrical building and the rectiformer.
The system is also being employed on the new control tower at Bahrain International Airport, where contractor GP Zachariades is using the modular formwork for the construction of the staircase wall and a combination of modular formwork and the climbing system for the lift shaft wall.
Other major projects under construction in Bahrain where Paschal systems are being used include:
Paschal formwork was recently used in the construction of the Isa Town School and a new primary school project at Hamad Town; and a number of villa projects.
Elaborating on the systems, Delghandi says: “Paschal panels, which are manufactured using 6-mm-thick frames of sturdy steel, are strong, durable and corrosion-resistant. The surface of the panels is covered with high-quality Finnish birch plywood with a special phenolic resin coating of 220 gm/sq m. Steel frames protect the edges of the plywood and the gap between them is filled with a special sealant. This allows the reuse of the panel’s plywood up to 250 times, while the steel frame remains good for more than 20 years.
“Compared to the wooden girder system or soldier system formwork, the panels provide many benefits such as savings in time and labour during assembling and dismantling, less wastage of wood and plywood, reduced storage space requirements at site and during transportation. In addition, the modular panels offer versatility, flexibility and durability. The product is suitable for any concrete structure and is simple to use, giving fast erection time, and does not require a crane.”
“Due to their rigid structure, the panels do not require any soldiers or double ‘U’ channel support on the rear. The system requires smaller tie-rods which can be placed between the panel’s frame, eliminating the need to drill the plywood.”
Export
Paschal has also supplied systems to other Middle East countries for many prestigious projects in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar and Iran.
The headquarters for Public Authority for Industry in Kuwait has been completed by Al-Bab Al Kuwaiti Contracting, which has also used the formwork in the construction of several other commercial buildings in Kuwait.
Oman-based Al Hassan Engineering is extensively using Paschal’s modular panels for the control building and electrical substation of Saih Niyahadh power plant project.
Bahwan Engineering, also of Oman, has been using Paschal formwork since 1997 in various projects, including the LNG (liquefied natural gas) project in Sur, Ibra hospital, Sur hospital, American School, Muscat and, now, the Sohar port.
The UAE’s Al Shafar General Contracting has used the systems in the construction of Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, the Emirate Hills apartment project for Emaar Properties as well as for several commercial buildings.
Paschal is also supplying to various projects in Saudi Arabia. Maskaba Contracting is now using the formwork for a new 38-villa project, having successfully utilised the system for the completion of the Dammam Hospital extension in Saudi Arabia.
Partana Construction of Iran will soon start the structural work of the Central Bank of Iran project, one of the biggest projects in Iran, using Paschal’s systems.
Support
In addition to Paschal’s direct support, Abu Amer Equipment Hiring Company – which has a wide range of modern construction equipment – offers the formwork system on a rental basis to contractors in GCC countries.
To complement its formwork supply services to the construction industry in the Middle East, Paschal also offers a high-quality scaffolding system from Nisso International Corporation of Japan.
