ABSTRACT

During recent years formwork and formwork skills have been the focus of considerable attention from specialists in a variety of fields. To be successful, formwork depends on skilled design, careful selection of materials, care in construction, erection, handling and reuse. The designer, who is often the site supervisor, must understand and have a feel for the job and be well versed in the materials available to the construction industry, as

well as being aware of the technologies of allied industries, such as mechanical engineering, and have a knowledge of available adhesives and chemicals. Experience should ensure that the designer provides formwork which is suited to the task, which can be used by the available labour force and skilled men and which, when handled by the available equipment, will cast concrete to the required standard of accuracy and quality. Many supervisors come to formwork from other trades and must depend, to a large extent, on textbooks and suppliers' catalogues to meet the requirements of the Specification.