RMD Kwikform's Rapidshor modular falsework support system proved popular with the constructors of the ring road around Malmö in Sweden. Thanks to its high load capacity, flexibility and speed of erection it was chosen as the support system for the first four bridges on the 24-kilometre highway that is due for completion by the year 2000.

Rapidshor's 80kN leg capacity, combined with its modular configuration and the ease with which grids can be skewed to form the curved bridges, were major deciding factors in its selection against fierce international competition. It provided the construction arm of the Swedish Road Administration, Vagverket Produktion, with the desired equipment and labour cost savings and enabled programme times to be significantly reduced on the fast-track project.

Rapidshor solutions call for fewer components and less equipment tonnage. Based around 60mm diameter steel vertical members and 48mm diameter ledgers, Rapidshor is light and can be assembled quickly. This speed is further boosted by the use of quick-fit snap-on braces. Even so, the high leg capacity can reduce the number of vertical supports by up to 50 per cent compared with the conventional 40kN and 64kN capacity systems on the market.

In addition to Rapidshor, the Malmö contracts also used RMD Kwikform's Super Slim Soldier and Alsec and Alform beams. Standard length Super Slim Soldiers, acting as primary bearers, spanned across the width of the bridges and were located in fork head plates on top of the Rapidshor members. RMD Kwikform's Alsec and Alform beams were then positioned across the Super Slim Soldiers as secondary beams, supporting the bridge decks.

When complete, the ring road will relieve pressure on the existing road network and will route traffic to the Øresund Fixed Link, where RMD KWIKFORM formwork was used for the construction of the cut and cover portals of the approach tunnels to the 16-kilometre 4-lane road and twin track rail link connecting Sweden and Denmark.

 Go to Case studies

 Go to Case studies