Formworks

Nicole Anne T. Castillo

 What is Formworks?
• Formworks are molds that is used to shape and support the concrete until it attains
sufficient strength to carry it owns weight.
• Formworks should be capable of carrying all imposed dead and live loads apart from its
own weight.

Formworks are made of:

- Steel - Aluminum
- Timber
 Timber Formworks
• Most common used for bracing the
member, hence called as the
traditional formworks.

• It can be easily cut to different

sizes.

Structure Normal Size for Timber

Sheeting for Slab, beam, 25 mm to 40 mm Thickness
column size, and beam
bottom

Joint and Ledges 50 x 70 mm to 50 x 150 mm

Posts 75 x 100 mm to 100 x 100 mm

 Steel Formworks

• Steel formworks are more stronger,

durable, and have a longer life than
timber and their reuse are more in
number

• Steel formworks are more easy to

be installed and dismantle
 Aluminum Formworks

• Aluminum are strong and light, and

consequently fewer supports and ties are
required.

• The lighters section will deflect more but can

be avoided by simply following the
manufactures recommendation.
Qualities of Formworks:
• It should be water tight.
• It should be strong to carry loads
• It can be reusable.
• Its contact surface must be uniform
• It should be according to the size of the member
In order to successfully carry its function, formworks
must achieve a balance of the following requirement:
• Containment
• Strength
• Resistant to Leakage
• Accuracy
• Ease of Handling
• Reuse Potential
• Economy
• Containment : formworks must be capable of shaping and supporting the fluid
concrete until cures.
• Strength : formworks must be capable of safely withstanding without distortion or danger
the dead weight of the fluid concrete is placed on it, laborer weight, and any
environmental weight.
• Resistant to Leakage: formworks must be created
• Accuracy: formworks must be in the dimension and shape of the designed
structure.
• Ease of Handling: form panels and units should be designed so that their size
does not exceed that which can be easily handled by hand or mechanical
means.
• Reuse Potential: formworks must be reusable to avoid
• Economy: all the formworks is very expensive. On average about 30% of the total cost of
any finished concrete unit or element can be attributed to its formworks.
Formworks detail for different structural members
– In concrete construction formworks is commonly provided for the following structural
member:
• Walls
• Columns
• Slab and Beams
• Stairs
• Chimneys
Formworks for Wall
• It consists of
– Timber sheeting
– Vertical posts
– Horizontal members
– Stakes
– Wedges
Formworks for Columns
• It consists of the following:
– Side and End Planks
– Yoke
– Nut and Bolts

 Two ends and two side planks are joined

by the yokes and bolts
Formworks for Slab and Beams
• It consist of :
– Sole plates – Batten
– Wedges – Ledgers
– Vertical Props – Braces
– Head Tree
Formworks for Stairs
• It consist of
– Vertical & inclines post
– Inclined members
– Wooden planks or Steel pltes
– Stringer
– Riser Planks
Three stages in the process:
• Assembly and erection
• Concrete Placement
• Stripping and dismantling
Removal of Formworks:
• The time of removal of formworks depends on the following
1. Type of Cement
Rapid hardening cement require lesser time as compared to OPC ( Ordinary Portland Cement)
2. Ratio of Concrete Mix
Rich ratio concrete gain strength faster as compared to weak ratio concrete
3. Weather Condition
Hydration process accelerates in hot weather condition as compared to cold and humid weather
conditions.
Time of Removal of Formworks
Structural Members OPC (Ordinary Portland Rapid Hardening Cement
Cement)
Beams sides, Walls, & 2 – 3 Days 2 Days
Columns
Slab (Removal of sheeting. Props 10 Days 5 Days
remains intact)
Beams (Removal of sheeting. 8 Days 5 Days
Props remains intact)
Beams ( Complete Formwork 14 Days 5 – 8 Days
Removal)( Up to 6 m span)
Beams (Complete Formworks 21 Days 8 – 10 Days
Removal)( more than 6 m span)
Maintenance of Formworks
• Due to continuous use of wooden planks and steel plates surface become uneven and
require maintenance.
• For wooden formworks use cardboard or plastic fiber board. Bolt hole places must also
be repaired.
• For steel formworks plates must also be leveled by mallet and loose corners must be
welded.
Cost of Formworks
• For normal works cost of formworks is about 30% - 40% of the concrete cost
• For special works cost of formworks is about 50% - 60% of the concrete cost.
• Formworks cost is controlled by the following factors:
• Formworks Material
• Formworks Erecting
• Formworks Removal
• Formworks Joining ( Cables and Nails)
• Labor Charges
Loads on Formwork:
• Dead Loads
– Self Weight of formworks
– Pressure and loads from fresh concrete
– Reinforcement

• Imposed Dead Loads

– Construction Workers
– Stacking of Materials
– Machines

• Environmental Loads
– Wind Loads
Conclusion:
The formwork should be made of good quality material and
constructed properly. The type of material to be used for
formworks depends upon the availability and cost of materials.
SOURCE:
• https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.designin
gbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Formwork&ved=2ahUKEwi7xoPhsKzmAhWQFYgKHf8v
AssQFjAkegQIAhAB&usg=AOvVaw1gf-xqli2YUoXYGjaZQ7t-
• https://theconstructor.org/building/formwork-shuttering/types-of-formwork-shu
ttering/3767/
THANK YOU !