Formwork System Setup
- Interior walls are built using modular form-work systems (aluminum, steel, or
plastic).
The form-work covers the entire room layout at once (slabs + walls).
Concrete Pouring (One Operation)
Instead of laying hollow blocks or bricks, ready-mix concrete is poured directly into
the formwork.
The walls and slabs harden as one continuous unit.
This eliminates joints and multiple curing stages.
Integration with Openings
Door and window spaces are pre-installed with formwork frames or temporary
inserts.
Once the formwork is removed, clean openings remain.
Smooth Finishing
Because the formwork produces smooth wall surfaces, only minimal skim coat or
paint is needed.
No plastering stage is required, unlike in CHB.
Repetition in Projects
For mass housing, condos, and urban housing, where layouts are repetitive, the
same formwork can be reused many times, making it efficient and cost-effective.
Why It Works for Interior Walls
Eliminates block-laying and plastering → saves time
Stronger, joint-free walls → better durability and seismic resistance
Smooth finish → reduces finishing costs
Reusable formwork → eco-friendly & efficient for mass production
Explanation: Higher Monolithic Concrete Walls
Use of Advanced Formwork (with vertical extensions)
For higher walls, the formwork panels are extended upward.
Modular aluminum or steel formwork can be stacked or raised in sections to
match the wall height.
Temporary Slab Formwork and Supports
The slabs above act as support for the tall walls.
Temporary scaffolding or shoring is installed to hold both walls and slabs
during the pour.
Concrete Pouring Strategy
For very high walls, concrete can be poured in stages/lifts (e.g., 2–3 meters
at a time).
This prevents too much pressure on the lower part of the formwork.
Integration with Slabs
When slabs are part of the system, the pour is done in one operation (walls
+ slab).
This ensures a continuous, joint-free structure, which is stronger and
more seismic-resistant.
Finishing Stage
Once the formwork is removed, both the high walls and slabs come out with
smooth surfaces.
Only minimal plaster or paint is required, even for tall interiors.
Where is the beam?
Instead of an exposed beam, the wall itself becomes load-bearing, making the
system look flat and seamless while still carrying the same structural function.
The beam didn’t disappear — it’s integrated into the monolithic wall, hidden inside
the concrete thickness, and structurally works together with the slab reinforcement
Here, wall and slab are cast together in one pour of concrete.
The steel reinforcement is arranged so that the top part of the wall directly
under the slab acts as the beam.
There’s no separate rectangular beam sticking out.
When you look up, the ceiling is flat and seamless — no visible drop beam.
👉 The beam is still there, but it is integrated inside the wall thickness — that’s why it’s
often called a hidden beam.
Theoretical framework explanation
The study is anchored on the Diffusion of Innovations Theory, which explains how new
technologies—such as monolithic concrete—can be adopted in the construction industry,
and the Time–Cost Trade-Off principle, which emphasizes balancing speed, labor, and
resources in construction projects. The framework highlights three key dimensions: time
efficiency, labor productivity, and construction cycle optimization. Together, these
show how monolithic concrete can improve overall construction performance compared to
traditional wall systems.
1. “Good [morning/afternoon] panelists. I am leanne ala ali bahman and today I will be
presenting my thesis entitled ‘The Application of Monolithic Concrete in Urban
Interior Wall Construction: A Study on Time Efficiency.’
Briefly state why you chose this topic:
I chose this topic because of the growing demand for faster, more
efficient, and sustainable construction methods, especially in urban areas
like Dagupan City where housing demand is high.
2. Rationale / Background (Chapter 1)
Explain the problem in conventional construction:
- Traditional masonry (hollow blocks, plastering, curing) takes time, needs
more labor, and slows project delivery.
Explain the solution:
- Monolithic concrete, where walls and slabs are poured in one operation,
saves time, reduces labor, and produces smoother finishes.
Stress the gap:
It is unde rutilized in the Philippines, especially for interior walls.
Key line you can say:
“While monolithic concrete is already recognized for structural and
sustainability benefits, very few studies focused on its impact on time
efficiency, which is what my research aims to address.”
3. Theoretical / Conceptual Framework
Mention your guiding theories:
Diffusion of Innovations Theory → explains adoption of new methods.
Time–Cost Trade-Off Principle → balancing speed, labor, and cost.
Show the diagram (Figure 1.1) and explain:
Monolithic concrete improves time efficiency, labor productivity, and
construction cycle optimization.
“As shown in my framework, monolithic concrete directly influences time,
labor, and cycle time — leading to overall better performance in modern
construction.”
4. Research Paradigm
Walk through the INPUT → PROCESS → OUTPUT → OUTCOME (Figure 1.2).
Keep it simple:
Input: Monolithic vs. Traditional materials
Process: Surveys, observation, data comparison
Output: Faster construction, reduced labor, optimized cycle
Outcome: Improved time-efficient construction
5. Statement of the Problem & Objectives
State your main problem:
“Can monolithic concrete serve as a time-efficient alternative to
conventional wall systems in urban construction?”
Enumerate objectives:
Compare construction time
Assess labor efficiency
Analyze cost-effectiveness
Evaluate performance
Significance of the Study
Relate to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 8, 9, 11, 12, 13).
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
“Monolithic concrete reduces construction time and labor costs. This means
more affordable housing projects and more efficient use of resources,
which supports economic growth in the construction industry.”
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
“My study promotes the use of innovative materials and modern formwork
technology, which improve infrastructure quality and encourage
sustainable construction practices.”
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
“By building faster and more efficiently, monolithic concrete helps address
housing shortages in urban areas. It supports resilient, affordable, and
sustainable communities.”
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
“Since monolithic concrete minimizes waste, reduces plastering, and
lowers material usage compared to hollow blocks, it encourages
responsible use of construction resources.”
SDG 13: Climate Action
“Faster construction and reduced waste lower the overall carbon footprint
of projects. This makes monolithic concrete a more climate-friendly option
compared to conventional wall systems.”
Emphasize who benefits:
Homeowners (affordable, faster housing)
Builders/Contractors (reduced labor, efficiency)
Engineers/Architects (innovation, sustainability)
7. Scope & Limitations
Scope: Urban interior walls in Dagupan City.
Limitations: Focus only on interior walls, secondary data + surveys, not full-scale experimental.
“This makes the study realistic and achievable while still being highly relevant to local construction
practices.”
Methodology (Chapter 3)
Research design: Descriptive, quantitative.
Data sources: Surveys + literature + case studies.
Instruments:
Survey questionnaires
Observation checklist
Documentary sources
Tools for analysis: Likert scales, checklist data, simple statistics.
👉 Keep it practical:
“I did not conduct experimental site testing. Instead, I focused on
surveys, secondary data, and documented case studies for a realistic and
achievable student-level thesis.”
Tips for Q&A with Panelists:
If they ask “Why monolithic?” → say “time efficiency and labor savings.’
If they ask “Isn’t formwork costly?” → reply yes, but reusable formwork reduces cost
over multiple projects.
If they ask “Why only interior walls?” → reply to keep study scope focused and
feasible for student research.
If they ask “How is this sustainable?” → reply less waste, fewer materials, faster
builds = lower carbon footprint.