LARSEN & TOUBRO LIMITED FCCE

FORM WORK COSTING

ESTIMATING COST OF FORM WORK

The cost of formwork consists of the cost of

Materials

Labour for making Formwork

Labour for erection and dismantling

Repair of formwork

Labour for transporting, shifting materials

Plant and equipment used for making, erection, dismantling, repair and
transport

Cleaning and storage costs

Transportation costs

MATERIALS

Usually this is a major component of the total cost of formwork. Material can be
classified as

Direct materials

They are the main component of form work eg. Timber, steel etc.

Consumables

Nails, shuttering oils etc. are treated as consumables.

The cost can be computed in two ways

Cost of materials scrap value

Cost of material per use =
Number of repetitions

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Cost of material scrap value x period of use

Cost of material for an
item in the project }= Life of material

Usually the first method is used for materials with short life like timber and
plywood and second method is used for materials with long life like steel and metal
components.

COST REDUCTION

The key areas of the cost reduction are

Right system for the right job

Considerable savings result when the appropriate system is used for the job in
hand. Several times the system best suited for the job is not selected and hence the project
may not be completed profitably.

Planning for maximum reuse

Specification or local code requirements for stripping and reshoring are an

important factor in planning form reuse. Maximum investment in forms is achieved by
constructing the least number of forms required for a smooth workflow and then reusing
these forms as often as necessary until the job is completed.

Economical form construction

When non - reusable forms are to be built in position on the job, the planning
should be such that inexpensive materials are used which are easy to transport, handle
and shape in the field.

Reusable forms must be more durable, made of strong materials that can
withstand continuing and usually must have added features that make them easy to
handle and to assemble.

In choosing ties or inserts, the initial cost is not as important as the labour
involved in their installation and form striping.

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Efficient setting and stripping practice

The full benefit of a plan for reuse of forms can only be realized if the forms can
be stripped and re-erected without too much lost time and if the form is not wrecked in
the process. Therefore, designing for easy handling and disassembly is essential.

OTHER COSTS AFFECTED BY FORMWORK PLAN

Crew efficiency

Advance planning eliminates confusion and delay in the field, where it is most
costly. Where maximum reuse of forms if emphasized every operation must be
scheduled precisely to sustain effective continuity of employment of craftsmen on site.

Concreting

The ease and speed of placing concrete is related to the planned sequence and to
some extent to the choice of form design.

Bar setting

If form design can enable the reinforcement to be pre-assembled before installing,

it may enable the reinforcing crew to work under more favorable conditions.

Cranes and hoists

One object of planning should be to use cranes and hoists efficiently so that there
are just enough on a project to keep the work going smoothly.

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