Temporary Works:

Formworks and
Scaffolding

Engr. Lito I. Mauro

When undertaking works such as concreting,
walling, plastering, erection of prefabricated
members, it is necessary to install some works
to carry loads temporarily or to give access for
workmen to the works.
These are called temporary works.
Centering, formwork, scaffolding and shoring are
the principal types of temporary works.
Centering – temporary work used for construction of
arches.
Formwork or shuttering – temporary works used as a
mold in which fresh concrete is poured for it to
harden.
Scaffolding – temporary works erected for construction
of masonry works, plastering, painting, etc.
Shores – temporary supports used to prop up buildings
for repair.
Types of formworks for concreting
1. Elementary type of formwork – In this type of
formwork, each element of the temporary work is not
more than 30kg, requiring not more than two men to lift
each unit.
2. Standard formworks – These are standard elements up
to 70kg requiring up to 3 persons to lift them.
3. Special formwork – Formworks such as slip forms,
moving forms, special formwork for water tanks, which
require jacks, cranes, etc. to lift them.
Lateral pressures on formworks
The magnitude of lateral pressure on formwork
from the fluid concrete depends on factors
such as its consistency, rate of concreting,
degree of vibration, etc.
Temporary works for concreting
It is estimated that 20 – 25% of the cost of construction in
buildings goes to temporary works.
Formwork is usually paid is square meter basis.
Components of the temporary work for concreting
1. Formwork or shuttering
2. Props or scaffolding to support the formwork
3. Access scaffolding which gives a safe means of access
and working place including space to support
equipment for placing and compacting concrete
Surface treatment of shuttering
The surface of wooden shuttering that comes into
contact with concrete should be well-treated before
concreting.
1. Coating with soap solution
2. Coating with raw linseed oil
3. Coating with special form coating
4. Provide with a material such as polythene sheet
Lost shuttering
Lost shuttering, as different from
temporary shuttering, is left with the cast
concrete and not removed and reused
after concreting.
Provision of camber
Suitable camber in horizontal members should be
provided to offset effect of deflection of member
after removal of formwork.
The usual cambers are 1/250 (4mm/m) for beams and
slabs.
Provide 1/50 of the projected length for cantilevers at
the free end.
Standard types of formwork for concreting
1. Columns of any shape (rectangular,
square, circular, etc.)
2. Beams and slabs
3. Stairs
4. Walls
Scaffolding for civil works
Formwork is generally used for all
temporary works for holding concrete.
Scaffolding is generally used for the
temporary structure used to support the
concrete formwork or supporting the
workmen during the construction.
1. Single scaffolding or brick layers scaffolding
This type of scaffolding is mostly used for masonry works
and consists of an outer row of verticals to which
longitudinal members are tied at different levels of
working.
The cross members (putlogs) are tied to the standards at
the outer end and rest on the walls being built.
The platform is carried on the putlogs.
Cross bracing in the vertical planes between the verticals
are to be introduced for lateral stability.
2. Double scaffolding
This is a supporting system used by masons for
plastering.
It has pairs of (inner and outer) verticals.
The putlogs are supported on an inner system of
verticals and longitudinals.
It is tied to the building at intervals when used for
multistorey building.
3. Cantilever or needle scaffolding
Cantilever scaffolding eliminates unwanted
scaffolding at lower levels keeping the space for
vehicles.
It is similar to the double scaffold, except that it is
supported at the bottom by a cantilever prop.
4. Birdscage scaffolding
It is used for internal work and consists of a
simple cage supported on four verticals from
which the workers can work.
It is movable and can be easily moved from
place to place.
5. Ladder or trestle scaffolding
This is used for light work and usually portable.
It consists of two ladders with the top ends
joined together by planks so that a person can
work on the platform.
6. Suspended scaffolding
For painting or cleaning of tall buildings, it is more
convenient and economical to suspend the
working platform from above the ground.
Three types of suspended scaffolding
1. Fixed-type suspended scaffolds
2. Suspended scaffolds operated by pulleys
3. Suspended scaffolds operated by winches
Shoring
Shores are temporary supports are used to support unsafe
building (or buildings while they are repaired).
Shoring is used for the work of timbering of excavations.
Three classes of shores according to their position in
space
1. Raking (or inclined) shores
2. Horizontal (or flying) shores
3 Vertical (or dead) shores
They are used during repair and underpinning operations.
Underpinning
Underpinning is used in the repair, strengthening
or renewal of the foundation of an exiting
building.
During underpinning, the building is properly
shored.
Methods of underpinning of foundations
1. Pit method – It involves strengthening by excavation
and building below the existing foundation.
2. Pile method – It involves supporting the building on
newly built piles of various types without
excavations.
3. Pier method – This is a combination of pit and pile
methods to excavate below the foundation and pier for
the new foundation.