Concrete
Formwork
Temporary molds made of wood, steel, or engineered panels used to shape and support concrete until it gains sufficient strength to stand alone.
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In the Field
Formwork failures cause some of the most catastrophic job site accidents. Shores, stringers, and bracing must be engineered for the weight of wet concrete (approximately 150 lb/cu ft). Never strip forms early — get engineering approval for form removal schedules.
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Rule of Thumb
Wet concrete weighs about 150 pcf. A 12-inch deep slab exerts 150 psf on the forms — design accordingly and never let workers under freshly placed elevated slabs.