Know the Difference between Formwork, Shuttering, Centering, and Staging

Formwork, centering, shuttering, staging & scaffolding are all temporary elements arranged on-site for specific purposes.

You often use words like shuttering, formwork, centering, scaffolding. But most of them do not have a significant difference between them.

 

In this article, you are going to know about:

1.   What is Formwork, centering, shuttering, staging & scaffolding

2. Difference between Formwork, centering, shuttering, staging & scaffolding

 

WHAT IS FORMWORK?

The construction of a concrete building requires formwork to columns and walls (vertical formwork) and to support the slabs (horizontal formwork)

 

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Formwork is known as a temporary structure its  job to provide support and control until the new concrete is supporting itself. The shape of the concrete is mould to desired shape and size by controls its position and alignment.

Formwork Removal Time As Per IS 456:2000

Description Of The Structural Member	Minimum Time Period
Walls, columns and vertical sides of beams	16 to 24 hours
Slabs (props left under)	3 days
Beam soffits (props left under)	7 days
Removal Of Props To Slabs
(a)   Spanning up to 4.5 m	7 days
(b)   Spanning over 4.5 m	14 days
Removal Of Props To Beams And Arches
(a) Spanning up to 6 m	14 days
(b) Spanning over 6 m	21 days
Description of the structural member	Minimum Time Period
Walls, columns and vertical sides of beams	16 to 24 hours
Slabs (props left under)	3 days

 

Note – The time of removal of the formwork shown above in the table is only when ordinary Portland cement is used. For other cement formwork removal, the time may be changed as appropriate.

 

Formwork should withstand loads such as new concrete, construction materials, equipment, workers, various shocks and sometimes wind. Forums should support all loads without collapsing or excessively distorting.

 

WHAT IS CENTERING?

Centering is the same as formwork. It is used to support horizontal members such as slabs.

The formwork for the slab and floor beams is called centring.

TYPES OF CENTERING

• Wood Centering

• Aluminum Centering

• Steel Centering

• Glass-Reinforced Centering

 

WHAT IS STAGING?

The staging is a temporary element that is used to support the formwork, after the completion of the columns up to the roof beam, and the construction of the bottom of the roof slab

Staging is done using props, H-frames, jacks, a cup locking system and wooden panties.

WHAT IS SCAFFOLDING?

Scaffolding is a temporary structure built around the building to provide a work site for workers to work at heights. The scaffold can be movable or fixed stationary.

TYPES OF SCAFFOLDING

• Single Scaffolding

• Double Scaffolding

• Trestle Scaffolding

• Steel Scaffolding

• Patented Scaffolding

• Cantilever Scaffolding

• Suspended Scaffolding

• Wooden Gantries Scaffolding

 

WHAT IS SHUTTERING

The formwork that supports the vertical surface is called shuttering (see below image for reference)

 

Must read: What Is Conventional Slab | Types | Advantages | Disadvantages

Must read: What Is Hardy Slab | Types | Application | Advantages | Disadvantages

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