Pneumatic Formwork as an Effective Method for Constructing Underground Structures
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32347/2707-501x.2024.53(3).308-317Keywords:
underground construction, pneumatic formwork, tunnels, membrane, construction of underground facilities, sheltersAbstract
In modern underground construction, one of the key directions is the implementation of innovative technologies that significantly enhance the efficiency of building projects, reduce time costs, and ensure high-quality structures. One such technology is pneumatic formwork, which opens up new possibilities for the construction of various underground facilities. This technology, which involves using a durable membrane shell filled with air under high pressure, can be adapted for constructing different types of underground structures. Pneumatic formwork can be particularly effective in the construction of subway tunnels, one of the most complex and labor-intensive underground projects. It enables a significant reduction in the time required for formwork installation and improves the technical and economic efficiency of building shallow-depth tunnels. Additionally, pneumatic formwork has great potential for use in the construction of other underground structures, such as bomb shelters, protective shelters, storage rooms, underground power stations, and drinking water reservoirs.
The application of pneumatic formwork is particularly promising in the construction of shallow-depth metro tunnels, where the specific structural requirements and constraints of the construction process demand the use of compact and rapid manufacturing and installation technologies. One of the main advantages of this technology is its ability to quickly adapt to various project requirements, including the shape and size of the structure. Pneumatic formworks can be produced in various shapes and sizes, depending on the specific needs of the underground facility. This flexibility allows for the construction of not only tunnels but also other essential infrastructure projects, from civil shelters to critical infrastructure facilities.
The purpose of this article is to explore the potential use of pneumatic formwork in the construction of various underground facilities, such as metro tunnels, bomb shelters, protective shelters, and other infrastructure projects, as well as to assess its technical advantages and potential in the context of modern challenges.
References
B. Kromoser and J. Kollegger. Pneumatic forming of hardened concrete – building shells in the 21st century, Structural Concrete. 2015, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 161-171.
G. Quinn and K. Hengnagel. A review of elastic grid shells, their erection methods and the potential use of pneumatic formwork. in Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Mobile, Adaptive, and Rapidly Assembled Structures (MARAS '14), June 2014, pp. 129-144.
B. Kromoser and J. Kollegger. Herstellung von schalentragwerken aus Beton mit der «Pneumatic Wedge Method». Beton-und Stahlbetonbau. 2014, vol. 109, no. 8, pp. 557-565.
Petra K. van Hennik and Roger Houtman. Textile Composites and Inflatable Structures II. Pneumatic Formwork for Irregular Curved Thin Shells. 2010, pp. 99-116.
T. Herzog, H. Minke, and H. Eggers (1976). Pneumatische Konstruktionen: Bauten aus Membranen und Luft. Stuttgart: Gerd Hatje.
W. Sobek and U. Sobek. Auf Pneumatisch Gestützten Schalungen Hergestellte Betonschalen. Stuttgart, Germany, 1987.
Шпакова Г.В., Прокопенко Д.В. Технологія влаштування тунелів неглибокого закладання з використанням пневматичної опалубки. Шляхи підвищення ефективності будівництва, КНУБА, 2024. №53. С. 103-110. http://ways.knuba.edu.ua/article/view/307941 .
B. Kromoser and J. Kollegger. Pneumatic forming of hardened concrete – building shells in the 21st century. Structural Concrete. 2015, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 161-171.
Isler H. New materials for shell and spatial structures. Proceedings of the IASS World Conference, 1979. Madrid, Spain.
D. Bini. Concrete domes. Official Journal of the Master Builders' Association of New South Wales, 1974, vol. 3, no. 7.
D. Bini. Method for erecting structures. U.S. Patent 3,462,521, 1969.
J. Head. No Nails, No Lumber. The Bubble Houses of Wallace Neff. Princeton Architectural Press. New York, NY, USA, 2011.
Dome Technology LLC. https://www.dometechnology.com.
Benjamin Kromoser and Patrick Huber (2016). Pneumatic Formwork Systems in Structural Engineering.
Каталог компанії SO.CA.P що орієнтується на виготовлені мембранних опалубок у Італії. http://www.socapsrl.com/.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).