Formwork

INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................................3

DESIGNREQUIREMENTS...............................................................................................................................................4

FACTORSRELATINGTOFORMWORK...........................................................................................................................6

HIGHWALLFORMWORK..........................................................................................................................................6

TimberFramedFormwork........................................................................................................................................7

SHEATHING...............................................................................................................................................................8

WALLTYINGSYSTEMS..............................................................................................................................................8

CONSTRUCTIONJOINTS............................................................................................................................................9

SLIPFORM...............................................................................................................................................................10

CLIMBINGORJUMPFORMS...................................................................................................................................10

FormworkStriking......................................................................................................................................................11

Standardsrelatingtoformwork.................................................................................................................................12

ERECTIONFORCOLUMNS,BEAMS,SLABSANDSTAIRS.............................................................................................13

Columns..................................................................................................................................................................13

ColumnFormworkConstruction............................................................................................................................13

Columnformsandjoints........................................................................................................................................14
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Columnformsandjoints........................................................................................................................................15

Erectionofformworkforcolumns.........................................................................................................................17

Columnformworkconstructionstages..................................................................................................................18

BEAMANDSUSPENDEDSLABFORMWORK...........................................................................................................19

Designandconstructionofbeamformwork..........................................................................................................19

Markingoutandsettingheightsforfalseworks.....................................................................................................20

Constructanderectsidewallsandbeamsoffit.....................................................................................................20

SUSPENDEDSLABS......................................................................................................................................................21

Designandconstructionofslabformwork............................................................................................................21

DeterminingTheBearerSpacing............................................................................................................................22

ErectingBearersAndJoists....................................................................................................................................22

PROPRIETARYFORMWORK....................................................................................................................................23

FALSEWORK............................................................................................................................................................24

Settingupfalsework:..............................................................................................................................................24

STAIRFORMWORK.................................................................................................................................................25

StairFormworkconstruction..................................................................................................................................25

TREADS,NOSINGS,BALUSTRADING.......................................................................................................................26

STRIKING,MAINTENANCE,STORAGEOFFORMWORK..........................................................................................27

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INTRODUCTION
Anumberoffundamentalprinciplesapplytoallformwork.

Considerationmustbegivento:

Acceptabletolerancespermitted;

Useofappropriatematerials;

Standardsofworkmanship;

Constructionforeaseoferectionandstripping;

Careandmaintenanceoftheformwork,sothatthemaximumnumberofreusescanbeachieved.

Formworkisatemporaryconstruction;howevercaremustbetakentopreventdamagetopermanentwork.Threegeneral
principlesgovernformworkdesignandconstruction:

Qualityaccuracyoftheconcreteshapeandthefinalfinishedsurfacequality.

Safetystrengthoftheformworkstructure.Personalsafetyofpeople,bothcarpenters andthepublic.

EconomyThestructuralframeisusuallythemostsignificantcostcomponent,adominantandcriticalfactorinthetimeof
construction.

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DESIGNREQUIREMENTS

Whendesigningformwork,considerthefollowing:

1. Strength:Formsandshuttershavetobedesignedtosupportdeadweight,liveloadandhydrostaticpressure.
Sheathingmustberigidenoughtoresistbulging.

Formworkforverticalconcreteelementsi.e.columnsandwallsaresubjecttopressuresontheformface.Thisiscausedby
thefluidactionofthefreshconcrete.Thepressureofthefluidconcreteontheverticalfacesincreasesproportionatelywith
thedepthofconcrete.Themaximumpressurebeingatthebottomoftheform.Thismaximumpressureforthefulldepth
fluidconcreteisthehydrostaticpressureforconcreteandusuallyoccurswhentheconcreteisplacedveryquickly.

Itshouldnotbepossibleforthebracingtobedislodgedbyimpact,orwind,actingfromanydirection.Refertoillustration
below.

Design Pressure

Distribution

Pressure Distribution
H

Hydrostatic
Pressure

P max

Vertical stud

Walers

2. Speedyerectionanddismantling:Theformworkdesignandthemethodsofassemblymustbeassimpleaspossible
toreducetimespentinerectionanddismantling.Theformworkshouldbesimpletoremovewithoutcausingdamagetothe
concrete.

3. Tightnessofjoints:Theliquidretainingpropertiesoftheformworkmustbeadequatetopreventleakageofcement
andfineaggregatefromtheconcrete.

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4. Rigidity:Braceformworkandsupporttoensurenomovementmaytakeplaceunderwindpressure,orwhenthe
concreteisbeingplacedandvibrated.Theshuttersmustberigidenoughtokeeptheconcretememberwithintheallowable
tolerances.

5. Reuse:Designforunitconstruction,ifpossible,sothatyoucanstrikeandreuseassoonaspossible.Useclamps,
wedges,andsimilardevicestoholdsectionsofformworkinplace.Avoidnailingasmuchaspossible,nailholesandbruising
ofthetimberwillspoilformworkforfurtheruse.Theformworkmaterialmustbedurableandcapableofproducingagood
surfacefinish.

6. Easeofhandling:Formsandshuttersmustbeofasizeandweightthatcanbehandledbythelabourandplant
availableonsite.

Adjustment:Arrangeallprops,shores,andstrutssothattheycanbeproperlyadjusted.Theymustbearonsoleplates,so
thattheloadissafelydistributedontothestructurebelow.

Removalofdebris:Provideallformworkwithspecialcleanoutholestoallowfortheremovalofsawdust,shavings,andother
debrisfromthebottomoftheformworkbeforethepourbegins.

FormworkTolerancesandvariationsinalignment

Columns Upto3mhigh 6mm

Piers 3mto6m 10mm

Walls Above6m 18mm

Variationsfromlevel 6mmin6m 10mmmax.

Variationsfromplanposition 6mbay 12mm

over6mbay 25mm

Nottoencroachoverboundary.

Variationsinsizeandpositionof 6mm
openings,sleeves

Variationsincrosssectionalsize Upto600mm +6mmor3mm

Over600mm 6mm

Variationsinfootings +25mmor12mm

Thickness 0.05ofdimension

Variationsinconsecutivesteps

Rise 1.5mm

Tread 3mm

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FACTORSRELATINGTOFORMWORK
Todesignandconstructsatisfactoryformworkanappreciationofthetypesofloadsand

combinationsofloadsthatactontheformworkisrequired.

Theheaviestloadonformsusuallyoccurswhentheconcreteisbeingplaced.Aswellastheweightoftheconcreteitself,(i.e.
deadload),allowancefortheconcretinggangandtheirgearmustbeconsidered,(i.e.liveload).Depositingwetconcretein
heapscreatesunevenpressureontheformwork.Itisimportanttoevenlyplacetheconcreteinlayers,distributingloads
equallyontheformwork.Inwalls,wetconcreteexertshorizontalburstingpressuresontheverticalsoffit.Thepressureis
reducedasthesemiliquidconcretehardensandbecomesselfsupporting.Formworkconstructionmustbeableto
withstandtheloadsimposed.

HIGHWALLFORMWORK
Therearetwotypesofwallformwork.Onetypeisforwallsrequiringonlyonefaceofformwork,e.g.forbasementwalls.
Theotherisdoublefacedformworkforfreestandingwallsinastructure.

Acknowledgement to the Australian

Government Publishing Service for the use of

their
Wall formwork illustrations.

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TimberFramedFormwork.
Thewallformworkframeisconstructedusingeither:

Verticalstudsandhorizontalwalers.

Horizontalwalersandverticalsoldierswiththesheathing(sheeting)fixedatrightangles.

Thespacingandsizeofstudsandwalersisdeterminedbytheloadsimposedontheformwork.Theheightofthewall,
thicknessofthewall,andthethicknessofthesheathingusedmustbeabletowithstandtheloadsplacedontheformwork.

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SHEATHING
Therearevarioustypessheathingavailable.Theappropriatesheathingmustbeselectedto
obtainthespecifiedfinishrequired.Optionsinclude:
Sawnorplanedtimberedgesmaybesquarecutortongueandgrooved,toprevent
groutleakage.Analternativeisafoamstripinsertedbetweentheboards.
Plywoodexteriorgradeorformplyareavailableinvariousthickness.Thegrainon
theouterfacemustbeparallelwiththespanofthewallformworkframing.
Temperedhardboardproducesagoodfinish,however,islessresistanttodamageand
multipleuse.
Plasticliningsgiveagoodfinish,however,itmusthaveasolidbacking.
Rubberliningsaresometimesusedfortexturedfinish.
Glassfibreorothersimilarmouldsmaybeusedforvariousarchitecturalfeaturesonwallorwindowpanels.

WALLTYINGSYSTEMS
Thefunctionofformworktyingsystemsistoconnectthetwofacesofthedoublefacedformstogetherandeffectthe
balanceoftheforcesbetweenthem.Thespacingofthetiesandtheforcestheyhavetoresist,isdeterminedbythewallto
bebuiltandtheframingsystemadopted.Whenconsideringtiesforwallforms,selectionismadeonthebasisof:

tiecapacity,

groutlossatthetieholes,

easeofinstallation,

finalappearance

EASICLEANTHROUGHTIE

COILTIE

SHEBOLT

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CONSTRUCTIONJOINTS
Stopendsandconstructionjointsmustalwaysbeformedatrightanglestotheconcretepour.Ifkeyedstopendsare
required,useanangledfilletorasplitinsertforaparallelsidedslot.Constructionjointsatthetopofapourmayrequirea
battenfixedtotheformworktofinishtheconcreteinastraightline.

HorizontalConstructionJoint Split insert for parallel sided slot

StopEnds

Attheendsofwallsandattheplannedpositionsofconstructionjoints,stopendsmustbeconstructed.Duetoreflection
andreboundoftheenergyofvibrationfromthefaceofthestopend,theconcretepressureactingonitcanexceedthat
generallyactingontheformface.

Inmostcasesthestudsoftheformworkdonotcoincidewiththestopendandasaresult,theplywooddeflectsunderthe
concretepressureandgroutandwaterescapespastthestopend.

Acommonmethodofresistingtheforcesonthestopendisbywedgingitoffthewallties.

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SLIPFORM
Thisisaformwhichiscontinuallybeingmovedupwards,orsideways,astheconcreteisbeingpoured.Therateofmovement
isregulatedsothattheformsleavetheconcreteonlyafteritisstrongenoughtoretainitsshapeandsupporttheweights
imposedonit.

Verticalstructuressuchaschimneys(HuntlyPowerStation)andcoolingtowers(OhaakiThermalPowerStation)areoften
donethisway.Kerbingandchannellingcanalsobeslipformed.Jackingoftheformscanbedonebyscrew,electric,
pneumatic,butusuallyhydraulic.

CLIMBINGORJUMPFORMS
Thistypeofformworkisdesignedforconstantfloorheightandlayoutformultistoreybuildings.Theformworkis
jumpedupfromonefloortothenextfloorabove.Thesystemisraisedverticallyforconsecutivelifts.Anchorpointsorties
usednearthetopoftheformworkarereusedforthebottomofformworkwhenitislifted.

SkytowerinAucklanduseda4mhighjumpformfortheconstructionofthe500mmthick,12mdiametermaintower
achievingapouraboutevery9days.

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FormworkStriking

Theprocessofremovingtheformwork.Theearliesttimethis
canbedoneiswhentheconcretehasdevelopedsufficient
strength.Reinforcedconcretestructuralelements
needtobeabletocarrythemselvesandanyother
superimposedloadsovertheirintendedspans.Strippingtransfer
partsorloadstoconcretestructureshouldbegradually
Striking piece
transferred.Considerationshouldbegivento:
Specificationrequirements,check
sitedocumentsfortheconcrete
strengthrequiredandstrippingtimes.
Theconcreteageandminimum
strengthatthetimeofstripping.
Themethodandsequenceofstripping.
Limitsontheloadstobeplacedonthestructure.
Removeformworkcomponentswithminimumdamage.
Theconditionofthecomponentswilldeterminethereuse
andcosts.

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Standardsrelatingtoformwork
NZS3109:1997

Concreteconstruction

providesminimumrequirementsfortheconstructionofreinforcedconcrete,unreinforcedconcrete,prestressedconcrete
oracombinationinelementsofanybuildingorcivilengineeringstructure.

Section5ofthestandardcoversrequirementsfor:

thedesignofformwork,

surfacefinish,

tolerances,

removalofformsandshores,

embeddedsleeves,conduitsandpipes

constructionjoints.

NZS3124:1987

Specificationforconcreteconstructionforminorworks

providesminimumrequirementsfortheconstructionofreinforcedandunreinforcedconcreteinminorworksincluding
buildingsoflighttimberframeconstructionwithinthescopeofNZS3604.Alsoconcretemasonryconstructionwithinthe
scopeofNZS4229:1999

Concretemasonrybuildingsnotrequiringspecificengineeringdesign

Thestandardhoweverdoesnotprovidespecificrequirementsforconcreteconstructionthataresubjectedtoaggressive
environments.

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ERECTIONFORCOLUMNS,BEAMS,SLABSANDSTAIRS

Columns
Thefunctionofcolumnformworkistoenabletheconstructionofcolumnsthathavethespecifiedsurfacequalityandare
acceptablyaccurateinshapeandpositionwithgoodalignmenttootheradjacentcolumns,wallsandbuildingfacades.
Columnsareoftenconstructedwiththecolumnreinforcementextendingwellabovetheform.Thisisdonesoitcanlapwith
thereinforcementofthenextcolumnorfloortobeconstructedabove.

Theaccuracyrequirementsforcolumnsvaryaccordingtotheirpositioninthebuilding.Thetolerances,whicharethe
maximumpermitteddeviations,arenormallyspecifiedintheprojectdocumentation.

ColumnFormworkConstruction
Toavoidplywoodjoints,itisnormalpracticetocutthesheetslengthwiseinwidthstomatchthecolumnfaces.

Mostcolumnformingmethodsuseplywoodtoformfaces.Thecornerjunctionsoftheplywoodmustbedetailedtoachieve
themaximumtighteningactionfromthecolumnclamps.

Thecornersoftheformareusuallyformedtohavea45degreearris.Timberanglefilletsareusedtoformthearris.Care
mustbetakentoalignthefilletinsidethecolumnform.

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Columnformsandjoints

SteelStrapping

Adjustablesteelclamps Boltsthroughtimberyokes

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Columnformsandjoints

Adjustable steel column clamp

Acknowledgement to the Australian

Government Publishing Service for the use

of their Column illustrations.

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CIRCULARANDOCTAGONALCOLUMNS
Circularcolumnformwork

Fabricatedsteel,usuallytwopiece,andoftenwithahinge.

Fibrecementpipeswhichareleftinplaceaspermanentformwork.

Cardboardtube.Oneoffformwork,availableinarangeofdiameters,usedwithtimberstrongbacks.Cuttowasteafter
concreteispoured.

Plastictube.Usedinasimilarwaytocardboard.

Octagonalcolumnformwork

Timbersheathingtiedwithstandardcolumnclamps.Cornersneedtohaveinfillpieces.Alternatively,metalstrapcanbe
usedwithouttheneedforcornerinfills.

Timbersheathingwithalternatingcolumnclamps,forlargercolumns.

Vertical Timber sheathing column
Fabricatedsteelwithboltedjoints.

Vertical steel two piece form column

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Vertical Cardboard column braced

Erectionofformworkforcolumns
Beforeerectingcolumnformwork,applyareleaseagenttoallinternalsurfaces.Ifspecified,fixanyrequirededging,metal
corners,arrispiecesorcastedinserts.

Priortotheerectionofformworkforstructuralmembers,itisimportanttochecktheexactlocationofgridsrelatingtothe
structuralmemberbeingformed.Thelocation,sizeofcolumn,height,andspecifiedfinishshouldbeclarifiedfromsite
documentation.Oftenhurdlesrestrictthepositioningofgridlocations,thereforeoffsetsmayberequired.Itisthe
contractorsresponsibilitypriortotheerectiontochecksitedocumentationfortheexactpositionofthestructuralmember
youareworkingon.

Erectionsequenceforacolumn
Priortopositioningcolumnformworkcheckthatsteelforthecolumnhasbeeninspectedandclearedforcasting.
Positionformworkforthecolumnfrompredeterminedgrids.
Plumbformworkbothwaysandsecurelysupportusingadjustablesteelprops.
Theproppingangleshouldbe45tothefloor.
Ensurethesteelpropsaresafelysecuredtothecolumnformworkandthefloor,and
thatadjustmentforpushingandpullingisoperational.
Setoutthepositionsofcolumnclampsfromastoreyrod.
Transferthecolumnclamppositionsfromthestoreyrodontocolumnformwork.
Usenailstosupportthearmsofcolumnclampswhilewedging.
Positionandwedgethebottom,middleandtopclampssets.
Checktheformworkatthetopforsquare.
Positionandwedgetheremainderofthecolumnclamps.
Usingaplumbbobsuspendedfromagaugeblockplumbthecolumn.
Whenallthecolumnformworkissecurelyproppedafinalcheckmustbemadefor
plumbandcolumnalignmentbeforeandimmediatelyaftertheconcretehasbeen
pouredandvibrated.

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Columnformworkconstructionstages

Columnformworkbracing

Columnformworkbracingperformstwofunctions:

Itmustmaintaintheaccuracyofthecolumnformpositionandplumbsothatitiswithintolerance.

Withstandresultsofforcesactingoneitherthecolumnformworkorthebracing.The forcesmaybewindor
impact.Theseimpactforcescanoccurfromthecollisionof concretebucketsorcraneshoistingmaterials.

Braced column

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BEAMANDSUSPENDEDSLABFORMWORK

Inatypicalreinforcedconcretebuildingframe,theslabsaretheprimaryloadcarryingelement.Theytransfertheirloadto
secondaryelementssuchaswallsorbeams.

Beamscanbegroupedintwocategories.WhenlocatedintheinteriorofthestructuretheyareusuallyTEEBeamsandwhen
ontheperimeterareLBeams.

TEEBEAMS
LBEAMS

Designandconstructionofbeamformwork
Beamsoffitmustbethickenedtimberorstrengthenedplywood.

Beamsides18mmplywoodor25mmboards,withstuds(cleats)at
500to600mmcentres.

Deepbeams(over600mm)shouldhave
walersandties.

Propsorfalseworkmustbeplaced
undertheheadtree,orunderthebearers,
andmustbespacedtosuittheweight
ofconcrete.
Useanglefilletsinthebeamsideto
soffitjointwherepossible.
Allowancemustbemadeforheight
adjustmentofthepropsorfalsework.
Erectionsequenceforconstructingbeamformworkincludes:
Positionofsoleplates;
Markingoutandsettingheightsforfalseworks;
Assembleandpositionprops,adjustableheadjacks,
falseworks,bearersandSpreaders;
Constructanderectsidewallsandbeamsoffit.
Positionofsoleplates
Thepurposeofasoleplateistotransferverticalloadfromoneverticalsupportmembertothefoundation.Thevertical
supportrequiresabaseplatefittedtohelpdistributetheloadtothesoleplate,whichisusuallyasleeper.Ifthesoleplateis
positionedonnaturalground,itisimportantthegroundisgradedandconsolidatedtoalevelsurface.
Theobjectiveistoachievemaximumbearingbeneaththesoleplate.
Oncesoleplatesarepositionedandfirmlybeddedtheyshouldbecheckedforlevel.

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Markingoutandsettingheightsforfalseworks
Markoutthepositionofpropsandotherfalseworksupportsonthetopofthesoleplates.

Measuretheheightfromthesoleplatetothetopofthecolumnandmarktheheightontoastoreyrod.

Deductthethicknessofbeamsoffitdepthofjoistandthedepthofbearerfromtheoverallheight.Thisprovidesthe
heighttosetsteelpropsandotherfalseworksupportsystems.

Adjustthefalseworksystemstolengthsdeterminedfromthestoryrod.

Assembleandpositionprops,adjustableheadjacks,falseworks,bearersandspreaders

Thistasknormallyinvolvesworkinginpairs.Itisimportanttobearinmindthesafetyrequiredtoassembleprops
andtemporarysupportsystems.Oftencontinuousormobilescaffoldingareusedtohelperectthefalsework
system.

Layoutlengthsofbearersoneachsideofthecolumns.Jointsshouldbestaggered.

Positionthescaffoldateachendofthebearer.

CarefullypositionbearersintothecentreofproporfalseworkUhead.UsecentralisingpackersnailedtoUhead.

Repeatthisprocedureontheotherside.

Plumbsupportsbothwaysandnailspreadersateachendhardagainstthecolumnface.Thisistoprevent
movement.

SecurepropsandfalseworkatUheadandsoleplate.

Placespreadersinpositionatrequiredspacing.

Position,plumbandfixintermediateprops.

Constructanderectsidewallsandbeamsoffit
Fromworkingdrawingsthejoistlengthcanbedeterminedbydevelopingafullsizeorscaledsetoutdrawingofa
crosssectionofthebeambeingconstructed.Allowforformworkandbracingrequiredinthedevelopment.

Markoutapatternjoistfromyoursetoutdrawing.

Markouttherequirednumberofjoistsfromthepattern.Beamjoistsshouldthenbefixedinpositionacrossthe
bearers.

Fixthesoffit.Thewidthofthesoffitcanbedeterminedfromyourfullsizesetout.

Useastringlinetoaccuratelypositionthepanelsusedtoformthesoffitbetweencolumns.Supporttheedgeofthe
soffitpanelsbyplacinganextrajoistundertheendedgeofpanels.

Obtainstudheightsforwallsfromfullsizesetout.

Constructthetimberframewallpanelsinsections.

Erectthewallframestoeachedgeofthesoffitliningadjusteachpanelforplumbandlineusingbraces.

Fixwalers,kickerscleatsandbracingplate.

Fixtieboltsasspecified.
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SUSPENDEDSLABS
Suspendedfloorslabscanbeconstructedusingcastinsitu,precastunitsoracombinationofboth.Whichevermethodis
used,itisimportanttosupporttheproposedmethodofconstructionusingacombinationoftimberorsteelbearersand
adjustableshoring.Thespacingandtypeofsupportsystemrequiredisdeterminedbytheloadimposedduringthe
constructionprocess.Manufacturersprovidetablestoassistintheselectionandspacingofadjustableshoringsystems.

Theerectionsequenceforconstructingasuspendedfloorslabincludes:

Determiningthebearerspacing;
Erectingbearersandjoists;
Fixingthesheeting;
Preparationforconcrete.

Designandconstructionofslabformwork
Asanumberofcollapseshaveoccurredwhenpouringsuspendedslabs,
carefulattentionmustbegiventotheoverallsupport
system.Unlessusingaproprietaryorwellprovensystem,

engineerdesignisrequired.Deckingwillprobablybeplywood
sheetsorshutters,butboardsandjoistscouldbeused.

Thicksheetsoffibrecementarealsosuitable.Propsandother

falseworkmustbeperfectlyplumbatthetimeofpouringthe
concrete.

Allpropsandfalseworkmustbetiedtogetherandbraced.
Proprietarybearersintimberorsteelareoftenusedas

theirbearingcapacityiseasilydetermined.Considerationmust

begiventotheorderofstriking,andtheinstallationof
permanentorbackpropping.

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DeterminingTheBearerSpacing
Tocalculatethebearerspacingmeasurethespanbetweenthesupportingwalls.Dividethespanbytherecommended
bearerspacing.Thiswilldeterminethenumberofspacesbetweenbearers.Dividethespanbythenumberofcalculated
spaces.Thiswillestablishthecentretocentrespacingofbearers.

ErectingBearersAndJoists

Bearers
Positioningbearersforasuspendedslabarethesameasforabeamhowever:itisimportantthatsoleplatesarefirmly
beddedoneithercompactedgroundorlevelconcrete.Bearersupportsmustbeadequatelybraced.Extrabearersmaybe
requiredtosupportjoistsandsheetingeithersideofmajorpenetrations.

Checkthefollowing:

bearersarepositionedandsetinlineandadjustedtothecorrectlevel.

soleplatesarebeddedfirmlyandpositionedcentraltothebearer.

allbearersupportsareplumb.

bearerjoinsaresupported.

bearersareseatedcentrallyinUheads.

supportsspacedasspecifiedandarefirmlyfixedattheheadandbearingplate.

allsupportsarehorizontallyanddiagonallybraced.

Joists
Thepositionofjoistsisdeterminedbythesheetlengthandthecentretocentrespacingoftheintermediatejoists.Check
withthespecificationsofthesheetingmaterialbeingused.Determinetheperimetersupportrequired,layingpatternand
whetherthefacegrainistorunparallelorat90degreestothejoists.Thiswilleffectthejoistarrangement.

Markoutthejoistspacingonthesidewallsclearlyidentifyingthejoistsattheendofeachsheet.

Sheetingedgesmustfallonthecentreofajoist.

Cutrequirednumberofjoiststolength.

Positionthejoistscentrallyoverthesetoutlines.

FixingTheSheeting
Ifusingformplyforsheeting,itisimportanttoavoiddamagingtheedgesofsheets.
Bysealingtheedgesofsheetsyouwillpreventswelling.
Positionthefirstrowofsheetingstraightandsquare,thiswillmakefittingtheremaindersimpler.
Fixintermediatesheeting.
Nailoffsheets,sealandinstallanybevelledtrimrequiredtoexternalandinternalcorners.
Somespecificationsrequiresurfacetapetobeappliedoverbuttjoints.
Checkthatjointsaresealed,levelandtight.
Intersectionsatedgebeamformworkareplanedflat.
Sheetingisfixedasspecified.
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Jointsarewatertight.
Anypanelscuttoaccommodatepenetrationsoropeningsarethecorrectshapeanddimensionandintherequired
position.
Alljointsofsheetsarefullysupported.

PreparationForConcrete
Taskstobecompletedbeforetheconcreteiscastinclude:
Clearingthedeckingofalldebris;
Markingoutforreinforcing;
Applyareleaseagenttosheeting;
Checksitedocumentationandwithsubcontractorstoaccommodatesleeves,penetrationsandconduitforservices;
Fixreinforcingsteelinaccordancewithstructuraldetails;
Finalcleanandinspectionrequired.

PROPRIETARYFORMWORK
ProprietaryformworkSystemsaresuppliedbycompaniessuchasBoralAcrow,andRapidMetalDevelopmentsinNZ,andfor
specificprojectsareoftensuppliedbyoverseascompanies.

BoralAcrowsupplies:

UForm(Universal):forwalls,columns,beams,andslabswithvariousaccessoriesforscaffoldingsupport.Shuttersare
joinedwithsnapties.

"Flexibleform":forcurvedstructures,andcanbecombinedwith"Uform".

Forsomeprojects,specialformworkisdesignedandconstructed,oftenworkinginconjunctionwithanoverseascompany.

TEMPORARYPROPPING(SHORING)

Asearlystrikingofbeamandslabsoffitformworkisdesirableforearlyreuse,someformoftemporarysupportisgenerally
needed.

Althoughofatemporarynature,itisoftencalledpermanentpropping,withtemporaryproppingbeingusedwhileconcreteis
poured.

Typicalpermanentshoringorpropping

Undisturbed:Formsarestruckwithoutdisturbingthepropsthataretobeleftinplace.Proprietarysystemsallowthis.

Secondary:Propsareplacedindesignedlocationsbeforedisturbinganyoftheexistingprops.

Partial:Thesoffitformworkisstruckshutterbyshutterandnewpropsareplacedprogressively.

Total:Thecompletesoffitisstruckandreproppedbeforeanyconstructionworkcommencesabove.

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FALSEWORK

Falseworkistemporarystructureorframeworkusedinconstructiontosupportmaterials,equipment,orformwork.(SeeOSH
SafetyinConstructionGuideNo7)

Mostfalseworkisvertical,supportingbeamsandslabs.Falseworkmustbeengineerdesigned.

Aswellassupportingtheweight,allowancemustbemadeforsidewaypressuressuchaswind,stacksofmaterialscausing
eccentricloading,propsoutofplumb,formworkbeing

struckbymachineryorcraneloads.

Falseworkcanbe:

timber;
scaffoldtubewithadjustablescrewjacks,toporbottom,orboth;
proprietarypropsuchasAcrowprop;
proprietarybracedframesuchasAcrowshore;
proprietaryfloorcentre(atelescopicbeam);
proprietarybeamclampssuchasAcrowbeamclampwhichcombinesformworkandfalsework.

Settingupfalsework:
Basemustbelevelandfirm.Asoleplateispreferable;
Propsandframesmustbeplacedasperdesign;
Placepropscentrallyundermembers;
Bracefalseworkintwodirections;
Floorcentresmusthavefullbearingfortheendtongues;
Beamsmustbecentredoverpropstopreventeccentric(outofline)loading.

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STAIRFORMWORK
Pointstoconsiderwhendesigningstairformwork
Stairformworkmustsupporttheweightofconcrete.Theweightofthethroatofthestairandthestepswillhaveto
besupported.
Becauseoftheslopeofthestair,someoftheforceistransmittedsideways.Allformworkmustbewelltiedtogether
topreventsidewaymovement.
Considerthefinishofthestairtreadsandtypeofnosing.Spacemayhavetobeleftforpurposemadenosing.

Step nosing

Riser, vertical or
raked

Rebate for purpose

made nosing
Throat

Thedesignofthestairmustconformtothestairdesignregulationse.g.residentialorcommercial.RefertotheBuildingCode
D1forstairdesignandregulations.

StairFormworkconstruction
Sheathingcanbedressedboardslaidacrossorlongitudinallyorusesheetmaterialsuchasplywoodorparticle
board.
Dressedboardsmayhavesheetmaterialfixedontoptopreventlossofgrout.
Joistsandbearersmustbespacedtoavoidunduesaggingofanypartofthestructure.Selecttimbercarefullyto
avoidweaknessescausedbyknotsorcrossgrain.
Verticalstrutsmusthaveameansofheightadjustmentandbeverysecurelyfixedtothebearerstoprevent
sidewaysmovement.
Placeandfixriserboardsaccurately.Forsafetyallstepsmustbethesamesize.
Ensurethatallreinforcingsteelisplacedexactlyasshownonthedrawings.Misplacingthesteel,particularlyin
depth,canalterthestrengthofthefinishedstair.Ensureadequatecoveronexteriorstairs.
Placeinsertsforbalustersandnosingpiecesasrequired.

UNITECNewZealandAppliedTechnologyInstitute Revised2009
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CROSSSECTIONOFSTAIRFORMWORK

TREADS,NOSINGS,BALUSTRADING.

Treads
Itisverydifficulttoputahighqualityfinishonthesurfaceofinsitupouredstepsbecauseofthedifficultyingettingunder
andaroundtheriserboardsandstrongbacks.Itisgenerallybettertoallowforlaterplasteringorcoveringofthestepswith
tilesetc.

Raiser form

Beveled at 450 for trowel

access

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Nosings
Concretenosingsareverypronetochipping.Itiscommonpracticetoreinforcethecornerwithapurposemadenosingsuch
as:
Vinyl,aluminium,ceramic,etc.Nosingsalsohelptomakethestepsnonslip.

Balustrading
Provisionmustbemadeforfixingbalustradingunlessitistobefixedatthesurfaceusingmasonrybolts.Balustradingcanbe
madefromgalvanisedwroughtiron,galvanisedpipe,aluminium,stainlesssteel,etc.,mostofwhichissitemeasuredafter
stepshavebeenpoured.

Balustradingactsasaguardrailing.Itmustbestrongenoughtoresistapersonfallingagainstitandbeleast900mmto1m
high.

Precaststairways
Inmanybuildingsandinparticularinmultistoreybuildings,thereareoftenagreaternumberofidenticalstairflights.In
thesecasestheadvantagesofprecastingthestairsmeritconsideration.

STRIKING,MAINTENANCE,STORAGEOFFORMWORK

Striking
Ascolumnandbeamsideformworkwillberemovedbeforebeamandslabsoffitformwork,provisionmustbemadeforeasy
removalandinthecorrectorder.
Ifbeamandslabsoffitformworkistoberemovedbeforetheconcretehasachievedworkingstrength,permanentpropping
orshoringisrequired.
Takecaretoavoiddamagetoformworkwhichistobereused.Eightormoreusesmaybeobtainedfromtimberformwork.

Maintenance
Cleanformswithstiffbrushandcleancoldwater.
Usescrapersonlyasalastresort.
Keepformswelloiledtopreventdelaminationofplywoodorrustingofsteelandalwaysoiltheedges.

Storageofforms
Anyformworkwithsteelcomponentsshouldbestoredinthedry.
Avoiddirectsunlightontimberforms.
Storeclearofthegroundwithouttwistorbend,andkeepfreeofdirt.

UNITECNewZealandAppliedTechnologyInstitute Revised2009