CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME

1st July 2011 For internal circulation only Phase - II Vol.: IV

FORM WORK
SECTION A: What is formwork ? It is the 'temporary' container or mould to hold wet concrete which is in semi-solid form to the desired shape of structural member required for our structures. It is also known as 'shuttering'. What then is centring? The supporting system which provides the strength to the formwork to retain its shape is centring. This centring transfers self weight of concrete and other loads due to reinforcement and men working on concrete to the ground. Centring is made up of spanning beams and vertical props, which take the load and transmit to the strong base already formed. Is formwork only temporary? Formwork is generally temporary. The formwork will always be removed when the fresh concrete forming the structural member is set and has attained the designed strength required to support itself. Can formwork be permanent also? Sometimes it can be. Then it will form part of structural supporting system. In what other ways you can classify formwork? [Classification 2] Depending on the shape of formwork you can classify as a. straight formwork [structural members formed by straight lines crisscrossing] b. curved formwork [members formed with curves such as circles, ellipses, etc] Any other classification? [classification 3] Yet another classification is depending on whether formwork is mobile or stationary. a. slip forming slowly moving formwork can be vertically moving or horizontally moving or inclined b. all other formworks are stationery since they are in same position when erected, reinforcement placed, concreted and removed after the structural member has attained required strength. [Classification 4] Yes. Depending on what structural member is finally attained you can classify as a. b. c. d. e. f. g. foundations and footings formwork wall formwork beam formwork column formwork slab formwork stair formwork chimney formwork

Sketch of permanent forwork with rolled sections made out of galvanised steel.

What is lost shuttering? When it is not possible to remove the shuttering from the structure due to certain specific conditions, it is called 'lost shuttering. SECTION B: What are the types of formwork? [Classification 1] Based on the type of materials used formwork is classified as a. Timber shuttering b. Plywood shuttering c. Steel sheet shuttering d. Aluminium shuttering e. Fibre reinforced plastic [FRP] or glass reinforced plastic GRP moulded shuttering f. Precast or masonry moulds.
a foundation ready with shuttering

SECTION C: What are the materials that can be used for formwork? Any sheet material which can be shaped and easily removable without concrete sticking to it is fit for formwork. What are the common materials used in formwork? Commonly used materials are steel timber aluminium fibreglass.

Sketch of an aluminium slab panel

Is any other material used in formwork? Yes. Rubber balloons and special cloth are also used as the spread sheet material in formwork.
Sketch of a wall assembly. [Please see the straightness in the wall formwork].

IS 303 : 1989 Plywood for general purposes IS 710 : 2010 Marine Plywood - Specification IS 1200 : 1982 Method of measurement of building and civil engineering works: part 5 form work IS 1734 Part 1 : 1983 Methods of test for plywood (Parts 1 to 20 in one volume) Part 2 : 1983 Methods of test for plywood (Parts 1 to 20 in one volume) Part 3 : 1983 Methods of test for plywood (Parts 1 to 20 in one volume) IS 2750 : 1964 Specification for Steel Scaffoldings
aluminium panel formwork for a housing project

IS 4014 Part 1 : 1967 Code of practice for steel tubular scaffolding Part 1 : Definitions and materials Part 2 : 1967 Code of Practice for Steel Tubular Scaffolding Part II : Safety Regulations for Scaffolding IS 4990 : 1993 Plywood for concrete shuttering work Specification IS 6461 : Part 5 1972 Glossary of terms relating to cement concrete: Part V Formwork for concrete IS 10421 : 1983 Proforma for analysis of unit rate of shuttering/formwork for concrete items SP 7 : 2005 National buiding code of India : Group 3 For Construction related aspects including safety SP 70 : 2001 Handbook on Construction Safety Practices Safety in formwork: Since the whole concrete construction is dependent entirely on the soundness of the formwork, safety aspects / safety points are utmost essential while designing the formwork erecting formwork removing or dismantling formwork.

SECTION D: What basic requirements are to be met with by formwork? a. Erected Form work has to be water tight true to shape conformance to lines conformance to levels. does not warp or go out of shape due to load does not warp or lose colour by coming in contact with water present in concrete

b. While dismantling it is easy and safe to handle members making up the formwork. c. Structurally sound enough to take loads coming on the formwork. SECTION E: Are standard codes of practice available for formwork ? Yes. Applicable Indian Standard codes of practice are

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