CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE ASSIGNEMENT

Falsework

1. What is the difference between formwork and falsework systems?

Formwork: It is defined as a temporary installation used to support and hold wet concrete
until it attains strength and is self-supporting. It also includes the forms on or within which
the concrete is poured, the supports which carry the forms and the concrete, the bracing which
are used to ensure stability. In other words it can be defined as a temporary structure which
involves wet concrete can be termed as form work.
Falsework: It can be defined as a temporary structure used to support a permanent
structure, material, equipment and people until the structure is self-supporting. Sometime a
false work is included in formwork, for example a temporary staircase which is used as an
access for men.

2. Identify 3 types of falsework systems and where they might be used.

Falsework has many wider applications during the construction processes some of them are:
i. They can be used for supporting precast beams or bridge decks or arched
structures.

While placing a precast beam on a column or a bridge deck on two piers the beam or
deck should be supported with props which act as falsework, since the beam
reinforcement is to be fixed with the column reinforcement and concreted to become
monolithic. If props are not provided the beams may get deflected and finally collapse.
In order to avoid props are to be placed for supporting beams such that the deflection in
the beam is zero. They can later be removed once the joints get strength and become
self-supporting. Adequate bracing should be provided in longitudinal and transverse
direction to ensure the falsework is stable against horizontal movements due to applied
loads.

ii. Temporary stair case and scaffolding for working at heights are also a type of false
works.

In order to work on greater heights labour require a platform of sufficient height so

that they can carry out works which are at a higher level (for example construction
of a brick wall or plastering or painting above height above 1.5m). A temporary
platform can be created which acts as a platform where men can stand and work on
it and these can also be used for placing materials and machinery on it. This
temporary can be platform be termed as a false work. A temporary staircase which
can be used for moving up and down can also be termed as a falsework.
 iii. Handrails which are used for protecting men working at heights can be termed as
falseworks.

When working on the edges of a building or openings there may be chance of falling the
labour working from the edge or openings of the building. In order to prevent accidents
handrails are provided on the edges and near the openings which ac as a support for men
working. This temporary handrails ca be termed as falseworks.
3. Explain the key factors that you would consider when choosing a falsework system.
The key factors which are considered while choosing falsework are:

 It must be rigid so that it can safely carry the loads acting on it and reduce the deflections.
 It must be stable and strong enough to carry the loads of men or machinery when working
on it.
 It used should be economical and durable (should have maximum reuses).
 It should be light so that the men can handle them easily.
 It should be easy to erect and strip after use.

4. Choose 1 type of falsework system and explain the steps needed to install the falsework
system.
Falsework system for supporting precast beams:
In order to design a falsework system for beams we need to find out the number of props to
be placed and spacing between them. To find the number of props and their spacing we need
to find out the deflections of the beam considering it as a simply-supported beam. The
deflection are to be found out by dividing the entire beam various smaller sections. The props
are to be placed where the deflections are maximum in the sections and ensuring there are no
or minimum deflections on the beam when it is erected.
The falsework should be designed such that it can safely transfer the super imposed loads
acting on it. Adequate bracing should be provided longitudinally and transversely to ensure
the falsework is stable during erection and due to horizontal movements resulting from the
applied loads.
If the false work is placed on natural ground then care should be taken so that the falsework
don’t get settled due to settlement in the soil due to applied load. If the soil has a low bearing
capacity footing pads must be placed to ensure there is no settlement in the soil due to applied
loads.
FORMWORK:

1. When choosing the right formwork for construction, identify the key issues to consider.

The selection of formwork, particularly for large-scaled and complex projects, depend on the
following factors:

Design related factors:

i. The shape of the building:

Simple block-shaped buildings, are much easier to construct than buildings in

awkward shapes, such as projects with curved, inclined, stepped, which may limit
the choice of system-type formwork due to features that interrupt with the casting
process

ii. Internal Layout:

Some buildings may have very simple layouts with few in-situ walls and floor plates
framed with regularly spaced columns. But in case where load bearing and shear
walls are present we need to adopt a proprietary systems for easy installation and
removal of forms.

iii. Structural Forms:

The structural form of buildings also affects the formwork options. Buildings where
there are no intermediate slabs a self-climbing or jump formwork system can be
adopted. Buildings in flat slab design make table forms or flying forms the best
choice.
iv. Consistency in Building dimensions:

Some buildings may have non-standardised dimensions due to the architectural

design as the structure ascends. Formwork systems, like the climb form or may be
quite difficult to use in such situations, for the frequent adjustments of the form to
meet the changes in dimensions may eventually incur extra cost and time.

v. High head-room:

Higher headroom increases the amount of staging required and can also create
accessibility and safety problems. It can also make the erection of formwork, ensuring
formwork stability and the placing of concrete more difficult.

vi. Surfaces finishes:

Fair-faced concrete demands very high quality formwork in terms of surface

treatment of the panels, tightness of the formwork joints and in dimensional
accuracy. Requirements are slightly relaxed where the concrete surface is to be
finished at a later stage.
Construction Related

i. Speed of work:
When working with buildings with large construction areas and horizontal spread,
projects can be expedited by the introduction of additional sets. A properly selected,
designed and arranged formwork system will increase work efficacy for each typical
cycle.

ii. Desired repeatability of formwork:

The re-use for traditional timber formwork is usually limited due to the durability of
the plywood sheeting. Thus, it is uneconomical to use timber formwork for high-rise
buildings at heights in accordance to the multiple of the usual re-used times.
Although the metal form can be re-used many times but has high initial cost. A
careful balance between cost, speed, performance and the quality of output should
be properly considered when making the selection.

iii. Involvement of other construction techniques:

Tensioning and prefabrication activities are often involved in construction. This may
create certain impacts on the use of formwork, especially where precast elements are
to be incorporated during the casting process. Provision should be made for
temporary supports or slot spaces and box out positions in the formwork for the
precast elements, or extra working space for placing stressing tendons and onward
jacking.

iv. Inventory
The most frequent time & cost consuming activity of formwork assembly is the loose
and small components/accessories of the formwork system. The lesser inventories
will help to reduce risk of losing parts and provide ease in construction.