FORMWORK
The University of Lahore
Department of Civil Engineering
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What is formwork?
• Formwork is a mold including al supporting structures, used to shape and
support the concrete until it attains sufficient strength.
• It should be capable of carrying all the imposed dead loads, live loads apart from
its own weight.
• It is closed from all sides and can carry the hydrostatic load of fluid concrete,
additional load due to vibration, and load of men and machinery.
• Formwork should be such that it can be easily removed after hardening of
concrete. Timber, plywood panels or steel sheets are used for formwork.
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Formwork
• Formwork accounts for 30 to 70% of the
construction cost.
• Construction companies procure forming systems
by either direct purchase or short-term rentals.
• The project engineer is extensively involved with
various planning aspects of their selection,
ordering, erection, stripping, and reuse.
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Formwork
Have you seen the mentioned shape of column
of bridge in the image?
• This all possible by formwork.
• Firstly, the desired mould is prepared using
steel or iron, and then formwork is fixed in
position without any gaps to pour the
concrete.
• The initial cost of steel forms may be high but
they can be repeatedly used for a number of
times.
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FORMWORK SHUTTERING CENTERING STAGING SCAFFOLDING
Centering is a
It is a part of
temporary Scaffolding is
formwork. Staging is a
A temporary arrangement & provided as a
Formwork which temporary
structure used as a part of formwork workers platform
supports vertical member which is
mold to pour which is arranged around the
arrangement is used to support
the concrete. to support building to work at
known as formwork.
horizontal heights.
shuttering
members.
It is a vertical or
In a technical point
horizontal It is done by props,
of view, Formwork
arrangement made For example slab jacks, H frames, Scaffolding is a
for columns
to keep concrete in bottom , beam cup lock system, movable/fixed
footings, retaining
position until it bottom etc. wooden ballies, platform
walls is called as a
gains strength & etc.
Shuttering.
shape.
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01 Formwork
.
02 Shuttering
03 Centering
04 Staging
05 Scaffolding
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01 Formwork
02 Shuttering
03 Centering
04 Staging
05 Scaffolding
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01 Formwork
02 Shuttering
03 Centering
04 Staging
05 Scaffolding
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01 Formwork
02 Shuttering
03 Centering
04 Staging
05 Scaffolding
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01 Formwork
02 Shuttering
03 Centering
04 Staging
05 Scaffolding
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General requirements for Formwork
1. Technical requirements
• It should be carefully selected for required finish surface to produce the
desired concrete surface.
• Must withstand the pressure of fresh concrete and working loads and should
not distort or deflect during the concrete placement operation.
• The formwork must not damage the concrete edge or surface; during removal
from structure.
• Panels of the formwork should be tightly connected to minimize gap at the
formwork connection to prevent leakage of cement paste.
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General requirements for Formwork
2. Functional requirements
• It should be dismantled and moved as easily as possible.
• Formwork shall be designed such that it fits and fastens together with reasonable
ease.
• They must be lifted and transported easily from one job site to another.
3. Other requirements
• Formwork shall be made of low-cost materials.
• Energy consumption and labor cost should be as minimum as possible.
• Health, safety, and hygiene regulation should be considered while forms are
made.
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continued…
• Stability of the whole structure should be checked and ensured to avoid any
undesired events which may cause loss of life, delay construction, and
increase cost.
• Emergency escape route shall be provided.
• If it is not possible to eliminate the expected risk totally, then control measures
and safe work procedures shall be implemented to minimize and control the
risk.
• Maintenance of formwork is required to be conducted.
• Repetitive utilization of formwork is another economic requirement that must
not be compromised. So, they must be able to withstand a good number of
reuses without losing their shape.
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Typical wall form
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Types of Formwork
• Different types of formwork used in construction are:
1. Timber Formwork
2. Steel Formwork
3. Aluminum Formwork
4. Plywood Formwork
5. Fabric Formwork
6. Plastic Formwork
7. Stay in place formwork
8. Permanent Insulated formwork
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Timber Formwork
• Timber formwork is the most common type of formwork among all
others.
• Timber forms are extensively used in construction from the ancient
period.
• Timber formwork is the oldest type of form used in construction.
• It is easily used in any construction but it may prove time-consuming
for large projects.
• It is economical for Small projects.
• Timber is light-weighted compared to steel or aluminum Shuttering.
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Timber Formwork
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Steel Formwork
• Steel formwork is one become more popular due to its strength,
durability and repetitive reuse for a long period.
• Steel formwork is costly for small work but can be used for a large
number of projects.
• Steel shuttering offers smooth surface finish to concrete compare to
timber formwork.
• It can be used for circular or curved structures such as tanks, columns,
chimneys, sewer, tunnel and retaining wall.
• Reduces honeycombing effect in concrete.
• Corrosion will occur when there is a frequent contact with water.
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Steel Formwork
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Aluminum Formwork
• Density of aluminum is less than compare to steel and that makes it
light weighted than steel. This is the main advantage when
compared to steel.
• Shuttering down with aluminum form is proven economical if large
numbers of repeating usage are made in construction.
• Aluminum also has a lower strength than steel, and this must be
considered before using it.
• Creates a smooth finish on concrete surfaces and is also suitable for
curved structures
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Aluminum Formwork
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Plywood Formwork
• Plywood is often used along with timber.
• It is a manufactured wooden material, which is
available in different sizes and thicknesses.
• In formwork applications, it is mainly used for
sheathing, decking and form linings.
• Plywood formwork has similar properties as timber
formwork, including strength, durability and being
lightweight.
• It is strong, flexible and easy to handle. Its
life is too short compared to other materials.
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Plywood Formwork
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Fabric Formwork
• With the advancement and new technology trends in building planning and
designing, the construction of complex-shaped structural members is
increased.
• To satisfy this need the fabric formwork is introduced which made of the
flexibility of this material make it possible to produce concrete in any
shape.
• The flexibility of fabric formwork makes it possible to produce concrete
members of any shape.
• This system uses lightweight and high-strength sheets of fabric, designed
to adjust to the fluidity of concrete and create interesting architectural
forms.
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Fabric Formwork
• Fabric formwork is also known as flexible formwork.
• This formwork type uses less concrete than rigid systems, which yields
savings.
• It is an emerging technology in the shuttering industry, especially suited for
constructions of irregular and complex shapes.
• Pressure in fabric results in bulging or deflection. This means that fabric
can only be used where the bulging is not detrimental to the finished
concrete.
• Rigid materials such as dimensional lumber, plywood, or aluminum are
conventionally used to restrain the fluid forces of concrete.
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Fabric Formwork
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Plastic Formwork
• Plastic formworks are lightly weighted, interlocking systems and can be used
more than 100 times.
• It can be used for normal concrete construction.
• This type of formwork is now becoming popular for similar shapes and large
housing schemes.
• Plastic forms are light in weight hence requires less handling cost.
• It can be utilized in the large concrete section.
• If careful installation and use, multiple reuses are possible making it highly
economical.
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Plastic Formwork
• Its main drawback is having less flexibility than timber, since many
components are prefabricated.
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Minimizing Cost of Formwork
• Since formwork may account for 40–60% of the cost of concrete construction, it is
essential that the formwork plan be carefully developed and thoroughly
evaluated.
• A cost comparison should be made of all feasible forming systems and methods
of operation. Such an analysis must include the cost of equipment and labor
required to install reinforcing steel and to place and finish the concrete, as well as
the cost of formwork, its erection, and removal.
• The formwork plan that provides the required safety and construction quality at
the minimum overall cost should be selected for implementation
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Minimizing Cost of Formwork
• In general, lower formwork cost will
result from repetitive use of forms.
• Flying forms, large sections of formwork
moved by crane from one position to
another, are often economical in
repetitive types of concrete
construction.
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