Shuttering Formworks: Types and Properties

A shuttering formwork is a type of structure used in construction industries in which concrete is poured in molten form. The structure is then left undisturbed until the molten concrete hardens and takes its shape. After this, the formwork is removed and we get a tough structure made up of concrete. The process of removing a formwork is known as stripping. After stripping, the formwork can be reused. The parts of a stripped formwork which can be reused are known as panel forms and those which are not reused are known as stationary forms.

Requirements that a Good Formwork Should Have

• A good formwork structure should be strong enough to withstand heavy loads.
• A good formwork structure should have tight joints to stop the leakage of cement.
• A good formwork structure should not damage concrete while removing its parts.
• The materials of a good formwork structure should be budget-friendly and be reused.
• A good formwork structure should be light in weight.
• A good formwork structure should have a firm base.

Different Types of Shuttering Formworks

Timber Formwork

As the name implies, timber formwork is the structure created by using wood. A good timber formwork structure should have the following properties:

• It should be well-seasoned.
• It should be light in weight.
• One can easily work on it with nails.

A timber formwork offers the following advantages:

• Cost-Effective structure: A timber structure can be constructed with low capital as compared to steel formwork structure.
• Handling: A timber formwork offers ease of handling, as timber is light in weight. Also, this type of formwork requires no special tools to construct nor it requires a high experience level.
• Customisable: Timber can be cut into any deserted size to make a customisable formwork.
• It is easy to dismantle this type of formwork.

Disadvantages of Timber Formwork:

• Timber can absorb water from wet concrete. This results in reduced strength.
• A timber formwork has limited applications.

Plywood Formwork

A plywood formwork is also constructed by using wood. In this structure, veneer sheets of plywood are used for construction.

Advantages of plywood formwork:

• One can easily cut plywood into the desired size.
• Plywood is strong and light in weight.
• Plywood offers a smooth finish on the surface.
• It can be reused more number of times as compared to the timber formwork.

Disadvantages of plywood formwork:

• It is expensive as compared to the timber formwork.
• In this structure, the proper thickness should be provided to the plywood, as thin plywood structures cannot bear heavy loads of concrete.

Steel Formwork

This formwork structure is made by using steel. It has an excellent strength due to which it is in great demand today.

Following are the advantages of steel formwork structure:

• It is a durable formwork structure.
• It can be reused.
• It is easy to construct this structure and also easy to dismantle.

Disadvantages of steel formwork structure:

• It is an expensive formwork structure as compared to its counterparts timber and plywood structures.
• It is heavy. Hence, it requires lifting machinery.
• Steel is a metal, hence, corrosion may take place when steel comes in contact with water.