Practical Timber Formwork

Timber is the most commonly used material for constructing formwork for concrete. The site carpenter has to ensure that the formwork can withstand the pressures involved while retaining the required shape without leakage of the concrete and that the design enables the forms to be built and dismantled easily and, in many cases, re-used. Since the cost of a concrete structure is very dependent on the cost of the formwork it is also essential that maximum use is made of formwork materials. This practical book is written by an experienced formwork carpenter and lecturer and deals with the problems encountered when putting designs into practice. Clearly set out, each type of formwork has its own chapter and features numerous supporting drawings with accompanying text and captions, allowing the student or professional to work directly from them. Building on basic theoretical knowledge, the author guides the reader through constructing formwork for all the main structural elements ranging from walls, columns, beams and stairs to arches and roofs.
The chapter on "setting out" is particularly helpful as it highlights the disadvantages of some theoretical geometrical methods which are unsuitable when dealing with practical situations. Finally, throughout the book safe working methods are emphasized and unsafe methods highlighted. This book should be of interest to students and lecturers, on courses on formwork for concrete construction, carpentry/joinery and building and civil engineering at technical colleges and other institutions, apprentice carpenters, building and civil engineering contractors.