TVET-PROGRAMM TITLE: Concreting Module Title: Form work

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ENTOTO POLY TECHNIC COLLEGE

ON-site construction management L-4
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Introduction

Formwork can be made from either steel or timber. The material used for
formworks are decided by economy requirement or combination of the two. The most
commonly employed materials are timber, plywood, steel and aluminum .If the material
is to be used only a few times timber is more economical than steel or aluminum. Steel
or aluminum is preferred when the form panels are to be used for considerably more
number of times.
A good formwork should have the following properties
-It should be strong enough to resist the pressure or the weight of fresh concrete
and the supper imposed loads, if any
-It should be rigid enough to retain the shape without excessive deformation
-It should be economical in total cost
An experienced engineer should design the formwork. The under designed forms are
dangerous because form failures are expensive while the over designed forms are
unnecessarily expensive. Hence, there is a need for balanced design

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1. Safety

Objective - After completing these learning elements, the trainee should be able to list and explain
all safety precautions to prevent accidents, give proper care for hand tools, equipments
and should also Perceive those safety rules during the construction of formwork.
General Safety on building site
A neat and tidy site safes time, eases the work, avoids accidents. If things like not used tools,
battens, boards, stones, cables, steel bars etc. are laying around, somebody may trip up and fall
down.
Care and order support the building process and avoid accidents

What means an accident?

Personally:
Worries for the family

Sometimes- Always: Pain and

Permanent working handicap
damage of the
body

Dead Always: lost of

salary and cost for
In worst case medical treatment

For the company and society:

Reduction of Disturbances of
public health and the building
public wealth process

Loss of working
Some times
time
damage of goods
Colleagues are in sorrow

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Basic safety signs for personal protection

Ware
Helmet

Ware Ear
Protection

Ware safety
Boots

1.1 Personal safety, working clothes and shoes

Personal safety
It is dangerous to work with sharp edge tools and talk at the same time. Be agreeable with your
neighbor workman. Respect his right and privileges. Remembering accidents prevented today will help make
a living tomorrow. Some safety procedures should be followed at all times. Pay close attention to what is
being done.
The primary important to protect the workman from accidents is to identify possible hazards and take
the necessary safety measures to eliminate the hazardous. Before you go to work on any job, make sure your
entire body is properly protected and provided other personal protective equipment.
Safety elements or hard hats should be wear by workers in all construction site where they might be
exposed to head injury from falling objects.

Safety equipment
Helmet
Protects the carrier from down
falling items. It
should be a must for everybody who
works
or moves on a building site.

Helmet
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Ear protection
Protects the carrier from damages of the ears.
Continuously working in a very noisy
environment harms the eardrums forever.
Once the eardrums are damaged there is no
way of restoring the sense of hearing again.

Ear protection
Safety boots

Safety boots are equipped with three safety measures.

It must have:
1. Toes protection hood
A steel hood to protect the toes from down falling heavy thing
2. A steel layer inside the soles protects the carrier from
stepping into a turned up nail.
2. Benzene and oil resistant soles
Safety boots
Safety goggles

Necessary during chiseling and grinding work, protects

against chips sparking around from the work piece

Safety goggles
Safety belts:
- Nylon webbing with locking device and drop D-ring, adjustable length, to be used also with tool
pockets, to meet recognized safety standard, (has width of 45mm)

Wearing clothes
- These are generally worn as a means of protecting. Such protective clothing should be changed and
washed quickly and is best kept in a locker or store at the place of work.

2.2. Safety of hand tools and equipment

 Hammerheads should firmly secure to the handle.

 Trowel, saws, chisels, and other tools should not be left lying on scaffolds, when not used.
 All ropes and chains for lifting should be inspected before use they should not be loaded
beyond the limit recommended by the manufacturer.
 Nails or bolts used in construction scaffold should be of adequate size of sufficient number at
each connection to develop the designed strength of structure.
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 Always get permission to use the machine

 Inspect wood before planning, cutting, etc and remove any nails, dirt, or other things that will
injure the cutting blade.
 Keep loose clothing, such as ties and sleeves, tucked in or rolled up.
 Never allow your fingers to pass over the revolving blades.
 Keep the safety guard in place and properly adjusted.

2.3. Safety rule in formwork

Safety is very important whenever you construct formwork. Be sure to know or
remember those safety rules before you starting working.
Safety rules in formwork construction are essential in order
- Use tools properly
- Safe the person from injuries
Body care
1 – Never depend up on your muscles in lifting something heavy. Get someone to
help you.
2- Test the sharpness of tools on wood, not on your hand.
3- Be careful when using your thumb as a guide during cutting the wood.
4- Make sure your hands are not in front of sharp edged tools that are in use.
Clothing
1. Dress properly for work. It may often be desirable to wear an apron or coveralls over your
clothing.
Materials /Tools
1- Never use defective tools. Hammers with loose heads are particularly dangerous.
2- Strongly tighten the tool and the formwork members with a nails or screw or bolts.
3- Properly select the material for the appropriate work.
4- Check the accuracy of the formwork that properly constructed.

2.4. First aid

Whenever you perform formwork activities in any building site should have a first aid box
which has minimum contents: -
 Plasters;
 Bandages;
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 Ointments;
 Disinfectant.

Someone on site should be in charge of the box and know how to with broken bones, burns and
electric shocks.
Deposit all the safety precautions taken on construction sites to prevent injury to the work force,
accidents do happen and you may be the only other person able to take action to assist a colleague.
If you are not a qualified first aide, limit your help to obvious common sense assistance and call for
help, but do remember that if a colleague’s heart or breathing has stopped as a result of an accident,
they have only minutes to live unless you act quickly.
- A construction site should have a first aid box which has
- Plaster
- Hand ages
- Ointment
- Disinfectant
- The following first aid procedures should be practiced.
Bleeding (cutting of body by sharp tools)
If the wound is dirty, rinse it under clean running water. Clean the skin around the wound and apply a
plaster, pulling the skiing together.
If the bleeding is severe, apply direct pressure to reduce bleeding and raise the limb if possible. Apply a
sterile dressing or pad and bandage firmly before obtaining professional advice.
Eye injuries
Eye injuries must be treated seriously. The eye can be cut or bruised from a direct blow or by fragments
of concrete ingredients. Eye injuries can be very painful.
Lie the injured person down, support their head and keep it skill. Ask the casualty to close their injured
eye and cover it with an eye pad or sterile dressing.
- Do not attempt to remove any foreign body from the eye yourself, this is best left to a qualified
person.

Broken bones
Make the casualty as comfortable as possible by supporting the broken limb (part) either by hand or with
padding.

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- Chemical etc. in the eye

Chemicals, petrol and corrosive substances can splash in to the eye and cause serious injury. You should
try to wash the eye with gently running water.
Do not allow the person to rub the eye.
If possible, protect the uninjured eye with a pad or cloth curing washing.
- Fainting
Lay the individual down and raise his/her legs slightly. Ensure there is a plentiful supply of fresh air and
the individual is in the shade. Loosen clothing and if breathing is difficult place in the recovery position
until consciousness returns. Gradually sit individual up and then give sips of water.

Assessment Questions

 What is safety?
 Write some of the safety precautions to be followed on a building site 
 What should you do to minimize risks on building sites?
 Write some of the basic body protecting devices to be worn on building sites
 What are those safety rules to be followed during assembly formwork?
 What should you do if an accident is happened on a building site say severe bleeding, eye injury,
broken bones, fainting etc.

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3 Plant, tools and equipment

Objective After completing this learning element, the trainees should be able to
identify & describe hand tools, machines and equipments which are use full for the
construction of formwork.

Safety
- Apron- Wear a clean apron made of leather. The apron strings should be strong and long enough. It holds the
nails and hammer. Other small tools can fit into it.
An apron is for keeping clothing clean, not for wiping dirty hand, not to tear clothes by nails and other sharp edge
tools. Refer observing safety

3.1. Measuring and marking tools

Folding Rule – When using the folding rule, place it flat on

the work. The “O” end of the rule should be exactly even with
the end of the space or board to be measured. The reading on the
rule indicates the correct distance. A very accurate reading may be
obtained by turning the edge of the rule toward the work. In this
position, the marked gradations of the face of the rule touch the
surface of the board.

Steel tape or roller tape

It extends smoothly to full length. It returns quickly to its

compact case when the return button is pressed or winds it up by
crank handle. It used to measure and determine the size of the
object.

Try square
Try squares are used to provide a guide for marking straight,
square and /or parallel/ lines.
If one edge is straight and the handle part of the square is placed
against this straight edge, then the blade can be used to
measure the wood perpendicular to the edge.

T- Bevel

This tool look like a square, but has a movable blade that can set to layout any angle.

Plumb bob

A plum bob is made of metal. When suspended

from a vertically attached string, it is employed
to check the vertical alignment of surface of
formworks. A freely hanging plumb bob gives

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exactly the vertical alignment, because any

undisturbed freely hanging mass points to the center of the
earth.

Marking tools

Sharp pencil: It is used to indicate the point that you

required to show the point or cut point. Start the mark
with the point of the pencil in contact with the nark on
the rule move the pencil directly away from the rule
while making the mark.

Scratch awl: Scratch awl is a handy tool for a carpenter. It can be used to mark wood with a scratch mark.

Scriber or marking knife: It is used to draw lines parallel with the edge of the timber.

3.2. Cutting tools

On the construction site, the workman uses a number of different saws. These saws are designed for specific
types of work. Many are misused. They will still do the job, but they would do a better job if used properly. Most
of these saws are used with a push motion in contrast. To cut material to size the use of some type of saw is
required. There are money types available; each is design for particular purpose
Handsaw has a wooden handle. The better grade handsaws are taper ground. That is the blade is thinner along
the back than along the cutting or to other edge
Crosscut saw It means cutting wood across the grain. The teeth are sharpened like knife and bent right and left.
This is called Set. It makes the saw alternately to the cut wider than the blade. The saw cut is called kerfs. Since
the kerfs is wider than the blade. The blade will not bind (stick) as the sawing is ion.
Ripsaw: It is used for sawing with the grain or fiber of the wood. The tooth is chisel shaped are set alternately to
the right and left.

Coping saw is used to make small irregular curved cut

Backsaw: It is a cross cut saw with a thin blade and fine teeth. A heavy piece of steel fitter over the back of the
thin blade. Prevents it from buckling. The blades of backsaw are from 20cm to 45cm long. It is designed for fine
accurate work.
Hacksaw: The hack saw form is used with a variety of interchangeable metal cutting blades, which are used, for
cutting soft metals and hard metals such as nails,
angle Iron and reinforced steel.

Bow saw:
carpenters usually use Bow saw
in the construction site in order to cut like
eucalyptus wood. The upper section to
the tension arm should be provided with
an eye for easy opening and should be
designed to support the hand; supplied
with blade of hardened tooth points.

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Carpenters axe: This tool is used mainly to cut tree and chop the wooden plugs. But also has many other uses. It
has a hickory handle, steel head forged in one piece, fine grain steel, hardened and tempered edge.

3.3.Cleaning tools

Cleaning tools are very essential to remove

loose particles, dusts, grasses, etc before and after
using the tools and also from the formwork
sheathing material
Cleaning tools are: - fiber brush, brooms,
Cleaning machine, and Single bag dust
extractor

3.4.Other hand tools

Connecting devices
The type of connecting devices used to join pieces of wood or steel together will depend on the
following factors.
 The strength requirements of the joint
 The finished visual requirements of the joint
 Availability of the devices and the material type
 The characteristics of the materials being joined
 etc.
a) Adjustable end wrench is a convenient tool for attaching certain kinds of hard-ware to cabinets,
bolts etc.
b) Pliers
There are many types of pliers in common use and to perform different tasks.
They are used to tighten bolts, cut wires, etc. in the construction site.
c) Spanners
Spanners are available in a variety of types. The most common are
 Open ended
 Ring
 Box
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They are used tightened more securely the nut screws or others.
d) Clamps
The clamps most used to clamp boards like plywood and others. There are different types of clamps.
Such as
- A steel bar clamp
- Hand screw clamp
- The c- clamp etc.
Laying out angles

First, adjust the sliding T-bevel to the angle you want. Then,
fasten the screw on the handle; this tool is very useful far laying out
acute angle or obtuse angles finally, hold the handle of the bevel
firmly against the case or edge of the board. And then, mark along
the edge of the blade.

Try square
Laying outlines.
Mark a line around the edge of the board by continuing the face line. Hold the handle of the try require
firmly against the board or face of the wood board while you mark along the blade.

Leveling
Before placing the concrete materials on the formwork, first keep the leveling of the formwork. This
leveling can be done by:

a) Water level
The rubber water tube is filled with water until the level is half way up both glass tubes and them sealed
when not tin use. Based on the principle that water finds its own level, so this apparatus used to find
horizontal levels over longer distance.

Hose level (water level)

b) Spirit level
In order to have the formwork level, this tool is very essential.
When the air bubble in the level tube is located centrally between
the markings on the tube. Then the straight edge makes horizontal
or vertical.

Spirit level

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c) Plumb bob
To check the vertical level using plumb bob, put a
nail or screw into the side of the formwork
about eye level. Leaving the head freely. If the
movement of plumb bob string stop, measure
the difference between the formwork and
the string (if the formwork sheathing erected
vertically the difference is the same)

Using string or line (Alignment string)

On the construction site, to keep the horizontal line first
stretch the string on the required point. Then using
spirit level, check the level of the object by observing
the position of the bubble in the vial. If the bubble
position is the same, the level is accurate. If the bubble
position has changed, the level is not accurate. It
should not be used until the fault has been corrected.

3.5 Equipment and machine

3.5.1 Jig saw

3.5.2 Portable circular saw

Commonly called the skill saw, the carpenter uses the portable electric circular saw in the figure
more than any other portable poor tools. The circular saw blade is driven by an electric motor. The saw
has the base, which rest on the work to be cut. Handle with trigger switch is provided for the operator to
control the tool the base may be tilted for making beveled cuts. The saw is adjustable for depth of cut

Assessment Questions

 . Write some of the basic measuring and marking tools that can be used during
constructing a formwork.
 Write some of the basic cutting tools that can be employed during assembling a
formwork
 Writ explain briefly the uses of the following tools
o Pliers
o Spanners
o Clamps

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2. Types of form work materials

Objective After completing this learning element, the trainees should be able to
Identify & describe the type of materials for the construction of formwork and there
preference to use in the construction.

Introduction: The concrete being plastic material requires temporary supports for
casing it to different sizes and shapes in concrete construction till it gains sufficient strength. These
temporary supports such as timber and steel forms or moulds are known as formwork or shuttering. For
circular concrete work such as arch, dome etc the temporary supports of timber, steel or masonry when
used

Formwork systems (Steel, Aluminum and wood)

Formwork is a temporary support to pre-cast or in situ concrete structure. It holds the concrete until
it has set and can stand on its own and it maintains the required shape.
When the concrete has reached a certain required strength, the form is no longer needed and is removed.
The operation of removing the formwork is commonly known as stripping.
- A good formwork should satisfy the following requirements.

1. The material of the formwork should be cheap and it should be suitable for re-use several times.
2. It should be practically waterproof.
3. It should be strong enough to with stand all loads coming on it.
4. It should be stiff enough so that deflection is minimum.
5. It should be as be light as possible.
6. The surface of the formwork should be smooth, etc.

Materials: The materials to be used for making formworks are decided either by
economy or requirements for a job or both. The material most commonly used is timber, plywood,
steel and aluminum. More over the erection and removal of form works re simple and present a better
appearance on removal.
5.1. Timber/Wood formwork
Wood or timber formwork is the most common material used for formwork.
Wood
Wood panels are purposely built up from wood products. The have several advantages when fabricated
wood formwork on level & smooth solid board. Such as

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- They can be obtained in large sheets
- They posses high uniform strength
- They can possess free from shrinkage
- They can be safely nailed or screwed
- They can be cut to the required size easily
After measuring & cutting the wood formwork members, then fix the members by nails or screws.
Plywood
Plywood consists of an odd number of sheets of veneer glued together face-to-face with the grains of
adjacent pieces intersecting at right angles.
The manufacture of plywood basically follows these stages
1. Cutting the veneers
2. Drying the veneers
3. Grinding and preparing the veneers
4. Gluing the layers of veneer
5. Pressing the layers of veneer
6. Reconditioning or re-drying to an equilibrium moisture content
7. Trimming and finally sanding to the desired surface finish.

Supporting materials
The supporting materials such as eucalyptus wood (diameter 70mm to 100mm) and round or square
steel pipe are usually used.
The supporting materials, for instance, the props are erected vertically and held to one another by means
of braces. These props rest on wedge used to place them at the correct height.
To construct the supporting materials e.g. the props
- Measure the required height.
- t each members properly
- By keeping the head tree level
- Fix each member by nails
Advantage of wood /timber formwork
 it is adaptable
 It is relatively cheap formwork panels.
 It is more economical than steel where work is non-repetitive
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 It can be found locally.
Disadvantage of wood formwork
- It is susceptible to insect and fungi attack
- It warps. Swell and shrinkage, especially when it is not well seasoned.
- It is not good for repetitive work.
Wood or timber formwork should be neither too dry nor too wet. If the wood is too dry, it will absorb
water from the wet concrete and swell and may be distorted or may decay. On the other hand, if it is too
wet, shrinkage may result especially during hot weather.
The normal moisture content of wood used for formwork should be 20 per cent.

5.2. Steel form work /Prefabricated panels/ (different sizes)

The steel forms are manufactured by various commercial firms in standard flat or curved panel
units. These forms are made of steel sheets, which are reinforced or strengthened with angle sections
and joined together by keys. Wedge or other similar devices, bearers of angle sections, which are
clipped to panels, provide horizontal and vertical stiffening. It is desirable to fabricate sizes as big as
the concrete members or the methods pf handling will allow. It reduces the time and labor costs in
erecting and removing the forms. The selection of these different sizes of steel panels is determined by
the required concrete structure. If the forms are to be handled by men, the weight of a single panel
should not be more than about 35kg per men. If they are to be handled by the power equipment, the
size is limited by the hoisting capacity of the equipment.

5.3. Advantages and dis advantages of timber and steel formwork

When the formwork is to be used for small works only a few times then timber proves to be
more economical than steel or aluminum .If the formwork is desired to be reused for several times then
the used of steel or aluminum is preferred. Though the initial cost of steel is very high but for large
works with many repetitions, the steel formwork proves to be economical.
Assessment Questions

 What is the need for constructing a formwork?

 What are the qualities of a good formwork?
 Write the materials that can be used for the construction of formwork
 Write the advantages and dis advantages of using steel and wooden formwork
 How do we select the material for formwork construction?
 What is the advantage of using prefabricated steel panels to wooden formworks?

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3. Working procedure / work instruction /

Objective After completing this learning element, the trainees should be able to follow the
correct procedure during the construction of the formwork and should also know the
correct treatments to be made on formworks before casting the concrete.

The following points should be borne in mined when designing and constructing formwork.
a. It should be strong enough to withstand the weight and pressure of the wet concrete,
which may be considerable where there is any “depth” and where it is likely to be
“tamped”, ”rammed” or “vibrated” for consolidation.
b. Joints should be tight enough to prevent the loss of fine aggregate.
c. It should be treated with some form of release agents (shuttering oil )to ensure that it
comes away cleanly with out sticking .
d. It should be so designed that it can be struck (removed) easily, and in the correct
sequence.
e. The face of the formwork must be in keeping with the required finish of the concrete.

Assessment Questions

 What would happen if we couldn’t use stronger formwork material for formwork construction
 Why do we apply release agents before we cast concrete inside a formwork

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4. Calculate / estimate the quantity of materials

Objective After completing this learning element, the trainees should be able to
estimate the quantities of materials required for the construction of formwork.

Before we shall go to estimation the quantity of materials, first recognize the unit measurements of
each type of formwork members.
 The unit of measurement of the formwork
Sheathing (panels is ------------------- require meter (m2)
 The unit of measurement of braces, cleats,
Yokes, head tree, props, are --------------------- meter length (ml)
 The unit of measurement of mould oil -------------- litter.

Example
Let’s see to calculate the column formwork material for a single column dimension has 25cm
*25cm*270cm Question
a) The required formwork sheathing materials are:-
Solution
The can be calculated the contact area of the sheathing or panels to the concrete structure.
The (0.25m width X2.7m height) X4(number of sides) = 2.7 square meters +5% wastage.
 Total = 2.835 square meters

b) The required number of yokes are:-

The number of yokes= height of the column + 1

Spacing
Where,
The spacing of the yokes is usually not less than 3ocms and also not exceeding 50cms.
Take for this question spacing of yokes=30cm so. The number of yokes=270/30 +1 =10pieces/sides
 The total number of yokes =10 pieces/sides*4 sides=40pices
Note:-

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Sometimes this pieces of yokes increased two or three times. Because 2 or 3 yokes are used at one time
to develop their strength.
- The extended parts of the yokes in each side is minimum 15cm. hence
The length of a single yoke is =25cm + (15cm) 2
=55cm
=0.55m/pices.
- The total length is
- * LT =0.55mm /pieces = 22m+ length is required take 5% wastage  LT =22ml+5/100 X22 =
23ml is required
C) The mould oil
It can be measured in letter. First calculate the contact area of the formwork sheathing in square meter
and them multiply it with the required mould oil per require meter.
That is, the mould oil is require per square meter is o.60 lit

 2.835 m2 (contact area) X 0.60 lit /m2 = 1.70 litter oil is required
Generally, the required formwork material for different concrete structures are different, let see some.

I. Form work for sides of the wall

– 2.5cm thick boards (with 5% wastage)--------------- 0.53 m2/m2 required
– 5cm X7.5 cm battens (with 5% wastage) -------------0.84ml m2
– Strut (diameter 5 to 6cm eucalyptus)

(With 10 usages) ---------------------------- 0.10ml/m2

- Mould oil ----------------------------------- 0.60 lit /m2

II. Soffit for work for slab props

- 2.5cm thick boards (with 5% wastage ----------- 1.05m2/m2
- Diameter 4cm to 7cm to 7cm battens (10 usages) -------------4.0ml/m2
- Diameter 5cm to 8cm head tree /beams (10ysages) -------------- 1.0ml/m2
- Props 6cm to 10cm (20usages)------------------ 3ml/m2
- Mould oil -------------------------------------------------- 0.60lit/m 2

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Finally,
 The calculated amount of materials that should be placed on a standard take off sheet format

Take off Sheet

1 2 3 4

Where “1” = Timesing column

‘2’ = Dimension column

‘3’ = Squaring column

‘4’ = Description column

Assessment Questions

 Calculate the following materials for a single column having a dimension of 20cm
*30cm*320cm
a) The required formwork sheathing materials
b) The required number of yokes
C) The mould oil

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7. Construct different types of form work

Objective After completing this learning element, the trainees should be able to
Construct different types of formwork for the different types of concrete structures.

7.1 Footing formwork

There are various types of forms used for column footings depending upon the size, shape and
nature of column construction required. But there are two most commonly used column footings,
namely simple and stepped footings that are suitable for square or rectangular shapes with vertical sides.
Suitable braces are provided to make the box rigid and strong. To ensure further safety,

The opposite panels of the box are connected by tension wires before placing the concrete.
Foundation is a framed building consist generally of a series of isolated bases or pads although if these
pads are close together to farm a strip.

If the sub-soil is firm and hard it may be possible to excavate the trench or pit for the foundations to the
size and depth required and cast the concrete against the excavated faces.
Side and end panels will be required and these should be firmly strutted against the
excavation faces to resist the horizontal pressure of the wet concrete and to retain the formwork in the
correct position.
Ties will be required across the top of the forms as a top restraint and these can be utilized to form the
kicker for a reinforced concrete column or as a template for casting in the holding down bolts for pre
cast concrete or structural steel columns.

 There are various types of forms used for foundation footings depending upon
- The size of the foundation
- The shape of the foundation
- The nature of the foundation
Let see the two most commonly used.

 Simple footing

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Which is suitable for square, rectangle or circle shapes with vertical sides. The foundation footing can
also have sloping faces. A box of required dimensions is made from the planks that is two ends are
fixed with cleats having exact dimensions of the footing whereas the other two sides (with out cleats) are
fixed at a distance of 30cm.
Suitable braces are provided to make the box rigid and strong. To ensue further safety, the opposite
panels of the box are connected by tension wires before placing
the concrete.
* Stepped footing
It is just similar in construction as above, except the concreting is done in steps from bottom to top in
sequence. In this, second step will be prepared by keeping new form over the first step which has
partially set. The upper box is connected to lower box by nailing handle with wooden pieces on the top
edges of the lower box.

7.2 Foundation column and grade beam form work

Formwork for a foundation column is also called a column box’. It consists of the following main
components
a) Sheeting all round the column periphery
b) Side yokes and end yokes
c) Wedges
d) Bolts
The width of the column boards vary depending on the section of the column.
In square column, the internal dimension should keep the same dimension.

The sides of the box are secured firmly together by means of yokes. The formwork prepared for a
column while positioning with the help of plumb bob; and fixing it by braces.
At the base of the column box a washout hole is crated, through this hole, the base floor is cleaned
before concrete is poured. The opening is also used for inspection. The opening is constructed so that it
can be closed conveniently before the concrete is poured in concrete is poured immediately after the
farm base has been cleaned.

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Formwork for a Grade beam consists of two sideboards. The two sideboards each has 2.5cm or 3cm
thick wood sheet nailed together with cleats at 60cm to 80cm intervals. Bearers are firmly nailed to the
cleats for the support of the ends of the joists.

7.3 Column /square, rectangular, circular...etc/form work

The formwork details for rectangular or square columns are shown in isometric view as well as in the
plan. The following features of the formwork should be noted for RCC columns
1. Columns box consists of two ends and two sides (with yokes) each built as
panel of planks sheeting .At top, cuts are made if column is to receive girder or beam.
2. The height of each panel is equal to the story height minus the slab thickness and the floor
sheeting.
3. The width between two opposite panels is kept equal the actual dimensions of the column plus
twice the thickness of sheeting.
4. Yokes are equally space on both the sides and ends. They project at both the end by about 25
cm.
5. A hole is usually provided at t6he bottom of formwork to remove debris, etc before placing the
concrete/
6. Formwork components for any column area required to be designed properly to resist high
pressure resulting from the quick filling of the concrete.

7.4 Beam form work and slab form work

The details of formwork for an RCC beam which is usually constructed monolithically with a slab. The
boxes for beam consists of two sides and one bottom supported on vertical posts. These boxes are
shaped to the exact dimensions of the rib f the RCC floor. The details of a wooden mould for casting the
T-beam. This T beam may latter be combined either with the pre cast concrete slab or cast-in-situ filled
concrete.
Form work for RCC beams and slab floor construction

The details of form for RCC beam or girder an slab monolithic floor construction. The decking or
sheeting consists of plywood or timber planks. The decking is supported on wooden joists (Called
bearers), which are properly spaced depending up on the loads to be borne with in the permissible
deflection limits. The maximum spacing of vertical posts or shores depends upon the strength of
stringers (wooden beams) or the capacity of shores to bear the loads. The vertical posts or shores, lateral
supports, shore braces, steel base plates and wooden wedges, provide a strong centering to beam and

slab floor to bar all the loads due to them. The following important features in connection with this form
work for RCC beam and floor construction should be noted.
1) Slab formwork may be supported by two arrangements namely (a) Decking is
supported by means of wooden centering on the floor
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2) The formwork should be strong enough to support the weight of the concrete plus the
additional load of nearly 30 % to account for labor, storage of materials, equipment etc
3) The slab form work may be made of steel forms while the other components may be of
wood
4) The formwork for floor should be given the desired slope
5) To avoid the construction of formwork or scaffolding, the beam formwork is fabricated
on ground level first, and then hoisted and placed in position with the slab above.
6) When it is intended to provide secondly beams, proper openings at suitable locations in
main beams should be provided to receive the formwork or secondary beams.

7.5 Stair
The details of formwork are shown for a single straight flight form a ground floor to the
firs floor. Such formwork can be used for other flights from one landing space to another or from one
floor to another, leading to different floors of a mutli story building. The formwork consists of planks
sheeting (to receive concrete) risers (to give height to the step), stiffer risers (to keep risers I position),
wooden boards on wall sides and stringers on the open side of stairs. The stringers on the open side are
laterally supported by ribbon .The sloping slab of formwork is finally supported on the ledgers, joists
and vertical posts.
A concrete stair case is usually made on site. The construction procedures are the same as for other
concrete slabs.
1. Erect timber formwork
2. Position the steel reinforcement
3. Pour and cure the concrete

Assessment Questions

 Write the steps to be followed during constructing different types of formwork

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8 Dismantling formwork

Objective After completing this learning element, the trainees should be able to
Know the duration of stripping time for the different types of concrete structures and
appropriate techniques dismantling each formwork.

This unit refers to the basic work practice of selecting, erecting and dismantling formwork.
Erection, dismantling and maintenance refers to the “putting together” (assembly), taking down and
taking care of the formwork used on a construction site, which is used to form a mould for the concrete
to be placed into.

Systematic /coordinative disassembling

In no circumstances, form shall be struck until the concrete reaches strength of at least twice the stress to
which the concrete may be subjected at the time of striking. The strength referred to shall be that of
concrete using the same cement and aggregate, with the same proportions, and cured under condition of
temperature and moisture similar to those existing on the work. Where possible, the formwork should

be left longer, as it would assist the curing. In normal circumstances (generally where temperature are
above 20o) and where ordinary cement is used, forms may be struck after expiry of the following periods
Without damaging the concrete and formwork system
All formwork shall be removed with out such shock or vibration as would damage the reinforced
concrete.
Procedure when removing the formwork
Before the soffit and struts are removed, the concrete surface shall be exposed, where necessary order to
assertion that
 The concrete has sufficiently hardened (proper precautions shall be taken to allow for the
decrease in the rate of hardening that occurs with all cement in the cold water)
 Slowly stripping the sole plate, wedges, bracing, etc procedurally.

8.1 Striping time

II. Column; vertical sides of beams and Walls -------------------------------- 24 -48 hours as may
be decided by engineer in-change.
III. Slab (props left under) -------------- 3 days
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IV. Beams soffits (props left under) ---------------- 7 days
V. Removal of proper to slabs
a) Spanning up to 4-5mts ---------------------- 7 days
b) Spanning over 4-5mts ------------------------ 14 days
VI. Removal of proper to beams and arches
a) Spanning up to 6mts -------------------- 14 days
b) Spanning over 6mts -----------------------21 days
Note When rapid hardening cement is used, the above period is greatly reduced
During disassembling of the formwork, not to be highly farce (striking) with hammer. Prefer the craw
bar is used to pull out nails and to isolated formwork wood panels.

8.2 Working procedure

The safety of yourself and other workers on-the-job can be ensured if safe working
Procedures are practiced at all times. The following safety factors must be observed:
o · Keep the work area clear of off-cuts and loose materials.

o · Make sure that all structural components are firmly fixed before leaving the job; even
For a few minutes.
o · When you have finished using a particular tool, put it in your tool box. This practice
Will prevent it form being lost or from falling on a work mate.
o · Ensure electric leads and air hoses do not create tripping hazards.
o · Always report unsafe equipment or structural components to your supervisor
Immediately they are noticed and warn your fellow workers.
o · Ensure that handrails and kickboards are in place and securely fixed.
o · Observe safety signs and wear your safety clothing and equipment at all times while
On the job.

Assessment Questions

 What would happen if we dismantle a formwork before the right stripping time
 What are the procedures to follow before stripping a slab formwork
 Write the stripping time for different types of concrete structures
 What are the working procedures to follow before dismantling a formwork

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9 Clean up working area and tools

Objective After completing this learning element, the trainees should be able to know the
way to clean up the working area and those tools which are used for the construction of
formwork.

Cleaning site and Removing waste materials

Cleaning site is much safer for the workmen than a dirty one and also used to construct the building
components with out problems (injuries)
The preliminary site works for a construction project usually begin after the site facilities are set up.
Cleaning the site means.
- Removed all vegetation such as bushes and scrub
- The roots of trees and bushes must be dug out and cleaned away.
- Unwanted topsoil also removed.
The site (working area) needs t be clear of rocks and boulders in the area where the building will be set
out. It they are too large, then the boulders or rocks must be broken into smaller pieces and taken away.
Cleaning the site can be done by a combination of manual and mechanical methods.
 Suitable arrangements for the safe disposal of waste materials must be provided. If possible, waste
materials should be collected and disposed their source area. Where this procedure is impossible, these
materials should be stared in a safe way (area) until they can be disposed of.
Accumulation of waste should not be allowed where it will interfere with the operation of the machine
or with the safety of the workmen.
Cleaning tools are very essential to remove loose particles, dusts, grasses, etc before and after
using the tools and also from the formwork sheathing material. Some of these cleaning tools are:-
a) Fiber brush
b) Brooms
c) Cleaning machine
i) Single bag dust extractor
It is used to keep the workshop free of dust and shavings, this is essential when machining.
ii) Small extractor
This can be attached to power tools or used to clean around the bench, from safety clothes and from the
formwork sheathing.

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- The high sped blast of compressed air is very dangerous, and can cause serious injury or even
death, if improperly used.
Compress air lines often contain amount of water, due to condition. This is usually automatically
extracted by an air filter as shown on the diagram
Assessment Questions
 What would we earn by cleaning a working are working tools

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