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Formwork

Formwork is the term used for the process of creating a temporary mould into which concrete is poured and formed. Traditional formwork is fabricated using timber, but it can also be constructed from steel, glass fibre reinforced plastics and other materials.

While formwork is a broad term that is used in relation to the forming process using a wide variety of materials, shuttering is a term that is often used to refer to the process of using plywood to form the mould.

Shuttering is perhaps the most popular type of formwork and is normally constructed on site using timber and plywood. A special grade of plywood is necessary for shuttering, and it must be water-resistant. It is easy to produce, although it can be time consuming for larger structures. It is used when the labour costs are lower than the cost of producing re-usable formwork from materials such as steel or plastic. It also has the advantage of beingat a significant amount of concrete can be poured at once.

Simple plank shuttering can be used for the construction of a path or hardstanding. The planks should be trimmed so they are level with the top surface of the slab, allowing a tidy concrete finish to be achieved.