Article Sidebar
Published:
Jun 30, 2007Article Details
Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (Tanz. J. Engrg. Technol.) publications are written as a basis for academic discussions. Whereas effort is made by the Editorial Board to screen out inaccurate or misleading statements, data or opinions, Tanz. J. Engrg. Technol. wishes to make it clear that the contents of the articles are the sole responsibility of the authors. Accordingly, the Editorial Board and editors, publisher, College of Engineering and Technology and the University of Dar es Salaam accept no responsibility or liability whatsoever for the opinions, inaccurate or misleading data or statement and views expressed by the authors.
However, the College of Engineering and Technology, the publisher of the Journal, reserve all rights of the articles published in the Journal. Whereas the contents of the articles are available electronically without cost, no part of the publication may be transmitted in any form or reproduced electronically or mechanically, except for short extract in critical scholarly review, research or discourse with an acknowledgement.
Main Article Content
Optimal Utilization of Timber Poles as Structural Members of Formwork
Abstract
Timber poles of the type “Mirunda” are commonly used in East Africa as formwork support structures for casting of reinforced concrete slabs, beams and canopies. It is also widely known that the “Mirunda” poles as structural members of formwork are massively used without any structural consideration and guidance. This common practice has resulted into wastage of natural resources and escalated construction costs. This study has attempted to establish the load bearing capacity of randomly selected “Mirunda” poles through laboratory testing. Using an existing construction site as a case study, the results have been used to establish the actual number of timber poles required to support freshly cast reinforced concrete slabs, beams and canopies. The loading has been assumed for normal accessibility as per specifications in BS 6399: Part1 (1984).with a dynamic factor arising from the impact of dropping the concrete onto the formwork as well as the dynamic effect of the concrete vibrating machine. A comparison has been made between the actual requirement and the quantity of timber poles counted on site. On basis of the study findings appropriate recommendations have been provided on how “Mirunda” poles can be optimally utilized as structural members of formwork.
