Mivan Formwork a New Emerging Construction Method: A Review

Abstract

Rapid urbanization and the increasing demand for affordable housing have compelled the global construction sector to shift from conventional masonry and formwork practices toward faster and more industrialized construction methodologies. This review paper presents a comprehensive evaluation of Mivan technology, an advanced aluminium formwork system developed for the construction of monolithic reinforced-concrete structures. By synthesizing findings from academic literature and industry case studies, this study examines the structural, economic, and operational implications of transitioning from conventional timber or steel formwork to modular aluminium formwork systems. The analysis indicates that Mivan construction can significantly reduce project durations, while providing superior dimensional accuracy and a high-quality concrete surface finish. The resulting finish can substantially reduce or eliminate the requirement for conventional external plastering, thereby lowering labour requirements and associated construction costs. Furthermore, the monolithic integration of reinforced-concrete walls and slabs improves structural continuity and can provide enhanced resistance to lateral and seismic forces when appropriately designed and detailed. The system also offers advantages in terms of reduced construction joints and improved water-tightness, making it particularly suitable for high-rise and mid-rise residential buildings where repetitive floor layouts and rapid construction are required.

Introduction

The text provides an overview of Mivan aluminium formwork technology and reviews research comparing it with conventional formwork. Mivan is a lightweight, modular aluminium formwork system used mainly for rapid, repetitive, and monolithic reinforced-concrete construction, particularly in mass housing and high-rise buildings.

Main points

• Purpose of Mivan technology:
  Mivan was developed to speed up construction by using reusable aluminium panels to cast walls, slabs, beams, and other structural components, often as an integrated or monolithic system.

• Need for the technology:
  Rapid urbanization, population growth, housing demand, limited land, and the need for shorter construction schedules have increased the importance of industrialized construction methods.

• Advantages identified in the literature:

  • Faster construction and shorter project duration.

  • Higher labour productivity and reduced repetitive labour requirements.

  • Better dimensional accuracy and consistent concrete quality.

  • Reusable and lightweight formwork panels.

  • Reduced need for plastering and finishing in some applications.

  • Monolithic construction, providing good structural continuity.

  • Suitability for mass housing and repetitive building layouts.

  • Potentially improved performance under seismic and lateral loads.

  • Greater efficiency for high-rise and large-scale projects.

• Cost considerations:
  Several studies indicate that Mivan can have a higher initial cost than conventional formwork because of the specialized aluminium panels and associated investment. However, repeated reuse, reduced labour, faster construction, and lower finishing/maintenance requirements can make it economically advantageous over the long term, especially for large repetitive projects.

• Structural performance:
  Multiple studies using software such as ETABS investigated Mivan buildings under earthquake and wind loading. The reviewed research generally reports good lateral stiffness, reduced displacement and storey drift in several configurations, and competitive or better seismic performance compared with conventional RC structures. Building shape, height, wall openings, seismic zone, and soil conditions significantly influence performance.

• Productivity:
  Research consistently emphasizes that Mivan improves productivity because panels can be rapidly assembled, aligned, concreted, dismantled, and reused. This makes the system particularly effective when many similar floors or housing units must be constructed.

Conclusion

Based on the findings reported in the reviewed literature, Mivan construction generally provides higher construction productivity, improved dimensional accuracy, consistent concrete surface quality, and reduced labour requirements compared with conventional formwork systems. From an economic perspective, most studies show that the initial investment and formwork cost of Mivan systems can be higher than conventional formwork. However, this additional initial cost can potentially be offset by shorter construction schedules, repeated reuse of formwork, reduced labour requirements, lower finishing requirements, and earlier project completion while several researchers have highlighted that Mivan buildings, which generally behave as reinforced-concrete wall or shear-wall systems, possess considerable lateral stiffness and structural continuity. Consequently, Mivan technology should not be considered a universal replacement for conventional construction. Proper structural modelling and design using appropriate load combinations and relevant Indian Standards, including IS 875 for gravity and wind loads and IS 1893 for seismic effects, are essential to ensure safety and serviceability. Overall, the literature establishes that Mivan aluminium formwork is particularly suitable for large-scale, repetitive, and schedule-sensitive residential construction. Further research involving detailed ETABS based comparative analysis, life-cycle cost assessment, sustainability evaluation, and nonlinear seismic performance of Mivan structures would provide a more comprehensive understanding of its long-term structural and economic benefits.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2026 Arti Jatwa, Dr. Savita Maru, Prof. Rakesh Patwa. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.