MIVAN The New Age Construction Technology

With a growing focus on affordable homes and “Housing for All”, real estate stakeholders are increasingly emphasizing on the use of new and innovative construction techniques. One such technology is MIVAN shuttering which is being promoted for its ability to aid mass construction activity.

What Is MIVAN Technology?

Factually, MIVAN is an aluminium formwork system manufactured by MIVAN Company Ltd, Malaysia in the year 1990. This innovative form of work is quite suitable for constructing houses in large volumes at a faster speed.

In technical terms, a huge number of houses can be constructed at much faster speed using MIVAN shuttering as this system of formwork construction runs the structural system in one continuous pour. When the formwork is removed a high-quality concrete finish is shaped with precise tolerances and verticality which invalidates the need for additional plastering.

This construction technique involves 3 unique steps:

1. Setting Up The Wall Reinforcing Steel – This is used to provide structure to the building and support the concrete till they gain 50 percent of the essential strength. The aluminium formwork is cast around the factory-made steel mesh which is directly erected on the construction site.
2. Placement Of Aluminium Formwork – Along the wall reinforcing steel, prefabricated floor slabs, and room-sized walls are erected. The aluminium alloy slabs are very easy to handle and are also very precisely made. These are also pre-integrated with spaces for, windows, doors and ducts, other features like chajjas, staircases and façade panels are also integrated. The pin and wedge system is used to join these forms, these can be quickly dismantled once the concrete structure is ready.
3. Pouring Of Concrete – After the forms are cast, high-quality concrete is poured in which takes the shape and form of the cast. The cast is later removed to make way for a hard-concrete structure supported by wall reinforcing steel. These aluminium forms can be reused for nearly 250 times, which means minimum wastage from the construction site.

Merits Of The MIVAN Technology

• Speed – Reduces the total turn around time by almost half when compared to conventional construction techniques.
• Demands Less Labour – With a set procedure and checklists to follow, this technology minimizes the need for skilled labour and also eliminates activities like masonry and rendering activities which are labour intensive.
• Seismic Resistant & Durable – The buildings are more seismic resistant and more durable.
• Less Maintenance – Primarily with no construction joints and with free flow concrete used, this technology reduces the chances of seepage which further results in negligible maintenance.
• Smooth Finish – MIVAN construction ensures uniformity, hence all walls and slabs have a smooth finish which means additional plastering is not needed.
• Higher Carpet Area – it gives the scope to take out more carpet area in comparison to traditional construction techniques.
• Earthquake Resistant – More earthquake resistant structure and safer in case of a strong earthquake. This is because structures built using MIVAN is a monolithic concrete structure which acts as a whole single strong unit.

Irrespective of so many attractive advantages, the demerits of this formwork cannot be ignored. Let’s take a look at them now:

Demerits Of The MIVAN Technology

• Expensive – Aluminium formworks are much expensive than the conventional formworks.
• Visible Finishing Lines – Because of small-sized components, the finished structure could have several finishing lines visible on the concrete surfaces.
• Less Scope Of Alterations – Alterations or modifications are not possible as all the members are cast in RCC.
• Demands Uniform Planning – This technology is comparatively expensive, to be cost-effective uniform planning as well as elevations are needed.
• Can Have Contraction Cracks – Shrinkage could result in cracks on walls and slabs. This can be prevented either by reducing the heat hydration by using fly ash or by using control strips on the structure.