"Permanent Formwork Member for a Column or Beam Support Member"

[0001] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises", "comprising" and

"comprised" are to be understood to imply the presence of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0002] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "include" and variations such as "includes", "including" and "included" are to be understood to imply the presence of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a permanent formwork member for a column or a beam, and to a column and beam (being a support member) incorporating a respective such column or beam.

Background Art

[0004] Any discussion of background art, any reference to a document and any reference to information that is known, which is contained in this specification, is provided only for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the background art to the present invention, and is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of that material forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia or any other country as at the priority date of the application in relation to which this specification has been filed.

[0005] Columns are used as upright, or vertical, support members and beams are used as horizontal support members in building and infrastructure

construction. Whilst various types of reinforced concrete columns and beams have been used, these are often made onsite. [0006] The present invention provides an alternative for a column and beam in which the permanent support formwork for the column or beam is made offsite in a factory.

Summary of Invention

[0007] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a permanent formwork member comprising

[0008] a plurality of sheets to form longitudinally extending walls of the permanent formwork member, each of the walls arranged adjacent at least one of the other walls and substantially at a right angle thereto to at least partly surround an interior space, and

[0009] a plurality of reinforcing rib means provided at respective spaced locations in the interior space along the length of the walls of the permanent formwork member,

[0010] wherein at each of the spaced locations, the reinforcing rib means engage with the walls.

[0011] Preferably, the reinforcing rib means are fixed to the sheets that form the walls.

[0012] In one embodiment, each reinforcing rib means is formed as a single piece.

[0013] In one embodiment, the reinforcing rib means are formed from individual strips that are folded in at least three segments.

[0014] In other embodiments, each reinforcing rib means is formed as at least two pieces, parts or sections. The at least two pieces, parts or sections may be connected together; alternatively, the at least two pieces, parts or sections are not connected together, i.e. they are separate.

[0015] Preferably, in the case of the reinforcing rib means being formed of at least two pieces, parts or sections, the pieces, parts or sections of a reinforcing rib means are provided with engagement means to connect together the pieces, parts or sections of the reinforcing rib means. [0016] The at least two pieces, parts or sections may be strips, such as rib member strips.

[0017] The reinforcing rib means may be provided with openings therein.

[0018] Preferably, reinforcing bars are provided in the interior space.

[0019] In one embodiment, the sheets surround a space on all sides to thereby form a permanent formwork member suitable for a column.

[0020] In an alternative embodiment, the sheets do not completely surround a space on all sides to thereby form a permanent formwork member suitable for a beam.

[0021] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a support member comprising

[0022] a permanent formwork member as herein before described, and

[0023] cementitious filler material provided in the interior space.

[0024] Preferably, reinforcing bars are provided in the cementitious filler material provided in the interior space.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0025] The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :

[0026] Figure 1 is a first perspective view of a first embodiment of a permanent formwork member, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, for a column;

[0027] Figure 2 is a top view of the permanent formwork member shown in Figure 1 ;

[0028] Figure 3 is a second perspective view showing the interior of the permanent formwork member shown in Figure 1 ;

[0029] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a rib member of the permanent formwork member shown in Figure 1; [0030] Figure 5 is a cross sectional side view showing the retention of a rib member in a formwork sheet of the permanent formwork member shown in Figure 1 ;

[0031] Figure 6 is a first perspective view of a permanent formwork member, of the type shown in Figure 1, with reinforcing bars in position in the permanent formwork member;

[0032] Figure 7 is a plan view of the permanent formwork member shown in Figure 6;

[0033] Figure 8 is a second perspective view of the permanent formwork member, shown in Figure 6, showing the interior of the permanent formwork member;

[0034] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a rib member of a second embodiment of a permanent formwork member in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 10 is a perspective view of two of the rib members, of the type shown in Figure 9, showing the complimentary engagement to form the corners of the rib member shown in Figure 9;

[0036] Figure 11 a cross sectional detail side view of the engagement between two of the strips of the rib member shown in Figure 9;

[0037] Figure 12 is a top view of a permanent formwork member incorporating rib members of the type shown in Figure 9;

[0038] Figure 13 is a plan view of a permanent formwork member, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, incorporating rib members of the type shown in Figure 9 and with reinforcing bars in position in the permanent formwork member;

[0039] Figure 14 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a rib member of a third embodiment of a permanent formwork member in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 15 is a plan view of the rib member shown in Figure 14; [0041] Figure 16 is a cross section view of the rib member shown in Figure 15 taken along the line A-A;

[0042] Figure 17 is a top view of a permanent formwork member incorporating rib members of the type shown in Figure 14;

[0043] Figure 18 is a plan view of a permanent formwork member, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, incorporating rib members of the type shown in Figure 14 and with reinforcing bars in position in the permanent formwork member;

[0044] Figure 19 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a rib member of a fourth embodiment of a permanent formwork member in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 20 is a plan view of the rib member shown in Figure 19;

[0046] Figure 21 is a cross section view of the rib member shown in Figure 20 taken along the line B-B;

[0047] Figure 22 is a top view of a permanent formwork member incorporating rib members of the type shown in Figure 19;

[0048] Figure 23 is a plan view of a permanent formwork member, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, incorporating rib members of the type shown in Figure 19 and with reinforcing bars in position in the permanent formwork member;

[0049] Figure 24 is a first perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a permanent formwork member, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, for a column;

[0050] Figure 25 is a top view of the permanent formwork member shown in Figure 24, without the corner beading;

[0051] Figure 26 is a detail view of a corner join of the permanent formwork member shown in Figure 25;

[0052] Figure 27 is a perspective view of a sheet used to make a wall of the permanent formwork member shown in Figure 24; [0053] Figure 28 is detail view of a first corner of the permanent formwork member shown in Figure 27;

[0054] Figure 29 is a detail view of a second corner of the permanent formwork member shown in Figure 27;

[0055] Figure 30 is a perspective view showing the placement of strips of rib members in the grooves in a sheet used to make a wall of the permanent formwork member shown in Figure 24;

[0056] Figure 31 is a second perspective view of the permanent formwork member, according to the fifth embodiment, showing a corner bead in the process of being fixed to a wall of the permanent formwork member;

[0057] Figure 32 is a detail view of a corner of the permanent formwork member shown in Figure 31 ;

[0058] Figure 33 is a plan view of a permanent formwork member, according to the fifth embodiment, incorporating rib members according to the fifth

embodiment and with reinforcing bars in position in the permanent formwork member;

[0059] Figure 34 is a first perspective view of an embodiment of a permanent formwork member, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, for a beam;

[0060] Figure 35 is an end view of the permanent formwork member shown in Figure 34;

[0061] Figure 36 is a second perspective view showing the interior of the permanent formwork member shown in Figure 34;

[0062] Figure 37 is a perspective view of the arrangement of the rib members of the permanent formwork member shown in Figure 34;

[0063] Figure 38 is a perspective view of end portions of two of the rib members, shown in Figure 37, showing the complimentary engagement to form the join of the arrangement shown in Figure 37;

[0064] Figure 39 is a cross sectional detail side view of the engagement between the two rib members shown in Figure 37; [0065] Figure 40 is a cross sectional longitudinal view showing the retention of a rib member in a formwork sheet of the permanent formwork member shown in Figure 34;

[0066] Figure 41 is a first perspective view of a permanent formwork member, of the type shown in Figure 34, with reinforcing bars in position in the permanent formwork member;

[0067] Figure 42 is an end view of the permanent formwork member shown in Figure 41;

[0068] Figure 43 is a cross section view showing an alternative embodiment for joining the sheets that form the walls of the embodiments of the permanent formwork member, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, for a column and for a beam;

[0069] Figure 44 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the sheets, that form the walls of a column, joined together by the alternative joining embodiment shown in Figure 43;

[0070] Figure 45 is an end view of the embodiment of the joined sheets shown in Figure 44;

[0071] Figure 46 shows a series of elevation views showing a process for making a sixth embodiment of a rib member, of a permanent formwork member in accordance with the present invention;

[0072] Figure 47 is perspective view of a rectangular rib member made in accordance with the process shown in Figure 46;

[0073] Figure 48 is a top view of an embodiment of a permanent formwork member (for a column) having rib members made in accordance with the process shown in Figure 46;

[0074] Figure 49 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a permanent formwork member, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, for a beam in which the sheets that form the walls are joined together by the alternative joining embodiment shown in Figure 43; [0075] Figure 50 shows a series of elevation views showing a process for making the embodiment of the rib member of the permanent formwork member for a beam shown in Figure 49; and

[0076] Figure 51 Figure 51 is an end view of an embodiment of a beam permanent formwork member that shows an example of how different

components from the various embodiments herein before described can be used to create the beam permanent formwork member.

Description of Embodiments

[0077] In Figures 1 to 3, there is shown an embodiment of a permanent formwork member 1 for a column, also referred to herein as the column formwork member 1. (This nomenclature is also used in subsequent embodiments of permanent formwork members 2, 3, 4 and 5 for a column). The column is intended to be used as an upright support member in building construction.

[0078] The column formwork member 1 comprises a plurality of sheets 10 and reinforcing means provided as rib members 14. The sheets 10 form longitudinally extending walls 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d (collectively referred to as the walls 12) of the column formwork member 1. Each of the walls 12 comprises one or more sheets 10. The sheets 10 may be made of cementitious material, and are also referred to herein as cementitious sheets 10. More than one sheet 10 may be used for a wall 12 when the height of the column formwork member 1 exceeds approximately three (3) metres. The width of the walls 12 is varied in accordance with the requirements of the building for which the column formwork member 1 will be used. A typical width may be, for example, 600 mm. The overall shape of a wall 12 may be square or rectangular. The rib members 14 are provided at spaced locations 16 along the length of the walls 12 of the column formwork member 1. The spacing between the spaced locations 16 is varied in accordance with the requirements of the building for which the column formwork member 1 will be used. A typical spacing may be 500 mm.

[0079] Each of the walls 12 is arranged adjacent at least one (in particular, two) of the other walls 12 and substantially at a right angle thereto to surround an interior space 18. The rib members 14 are provided at spaced locations along the length of the walls 12 of the column formwork member 1 in the interior space 18. [0080] The rib members 14 are substantially in the form of sections or strips 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d in a square shaped or rectangular shaped arrangement. The rib members 14 are made in one piece such that there are no connections between the strips 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d of a rib member 14.

[0081] The rib members 14, for example, may be made of metallic material or a composite material, such as reinforced plastic, e.g. glass reinforced plastic or fibre reinforced plastic.

[0082] The rib members 14, for example, may be made by laser cutting from a sheet of material.

[0083] The rib members 14 are provided with openings, or cut-out sections, 20. The openings 20 are provided in the strips 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d.

[0084] Slots, or grooves, 46 are cut into the cementitious sheets 10 at the spaced locations 16. In addition, the edges of the slots 46, which are adjacent to the surfaces of the cementitious sheets, are formed with chamfered edges 48 that taper inwardly from the surface of the sheet 10 such that the openings of the slots 46 are wider than the lower part of the slots 46. This arrangement may be seen, for example, in Figure 5.

[0085] The cementitious sheets 10 are routered or cut adjacent their longitudinal edges such that longitudinally extending tongues 50, grooves 52 or a respective tongue 50 and groove 52 are formed adjacent their longitudinal edges. Figure 2 of the drawings best shows this arrangement, as will be further described herein.

[0086] An additional step may be applied to the rib members 14 during their manufacture, i.e. prior to being connected together as herein before described. In particular, the edges of the rib members 14 may be de-burred, e.g. using a deburring machine, such that the edges are rounded. This is best seen in Figure 5, by reference numeral 56.

[0087] The slots 46 are filled with adhesive 54. The adhesive 54 may be a high strength structural polymer adhesive. A respective strip 14a of each of the rib members 14 is inserted into the adhesive filled slots 46 of a sheet, or sheets, 10 that will form a first wall 12a of the column formwork member 1. This joins the (substantially square-shaped or rectangular shaped) rib members 14 to the sheet/s 10 of the first wall 12a. The strips 14b, 14c and 14d of the rib members 14 are inserted into sheets 10 that form the other three walls 12b, 12c and 12d, respectively, of the column formwork member 1. This can be done by pressing the sheets 10 onto the framework created by the plurality of rib members 14 such that rib members 14 are received in respective slots 46.

[0088] The provision of the chamfered edges 48 on the slots 46 and the rounded edges 56 (shown in Figure 5) on the rib members 14 facilitate insertion of the rounded edges 56 into the slots 46.

[0089] The sheet/s 10 that form the respective walls 12 are joined adjacent their longitudinal edges by the tongues 50 and/or grooves 52 of the sheets 10 forming one wall 12 engaging in the grooves 52 and/or tongues 50 of the sheet/s 10 forming an adjacent wall 12. In the drawings, this is best seen in Figure 2, as is the arrangement of the rib members 14 in the sheets 10.

[0090] Each of the walls 12 is arranged substantially at a right angle to its respective adjoining walls 12. Accordingly, the column formwork member 1 is substantially square or rectangular in end profile.

[0091] In the drawings, Figure 3 shows the joined walls 12 and the joined rib members 14 at spaced apart locations 16 along the length of the column formwork member 1.

[0092] The substantially square-shaped or rectangular shaped rib members 14 provide a substantially stiff rib framework for the column formwork member 1.

[0093] With reference to Figures 6, 7 and 8, after the column formwork member 1, comprising the joined walls 12 and the rib members 14 joined to the sheets 10, has been formed, reinforcing bars 60 and ligatures and/or stirrups 62 may be fixed inside the interior space 18 of the column formwork member 1. This may be done in the factory or at the building construction site. Alternatively, the reinforcing bars 60 and ligatures and/or stirrups 62 may be a single structure, which is inserted into the interior space 18 of the column formwork member 1. In each case, the result is a column formwork member 1 that is fair faced, self- supporting internally, reinforced, and can be transported to the building construction site.

[0094] The column formwork members 1 may be transported to the building construction site and craned into position with the reinforcing bars 60 and ligatures 62 inside the interior space 18 if required. In the drawings, this is shown in Figure 6. They are stood upright, plumbed and levelled using traditional adjustable falsework. In the drawings, this is shown in Figure 8, where two of the walls 12 are omitted to show the interior of the column formwork member 1.

[0095] Concrete or other suitable cementitious material may then be poured into the interior space 18 to fill the column formwork member 1. It may also be vibrated using an immersion vibrator. Once the cementitious material has set, the column is formed.

[0096] The tongues 50 and groves 52 provide an effective joining of sheets 10 in adjacent walls 12. For example, and with particular reference to Figure 2, if the sheet/s 10 of wall 12b is curling up along its length due to drying out, the semicircle tongue 50 and groove 52 act as a homing joint when sheet 10 of wall 12c and sheet 10 of wall 12a are pressed towards sheet 10 of wall 12b. Similarly, after the reinforcing bars 60 are tied into the column formwork member 1, the sheet 10 of the wall 12d is guided onto the semi closed column formwork member 1. This forces the free edges of the sheet/s 10 of the walls 12a and 12c (i.e. the edges at which the tongues 50 of the walls 12a and 12c are located) to 'pull' straight as the sheet/s 10 of the final wall 12d are fixed to the walls 12a and 12c using the tongues 50 (of the sheets 10 of walls 12a and 12c) and groves 52 (of the sheet/s 10 of the wall 12d).

[0097] The openings 20 in the rib members 14 provide several advantages. Firstly, they lighten the weight of the rib members 14 by removing unnecessary material from the rib members 14 thus reducing transport costs, cranage requirements, fuel use and CO2 emissions. Secondly, they provide an area for ingress of concrete equal to at least 50% of the area in that plane of the rib members 14. This is significant for the continuity of concrete, after the concrete pour (as will be further described herein) in that plane to keep the completed column substantially monolithic. The openings 20 also serve to key the rib members 14, and in turn the sheets 10, into the concrete element once the concrete in the interior space 18 has set. This ensures that there is substantially no possibility of delamination of the walls 12 away from the concrete, inside the space 18, in the long term. Thirdly, they also help to mechanically retain the lining on the concrete of the column as a fire lining during a fire event. The lining also acts as a physical concrete curing membrane after the concrete has been poured . [0098] The structural bond between the rib members 14 and the sheets 10 of the walls 12 resists all of the force transfers imposed thereupon by the hydrostatic forces of the cementitious filler material.

[0099] Figures 9 to 13 show a second embodiment of a rib member 214 for a column formwork member 2 (shown in Figures 12 and 13) in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

[00100] Whilst the rib member 14 is in one piece, comprising strips 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d, the rib member 214 comprises individual, i.e. separate, strips 214a, 214b, 214c and 214d that are connected together via engagement means.

[00101] Each of the strip 214a, 214b, 214c and 214d of the rib members 214 is provided with either an engagement member of the type 222a adjacent a first end 224 and a second end 226, or an engagement member of the type 222b adjacent a first end 224 and a second end 226. Accordingly, the strips 214a and 214c are provided with engagement members 222a adjacent their respective first and second ends 224 and 226, and the strips 214b and 214d are provided with engagement members 222b adjacent their respective first and second ends 224 and 226. In the drawings, the engagement members 222a and 222b are best seen in Figure 10.

[00102] The engagement members 222a and 222b are complementary (i.e. male and female engagement members) such that an engagement member 222a of a first strip 214a is able to engage with the engagement member 222b of a second strip 214b.

[00103] In the embodiment shown in Figures 9 to 13 of the drawings, the engagement members 222a are provided as substantially square-shaped portions adjacent respective first and second ends 224 and 226 of the strips 214a and 214c, and the engagement members 222b are provided as substantially square- shaped portions adjacent respective first and second ends 224 and 226 of the strips 214b and 214d .

[00104] With particular reference to Figure 10, the engagement member 222a comprises a first portion 228a and a second portion 230a. The first portion 228a is substantially of sector-shape. The radii of the sector-shape are formed by two edges 232 and 234 of rib member 214a, which meet at a corner 236 of the rib member 214a, with an arc portion 233 extending between the ends of the edges 232 and 234. The first (sector-shaped) portion 228a is of slightly less thickness than the thickness of the remainder of the rib member 214a, i.e. the portion of the rib member 214a between the engagement members 222a and 222b. The second portion 230a is of less thickness than the first portion 228a and is shaped as a square without the sector-shaped first portion 228a.

[00105] The engagement member 222b comprises a first portion 228b and a second portion 230b. The second portion 230b is of slightly less thickness than the thickness of the remainder of the strip 214b, i.e. the portion of the strip 214b between the engagement members 222a and 222b. The second portion 230b is of the same thickness as the first (sector-shaped) portion 228a of the

engagement member 222a. The first portion 228b is substantially of sector- shape. The first (sector-shaped) portion 228b is of less thickness than the first portion 228a. The first (sector-shaped) portion 228b is of the same thickness as the second portion 230a of the engagement member 222a. The radii of the sector-shaped first portion 228b are formed by an edge 234 of the strip 214b and a transverse edge 236 formed by the sector-shaped first portion 228b having a lesser thickness than the remainder of the strip 214b. The second portion 230b is shaped as a square without the sector-shaped first portion 228b.

[00106] The engagement members 222a and 222b are provided on a first side, or face, 238 of the strips 214a, 214b, 214c and 214d, whilst the second side 240 is flat. The first sides 238 of the two strips 214a and 214b are visible in Figure 10.

[00107] A hole 242 is provided in the strips 214a, 214b, 214c and 214d at each of the engagement members 222a and 222b. The hole 242 is provided in the second portions 230a and 230b, respectively, of the engagement members 222a and 222b.

[00108] Figure 10 shows two strips (of a rib member 214), identified by reference numbers 214a and 214b respectively for ease of identification, in the process of engaging their respective engagement members 222a and 222b. Bringing their engagement members 222a and 222b into engagement results in the first portion 228a of engagement member 222a engaging with the first portion 228b of the engagement member 222b, and the second portion 230a of engagement member 222a engaging with the second portion 230b of the engagement member 222b. The engagement of the portions 228a and 228b and the portions 230a and 230b is by way of abutment. When the portions 228a and 228b and the portions 230a and 230b are engaged, the holes 242 of the engagement members 222a and 222b are aligned.

[00109] Prior to bringing the engagement members 222a and 222b into engagement (by way of abutment), an adhesive is applied to one or both of the engagement members 222a and 222b. The adhesive may be a high strength structural polymer adhesive. In addition, or alternatively, after the engagement members 222a and 222b are brought into engagement, rivets 244 are passed through the aligned holes 242 in the engagement members 222a and 222b to secure together the two rib members 214a and 214b. The two rib members 214a and 214b are thereby joined such that they are substantially at a right angle to one another.

[00110] Figure 9 shows four strips (that form a rib member214), identified by reference numbers 214a, 214b, 214c and 214d respectively for ease of identification, in the process of being joined together. Strip 214c has already been engaged with strips 214b and 214d by way of their engagement members 222a and 222b, and strip 214a is about to be engaged with strips 214b and 214d by way of their engagement members 222a and 222b.

[00111] The rivets 244 complete the joining together of the strips 214a, 214b and 214d of the rib member 214, shown in Figure 9. The rib member 214 forms a substantially square-shaped or rectangular shaped rib arrangement.

[00112] The joined strips 214a, 214b, 214c and 214d are in substantially the same plane since the overlap of the abutting engagement members 222a and 222b is substantially the same thickness as the reminder of strips 214a, 214b, 214c and 214d of the rib member 214. This can be best seen in Figure 11.

[00113] The substantially square-shaped or rectangular shaped rib members 214, made up of the four joined strips 214a, 214b, 214c and 214d, provide a substantially stiff rib framework for the column formwork member 1. Provided that the rivets 244 and/or adhesive hold/s the strips 214a, 214b, 214c and 214d of the rib members 214 in substantially the one plane, all forces that are applied to the corner connection of the engagement members 222a and 222b and that act to separate the strips 214a, 214b, 214c and 214d of the rib members 214 are withheld using mechanical shear resistance of the strips 214a, 214b, 214c and 214d of the rib members 214 themselves across a relatively large cross sectional area where the abutting engagement members 222a and 222b overlap. In the drawings, this is best seen in Figure 11. This is achieved by the engagement members 222a and 222b which form an interlocking corner halving joint for the rib members 214. The machining of the corner halving joint is done in such a way that a draft angle left on the face 238 of a strip 214a, 214b, 214c and 214d allows the first portions 228a and 228b and the second portions 230a and 230b to be offered up to each other and as they are brought together they home into a tight tolerance final position.

[00114] The rib members 214 may be connected to sheets 10 in the same manner as herein before described with reference to the rib member 14 of the first embodiment.

[00115] When the hydrostatic pressure of the concrete in the interior space 18 converts into a force acting on the rib members 214 (once a column has been formed), the joins that hold the strips 214a, 214b, 214c and 214d of the rib members 214 together, result in the joins between the strips 214a, 214b, 214c and 214d locking together more forcefully and all pull against each other cancelling out the opposing forces.

[00116] Figure 12 is a top view of a column formwork member 2 incorporating rib members 214 and Figure 13 is a plan view of a column formwork member 2 incorporating rib members 214 and with reinforcing bars 60 and ligatures and/or stirrups 62 in position in the column formwork member 2.

[00117] In other respects, the rib member 214 and its use in a column formwork member and a column are as herein before described with reference to the first embodiment that uses a rib member 14.

[00118] Figures 14 to 18 show a third embodiment of a rib member 314 for a column formwork member 3 in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

[00119] The rib member 314 comprises individual, i.e. separate, strips 314a, 314b, 314c and 314d that are connected together via engagement means.

[00120] The strips 314a, 314b, 314c and 314d are provided with regions of reduced thickness adjacent their respective ends 324 and 326. These regions of reduced thickness are provided on first sides 338 of the strips 314a, 314b, 314c and 314d, whilst the second sides 340 are flat. The strips 314a, 314b, 314c and 314d are joined together by first abutting a pair of the regions of reduced thickness of two respective strips 314a, 314b, 314c and 314d, and then clinching them together in a deformation. When the regions of reduced thickness of two respective strips 314a, 314b, 314c and 314d are abutted, their combined thickness is the same as the remainder of a respective strip 314a, 314b, 314c and 314d. Figure 16 shows the deformation join 346 between respective ends of the strips 314c and 314d is shown. In creating the deformation join 346, two round raised portions 348 of the strip 314c are received in two corresponding round indentations 350 in the strip 316d. The peripheries of the round raised portions 348 and the corresponding round indentations 350 are slightly flared in the deformation process, as indicated by reference numeral 352. This tightly engages the strips 314c and 314d .

[00121] The rib members 314 may be connected to sheets 10 in the same manner as herein before described with reference to the rib member 14 of the first embodiment.

[00122] Figure 17 is a top view of a column formwork member 3 incorporating rib members 314 and Figure 18 is a plan view of a column formwork member 3 incorporating rib members 314 and with reinforcing bars 60 and ligatures and/or stirrups 62 in position in the column formwork member 3.

[00123] In other respects, the rib member 314 and its use in a column formwork member and a column are as herein before described with reference to the first and second embodiments that use a rib member 14 and 214, respectively.

[00124] Figures 19 to 23 show a fourth embodiment of a rib member 414 for a column formwork member 4 in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

[00125] The rib member 414 comprises individual, i.e. separate, strips 414a, 414b, 414c and 414d that are connected together via engagement means. This engagement means is the same as herein before described with reference to the rib member 314 of the third embodiment.

[00126] The strips 414a, 414b, 414c and 414d are provided with offset portions 454 adjacent their respective ends. The offset portions 454 are provided with regions of reduced thickness. These regions of reduced thickness are provided on first sides 438 of the strips 414a, 414b, 414c and 414d, whilst the second sides 440 are flat. The strips 414a, 414b, 414c and 414d are joined together by first abutting a pair of the regions of reduced thickness of two respective strips 414a, 414b, 414c and 414d, and then clinching them together in a deformation, as herein before described with reference to the rib member 314 of the third embodiment. The deformation join is shown in Figure 21 and is identified by reference numeral 446. The deformation join 446 results in two round raised portions 448 of the strip 414a are received in two corresponding round

indentations 450 in the strip 416d . The peripheries of the round raised portions 448 and the corresponding round indentations 450 are slightly flared in the deformation process, as indicated by reference numeral 452. This tightly engages the strips 414d and 414a.

[00127] The rib member 414 omits the openings 20 that are provided in the first, second and third embodiments of the rib members 14, 214 and 314, respectively.

[00128] The rib members 414 may be connected to sheets 10 in the same manner as herein before described with reference to the rib member 14 of the first embodiment.

[00129] Figure 22 is a top view of a column formwork member 4 incorporating rib members 414 and Figure 23 is a plan view of a column formwork member 4 incorporating rib members 414 and with reinforcing bars 60 and ligatures and/or stirrups 62 in position in the column formwork member 4. As best seen in Figure 22, the strips 414a, 414b, 414c and 414d do not project into the interior space 18 of the column formwork member 4, other than at the corners.

[00130] In other respects, the rib member 414 and its use in a column formwork member and a column are as herein before described with reference to the first, second and third embodiments that use a rib member 14, 214 and 314, respectively.

[00131] Figures 24 to 33 show a fifth embodiment of a rib member 514 and a column formwork member 5.

[00132] The rib member 514 comprises individual, i.e. separate, strips 514a, 514b, 514c and 514d. However, unlike the rib members 214, 314 and 414 of the second, third and fourth embodiments, the strips 514a, 514b, 514c and 514d of each rib member 514 are not connected together, i.e. they are separate. The strips 514a, 514b, 514c and 514d are narrower than the strips 214a, 214b, 214c and 214d of the second embodiment and the strips 314a, 314b, 314c and 314d of the third embodiment. The strips 514a, 514b, 514c and 514d omit the openings 20.

[00133] Figures 27 to 29 show a sheet 10 of a wall 12b of the column formwork member 5. The slots 46 in the sheet 10, into which the strips 514b of rib members 514 will be fixed, are shown as are the tongues 50 that are provided at the longitudinal edges of the sheet 10. The slots 46 and tongues 50 are best seen in Figures 28 and 29. In Figures 28 and 29, the chamfered edges 48 of the slots can also be seen.

[00134] Figure 30 shows one of the strips, namely the strip 514b, of a plurality of rib members 514 positioned above respective slots 46, in the sheet 10, into which the strips 514b will be inserted and fixed with adhesive (in a manner similar to that herein before described with reference to the first embodiment). The sheet 10 in Figure 30 is shown prior to the tongues 50 being cut from the longitudinally edges of the sheet 10.

[00135] Strips 514a, 514b, 514c and 514d of a plurality of rib members 514 are fixed in respective slots 46 of the sheets of walls 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d .

Accordingly, rib members 514 are provided at spaced locations 16 along the length of the column formwork member 5.

[00136] Figure 25 shows the joined sheets 10 of the walls 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d of the column formwork member 5. Screws 558 may be used to fix the walls 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d together at the region of the respective tongue50 and groove 52 connections. Figure 26 shows a detail of the join between the wall 12a and the wall 12d using their respective tongue 50 and groove 52 and a screw passing through the wall 12d into the wall 12a.

[00137] If desired, plastering corner beads 560 may be fixed to the walls 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d at the exterior corners of the column formwork member 5, using nails 562. The plastering corner beads 560 extends longitudinally along the corners of the column formwork member 5.

[00138] Figure 33 is a plan view of a column formwork member 5 incorporating rib members 514 and with reinforcing bars 60 and ligatures and/or stirrups 62 in position in the column formwork member 5.

[00139] In other respects, the rib member 514 and its use in a column formwork member and a column are as herein before described with reference to the first, second, third and fourth embodiments that use a rib member 14, 214, 314 and 414, respectively.

[00140] In Figures 34 to 42, there is shown a permanent formwork member 6 for a beam, also referred to herein as the beam formwork member 6. The beam is intended to be used as a horizontal support member in building construction.

[00141] The same reference numbers are used for the identification of parts of the beam formwork member 6 that are the same as or similar to parts of the column formwork members 1 to 5, whilst parts that are modified or relate specifically to the beam formwork member 6 are preceded by the digit "6". Parts of the beam formwork member 6 (as well as their function and operation) that are the same as parts of the column formwork members 1 to 5 will not be again described in detail, and it is to be understood that their description with reference to the column formwork members 1 to 5 also applies to the beam formwork member 6.

[00142] The main structural difference between the beam formwork member 6 and the column formwork members 1 to 5 is that the beam formwork member 6 omits one of the walls 12. Consequently, the rib members 614 of the beam formwork member 6 have a structure different from that of the rib members 14, 214, 314, 414 and 514 of the column formwork members 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively.

[00143] The beam formwork member 6 comprises a plurality of sheets 10 and rib members 614. The sheets 10 form longitudinally extending walls 12a, 12b and 12c (collectively referred to as the walls 12) of the beam formwork member 6. Each of the walls 12 comprises one or more sheets 10. More than one sheet 10 will be used for a wall 12 when the length of the beam formwork member 6 exceeds approximately three (3) metres. The width of the walls 12 is varied in accordance with the requirements of the building for which the beam formwork member 6 will be used . A typical width may be 600 mm. The rib members 614 are provided at spaced locations 616 along the length of the walls 12 of the column formwork members 1 to 5. The spacing between the spaced locations 616 is varied in accordance with the requirements of the building for which the beam formwork member 6 will be used. A typical spacing may be 500 mm.

[00144] Each of the walls 12 is arranged adjacent at least one of the other walls 12 and substantially at a right angle thereto to partly surround an interior space 618. The rib members 614 are provided at spaced locations 616 along the length of the walls 12 of the beam formwork member 6 in the interior space 618.

[00145] The rib members 614 are substantially in the form of a pair L-shaped strips 614a and 614b, with each strip 614a and 614b comprising two arm members at substantially a right angle to one another.

[00146] The rib members 614 may be made of material similar to the material of which the rib members of the other embodiments described herein are made.

[00147] The rib members 614 are provided with openings, or cut-out sections, 20 in the strips 614a and 614b.

[00148] The strips 614a of the rib members 614 are provided with an

engagement member 622a adjacent a first end and the strips 614b of the rib members 614b are provided with an engagement member 622b adjacent a first end. In the drawings, engagement members 222a and 222b are best seen in Figure 38.

[00149] The engagement members 622a and 622b are complementary such that the engagement member 622a of a strip 614a is able to engage with the engagement member 622b of a strip 214b.

[00150] In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the engagement members 622a and 622b are provided as substantially square-shaped portions of a respective strip 614a and 614b adjacent respective first ends 624a and 624b of the strips 214a and 214b.

[00151] The engagement member 622a comprises a first portion 628a and a second portion 630a. The first portion 628a is substantially of square-shape. The edges of the square-shape are formed by a first pair of opposed edges 632a and a second pair of opposed edges 634a of the strip 614a. The first (square-shaped) portion 628a is of slightly less thickness than the thickness of the remainder of the strip 614a. The second portion 630a is of less thickness than the first portion 628a and is substantially L-shaped.

[00152] The engagement member 622b comprises a first portion 628b and a second portion 630b. The second portion 630b is of slightly less thickness than the thickness of the remainder of the strip 614b. The second portion 630b is of the same thickness as the first (square-shaped) portion 628a of the engagement member 622a. The first portion 628b is substantially of square-shape. The first (square-shaped) portion 628b is of less thickness than the first portion 628a. The first (square-shaped) portion 628b is of the same thickness as the second portion 630a of the engagement member 622a. The edges of the square-shape are formed by a first pair of opposed edges 632b and a second pair of opposed edges 634b of the strip 614b. The first (square-shaped) portion 628b is of less thickness than the thickness of the remainder of the strip 614b. The second portion 630b is of slightly less thickness than the remainder of the strip 614b and is substantially L-shaped.

[00153] The engagement members 622a and 622b are provided on a first side, or face, 628 of the strips 614a and 614b, whilst the second side 640 is flat. The first sides 638 of the two strips 614a and 614b are shown in Figure 38.

[00154] Two holes 642 are provided in the strips 214 at each of the engagement members 622a and 622b. The holes 642 are provided in the first and second portions 628a, 628b, 630a and 630b, respectively, of the engagement members 622a and 622b.

[00155] Figure 38 shows portions of two strips of a rib member 614, identified by reference numbers 614a and 614b respectively for ease of identification, in the process of engaging their respective engagement members 622a and 622b.

Bringing their engagement members 622a and 622b into engagement results in the first portion 628a of engagement member 622a engaging with the first portion 628b of the engagement member 622b, and the second portion 630a of engagement member 622a engaging with the second portion 630b of the engagement member 622b. The engagement of the portions 628a and 628b and the portions 630a and 630b is by way of abutment. When the portions 628a and 628b and the portions 630a and 630b are engaged, the holes 642 of the engagement members 622a and 622b are aligned.

[00156] Prior to bringing the engagement members 622a and 622b into engagement (by way of abutment), an adhesive is applied to one or both of the engagement members 622a and 622b. The adhesive may be a high strength structural polymer adhesive. In addition, or alternatively, after the engagement members 622a and 622b are brought into engagement, rivets 644 are passed through the aligned holes 642 in the engagement members 622a and 622b to secure together the two strips 614a and 614b. The two strips 614a and 614b are thereby joined such that they form a substantially U-shaped rib member 614. [00157] Figure 37 shows two strips, identified by reference numbers 614a and 614b, respectively for ease of identification, in the process of being joined together. Strip 614a is about to be engaged with strip 614b by way of their engagement members 622a and 622b.

[00158] The two rivets 644 complete the joining together of the strips 614a and 614b. The strips 614a and 614b form a substantially U-shaped rib member arrangement.

[00159] The joined strips 614a and 614b are in substantially the same plane since the overlap of the abutting engagement members 622a and 622b is substantially the same thickness as the reminder of the rib members 614a and 614b. This can be best seen in Figure 39.

[00160] Slots, or grooves, 46 are cut into the sheets 10 at the spaced locations 616 and the edges of the slots 46 are formed with chamfered edges 48 that taper inwardly from the surface of the sheet 10 such that the openings of the slots 46 are wider than the lower part of the slots 46. This arrangement may be seen, for example, in Figure 40.

[00161] The sheets 10 are also provided with longitudinally extending tongues 50 and grooves 52 adjacent their longitudinal edges that are to be connected to other sheets 10. Figure 35 of the drawings best shows this arrangement, as will be further described herein.

[00162] An additional deburring step may be applied to the rib members 614 during their manufacture, i.e. prior to being connected together as herein before described, to form rounded edges 56, as shown in Figure 40.

[00163] The slots 46 are filled with adhesive 54, which may be a high strength structural polymer adhesive. A strip 614a and a strip 614b, of the substantially U-shaped rib members 614, are inserted into the adhesive filled slots 46 of a sheet, or sheets, 10 that will form a first wall 12 of the beam formwork member 6. Conveniently, this may be the bottom (horizontally disposed as viewed in Figure 36) wall 12a. Thus, it is the arms of the respective strips 614a and 614b, which are joined by the engagement members 622a and 622b, that are inserted into the slots 46 of the wall 12a. This forms the first joins of the substantially U- shaped rib members 614 to the sheet/s 10 of the first wall 12a. The remaining arms of the strips 614a and 614b of the substantially U-shaped rib members 614 are inserted into sheets 10 that form the other two walls 12 (i.e. the upright walls 12b and 12c, as viewed in Figure 36) of the column formwork member 6. This can be done by pressing the sheets 10 onto the framework created by the plurality of rib members 614 such that rib members 614 are received in respective slots 46.

[00164] The provision of the chamfered edges 48 on the slots 46 and the rounded edges 56 (shown in Figure 40) on the rib members 614 facilitates insertion of the rounded edges 56 into the slots 46.

[00165] The sheet/s 10 that form the respective walls 12 are joined adjacent their longitudinal edges by the tongues 50 and/or grooves 52 of the sheets 10 forming one wall 12 engaging in the grooves 52 and/or tongues 50 of the sheet/s 10 forming an adjacent wall 12. In the drawings, this is best seen in Figures 35 and 36, as is the arrangement of the rib members 614 in the sheets 10.

[00166] Each of the walls 12 is arranged substantially at a right angle to its respective adjoining walls 12. In this way the beam formwork member 6 is substantially U-shaped in end profile.

[00167] In the drawings, Figure 36 shows the joined walls 12 and the joined rib members 614 at spaced apart locations 616 along the length of the beam formwork member 6.

[00168] The substantially U-shaped rib members 614, made up of the two joined rib member strips 614a and 614b shown in Figure 35 and Figure 37, provide a substantially stiff rib framework for the beam formwork member 6.

[00169] After the beam formwork member 6, comprising the joined walls 12 and the joined rib members 614, has been formed, reinforcing bars 60 and ligatures and/or stirrups 62 may be fixed inside the interior space 618 of the beam formwork member 6. This may be done in the factory or at the building construction site. Alternatively, a single structure, such as a pre-fabricated cage, may be dropped into the beam formwork member 6. In each case, the result is a beam formwork member 6 that is fair faced, self-supporting internally, reinforced, and requires only primary beams for falsework.

[00170] The beam formwork members 6 may be transported to the building construction site and craned into position with the reinforcing bars 60 and ligatures inside the interior space 618 if required. In the drawings, this is shown in Figure 41. They are fixed, plumbed and levelled using traditional adjustable falsework. In the drawings, this is shown in Figure 42.

[00171] Concrete or other suitable cementitious material may then be poured into the interior space 618 to fill the beam formwork member 6. The concrete or cementitious material may be vibrated. Once the cementitious material has set, the beam is formed.

[00172] The rib members 614 are generally fixed so that the forces of the hydrostatic pressure (P) from the concrete at the side of the beam are transferred from the upright sheets 10 onto the upright portion of the rib members 614, as shown in Figure 35 by arrows P. With the rib members 614 being, for example, an L-shape, those pressures (or forces) are transferred to the lower part (i.e. the horizontal part) of the rib member 614 as lap shear forces. A turning moment around point A, shown in Figure 35, is resisted by the rib member 614.

[00173] Since the rib members 614 are embedded with structural adhesive in the sheets 10, the composite nature of the arrangement stops the rib members 614 from buckling when high turning moments are applied as the sheets 10 keeps the rib members 614 significantly more planar than what the rib members 614 would be if they were subjected to the same forces but not constrained. For example, if the same high turning moment was applied to the same rib member 614, it would tend to buckle at the upright portions of the U-shaped arrangement formed by the joined rib members 614.

[00174] The join between the rib member strips 614a and 614b is designed such that way the forces acting on it makes it interlock into itself even harder when subjected to hydrostatic pressure or forces from the concrete. This has the effect of the forces cancelling out each other. The force is transferred into a shear force resistance (F) along the rib member strips 614a and 614b as shown by arrows F in Figure 38. Thus, some of the forces being resisted by the rib member strips 614a and 614b are transferred into lap shear resistance between the rib member 614 and the sheets 10 along the planes of the upright arms of the rib members 614.

[00175] The tongues 50 and groves 52 provide an effective joining of sheets 10 in adjacent walls 12. For example, with particular reference to Figure 42, if the sheet 10 of wall 12a is curling up along its length due to drying out, the semi- circle tongue 50 and groove 52 act as a homing joint when the sheet 10 of wall 12c and the sheet 10 of wall 12b are pressed towards the sheet of wall 12a.

[00176] The result of the invention applied in this way is that the beam is able to resist all of the self-weight of the concrete and the hydrostatic forces applied to it with all of the secondary falsework and beam clamps being replaced by the internal rib member 614 framework. The only falsework required are primary support member below which typically range from 2 to 3 members depending on the size of the beam, as shown in Figure 41.

[00177] The openings 20 in the rib members 614 provide the same advantages to the beam as previously herein before described with reference to the column of the first embodiment.

[00178] The structural bond between the rib framework of the rib members 614 and the sheets 10 of the walls 12 resists all of the force transfers imposed thereupon late by the hydrostatic forces of the cementitious filler material.

[00179] Figure 43 shows an alternative embodiment for joining the sheets 10 that form the walls 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d (in the case of a column formwork member) of the embodiments of the permanent formwork member of the present invention. This alternative embodiment may be used for column formwork members and beam formwork members, of the types herein before described.

[00180] Instead of tongues 50 and grooves 52 to join the sheets 10, the alternative embodiment shown in Figure 43 has channels 68 cut (e.g. machined) into the side edges 72 or one the faces 74 of the sheets 10. The side edges 72 extend longitudinally of the sheet 10. The channels 68 that are cut into a face 74 of a sheet 10 are located proximate to the respective side edges 72 of the sheet 10 and extend longitudinally of the sheet 10. Connection strips 76 are used to join the sheets 10 together. The connection strips 76 are elongate. A respective connection strip 76 is positioned partly in both respective channels 68 (which are aligned) of abutting sheets 10 that are joined together using adhesive 78 in the channels 68.

[00181] Figures 44 and 45 shows four sheets 10, that form the walls 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d of a column formwork member, joined together. Channels 68 are provided in the side edges 72 of the sheets 10 that form the walls 12a and 12c. Channels 68 are provided in the faces 74 of the sheets 10 that form the walls 12b and 12d. Thereby, the sheets 10 that from the walls 12a and 12c are connected to the sheets 10 that form the walls 12b and 12d, via respective connection strips 76 and adhesive 78.

[00182] The connection strips 76, for example, may be made of plastics material.

[00183] The sheets 10 of the column formwork members of the other

embodiments described herein may, alternatively, be connected together using the channel 68 and connection strip 76 system herein before described.

[00184] Figure 46 shows a series of elevation views showing how a sixth embodiment of a rib member 714 may be made.

[00185] Initially, a blank strip A is machined to punch the openings 20 and cutouts to create segments that will form the strips 714a, 714b, 714c and 714d of the rib member 714, which creates the machined strip as shown at B. The machined strip is then folded at substantially a right angle along two

longitudinally extending lines, which creates the folded strip as shown at C. The segments are then folded transversely at the cut-outs, as shown at D and E. Folding the last segment forms the rib member 714, as shown at F. The last segment may be welded to the abutting segment to complete the rib member 714.

[00186] Figure 47 is perspective view of a rectangular rib member 714 made in accordance with the process herein before described with reference to Figure 46. The rectangular rib member 714 is used in a rectangular column formwork member. The multi-sided structure of the strips 714a, 714b, 714c and 714d of the rib member 714 can be clearly seen in Figure 47, whereby each of the strips 714a, 714b, 714c and 714d has three sides. This multi-sided structure is formed at step C of the process shown in Figure 46. Each of the two opposed sides is provided with the openings 20, whilst the third side has no openings 20 but is provided with apertures 715. The third side is provided intermediate the other two sides. The apertures 715 are provided to receive screws to fix the rib members 714 to sheets 10. This multi-sided structure gives the strips 714a, 714b, 714c and 714d a channel shaped, or U-shaped profile.

[00187] Figure 48 shows of an embodiment of a permanent formwork member 7 (for a column) having rib members 714 made in accordance with the process shown in Figure 46. The permanent formwork member 7 has a plurality of rib members 714 at spaced locations, in the same manner as the other embodiments of permanent formwork members described herein. The rib members 714 are fixed to the sheets 10 by screws 717 passing through the apertures 715 in the rib members 714 and into the sheets 10. The sheets 10 that form the walls 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d are joined together with connection strips 76 and adhesive 78 as previously herein before described.

[00188] Whilst the permanent formwork member 7 has rib members 714 and shows the sheets 10 connected using the connection strips 76, the rib members 714 may also be used with the tongue 50 and groove 52 connection system of the other embodiments described herein.

[00189] In other respects, the rib member 714 and its use in a column formwork member and a column are as herein before described with reference to the first, second, third, fourth and fifth embodiments that use a rib member 14, 214, 314, 414 and 514 respectively. The same reference numbers are used for the identification of parts of the column formwork member 7 that are the same as or similar to parts of the column formwork members 1 to 5 and the beam formwork member 6. Parts of the column formwork member 7 (as well as their function and operation) that are the same as parts of the column formwork members 1 to 5 and the beam formwork member 6 will not be again described in detail, and it is to be understood that their description with reference to the column formwork members 1 to 5 and the beam formwork member 6 also applies to the beam formwork member 7.

[00190] Channels 68 and connection strips 76 may also be used to connect the sheets 10 in a beam formwork member. In that regard, Figure 49 shows a permanent formwork member 8 for a beam, also referred to herein as a beam formwork member 8.

[00191] The same reference numbers are used for the identification of parts of the beam formwork member 8 that are the same as or similar to parts of the column formwork members 1 to 5 and 7 and the beam formwork member 6. Parts of the beam formwork member 8 (as well as their function and operation) that are the same as parts of the column formwork members 1 to 5 and 7 and the beam formwork member 6 will not be again described in detail, and it is to be understood that their description with reference to the column formwork members 1 to 5 and 7 and the beam formwork member 6 also applies to the beam formwork member 8. [00192] The beam formwork member 8 has three sheets 10 which form the walls 12a, 12b and 12c. The sheet 10 that forms the wall 12a is provided with channels 68 (of the type shown in Figure 43) in the face 74. The channels 68 are located proximate to the respective side edges 72 of the sheet 10 and extend

longitudinally of the sheet 10 that forms the wall 12a. The sheets 10 that form the walls 12b and 12c are provided with channels 68 (of the type shown in Figure 43) in their side edges 72. Connection strips 76 are used to join together abutting sheets 10, as herein before described with reference to Figure 43.

[00193] The beam formwork member 8, shown in Figure 49, shows an alternative embodiment of a rib member 814 that may be used in the beam formwork members of the present invention.

[00194] The rib member 814 is of a similar type to the rib member 714, except that it has only three strips 814a, 814b and 814c.

[00195] Figure 50 shows a series of elevation views showing how the rib member 814 may be made, which is similar to the process herein before described with reference to Figure 46.

[00196] Initially, a blank strip A is machined to punch the openings 20 and cutouts to create segments that will form the strips 814a, 814b, 814c and 814d of the rib member 814, which creates the machined strip as shown at B. The machined strip is then folded at substantially a right angle along two

longitudinally extending lines, which creates the folded strip as shown at C. The segments are then folded transversely at a first cut-out, as shown at D. Folding the last segment forms the rib member 814, as shown at E. The rib member 814 is substantially channel shaped U-shaped in profile. The joints at the corners are welded for structural integrity.

[00197] The beam formwork member 8, shown in Figure 49, also shows a further variation for the rib members that may be used in any of the beam formwork members in accordance with the present invention. When the height of the upright side walls 12a and 12c of a beam formwork member reaches a particular level, of approximately 300mm, it is desirable to provide the rib members with an additional bracing strip (to counter the effects of hydrostatic pressures) . This additional strip is shown by reference numeral 814d in Figure 49. The additional strip 814d is connected (e.g. by screws, rivets or other suitable fixings) between the strips 814b and 814c adjacent their uppermost ends. This forms a rib member with four strips. However, if the fourth strip is not required, it is simply omitted from the rib members of the beam formwork members in accordance with the present invention. The additional (fourth) strip in the rib members for beam formwork members provided additional support and acts to self-lock the beam formwork members against hydrostatic pressures that may be created by the cementitious filler material that is poured into the space 18 to form the beam.

[00198] Figure 51 is an end view of a beam permanent formwork member 9 that shows an example of how different components from the various embodiments herein before described can be used to create the beam permanent formwork member 9.

[00199] The beam permanent formwork member 9 uses the channels 68 and connection strips 76 to connect together the sheets 10 that from the walls 12a, 12b and 12c. The rib members 614 are the rib members used in the beam permanent formwork member 6 herein before described. The additional strip 814d is also shown. Also shown are the reinforcing bars 60 and ligatures and/or stirrups 62 herein before described with reference to the beam permanent formwork member 6.

[00200] Whilst one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention have been herein before described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to those specific embodiments, and may be embodied in other ways, as will be apparent to a skilled addressee.

[00201] Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to a person skilled in the art are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.