Formwork and Shoring Installation and Removal
Formwork and shoring installation and removal tests safe erection, adequate bracing, correct dimensions, and controlled stripping. Formwork must hold fresh concrete without distortion, and shoring must carry construction loads safely.
Core rules
- Build to the formwork drawing: dimensions, levels, camber, joints, and blockouts.
- Make forms tight to prevent grout loss; use release agent compatible with the finish.
- Brace and shore plumb and square; secure joints and inspect before placing concrete.
- Provide access, guardrails, and safe working platforms; never climb on bracing.
- Do not strip until concrete has gained sufficient strength as specified or verified.
- Remove in a planned sequence, from less critical to more critical supports, and reshore where required.
- Inspect and maintain formwork between uses; remove damaged panels and hardware.
Worked example
A column form is erected and plumbed, but the diagonal brace is loose. You tighten the brace, re-check two adjacent faces for plumb, verify the diagonal dimensions, and record the inspection before concrete placement. Reasoning: a column form can shift under vibration and hydrostatic pressure; plumb before placing is cheaper than correction after stripping.
Traps
- Stripping slab or beam formwork early because the surface “looks hard.”
- Removing braces or props to improve access.
- Using damaged form panels without sealing or repair.
- Leaving form ties or blockouts that are not on the drawing.
The exam emphasizes load safety, inspection, and strength-based removal.