Formwork
Requirements of a
good Formwork
Types of formwork
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Introduction
A mould or open box-like container into which
wet concrete is poured and compacted
Necessary for in situ reinforced concrete
construction
Supporting structure holding forms in place is
called falsework
Temporary structure to be removed once
concrete it contains has formed (hardened)
Could also be permanent
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In-situ Reinforced Concrete Process
Lumber
Plywood sheet
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In-situ Reinforced Concrete Process
Form Components
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In-situ Reinforced Concrete Process
Ground level
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In-situ Reinforced Concrete Process
Base form
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In-situ Reinforced Concrete Process
Concreting
of base
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In-situ Reinforced Concrete Process
Stump form
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In-situ Reinforced Concrete Process
Concreting of
stump
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In-situ Reinforced Concrete Process
Ground
beam form
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In-situ Reinforced Concrete Process
Concreting of
ground beam
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In-situ Reinforced Concrete Process
Column form
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In-situ Reinforced Concrete Process
Concreting
of column
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In-situ Reinforced Concrete Process
Slab/beam formwork
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In-situ Reinforced Concrete Process
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Basic requirements of formwork
Quality
Safety
Economy
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Quality
Accuracy
Produce accurate shape, size and
alignment of structure
Designer should specify allowable
dimensional tolerance
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Quality
Rigidity
Resist any distortion during concreting
therefore formwork should be
supported, tied, braced
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Quality
Watertight joints
loss of water, cement and fines affect
final strength of concrete
affect appearance, honeycombs, uneven
colour
Less rectification costs
20
Quality
Good surface finish
formwork surface in contact with
concrete should be even
no screws, nails
To achieve good surface application
apply mould oils called release agents
21
Safety
Withstand load of wet concrete, operatives
and equipments
An unsafe formwork create insecure working
conditions thus resulting in inefficiency of
workers and reduce output
22
Safety
Provide adequate foundations – place
mudsills under all shoring
Check surrounding excavations to ensure
that formwork does not fail due to
embankment failure
Provide adequate bracings
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Safety
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Safety
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Safety
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Economy
Of three elements in concrete structures –
concrete, reinforcement, formwork
Formwork generally the most expensive
Formwork – high % of labour
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Economy
Formwork:Labour and
Concrete:Labour and equip(39%) material
equip(8%):material (10%)
(24%) 49%
32%
Reinforcemet:Labour
andequip(7%):material
(12%)
19%
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Economy
Factors influencing cost
Material
Labour
Time
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Economy
Factors to achieve economy
Standardisation
Simplification
Less labour
Less time
Reusability
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Economy
Standardisation (Designing stage)
Identical bay spacing
Standardise column and beam sizes
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Economy
Simplification
Easy installation and removal of
formwork and all joints and supports
therefore less labour and time
Easy handling size therefore less labour
33
Economy
Reusability
Durable material
Design for ease of striking without
damage therefore more number of times
of uses
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Types of Formwork
Categorised by material
Timber
Metal eg. steel and aluminium
Plastic (PVC) and GRP (glass reinforced plastics)
Laminated paper products (cardboards)
Fiber cement materials moulded to shape
Pre-cast concrete units used as permanent
formwork
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Timber Formwork
Most common material
plywood and boards
Versatile
Readily available
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Timber Formwork
Advantage
Custom manufactured in large panel
sizes
Curved for special shapes
Reuse many times
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Timber Formwork
Disadvantage
Liable to damage at corners and edges
Wear out quicker
Greater chance of leakage for boards
Variability of absorbency
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Plywood
Varies in thickness from 12 to 20 mm
Common sheet sizes – 2400×1200 mm,
1800×900 mm
Produce smooth concrete surface
Coated in each face with phenolic resin film
or has a face layer of resin impregnated
paper
Does not absorb water from wet concrete
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Timber Formwork
Timber boards
Sawn timber boards – thickness 25 to 65 mm,
widths 70 to 250 mm
Commonly used as edge boarding for concrete
cast on ground, road pavement, kerbs
foothpaths, fllor slabs and footing beams
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Metal Formwork
Mainly proprietary system, consists of stiff metal
sheets and edges, mechanically handled and self
climbing formwork
Use where high stresses occur
Steel sections as a frame for plywood sheeting
Steel plate may be used to replace plywood
sheeting for repeated number of uses
Panels are made in a range of sizes and shapes
for the convenience of other combinations
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Metal Formwork
Advantage:
Stiff and durable thus advantageous for reuse
Closer tolerance
Aluminium- for light weight construction
Disadvantage:
Chemical reaction with fresh concrete which
may cause adverse effect to concrete properties
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Types of Formwork
Categorised by shape
Column formwork
Beam formwork
Floor slab formwork
Wall formwork
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Column Form
Bracing
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Column Form
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Beam and Slab Form
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Forms for Elevated Slab
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Mudsills
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Staircase Form
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Typical Wall Form
Double wales used and ties
inserted in between
Bracing to prevent form
movement
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Formwork Ties
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Formwork Ties
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Formwork Ties
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Formwork Ties
Tie Rods
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Formwork Systems
A special formwork constructed as a system
System is usually proprietary
Usually made of metal
Need machinery for handling
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Formwork Systems
Selecting forming systems is critical because
it affects
speed of construction
building cost
Some prefabricated forming systems can
improve construction efficiency by saving
time and money
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Column Formwork System
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Column Formwork System
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Column Formwork System
Slacken off column spanner
and open first column frame
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Column Formwork System
Release second frame
from concrete
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Column Formwork System
Suspend formwork from crane
and shift to the next point of
use
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Column Formwork System
Frames can be
adjusted to required
size of formwork
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Column Formwork System
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Climbing Formworks
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Climbing Formworks
The retracted bracket allow
you to work safely within the
protection of the formwork –
finishing platform
71
Selection of Types of Formworks
Factors to be considered
Cost of construction (materials and labour)
Easy installation and removal
Reusability
Safety
Requirements of decorative finishes
Availability of materials, instruments (lifting) and
labour
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Permanent Formwork
A structural element used to mould concrete
and left in place for the life of the structure
Contribute to strengthening of structure
Provide additional benefits eg. improved
durability, finish or insulation property
Improve safety by reducing hazards during
construction
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General Safety Measures
Used only materials approved (specifications/no
defect).
Form - strong, properly supported (shores, braces).
Pre-casting inspection - to check strength and stability
of forms.
Install perimeter barriers (no visitors/vehicles).
Inside surfaces of forms - oiled to ease strippings.
No other unnecessary materials or equipment.
Safety precautions signboards must be installed.
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