International leaders in the formwork and scaffolding industries, Doka have spent over 150 years innovating, manufacturing and supplying to the construction industry. Originally forming in Austria, the company now has a global presence with over 160 locations in 70 countries over five continents. With some of the most innovative formwork technology in the industry, it’s no wonder Doka formwork is used on some of the most groundbreaking international construction projects.
While the Doka brand has ‘only’ been around since 1956 the parent company goes back to 1868. Starting as a small sawmill and woodworking shop the family grew the business into a wood and steel manufacturer in the 1900s. In 1949 the company went through a restructure, adding prefabricated formwork production and store fitting production arms to the company in the 1950s. It was in 1958 when the company, having seen the potential of formwork, consolidated the other arms of business and focused their newest branch, Doka. In the 1950s Austria was commissioning widespread major infrastructural construction, where large-scale systematic and reusable formwork was desperately needed.
Doka hit the ground running building and supplying timber beam formwork across the country. However, they weren’t satisfied with the basic formwork product and continued to develop and tweak their concrete formwork until they had a product that was not only reusable but produced a high-quality concrete slab. This drive for better has remained with the company as it has expanded over the past 50 years. Doka has continuously pushed the boundaries of formwork technology, finding new and innovative ways to not only produce a high-quality concrete finish but make the job easier and faster as well.
Doka: World Leaders in Innovative Formwork
With a wide range of formwork solutions, Doka products have become essential components to building skyscrapers, office buildings, bridges, power plants, tunnels and mines in Australia and globally. From wall formwork, floor formwork and climbing formwork Doka’s products are known for their extremely high safety ratings and clean, even finish. In recent years, Doka has been used on some of the most impressive structures ever built. To name just one, Doka formwork and scaffolding was used on the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the tallest building ever built standing at an impressive 828 metres tall. Doka’s climbing formwork, large-area formwork and protection screen were used for the duration of the build.
Ever since Doka launched in Australia in 2014 they have become a vital asset to the local construction industry. Their formwork and protection screens have been used across the country on some of the most innovative new buildings, as well as infrastructure such as dams, bridges and mines. Aurora Melbourne Central, the third tallest building in Australia, used Doka formwork and services to build the core infrastructure on time and on budget. The building tops out at 270 metres and is expected to be completed this year thanks, in part, to Doka.
Doka has dedicated time, resources and talent to the development of their cutting-edge technologies, most importantly their wall formwork and floor formwork. There is a certain pressure involved in being a formwork supplier; the forms you provide play an integral role in the structural stability of the entire building. Doka has continuously raised to this challenge, and to find out more about their industry-leading wall formwork, floor formwork and system components we’ve broken down their most important services.
How Doka wall formwork improves efficiency on construction sites
Doka wall formwork itself comes in a range of shapes and sizes, with the four main categories being:
- Framed formwork
- Supporting construction frame
- Large area formwork
- Column formwork
To start, the most popular and general use Doka formwork is framed, often used on building constructions to create an enclosed structure. Supporting construction frames are the opposite, they are one-sided frames used when the concrete is being poured onto a surface, whether it’s an underground train station, tunnel or mine. Large area formwork is made to project-specific designs to form unique shapes. Lastly, column formwork allows columns to be cast and set on site, and to specific dimensions. Doka has a number of products within each of these categories, ensuring that no matter what you need, they can provide it.
What is wall formwork?
Wall formwork is a mould-form that concrete is poured into to create a wall. Once the concrete has set, the form is removed and the concrete is able to bear weight. Wall formwork became popular in the 1950s when mass infrastructure projects required a faster and stronger method of building. Wall formwork opened a new avenue of design and building that has seen buildings take on unconventional shapes and sizes.
How Doka floor formwork improves efficiency on construction sites
Doka floor formwork is characterised by two main types, panel floor formwork and slab floor formwork. They are generally made of a combination of wood, steel and plastic-composite, and are designed to be used both together and separately. The slab formwork are bigger forms and are designed to be used on builds with a larger floor plan. Whereas Doka’s panel floor formwork are smaller in size and perfect to be used on infill spaces on big builds and on buildings with a smaller or complex floor plan.
What is floor formwork?
Floor formwork was created to replace wooden flooring in buildings. Floor formwork became popular at the same time as wall formwork as the buildings were getting bigger and needed more stability than wood or brick could provide. Floor formwork has been used prolifically in construction since that point thanks to its incredible weight-bearing abilities, soundproofing and clean finish.
How Doka system components improve efficiency on construction sites
Formwork system components are essential technology, parts and accessories that ensure the formwork can be completed. Some of the system component parts that Doka stock are props, beams, sheets, release-agents, and form ties. These parts are integral to the finished formwork, providing support, leverage and stability to the entire structure. Other accessories, like suspension cones, plumbing and panel struts are used on specific forms to ensure the formwork is windproof and properly supported.
A unique system component that Doka has created is the Concremote. The Concremote is a combined technology that uses high tech sensors to report on concrete maturity, concrete monitoring and concrete strength. This data is sent to an app and translated into graphs and timelines that allow you to optimise your construction project. By using this integrated technology, our customers have been able to save time, increase safety, enhance concrete quality and reduce costs.
Doka Australia offer a range of hire options for their formwork services to fit any project need. Whether it’s a skyscraper, building, bridge, mine, tunnel, or power plant, their range of wall and floor forms are built for it. Contact Doka Australia here to learn more about how their formwork and system components can benefit your project or browse through their product catalogue here.