Frame work :
Definition & Purpose
Formwork is a temporary structure used to support freshly poured
concrete until it gains sufficient strength to support itself. It bears the
weight of wet concrete, construction live loads (workers, equipment,
materials), and ensures proper shape and alignment.
Componetes of frame work :
Short Notes on Scaffolding, Shuttering, Centering, Staging
& Sheeting
1. Scaffolding
A temporary structure used to provide a working platform at
higher levels during construction.
Made of wooden planks, timber, or metal pipes
(steel/aluminum).
Movable (can be adjusted as construction progresses).
Importance:
o Essential for plastering, painting, brickwork, and
repairs at heights.
o Ensures worker safety by providing stable access.
2. Shuttering (Vertical Formwork)
Formwork sheets used for vertical members (columns, walls,
pillars).
Materials: Timber, plywood, steel, or aluminum.
Must be strong enough to withstand concrete pressure.
Removed after concrete gains sufficient strength.
3. Centering (Horizontal Formwork)
Formwork sheets used for horizontal members (slabs, beams,
lintels).
Materials: Wood, steel, or prefabricated panels.
Supports the wet concrete until it hardens.
Difference from shuttering:
o Shuttering → Vertical members.
o Centering → Horizontal members.
4. Staging (Supports for Centering)
Temporary supports placed under centering sheets to hold
them in place.
Made of adjustable steel props, wooden posts, or metal
frames.
Ensures slab/beam formwork does not sag under concrete
weight.
Must be properly braced to prevent collapse.
5. Sheeting (Direct Contact with Concrete)
The innermost layer of formwork that touches the concrete.
Materials: Plywood, steel plates, or plastic sheets.
Provides smooth/desired finish to concrete surfaces.
Must be leak-proof to prevent cement slurry leakage.
3. requirements of framework
Requirements of Formwork
Quality – Prevents defects like honeycombing, poor joints, and
surface imperfections.
Safety – 60% of failures occur due to formwork collapse; 80% due
to premature shore removal.
Economy – Accounts for up to 60% of concrete work
costs (material, labor, equipment).
4. types of framework :
Types of Formwork Systems
1. Conventional/Wooden Formwork
o Made of timber/plywood.
o Low initial cost, 10-15 reuses, requires skilled labor.
o Needs plastering; scrap value is zero.
2. Aluminum Formwork
o Lightweight, high accuracy (200-250 reuses).
o No plastering needed; high scrap value.
o Limited design flexibility after finalization.
3. Euro Formwork
o Steel + plywood, medium cost, 35-40 reuses.
o High accuracy, safe, requires less skill.
4. Tunnel Formwork
o Steel-based, monolithic construction (500+ reuses).
o Very high cost, no plastering, needs hoisting equipment.
5. Flying/Table Formwork
o Plywood + steel props, medium cost, 30-40 reuses.
o Used in large slab constructions (e.g., malls).
6. Plastic Formwork
o Lightweight, medium cost, low scrap value.
7. Self-Climbing Formwork
o Used in high-rise buildings, automated rising mechanism.
o Costly but efficient for repetitive structures (towers,
skyscrapers).
Formwork Selection Attributes – Brief Meanings
1. Building Shape – Geometry of the structure (rectangular, circular,
complex).
2. Lateral Load Supporting System – Resistance to
wind/earthquake forces (shear walls, bracing).
3. Slab Type – Flat slab, waffle slab, ribbed slab, etc.
4. Floor Height – Vertical distance between floors.
5. Concrete Finishing – Required surface quality (smooth, exposed
aggregate).
6. Construction Speed – Desired pace of work (fast-track needs
reusable systems).
7. Available Capital – Budget for formwork (high-cost vs. low-cost
systems).
8. Support Yard Facility – Space for storing/formwork assembly.
9. Site Characteristics – Accessibility, space constraints, ground
conditions.
10. Office Support – Engineering/design assistance for formwork
planning.
11. Degree of Repetitions – Number of reuses expected (high
for steel/aluminum).
12. Scrap Value – Residual worth after use (high for metal
systems).
13. No. of Floors – Total floors in the building (massive projects
favor tunnel forms).
14. Weather Conditions – Impact of rain, heat, or cold on
formwork materials.
15. Typical Floor Area – Size of each floor (large areas suit
table/flying forms).
1. Best Formwork for a 30-Story Tower (Same Floors)
✅ Pick: Aluminum Formwork
Why?
Fast reuse (same floor design 30x).
Gives smooth walls (no extra plaster needed).
Strong and safe for tall buildings.
2. How to Save Money on Big Projects?
💰 Ways to Cut Costs:
Reuse formwork many times.
Train workers to set up faster.
Use just enough material (no waste).
Plan crane use to avoid delays.
3. What If Design Changes Last Minute?
🔄 Best Choice: Wood Formwork
Easy to change shape/size.
Aluminum/Tunnel forms are rigid (hard to modify).
4. Safety Tips for High-Rise Formwork
⚠️Must-Do Safety Steps:
Check supports & bracing daily.
Use guardrails/nets to stop falls.
Monitor weight on slabs.
Remove forms only after concrete is strong enough.
5. Cheap Housing in Remote Areas?
🏡 Pick: Wood Formwork
Low cost.
Easy for unskilled workers.
No fancy tools needed.
6. Formwork for Curved Walls/Arches?
🌀 Solution: Custom Wood/Plywood + Steel Frames
Bendable plywood for curves.
Strong steel supports (centering).
7. How to Finish Faster?
⏩ Use: Tunnel or Flying Forms
Build whole floors at once.
Reuse forms quickly with cranes.
8. Formwork in Rainy/Humid Areas?
☔ Choose: Plastic/Steel Formwork
Won’t rot like wood.
Slipform (moves up without staying wet).
9. Fixing Honeycombing & Bad Joints?
🔧 Fix:
Check form gaps (seal leaks).
Use smooth plywood.
Vibrate concrete properly.
10. Was the Formwork Good? Check After Use.
📊 Review:
How many times reused?
Any cracks/defects in concrete?
Saved money vs. budget?
Any accidents?
Excellent, Anuman. Below are the detailed, corporate-ready answers to the entire
question bank you’ve outlined — structured for clarity, precision, and impact.
📘 Technical Conceptual Questions
✅ What is formwork and why is it used in concrete construction?
Formwork is a temporary structure designed to:
Support freshly poured concrete until it gains sufficient strength.
Sustain construction loads including equipment, labor, and materials.
Maintain the desired shape and finish of concrete elements.
✅ Differentiate between formwork, falsework, and centering.
Term Definition
Formwork Mould in contact with concrete to shape and support it.
Temporary structure to support formwork, includes shores,
Falsework
braces, etc.
Specific to arches or curved structures, supports soffits
Centering
temporarily.
✅ What are the critical components of formwork?
Sheathing: Surface in contact with concrete.
Form/Shutter: Sheathing + stiffeners.
Falsework: Supports the form.
Centering: Temporary curved support.
Mould: Used for precast units.
Scaffold: For access at heights.
✅ What are the common defects caused by poor formwork quality?
Honeycombing: Gaps in concrete due to leakage.
Offsets at joints: Misaligned pours.
Plywood grain marks: Surface finish defects.
Deformation or bulging due to weak sheathing.
✅ Explain the safety risks associated with premature removal of formwork.
Leads to structural failure due to unsupported concrete.
Causes collapse of successive floors.
Major contributor to construction site accidents (80%).
Can damage reinforcement alignment and concrete integrity.
✅ Why does formwork contribute up to 60% of concrete cost? Break it down.
Breakdown includes:
Material cost (plywood, steel, aluminum).
Labor cost for fabrication, erection, dismantling.
Handling equipment (cranes, jacks, etc.).
Consumables (oil, spacers, ties).
Time delay penalties if system is inefficient.
System-Based Evaluation
🔍 Compare and contrast the Euro Formwork and Tunnel Formwork systems.
Feature Euro Formwork Tunnel Formwork
Material Steel + Plywood Steel
Repetitions 35–40 500+
Accuracy High Very High
Cost Medium Very High
Labor Requirement Semi-skilled Highly Skilled
Equipment Not always required Hoisting equipment needed
Flexibility Medium Low (design must be fixed)
🔍 Why is Aluminum formwork considered advantageous for high-rise construction?
Monolithic casting ensures speed and quality.
200–250 reuse cycles reduce per-use cost.
Lightweight → no hoisting needed.
Reduces plastering, enhancing speed.
High dimensional accuracy → better facade alignment.
🔍 What are the pros and cons of conventional wooden formwork?
Pros Cons
Low material cost Low repetitions (10–15)
Pros Cons
High flexibility in design changes Poor finish – plastering needed
Easy to modify at site No scrap value
No hoisting equipment needed Skilled labor required
🔍 Which formwork system is most suitable for repetitive floor plans? Justify.
Tunnel Formwork System
Suited for mass housing or towers with similar layouts.
Enables monolithic wall-slab casting.
Offers 500+ reuses, improving cost-efficiency.
Enhances construction cycle time per floor.
🔍 Explain the relevance of monolithic construction in formwork systems.
Combines slab, beam, wall into one pour, improving speed and stability.
Ensures leak-proof joints, enhancing durability.
Used in Aluminum, Tunnel, Euro, and Plastic formwork systems.
Minimizes finishing work (e.g., plastering).
📊 Quantitative/Operational Questions
💰 How is the cost of formwork calculated?
Total Cost =
Material Cost + Fabrication Labor + Erection Labor + Equipment Cost + Consumables
+ Dismantling Cost – Scrap Value
Cost/unit = Total Cost / No. of Reuses
🔢 How many repetitions are possible with aluminum vs wooden formwork?
Aluminum: 200–250 times
Wooden (Conventional): 10–15 times
Tunnel: 500+
Euro: 35–40
Plastic: ~30–40
💡 What parameters affect the choice of a formwork system for a specific project?
Building height and shape
Floor layout repetition
Concrete finish requirements
Construction speed
Budget allocation
Site access & logistics
Weather conditions
Availability of skilled labor and hoisting equipment
📈 What is the impact of weather and floor height on formwork system selection?
Weather: High humidity may damage wooden forms → favor plastic/aluminum.
Floor Height: Higher floors require self-climbing or hoisting-compatible systems.
Wind loads → demand better lateral bracing (safety).
🚧 Why is scaffold important in large-scale construction projects?
Provides safe access for workers at heights.
Essential for formwork installation, inspection, and pouring.
Enables workplace safety compliance.
Used for both internal and external façade works.
🧩 Application/Decision-Making Scenarios
💼 You are designing a high-rise tower. Which formwork system will you recommend
and why?
✅ Aluminum Formwork System
High repetition → cost-effective over multiple floors
Enables monolithic casting
No plastering → time-saving
Safe, accurate, and suitable for repetitive floor plates
🧱 For a tight-budget, low-rise housing project, which formwork system is best
suited?
✅ Conventional Wooden or Plastic Formwork
Low initial cost
Readily available material
Allows on-site modifications
Semi-skilled labor suffices
No need for lifting equipment
What risk mitigation steps would you propose for safe formwork removal?
Perform load-bearing tests before striking
Follow a phased dismantling plan
Ensure shoring and lateral bracing is intact
Use trained personnel with checklists and SOPs
Monitor concrete curing time and temperature
🕒 How does formwork selection influence construction speed and timeline?
Systems like Tunnel or Aluminum enable 1 floor per 7–10 days.
Monolithic casting reduces stages (slab-beam-wall in one go).
No plastering → less post-casting activity.
Modular, pre-engineered forms = faster cycle.
📉 What would be your approach to reduce the overall formwork cost on a
megaproject?
Use high reuse systems like Tunnel/Aluminum.
Standardize floor layouts to maximize repetition.
Lease equipment instead of outright purchase.
Train labor in efficient form reuse.
Plan formwork rotation between zones to eliminate idle time.
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