Aluminium Form Work

Formwork and false work are temporary structure essential for the construction of cast-in-situ permanent structures. The purpose of formwork is to mould to concrete to the desired shape and size as well as to control the position and alignment of the concrete.

This formwork is built out of prefabricated modules with a metal frame (usually steel or aluminium) and covered on the application (concrete) side with material having the wanted surface structure (steel, aluminum, timber, etc.). The two major advantages of formwork systems, compared to traditional timber formwork, are speed of construction (modular systems pin, clip, or screw together quickly) and lower life-cycle costs (barring major force, the frame is almost indestructible, while the covering if made of wood; may have to be replaced after a few - or a few dozen - uses, but if the covering is made with steel or aluminium the form can achieve up to two thousand uses depending on care and the applications).

For removable forms, once the concrete has been poured into formwork and has set (or cured), the formwork is struck or stripped (removed) to expose the finished concrete. The time between pouring and formwork stripping depends on the job specifications, the cure required, and whether the form is supporting any weight, but is usually at least 24 hours after the pour is completed. 

Formwork is capable of supporting its own weight and hold the freshly placed concrete until it hardens. Another name for form work is ‘shuttering’. Example of components of formwork includes soffit form, joist, bearer etc.