Institute of Technology, Nirma University

Department of Civil Engineering

B. Tech. Sem VII (Civil Engg.)

Advance Construction Technology
Lecture 1
Formwork

Date:
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Introduction of the knowledge of construction technology

Majority of the important structures: Dams, Bridges, silos, chimneys, cooling tower, concrete
roads, retaining walls underpasses, culverts, etc. are concrete construction.
Formwork & concreting are two main aspects of construction of these structures
Requirement of good Formwork (IS 14689)
a) It should be economical & readily available
b) Strong enough to resist the pressure or the weight of the fresh concrete plus any
superimposed loads.
c) Rigid enough to retain the shape without undue deformation
d) Smoothness and good shape at concrete face.
e) Light enough to permit man handling.
f) Joints should be simple, restricted to lapped or butted & cleated type. Joint should be
watertight.
g) It should be in Line & Level
h) Easy to strike after concreting.

Over all Planning for Formwork

Plan formwork & job sequence at the time of bidding
a)
Study tender specification & drawings
b)
Plan considering layout of concrete structure a practical construction sequence.
c)
Compare schedules & stripping time requirements (Concreting schedule, Bar setting
schedule, Electrical, Mechanical schedule)
d)
Capacity of mixing & placing equipment
e)
Construction joints (if specified), which limit size of lifts or placement units
f)
Availability of material from local market / already existing
g)
Availability of skilled labours
h)
Facilities for form building
i)
Type of surface on which formwork is to be supported
j)
Reshoring requirements if multistory construction is involved
k)
Weather its influence on protection requirements and stripping time, which will in
turn affect reuse & reshoring practices.
l)
Compare alternative plans (consider initial form cost, saving through reuse, cost of
erecting & stripping)
m) Ease & speed of placing concrete

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Causes of Failures
Stripping time requirements
Tolerances ( ACI: 347)

Think About:
How the poor formwork planning affect cost & completion time of the project ?
Study the IS requirements for stripping time for the concrete formwork & tolerances permitted.