Formwork systems in India

A formwork system refers to the moulds used to hold and support wet concrete
until it cures, which is pretty much a vital element in concrete construction.

formwork systems have evolved from being customized timber-based to pre-

engineered systems made of steel, aluminium, manufactured timber, plywood
and plastics.

This advancement, especially in the case of high-rise projects has translated into
faster implementation with lesser labour, implying enhanced productivity while
delivering a better finished product
The only IS code available is IS 14687:1999 which only provides guidelines on
the usage of formwork and these too are very vague. Hence, standards that are
followed for the designing of its formwork and scaffolding systems are ACI SP-4

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 Formwork detail for different
structural members
In concrete construction , formwork is commonly provided for the following
structural members.

• Foundations
• Wall
• Column
• Slabs & beams
• Stairs

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Formwork for
Foundations
• Wall foundations
It consists of
• Plywood Sheeting
• Struts

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Formwork for Foundations
• Column Foundations
It consists of
• Side Supports
• Side Planks
• Cleats

Cleats

Side Support
Side Planks

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 Formwork for Wall
• It consists of
• Timber sheeting
• Vertical posts
• Horizontal members
• Rackers
• Stakes
• Wedges Struts
• After completing one side of
formwork reinforcement is
provided at the place then the
second side formwork is
provided.

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 Formwork for Column
• It consists of the following
• Side & End Planks
• Yoke
• Nut & Bolts
• Two end & two side planks are
joined by the yokes and bolts.

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Column formwork

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 Formwork for Slabs & beams
• It consists of
• Sole plates
• Wedges
• Props
• Head tree
• Planks
• Batten
• Ledgers
• Beam formwork rests
on head tree
• Slab form work rests on
battens and joists
• If prop height are more
than 8’ provide
horizontal braces.

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Lintel or Beam Formwork

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 Formwork for Stairs
• It consists of
• Vertical & inclined posts
• Inclined members
Riser Planks
• Wooden Planks or sheeting
• Stringer
• Riser Planks

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 Removal of formwork
Time of formwork removal mainly depends on the following factors
1. Type of Cement
1. Rapid hardening cements require lesser time as compared
to OPC (Ordinary Portland Cement)
2. Ratio of concrete mix
1. Rich ratio concrete gain strength earlier as compared to
weak ratio concrete.
3. Weather condition
1. Hydration process accelerates in hot weather conditions as

compared to cold and humid weather conditions.

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 Time of Removal of formwork
Sr. OPC Rapid
No Structural Member (Ordinary Portland Hardening
Cement) Cement

1 Beam sides, walls & Columns 2-3 Days 2 Days

2 Slab (Vertical Supports remains 4 Days 3 Days

intact)
3 Slab (Complete Formwork 10 Days 5 Days
removal)
4 Beams (Removal of Sheeting, 8 Days 5 Days
Props remains intact)

5 Beams & Arches (Complete 14 Days 5-8 Days

formwork removal) (up to 6 m
span)
6 Beams & Arches (Complete 21 Days 8-10 Days
formwork removal) (more than
6 m span)
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 Maintenance of formwork

• Due to continuous use wooden planks & steel plates surfaces become
uneven and require maintenance.

• For wooden formwork use cardboard or plastic fiber board. Bolt hole
places must also be repaired.

• For steel formwork plates must be leveled by mallet and loose corners
must be welded.

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Timber Formwork: After Concrete Was Poured

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TIMBER FORMWORK

Timber Formwork : For The Slab

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ADVANTAGES OF TIMBER FORMWORK
a) Easy handling because it’s light weight
b) Easy to disassemble
c) Damaged parts can be replaced with new one
d) Very flexible
DISADVANTAGES OF TIMBER FORMWORK
a) Can’t be used for long. Have limited re-use. Can only be re-used 5 or 6 times
b) If the timber is dry, it will absorb moisture from wet concrete which could
weaken the resultant concrete member.
c) Timber with high moisture content (more than 20 % moisture content), wet
concrete will shrink & cup leading to open joints & leakage of grout.

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STEEL FORMWORK

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ADVANTAGES OF STEEL FORMWORK

a) Very strong and able to carry heavy load

b) Easy to be fixed

c) Uniform size and surface

d) Can be used for a very long time

DISADVANTAGES OF STEEL FORMWORK

a) Limited size or shape

b) Excessive loss of heat

c) A very smooth surface will be produced which would give problems for
finishing process

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 Requirements of a Good Formwork
The essential requirements of formwork or shuttering are:

a)   It should be strong enough to take the dead and live loads during construction.

b)  The joints in the formwork should be rigid so that the bulging, twisting, or sagging
due to dead and live load is as small as possible. Excessive deformation may disfigure
the surface of concrete.

c)  The construction lines in the formwork should be true and the surface plane so that
the cost finishing the surface of concrete on removing the shuttering is the least.

• A formwork should be easily removable without damage to itself so that it could be

used repeatedly

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Fair Face Formwork
• Rough planks do not provide a smooth surface
• Plywood or steel sheets make a smooth surface for concrete
• Fair face formwork is designed for easy removal and reuse

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Apply Formwork Oil

Mix Oil and Grease 1:2

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• Formwork oil prevents the formwork from sticking to the concrete.
It eases dismantling

• Formwork oil gives the concrete a fine finish

• Never use burnt engine oil. It will blacken the concrete and spoil the
formwork

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