Chapter 3

Construction Supporting
Technologies
 Formwork
What is Formwork?
 Formwork is a structure, usually temporary,

used to contain poured concrete to mould it

to the required dimensions and support
until it is able to support itself.

 It consists primarily of the face contact

material and the bearers that directly
support the face contact material.
 The best way to choose a formwork system
is to begin considering your options during
the design phase of a project.

 This can allow you to contact a number of

different formwork system providers, obtain
rough estimates, and develop a relationship
with the company of your choice, experts
who can help you make the best decisions
about different systems.
Purpose and Use of Formwork

 The formwork serves as mould for concrete

structural components. It moulds the placed
fresh concrete, which in this stage normally
is viscous, to the shape specified in the
drawing.

 Consequently, the formwork must already

be available when the necessary steel
reinforcement and concrete mix are placed.
 Formwork is required wherever monolithic
concrete and reinforced concrete structures or
structural components are constructed, such as for
 solid structures (foundations, columns...),
 structures with special functions
(containers, chimneys, hydraulic
structures ...),
 structures to meet great statistical
requirements (bridges, towers...),
 reconstruction of structures,
 public buildings and structures of irregular
arrangement.
Load Requirements of Formwork

Loading of vertical formwork

 Vertical formwork is used for strip foundations,

concrete walls and columns.

 Immediately after placement in the formwork

until achievement of its inherent stability, the
concrete mix, under the effect of its own load
and of compaction by vibration, exerts lateral
pressure on the formwork, which is called
lateral pressure of the concrete mix.
The lateral pressure of the concrete mix depends on
the following factors:
◦ Composition and properties of the concrete mix (density,
type of cement, quality of concrete),
◦ concrete placing technology (concreting speed, compaction,
vibration depth, total height of the concrete mix)
◦ Ambient conditions (temperature, air humidity).

 The maximum lateral load with external vibration occurs at the

foot of the formwork and with internal vibration above the foot.

 Tie wires (tie rods) are used to take up the lateral pressure of
the concrete mix.
Loading of horizontal formwork

 Horizontal formwork is used for ceilings and

beams. Horizontal formwork is subjects to
vertical loads which are to be carried off to
solid subsoils through formwork bearers and
main bearers as well as columns.
horizontal loads are produced by:
 wind effects
 inclined position of columns,
 backing up, etc.

 The horizontal forces are taken up by

auxiliary structures, such as braces and
struts, or rigid connection to existing
structural components, such as walls and
columns.
Choosing and selecting the best formwork

factors to consider when choosing between

formwork systems are
 the unique concerns of your particular
job site,
 the availability of various formwork
materials, and
 whether the supplier offers services
such as pre-assembly of some
components and field training for your
workers.
Requirements of a Good Formwork System

 How formwork can be erected and de-shuttered fast.

 How good concrete quality and surface finish can be
achieved.
 What is the optimum stock of formwork required for
the size of work
 force, the specified time schedule and flow of
materials.
 What is the overall cost savings that can be achieved
using the right type
 of formwork.
 How SAFETY can be improved for the site personnel.
In order to successfully carry out its function, formwork
must achieve a balance of following requirements:

 Containment.
 Strength
 Resistance to leakage
 Accuracy
 Ease of handling
 Finish and reuse potential
 Access for concrete
 Economy
Formwork Based On Materials

i. Timber Forms
 Timber is required for practically all jobs of formwork.

The timber bring used for formwork must satisfy the

following requirements:

 Basic standard qualities:-

◦ Reasonable price and availability
◦ Should not be so soft
◦ Should be easily worked by hand or machine and nailed easily
◦ Should be stiff to avoid deflection
◦ Should be stable when exposed to sun or rain
◦ Should reduce defects
◦ Not suitable for green timber
◦ Moisture content not less than 20%
Advantages of using timber forms:

 It is economical for small construction jobs

 It is design flexible and easy to erect
 It has good thermal insulation which makes

it useful to be used in colder Regions

 It can easily be made into any shape or size

More economic
 Easy to handle and formed into required

shape
 Easy to fix insert
Disadvantage of timber formwork

 Not enough strength as compared to steel

formwork to carry large pressure.
 Excessive shrinkage due to temperature

changes.
 Leakage through joints and apertures.
 Easily damage during fixing and dismantling

of formwork.
 The pattern of grain, knots, bad flaws will

leave imprint to the face of concrete.

ii. Plywood forms (in combination with timber)

 There are two types of plywood - internal and

exterior.
 The interior type is bonded with water resistant glue
and exterior type is bonded with water proof glue.

standard:
 Strong and light
 Supplied in sheets - 1.2m wide
 Standard length – 2.4m, 2.7m or 3.m
 Thickness – from 3mm to 19mm
 Thickness for lining or curved work – 16 mm
or less
Advantages of Plywood Formwork

 Large panel
 Leak proof
 Large level surface
 No casting or cupping of surface – smooth

surface
 Can be nailed to edges without splitting
 high resistance to impact loads
 Available in several thickness
Disadvantages of Plywood Formwork

 Grain pattern on concrete face

 Less durable
 More expensive compared to timber
iii. Aluminum Forms

 Forms made from aluminum are in many respects similar

to those made of steel. However, because of their lower
density, aluminum forms are lighter than steel forms, and
this is their primary advantage when compared to steel.

 As the strength of aluminum in handling, tension and

compression is less than the strength of steel, it is
necessary to use large sections.

 The formwork turns out to be economical if large numbers

of reuses are made in construction. The major
disadvantage of aluminum forms is that no changes can
be made once the formwork is fabricated.
iv. Plastics

 These forms have become increasingly

popular for casting unique shapes and
patterns being designed in concrete
because of the excellent finish obtained
requiring minimum or no surface treatment
and repairs.

 Different types of plastic forms are available

like glass reinforced plastic, fiber reinforced
plastic and thermoplastics etc.
 Fiberglass-reinforced plastic is the most
common and has several advantages such as

 The material allows greater freedom of design

 Unusual textures and designs can be molded into the
form
 It allows the contractor to pour structural and finished
concrete simultaneously
 Because sections can be joined on the job site in such a
way so as to eliminate joints, there is no size limitation If
carefully handled, a number of reuses are possible
making it highly economical
 It is lightweight and easily stripped
 The disadvantage of using plastic forms is
that it does not lend itself to field
fabrication
v. Steel Formwork:

 Mostly used in large construction projects or

in situations where large numberof re-uses
of the same shuttering is possible.

 Suitable for circular or curved shaped

structures such as tanks, columns,
chimneys. Etc. & for structures like sewer
tunnel and retaining wall.
Advantages of steel formwork over timber
form:

 strong, durable & have longer life

 Reuses can be assumed to vary from 100 to

120 wares timber varies from 10 to 12.

 Steel can be installed & dismantled with

greater ease & speed resultingin saving in

labour cost.
 Excellent quality of exposed concrete

surface obtained. Thus saving in the cost of

finishing the conc. surface.
 no danger of formwork absorbing water
from the conc. & hence minimizing
honeycombing
 Able to carry large concrete weight and

pressure.
 Can be erected, disassembled, moved, and

re-erected rapidly using proper handling

equipment available.
 Leakage can be avoided.
 No shrinkage due to temperature changes.
 Easy to fix the joint with bolt and nut.
 Economic if there are enough re-uses.
Disadvantages of Steel Formwork

 Limited to the shape of the structure.

 Standard steel unit are too heavy and

difficult to handle.
Duration Taken For Removal of
Formwork
location Surface or air temperature of concrete

16°C 17°C

Vertical f/work 12 hrs 18 hrs

Slab soffit (props left under) 4 days 6 days

Removal of props 10 days 15 days

Beam soffit (props left under) 10 days 15 days

Removal of props 14 days 21 days

Current Innovations
Figure 2: Clamping mechanism wall formwork

Horizontal Inclined Climbing Vertical

Climbing Formwork System Climbing
Formwork System Formwork
System
Adjustable column
formwork
Light weight, quick strip floor
formwork