TYPES AND MATERIALS USED FOR FORMWORK

• Formwork (shuttering) in concrete construction is used as a

mould for a structure in which fresh concrete is poured only
to harden subsequently.
• Types of concrete formwork construction depends on
formwork material and type of structural element.
• Formworks can also be named based on the type of
structural member construction such as slab formwork for
use in slab, beam formwork, column formwork for use in
beams and columns respectively etc.
• The construction of formwork takes time and involves
expenditure upto 20 to 25% of the cost of the structure or
even more.
• Design of these temporary structures are made to economic
expenditure. The operation of removing the formwork is
known as stripping.
• Stripped formwork can be reused. Reusable forms are
known as panel forms and non-usable are called stationary
forms.
 TYPES AND MATERIALS USED FOR FORMWORK
Types of System Formwork 
1. Wall Formworks
2. Slab Formworks
3. Monolithic Formworks
4. Climbing Formworks

Wall Formworks-
The girder wall formwork consists of timber and/or steel
girders connected to each other that form the support surface
for the formlining. The optimization of individual elements and
the development of a wide range of accessories for connections
and attachments still makes girder wall formwork cost-effective
in spite of the relatively high number of components. A major
advantage is the flexibility in order to be able to adapt to
complex shapes and high loads.
 TYPES AND MATERIALS USED FOR FORMWORK
Slab Formwork
Slab formwork is designed as per the depth of concrete slab over, filling
the slab portion between beams having large surface area.The loads on
plywood are usually considered as being uniformly distributed over the
entire surface of the plywood. The concentrated load “d” can by
transformed in a uniform distributed load, by dividing it to the span “l”

Climbing Formworks
Climbing formwork is a special type formwork for
vertical concrete structures that rises with the building process. While
relatively complicated and costly, it can be an effective solution for
buildings that are either very repetitive in form (such as towers or
skyscrapers) or that require a seamless wall structure .
 TYPES AND MATERIALS USED FOR FORMWORK
Varieties of materials used for making concrete formwork depending on availability of material, economical
consideration etc. Formwork can be made using one type of material or combining different types of material.
“Formwork” and “shuttering”, these two words are often used for same meaning. But “shuttering” actually is
a part of making formwork.

Below are the common types of formwork material used in concrete construction:

• Timber
• Steel
• Plywood
• Aluminium
• Plastic
• Fabric, etc.
 TYPES AND MATERIALS USED FOR FORMWORK
1.Timber: Timber is a popular formwork material. It
has been using from ancient age. We can make
concrete formwork using only timber or combining
timber with other types of formwork material. Timber
is light weight, easy to fix and remove. It’s also
economical and available in different sizes.

2.Steel: Steel formwork materials are costly. But it has

many times re-usability. It’s mainly useful for
construction company where repeated uses are
possible. Steel formwork materials give excellent
finishes to concrete surface. Wide variety of steel
formwork materials are available in the market for
various purpose of uses.
 TYPES AND MATERIALS USED FOR FORMWORK
3.Plywood: Plywood is an artificially manufactured
wooden material used for making concrete formwork.
It is strong, durable and light weight. The availability of
different thickness plywood in the market makes it
popular for different sizes concreting work. The
thickness range of plywood is, from 7 mm to 32 mm.
The standard size of plywood mostly used in building
construction is 1220 x 2440 mm. It can easily be cut
into any size.

4. Aluminium: Aluminium formwork is getting popular

in construction industry. It is easy to fix and remove
thus increase worker productivity. It is also many times
re-useable.
 TYPES AND MATERIALS USED FOR FORMWORK
5. Plastic: As per experts, depending on the plastic
quality, it can be used up to 100 times. The core
advantage of this is, it is super lightweight, easy to
handle and stack.

6. Fabric: This is the latest addition to concrete

formwork sector. For RCC construction and
architectural design work, this is an emerging
technology. The flexibility of this material makes it
possible to produce concrete at any shape.
 TYPES AND MATERIALS USED FOR SHUTTERING
Shuttering or form work is the term used for temporary timber, plywood, metal or other material used to provide support to wet concrete mix till it
gets strength for self support. It provides supports to horizontal, vertical and inclined surfaces or also provides support to cast concrete according
to required shape and size. The form work also produces desired finish concrete surface.   
Shuttering or form work should be strong enough to support the weight of wet concrete mix and the pressure for placing and compacting concrete
inside or on the top of form work/shuttering.
TYPES-

1.STEEL SHUTTERING-
Steel shuttering plate is the best type of shuttering because this is water tight shuttering which can bear the
load of cement concrete placed on it. This shuttering can be used for horizontal, vertical or any other shape required for the work. It
gives leveled surface which has good appearance. This shuttering gives good appearance and pattern work according to architectural
drawings.  If the plaster is required, the thickness of plaster will be less. Being water tight shuttering, the strength of concrete with
steel shuttering is comparatively higher.   
 TYPES AND MATERIALS USED FOR SHUTTERING
2.Wooden Plank Shuttering-
Generally wooden planks shuttering is used by contractors because this
shuttering is cheap and easily available. But this type of shuttering
effects the strength of concrete and have some disadvantages which
are given below.
Disadvantages-
• This is not water tight shuttering as the size and thickness of planks
differ and are not of same size. Due to this difference the water and
cement flow to the ground from joints and reduce the strength of
concrete.
• Bottom level of RCC slab is not in straight line and the surface being
uneven, the thickness of plaster is more which remains weak.
• In some cases wooden planks can not bear the weight of concrete.
Due to low strength there is bending or deflection in wooden planks.
Sometimes the planks may break.
TYPES AND MATERIALS USED FOR SHUTTERING
 TYPES AND MATERIALS USED FOR SCAFFOLDING
Scaffolding is an impermanent structure that
works as a platform for the workers to
perform the construction works while
supporting the original structure. The
Scaffolding structure changes depending on
the type of construction and its
requirements. It is essential that the 
Scaffolding is made from high quality
material because it provides support for
construction workers and the construction
material.
Wood or Metal (like steel) is used to construct
Scaffolding for better performance.
 TYPES AND MATERIALS USED FOR SCAFFOLDING
1. Single Scaffolding
Single scaffolding is generally used for brick
masonry and is also called as brick layer’s
scaffolding. Single scaffolding consists of standards,
ledgers, putlogs etc., which is parallel to the wall at
a distance of about 1.2 m.

2. Double Scaffolding
Double Scaffolding is generally used for stone
masonry so, it is also called as mason’s scaffolding.
In stone walls, it is hard to make holes in the wall to
support putlogs. So, two rows of scaffolding is
constructed to make it strong. The first row is 20 –
30 cm away from the wall and the other one is 1m
away from the first row. Then putlogs are placed
which are supported by the both frames. 
 TYPES AND MATERIALS USED FOR SCAFFOLDING
3. Cantilever Scaffolding
This a type of scaffolding in which the standards are
supported on series of needles and these needles are
taken out through holes in the wall. This is called single
frame type scaffolding. In the other type needles are
strutted inside the floors through the openings and this
is called independent or double frame type scaffolding.

4. Suspended Scaffolding
In suspended scaffolding, the working platform is
suspended from roofs with the help of wire ropes or
chains etc., it can be raised or lowered to our required
level. This type of scaffolding is used for repair works,
pointing, paintings etc..
 TYPES AND MATERIALS USED FOR SCAFFOLDING

5. Trestle Scaffolding
In Trestle scaffolding, the working platform is
supported on movable tripods or ladders.
This is generally used for work inside the
room, such as paintings, repairs etc., up to a
height of 5m.

6. Steel Scaffolding
Steel scaffolding is constructed by steel
tubes which are fixed together by steel
couplers or fittings. It is very easy to
construct or dismantle. It has greater
strength, greater durability and higher fire
resistance. It is not economical but will give
more safety for workers. So, it is used
extensively nowadays.
 TYPES AND MATERIALS USED FOR SCAFFOLDING
COMPONENTS-
 TYPES AND MATERIALS USED FOR CENTERING

Centering:
Centering is a temporary arrangement & part of
formwork which is arranged to support horizontal
members.
or
In a technical point of view, the formwork for floor
beams & Slabs is called as a Centering.

TYPES OF CENTERING
The centering required for the big structues is of the
following three types:
1) Timber truss centering
2) Trestle centering
3) Steel truss centering
 TYPES AND MATERIALS USED FOR CENTERING

Centering is the formwork, usually made from wood, that is used to support the masonry on an arch or barrel
vault before the masonry is placed and before it has gained sufficient strength to support its own weight.
Centering will support the masonry and form the curvature of the arch or vault. Often, depending on the
structure, the centering can be reused to build many arches.