Formwork is a type of mould used to assemble structures by pouring in concrete or other materials before letting them set. The formwork can be either temporary or permanent. Some materials also enable the formwork to be reusable.
Concrete remains the most common material used in formwork due to its durable, safe, cheap, and sustainable qualities. Formwork is an essential feature of concrete construction and consists of many variations, such as:
The reason there are so many types of formwork systems is down to the fact that various concrete structures all require different purposes. The most popular type of formwork used in concrete construction is known as shuttering.
Shuttering is typically constructed on-site using a special grade of water-resistant plywood. It’s easy to produce but can be time-consuming when building larger structures. Shuttering presents an alternative to reusable formwork materials, such as plastic or steel.
The type of concrete and temperature of pour are significant factors to consider when working with formwork. The sides of the formwork must withstand the hydrostatic pressure before the base resists the dead load of the wet concrete.
When the concrete sets enough to be sufficiently self-supporting, the formwork can be removed, and depending on if it is a reusable material, can be applied again. It’s important that when removing the formwork, you don’t damage the concrete. All formwork types should meet certain standards, including:
Before selecting your type of formwork, you must choose the correct type of concrete and pour it into the specific mould within the right conditions to achieve the ideal result for your structure.