CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority from Italian patent application no . 102020000019012 filed on 3/ 08 /2020 , the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference .

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a modular formwork for reinforced concrete walls .

In more detail , the present invention relates to a disposable-type modular formwork for reinforced concrete walls , to which the following disclosure will make explicit reference without , however, losing its generality .

BACKGROUND ART

As is known, the modular formworks which are usually used to build the reinforced concrete walls of a building are basically made up of two rigid and usually rectangularshaped, large containment walls , generally made of metal and/or wood, which are arranged one in front of the other in a vertical position, on opposite sides of the metal reinforcement of the reinforced concrete wall to be built , so as to form a large gap with predetermined height inside which the liquid cement necessary to incorporate the metal reinforcement and to form the reinforced concrete wall is then poured; and of a dismountable and removable support framework, which is placed outside the two containment walls , and is adapted to prop the two containment walls so as to maintain them stationary in a vertical position, one in front of the other, until the concrete has completely solidi fied .

Clearly, the modular formworks are placed side by side to one another along the entire length of the reinforced concrete wall to be built , putting together and firmly fixing the vertical sides of the containment walls of each modular formwork to the those of the immediately adj acent formworks .

Over the last few years , disposable modular formworks have also been realised in which each of the two containment walls of the formwork is made up of a series of large , parallelepiped-shaped, rigid blocks of expanded polystyrene with assemblable modular structure , which are shaped so as to be firmly interlocked to one another along the sides , and are arranged closely adj acent to one another according to a quincunx spatial distribution, up to reach the desired height , so as to form the entire containment wall .

This construction system is called ICF, acronym of Insulated Concrete Form .

The disposable modular formworks , in this case , additionally comprise a series of rigid transversal spacers , which extend bridging the two containment walls while remaining locally perpendicular to the same walls , and are firmly fixed to the internal faces of the blocks of expanded polystyrene , so as to connect the various blocks of expanded polystyrene rigidly to each other .

In more detail , the transversal spacers are distributed in a regular manner over the entire extension of the two containment walls , so that each block of expanded polystyrene is rigidly connected to the facing blocks of expanded polystyrene of the other containment wall in a plurality of anchoring points .

The blocks of expanded polystyrene and the transversal spacers are intended to remain stably incorporated in the reinforced concrete wall , thus the disposable formworks described above allow realising reinforced concrete wall s with high thermal insulation .

Clearly, the degree of thermal insulation varies according to the thickness of the blocks of expanded polystyrene used .

Even i f they make it possible to realise reinforced concrete walls with high thermal insulation, unfortunately the disposable formworks described above have a limited use , because both faces of the resulting reinforced concrete wall are entirely made of expanded polystyrene .

In the event of a fire , in fact , the expanded polystyrene , even i f it is of the sel f-extinguishing type , can still emit harmful gases with all the problems that this entails for the people inside the room .

In addition, the reinforced concrete wall obtained with the disposable formworks has a very high thickness and this reduces the walkable space inside the building .

Finally, the plastering of reinforced concrete walls obtained with the expanded-polystyrene disposable formworks is relatively expensive .

Common plaster ( i . e . the mixture formed by lime and/or cement mixed with water and sand with a grain si ze not exceeding 2 mm) , in fact , cannot adhere very well to the surfaces of expanded polystyrene , thus the plastering must be done using very expensive special plasters , with a signi ficant increase in the overall finishing costs for the wall .

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Aim of the present invention is to overcome the operative limitations of the disposable formworks described above .

In accordance with these aims , according to the present invention there is provided a modular formwork for reinforced concrete walls as defined in claim 1 and preferably, though not necessarily, in any one of the claims dependent on it .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings, which illustrate a nonlimiting embodiment thereof, in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective and schematic view, with parts in section and parts removed for clarity's sake, of a modular formwork for reinforced concrete walls realized according to the teachings of the present invention;

- Figure 2 is a side view of the modular formwork shown in Figure 1, with parts in section and parts removed for clarity's sake;

- Figure 3 is a plan view of the modular formwork shown in Figure 1, with parts in section and parts removed for clarity's sake;

- Figure 4 is a front view of the modular formwork shown in Figure 3, sectioned along the section line A-A and with parts removed for clarity's sake;

- Figures 5 and 6 are two perspective views of a connecting member of the modular formwork shown in the previous figures;

- Figure 7 is a side view of the connecting member shown in Figures 5 and 6;

- Figure 8 is a front view of the connecting member shown in Figure 7, sectioned along the section line B-B;

- Figure 9 is a side view of a different embodiment of the modular formwork for reinforced concrete walls shown in the previous figures, with parts in section and parts removed for clarity's sake;

- Figure 10 is a side view of a first embodiment variation of the connecting member shown in Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8, with parts in section and parts removed for clarity's sake ;

- Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment variation of the connecting member shown in Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8;

- Figure 12 is a side view of the connecting member shown in Figure 11, partially sectioned along the midplane; whereas

- Figure 13 is a side view of a third embodiment variation of the connecting member shown in Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8, partially sectioned along the midplane.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, number 1 denotes as a whole a modular formwork for reinforced concrete walls, which can be advantageously used to realise reinforced concrete walls with high thermal insulation.

In other words, the modular formwork 1 is adapted to be placed around the metal reinforcement 100 of the reinforced concrete wall to be made, substantially along the entire length of the same wall, so as to form a large rigid container open at the top, which has a shape roughly complementary to that of the reinforced concrete wall to be made, and is adapted to be filled up with the liquid concrete ( cement conglomerate , aggregates and water ) necessary to incorporate the metal reinforcement 100 and complete the structure of the reinforced concrete wall .

The modular formwork 1 therefore comprises at least a pair of rigid and substantially plate-like , containment walls that are adapted to be arranged one in front of the other, so as to form a gap with given height and/or width, which is adapted to accommodate/contain the concrete necessary to complete the structure of the reinforced concrete wall .

In more detail , the modular formwork 1 comprises : two rigid and plate-like , large containment walls 2 and 3 that are preferably substantially rectangular in shape , and are arranged in a substantially vertical position one facing and substantially parallel to the other, on opposite sides of the metal reinforcement 100 of the reinforced concrete wall to be made , so as to form a large gap 4 with given height and/or width, inside which the liquid concrete necessary to incorporate the metal reinforcement 100 and to complete the structure of the reinforced concrete wall is subsequently poured; and preferably also a dismountable and removable support framework 5 , which is preferably placed outside the containment walls 2 and 3 , and is adapted to prop one or both containment walls 2 and 3 so as to maintain them stationary in a substantially vertical position, one in front of the other, until the concrete has completely solidi fied .

Moreover, both containment walls 2 and 3 have an assemblable modular structure , and the modular formwork 1 additionally comprises a plurality of substantially rigid, transversal spacers 6 that extend bridging the containment walls 2 and 3 preferably while remaining locally substantially perpendicular to the same walls , and are integral with both containment walls 2 , 3 so as to connect the containment walls 2 and 3 , or rather the assemblable modules forming the containment walls 2 and 3 , rigidly to one another .

In addition, the transversal spacers 6 are separated and distinct from the containment walls 2 and 3 , have a modular structure , and are rigidly anchored to both containment walls 2 and 3 .

Preferably, the transversal spacers 6 are moroever distributed in a substantially regular manner over the entire extension of the containment walls 2 and 3 , so that each assemblable module of the containment wall 2 is rigidly connected to the facing assemblable module ( s ) of the containment wall 3 , and vice versa, in a plurality of anchoring points .

With reference to Figures 1 , 2 and 3 , in particular, the containment wall 2 is basically made up of a series of substantially parallelepiped-shape , rigid large assemblable blocks of thermal insulation material 10 with a modular structure , which are made of polymeric-material foam and are arranged tightly adj oined to one another, preferably according to a substantially quincunx spatial distribution, so as to form substantially the entire containment wall 2 .

In other words , the blocks of thermal insulation material 10 all have substantially the same shape .

Preferably, the blocks of thermal insulation material 10 are moreover shaped/ structured so that they can interlock or otherwise couple firmly to one another preferably substantially in a liquid-cement-tight manner, i . e . so that the liquid cement is prevented from freely seeping between the blocks of thermal insulation material 10 .

In more detail , the blocks of thermal insulation material 10 preferably are oblong parallelepiped in shape , and are arranged one tightly adj oined to the other with the two maj or faces of the parallelepiped locally substantially parallel to the lying plane of the containment wall 2 , i . e . in a substantially vertical position, and with the two intermediate faces and the two minor faces of the parallelepiped locally substantially perpendicular to the lying plane of the containment wall 2 .

Clearly, one of the two maj or faces of the block of thermal insulation material 10 faces the containment wall 3 and contributes to delimiting the gap 4 .

In the example shown, in particular, the blocks of thermal insulation material 10 are preferably substantially rectangular-parallelepiped in shape . In other words , the two maj or faces , the two intermediate faces and the two minor faces of the block of thermal insulation material 10 are all substantially rectangular in shape .

In addition, the blocks of thermal insulation material 10 have a length preferably ranging between 1000 and 1400 mm (millimetres ) , and optionally equal to about 1200 mm; a height hi preferably ranging between 300 and 600 mm, and optionally equal to about 525 mm; and a depth preferably ranging between 50 and 1200 mm, and optionally equal to about 100 , 125 , 150 , 200 , 250 or 300 mm .

Lastly, the assemblable blocks of thermal insulation material 10 are preferably made of expanded polystyrene , and are preferably shaped/ structured so that they can firmly interlock to one another at the two intermediate faces and/or the two minor faces of the parallelepiped .

With reference to figures 1 , 2 , 3 and 4 , the containment wall 3 in turn comprises : a series of substantially parallelogram-shaped, rigid large assemblable infill boards or panels 12 with a modular structure , which are preferably made of solid wood or plasterboard, preferably have a thickness lower than 50 mm, and are arranged one tightly adj oined to the other, preferably according to a substantially quincunx spatial distribution, so as to form substantially the entire containment wall 3 ; and a plurality of interconnection j oints 13 , separated and distinct from the infill boards 12 , which are distributed along the edges of the various infill boards 12 and are adapted to rigidly connect the infill boards 12 to each other in pairs .

In other words , the interconnection j oints 13 are interposed between pairs of substantially coplanar and mutually adj acent infill boards 12 , and are adapted to simultaneously couple to both infill boards 12 , along the edges of the boards , so as to rigidly connect the same boards to one another .

Clearly the assemblable infill boards or panels 12 could be made of wood and composites , gypsum and composites , mineral fibres and composites , plastics or light metal alloys .

Similarly to the blocks of thermal insulation material 10 , also the infill boards 12 have all substantially the same shape and the interconnection j oints 13 have all substantially the same shape .

With reference to Figures 1 to 8 , moroever, the interconnection j oints 13 are adapted to firmly fit and interlock simultaneously on the edges of both infill boards 12 , so that they cannot freely slide along the edges of the same infill boards 12 , and are additionally shaped so as to embrace each infill board 12 on the opposite sides thereof .

In more detail , each interconnection j oint 13 i s structured so as to straddle the edge of both infill boards 12 , so as to protrude outside the two infill boards 12 , on opposite sides of the same boards , and then to extend locally substantially skimming the outer 12a and inner 12b faces of the same infill boards 12 .

In addition, each interconnection j oint 13 is adapted to simultaneously engage a corresponding pair of conj ugated and facing transversal rectilinear slots 14 , which preferably have substantially the same dimensions , and are made aligned with and opposite to each other, on the conj ugated and facing edges of the two infill boards 12 adj acent to the same interconnection j oint 13 .

In other words , each of the two transversal rectilinear slots 14 engaged by the interconnection j oint 13 , is realised on the edge of a respective infill board 12 , and extends inside the same infill board 12 while remaining substantially aligned with the homologous transversal rectilinear slot 14 realised on the other infill board 12 .

Preferably each of the two transversal rectilinear slots 14 engaged by the interconnection j oint 13 , moreover extends inside the corresponding infill board 12 while remaining substantially perpendicular to the edge of the same board .

In addition, the transversal spacers 6 of modular formwork 1 are adapted to rigidly connect the various interconnection j oints 13 of containment wall 3 to containment wall 2 , or rather to the blocks of thermal insulation material 10 forming the containment wall 2 .

In more detail , the transversal spacers 6 are separated and distinct from the interconnection j oints 13 , and are structured so as to be able to rigidly anchor/ fix to said interconnection j oints 13 .

In other words , each transversal spacer 6 has a first end firmly anchored/anchorable to a corresponding interconnection j oint 13 of containment wall 3 , and a second end firmly anchored/anchorable to the facing block of thermal insulation material 10 of containment wall 2 .

With reference to Figures 1 and 4 , in particular, the infill boards 12 are preferably arranged tightly adj oined and coplanar to one another, with the two maj or sides of the infill board 12 in a substantially hori zontal position; and the interconnection j oints 13 are preferably distributed along the maj or sides of the various infill boards 12 .

In more detail , each infill board 12 has , along the two maj or sides thereof , a series of transversal rectilinear slots 14 , which cross the entire thickness of the infill board 12 and preferably extends inside the infill board 12 while remaining locally substantially perpendicular to the corresponding maj or side of the board .

Preferably, the transversal rectilinear slots 14 are moreover spaced in a substantially regular manner along the entire length of the corresponding maj or side of the infill board 12 . In addition, the transversal rectilinear slots 14 present on one maj or side of the infill board 12 are preferably substantially aligned with the transversal rectilinear slots 14 present on the other maj or side of the same infill board 12 .

In other words , the transversal rectilinear slots 14 are distributed in a substantially specular manner on the two opposite sides of the infill board 12 .

In the example shown, in particular, the infill boards 12 are substantially rectangular in shape .

In addition, the various infill boards 12 preferably have a length (. substantially equal to the length of the blocks of thermal insulation material 10 and/or a height h ₂ substantially equal to hal f the height hi of the blocks of thermal insulation material 10 .

In more detail , in the example shown, each infill board 12 has a length t ₂ preferably ranging between 1000 and 1400 mm (millimetres ) , and optionally equal to about 1200 mm; and a height h ₂ preferably ranging between 250 and 275 mm, and optionally equal to about 262 . 5 mm . The thickness of the infill boards 12 , on the other hand, preferably ranges between 10 and 50 mm, and it is optionally equal to about 25 mm .

Clearly, the length (. of the infill boards 12 could also be a multiple or submultiple of the length of the blocks of thermal insulation material 10 .

Similarly, the height h2 of the infill boards 12 could also be a multiple or submultiple of the height hi of the blocks of thermal insulation material 10 .

Preferably the transversal rectilinear slots 14 are moroever distributed on the two maj or sides of the infill board 12 with a substantially constant pitch p , optionally with a value ranging between 150 and 250 mm .

In more detail , with particular reference to Figure 4 , in the example shown each infill board 12 is preferably provided with six transversal rectilinear slots 14 that are distributed on each maj or side of the infill board 12 , with a pitch p preferably equal to about 200 mm .

Preferably, the transversal rectilinear slots 14 , on the other hand, have a length (.3 greater than 200 mm and optionally also lower than one third of the height h2 of the infill boards 12 , and/or a substantially constant width wi optionally greater than or equal to 4 mm.

In more detail , in the example shown each transversal rectilinear slot 14 has a width w preferably ranging between 5 and 20 mm and optionally equal to about 6 mm; and/or a length £ ₃ preferably ranging between 30 and 70 mm (millimetres ) and optionally equal to about 50 mm .

With reference to figures 1 to 8 , each interconnection j oint 13 , on the other hand, has a rigid oblong and substantially straight structure , with a roughly H-shaped transversal profile , and is adapted to simultaneously engage , with its central flat web, the transversal rectilinear slots 14 of both infill boards 12 , arranging the wings locally substantially skimming the outer 12a and inner 12b faces of the same infill boards 12 .

In addition, each interconnection j oint 13 has an overall length preferably greater than the sum of the lengths £3 of the two transversal rectilinear slots 14 forming said pair of conj ugated and facing transversal rectilinear slots 14 , and preferably also lower than or equal to the nominal height h2 of the infill boards 12 .

In more detail , in the example shown, the overall length of the interconnection j oints 13 is preferably substantially equal to the height h2 of the infill boards 12 , so that the interconnection j oints 13 can be arranged with ends abutting against each other .

Preferably, each interconnection j oint 13 is additionally provided, at the opposite ends thereof , with speci fic male- female coupling members 15 that allow the ends of the various interconnection j oints 13 to interlock with one another .

With reference to Figures 4 to 8 , in particular, each interconnection j oint 13 preferably has a monolithic structure , and is preferably made of metal or a high density plastic material , such as for example polystyrene ( PS ) , polyethylene ( PE ) or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS ) .

In addition, each interconnection j oint 13 is preferably provided with a large oblong plate-like portion 16 that is adapted to be arranged, about the two transversal rectilinear slots 14 , in abutment against the inner face 12b of the two infill boards 12 to be rigidly connected to one another ; with an oblong plate-like ridge 17 that j uts out from the oblong plate-like portion 16 orthogonally to the latter, extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the oblong plate-like portion 16 preferably roughly in the centre of the same portion, and is adapted to simultaneously engage both transversal rectilinear slots 14 of said pair of conj ugated and facing transversal rectilinear slots 14 , protruding from the opposite side of the two infill boards 12 ; and finally with an oblong plate-like head 18 , which is located on top of the oblong plate-like ridge 17 so as to j ut out cantilevered from the ridge while remaining locally substantially skimming the outer face 12a of the two infill boards 12 , and is shaped/dimensioned so as to prevent the oblong plate-like ridge 17 from being extracted from the transversal rectilinear slots 14 orthogonally to the infill boards 12 .

In more detail , the oblong plate-like head 18 is preferably structured so as to protrude cantilevered from the top of the oblong plate-like ridge 17 substantially along the whole perimeter of the ridge , while remaining locally substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the oblong plate-like portion 16 below .

Clearly, the oblong plate-like ridge 17 forms the central flat web of the interconnection j oint 13 .

With reference to Figures 5, 6 , 7 and 8 , in the example shown, in particular, the oblong plate-like portion 16 of interconnection j oint 13 is preferably substantially elongated rectangular in shape . Pre ferably, the oblong plate-like portion 16 moroever has a width W2 much greater than the width wi of the transversal rectilinear slots 14 , and/or a length much greater than the sum of the lengths £ ₃ of the two transversal rectilinear slots 14 forming said pair of conj ugated and facing transversal rectilinear slots 14 .

In more detail , the width W2 of the oblong plate-like portion 16 preferably ranges between 30 and 50 mm, and is optionally equal to about 40 mm . On the other hand, the length £4 of the oblong plate-like portion 16 is preferably substantially equal to the height h2 of the infill boards

12 , so that the minor sides of the oblong plate-like portions 16 of two adj acent interconnection j oints 13 can abut to one another .

Preferably, the male- female coupling members 15 moreover consist of substantially dovetail-shaped protruding fins and of complementary-shaped seats or recesses suitably placed along the minor sides of the oblong plate-like portion 16 .

The oblong plate-like ridge 17 of interconnection j oint

13 , on the other hand, preferably has a shape roughly complementary to that of the two transversal rectilinear slots 14 forming said pair of conj ugated and facing transversal rectilinear slots 14 .

In other words , the oblong plate-like ridge 17 preferably has a height hs that over-approximates the thickness of the infill boards 12 , and a thickness s that under-approximates the width of the two transversal rectilinear slots 14 forming said pair of conj ugated and facing transversal rectilinear slots 14 .

Preferably, the oblong plate-like ridge 17 furthermore has a length £5 that under-approximates the sum of the lengths £3 of the two transversal rectilinear slots 14 forming said pair of conj ugated and facing transversal rectilinear slots 14 . With reference to Figures 5 , 6 , 7 and 8 , similarly to the oblong plate-like portion 16 , also the oblong plate-like head 18 of interconnection j oint 13 is preferably substantially elongated rectangular in shape , and is preferably centred on top of the oblong plate-like ridge 17 .

In addition, the oblong plate-like head 18 has a width W3 preferably lower than or equal to the width W2 of the oblong plate-like portion 16 , and/or a length preferably lower than the length £4 of the oblong plate-like portion 16 .

In the example shown, in particular, the width W3 of the oblong plate-like head 18 is preferably substantially equal to the width W2 of the oblong plate-like portion 16 , whereas the length is preferably greater than hal f the length £4 of the oblong plate-like portion 16 .

With reference to Figures 1 , 2 , 3 , 6 and 8 , the transversal spacers 6 , on the other hand, are preferably structured so as to rigidly couple onto the oblong platelike portion 16 of the interconnection j oint 13 , on the side opposite to the oblong plate-like ridge 17 .

In more detail , each interconnection j oint 13 i s preferably also provided with a large longitudinal reinforcing rib 19 that extends along the oblong plate-like portion 16 , on the side opposite to the oblong plate-like ridge 17 , and is preferably moreover substantially coplanar to the oblong plate-like ridge 17 . The/each transversal spacer 6 , in turn, is preferably structured so as to be f ixed/coupled directly onto the longitudinal reinforcing rib 19 of the interconnection j oint 13 .

In the example shown, in particular, each interconnection j oint 13 is preferably provided with a rectilinear groove 20 with a substantially dovetailed profi le , which extends on top of the longitudinal reinforcing rib 19 , preferably over the entire length of the rib .

Each transversal spacer 6 , in turn, is preferably structured so as to be able to firmly interlock inside the rectilinear groove 20 of the interconnection j oint 13 , optionally with the capability of freely sliding along the rectilinear groove 20 .

In addition, with reference to Figures 1 and 3 , each block of thermal insulation material 10 is preferably provided, on the maj or inner face thereof ( i . e . on the face that contributes to delimiting the gap 4 ) , with a series of rectilinear transversal grooves 21 having a substantially dovetailed profile , which extend from one side of the maj or face to the other, and are distributed according to a spacing that is complementary to that of the interconnection j oints 13 , or rather complementary to the spacing of the transversal rectilinear slots 14 on the maj or sides of the infill boards 12 , so that each rectilinear groove 21 is aligned with a respective interconnection j oint 13 . Preferably, the profile of the rectilinear grooves 21 is furthermore substantially the same as the profile of the rectilinear grooves 20 of the interconnection j oints 13 .

Each transversal spacer 6 , in addition, is preferably structured so that it can firmly interlock into any one of the transversal rectilinear grooves 21 present on the maj or face of the facing block of thermal insulation material 10 , optionally with the capability of freely sliding along the rectilinear groove 21 .

With reference to Figures 1 and 2 , in the example shown, in particular, each transversal spacer 6 preferably consists of a small rigid substantially H-shaped frame , which has the two vertical uprights 22 shaped so that they can interlock, preferably in freely sliding manner, one into the rectilinear groove 20 of the interconnection j oint 13 , and the other into any one of the rectilinear grooves 21 of the block of thermal insulation material 10 .

In addition, the distance between the two vertical uprights 22 is preferably equal to about 150 , 200 , 250 or 300 mm .

Preferably the rigid frame is lastly made of metal or high-density plastic material , such as for example polystyrene ( PS ) , polyethylene ( PE ) or acrylonitrile- butadiene-styrene (ABS ) .

General operation of modular formwork 1 is easy inferable from what written above and therefore does not require further explanation .

As regards the interconnection j oints 13 , the oblong plate-like portion 16 serves , together with the oblong platelike head 18 , to stably direct and confine the assembly of the boards 12 . The oblong plate-like portion 16 moreover serves to prevent or at least minimise the percolation of concrete through the transversal rectilinear slots 14 . Which phenomenon could af fect the stability and functionality of the formwork system as a whole .

The advantages connected to the special structure of modular formwork 1 are remarkable .

With the aid of modular formwork 1 , it is possible to realise a reinforced concrete wall with high thermal insulation, in which the inner face of the wall is made of a material that does not emit harmful gases in the event of fire , and can moreover have a signi ficantly higher fire resistance than the blocks of expanded polystyrene, with the greater safety that this entails .

The modular formwork 1 , therefore , can be more easily used also for types of construction where the fire behaviour of the structure is particularly important , such as for example schools , hotels , restaurants , etc . Now it is no longer necessary to place additional , expensive internal layered claddings to protect the polystyrene foam blocks . In addition, the modular formwork 1 allows the realisation of reinforced concrete walls with high thermal insulation, wherein the inner face of the wall is made of an environmentally friendly and/or low impact material .

Furthermore , the special structure of the modular formwork 1 makes it possible to signi ficantly reduce the overall thickness of the reinforced concrete walls with high thermal insulation, without signi ficantly reducing the thermal insulation properties of the product .

The containment wall 3 , in fact , has a much lower thickness than that of the containment wall 2 , and experimental tests have shown that the layer made of polymeric-material foam inside the building contributes only marginally to the thermal insulation properties of the wall , so it can be validly replaced by a layer of wood or plasterboard .

Furthermore , the infill boards 12 have a much lower thickness than polystyrene foam blocks , and therefore allow reducing logistics costs ( lower volumes of material to be transported) .

Clearly, the modular formwork 1 allows also to reduce the overall finishing costs for the wall .

Optionally, the modular formworks 1 additionally allow the removal and reuse of the infill boards 12 with the savings that this entails . Finally, the infill boards 12 have a much higher rigidity, hardness and mechanical strength than the polymeric-material foam, thus the reinforced concrete wall obtained with the aid of the modular formwork 1 has a higher structural strength .

It is finally clear that modi fications and variants can be made to the modular formwork 1 described above without however departing from the scope of the present invention .

For example , with reference to Figure 9 , in a di f ferent embodiment , the containment wall 2 has an assemblable modular structure identical to that of the containment wall 3 .

In other words , instead of being formed by a series of blocks of thermal insulation material 10 arranged one next to the other, the containment wall 2 comprises : a series of substantially parallelogram-shaped, rigid assemblable infill boards or panels 12 with a modular structure , which are preferably made of wood or plasterboard, preferably have a thickness lower 50 mm, and are arranged one tightly adj oined to the other, preferably according to a substantially quincunx spatial distribution, so as to form substantially the entire containment wall 3 ; and a plurality of interconnection j oints 13 , separated and distinct from the infill boards 12 , which are distributed along the edges of the various infill boards 12 and are adapted to connect the infill boards 12 rigidly to one another . With reference to Figures 10 to 13 , additionally the various interconnection j oints 13 , instead of having a monolithic structure , may be divided into two separated and mutually distinct pieces , which are complementary in shape and are f ixed/coupled or couplable to one another in a rigid and stable , though easily detachable manner, so as to allow a person to easily detach/ separate the infill boards 12 from the interconnection j oints 13 , after the cement has solidi fied inside the gap 4 . Clearly, the two complementary shaped pieces are even preferably made of metal or plastic .

In this way, the infill boards 12 do not remain stably incorporated in the reinforced concrete wall and can therefore be reused .

In more detail , with reference to Figure 10 , in a first embodiment variation, the interconnection j oint 13 is preferably divided into a first piece 30 which is shaped so as to form the oblong plate-like portion 16 of the interconnection j oint 13 and preferably also the longitudinal reinforcing rib 19 , and into a second piece 31 which is shaped so as to form the oblong plate-like ridge 17 and the oblong plate-like head 18 of the interconnection j oint 13 .

In this variation, the interconnection j oint 13 additionally comprises also one or more anchoring screws 32 , which are adapted to fix the pieces 30 and 31 to one another in a rigid and stable , thought easily detachable manner . In more detail , in the example shown, the anchoring screw ( s ) 32 pass through the piece 31 from side to side at the oblong plate-like ridge 17 , and screw firmly into the piece 30 in removable manner .

With reference to Figures 11 and 12 , in a second embodiment variation, on the other hand, the interconnection j oint 13 is preferably divided into a first piece 40 which is shaped so as to form the oblong plate-like portion 16 of interconnection j oint 13 and preferably also the longitudinal reinforcing rib 19 , and into a second piece 31 which is shaped so as to form the oblong plate-like ridge 17 and the oblong plate-like head 18 of the interconnection j oint 13 .

The pieces 40 and 41 are furthermore shaped so as to interlock to one another in detachable manner preferably by means of a linear sliding bayonet coupling .

In more detail , the piece 41 has two L-shaped fixing tabs 42 that protrude cantilevered from the base of the oblong plate-like ridge 17 and are adapted to be inserted into and firmly interlock inside respective slots 43 specially made on piece 40 , in the area corresponding to the oblong plate-like portion 16 of interconnection j oint 13 .

With reference to Figure 13 , finally, in a third embodiment variation, the interconnection j oint 13 is preferably divided into a first piece 50 which is shaped so as to form the oblong plate-like portion 16 , the oblong plate-like ridge 17 and preferably also the longitudinal reinforcing rib 19 of the interconnection j oint 13 , and into a second piece 51 which is shaped so as to form only the oblong plate-like head 18 of the interconnection j oint 13 .

The pieces 50 and 51 are furthermore shaped so as to interlock to one another in detachable manner preferably by means of a linear sliding bayonet coupling .

In more detail , the piece 50 has two L-shaped fixing tabs 52 that protrude cantilevered from the top of the oblong plate-like ridge 17 and are adapted to fit and firmly locked into respective slots 53 specially made on piece 51 .