The Complete Guide To Steel Formwork
What Is A Steel Formwork
Steel formwork is a temporary structure used to support and shape concrete. It is composed of steel plates and steel skeletons to ensure that the concrete maintains the designed shape during pouring and hardening. Steel formwork is widely used in various construction projects, including high-rise buildings, bridges, tunnels, industrial plants, etc.
Types Of Steel Formwork
1. Classification by purpose
- Wall formwork: specially used for pouring vertical wall concrete.
- Column formwork: used for forming column concrete.
- Beam formwork: used for casting horizontal beams.
- Floor formwork: used for the construction of floor structure.
- Tunnel formwork: suitable for forming tunnel structures.
- Bridge formwork: used in the construction of bridge structures.
2. Classification by structure
- Modular steel formwork: can be disassembled and reassembled to meet construction needs of different shapes and sizes.
- Large formwork: strong integrity, suitable for large-area casting projects.
- Framed Steel Formwork: Comes with a steel frame, providing greater strength and rigidity.
Load Capacity Of Steel Formwork
1. Factors affecting load capacity
- Material strength: The tensile strength, compressive strength and yield strength of steel directly affect the load capacity of the formwork. Generally speaking, Q235 and Q345 are commonly used types of steel, and Q345 has higher strength.
- Formwork design structure: The geometric shape of the formwork, the construction method and the design of the connection nodes will also affect its load-bearing performance.
- Construction technology: The correct construction method and installation technology also have an important impact on the load capacity of the formwork.
- Support system: The strength and stability of the support system are directly related to the overall load capacity of the formwork.
2. Comparison of load capacity of different types of steel formwork
- Wall formwork: Design bearing capacity is approximately 60-80 kN/ ㎡ .
- Column formwork: Design bearing capacity is approximately 70-100 kN/ ㎡ .
- Beam formwork: Design bearing capacity is approximately 50-70 kN/ ㎡ .
- Tunnel formwork: The design bearing capacity is about 100-150 kN/ ㎡ , which is suitable for the high load requirements of tunnel engineering.
- Bridge formwork: The design bearing capacity is approximately 120-180 kN/ ㎡ , meeting the high strength requirements of bridge structures.
- Standard large formwork: The design bearing capacity is about 80-100 kN/ ㎡ , used for large-area wall or floor construction.
- Frame formwork: The design bearing capacity is about 90-120 kN/ ㎡ , suitable for structural parts that require high-strength support.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Steel Formwork
Advantage:
- High strength and durability: can withstand large construction loads and has a long service life.
- More reuse times: Compared with other material formworks, steel formworks can be used more times.
- Improve construction efficiency: high degree of prefabrication and quick on-site installation.
- High precision and good surface quality: the poured concrete surface is smooth and flat.
Disadvantage:
- Heavy and difficult to carry: Mechanical equipment is needed to assist in carrying.
- High initial cost: The purchase cost of steel formwork is high, but the economic benefits of long-term use are obvious.
- Anti-corrosion treatment is required: Steel is susceptible to corrosion and requires regular protective treatment.
- Less design flexibility: Compared with wooden formwork, steel formwork is slightly less flexible in the construction of complex shapes.
Steel Formwork Vs Aluminum Formwork
Steel formwork and aluminum formwork are two common types of formwork, which have significant differences in material properties, weight, service life, construction efficiency, cost, scope of application and environmental performance. Understanding these differences will help construction parties choose the formwork type that best suits project needs.
Characteristic
|
Steel formwork
|
Aluminum Formwork
|
Material properties
|
High strength, high stiffness
|
Lightweight and corrosion-resistant
|
weight
|
Heavy, requires mechanical handling
|
Lightweight and can be carried manually
|
Service life
|
150-200 times or more
|
More than 200 times
|
Construction efficiency
|
Slow installation and removal speed
|
Quick installation and removal
|
cost
|
High initial cost, low long-term cost
|
High initial cost, low maintenance cost
|
Scope of application
|
Complex structures, large-scale construction
|
Standardized construction projects
|
Environmental performance
|
Recyclable, but anti-corrosion treatment pollution
|
Completely recyclable, good environmental performance
|
How To Use Steel Formwork
1. Preparation before template installation
- Check the integrity of the formwork and prepare necessary installation tools and equipment, such as cranes, bolts, support rods, wrenches, etc. , and clean up the construction site.
2. Fixing and connecting the template
- Position the formwork according to the construction drawings , fix the formwork in the specified position with bolts or other fixings , and connect adjacent formworks with connectors to form a continuous formwork system.
3. Formwork support system construction
- After the formwork is in place, setting enough temporary poles to support the formwork is necessary to ensure that the formwork will not deform during the pouring process. Adjustment of the pole height is required to ensure the formwork is at the designed height.
4. Pouring concrete
- Upon completion of the formwork and support system check for problems, the concrete is poured according to the construction specifications. When pouring concrete the concrete should be vibrated correctly to push out air and make the concrete packed and even.
5. Formwork removal
- After the concrete has reached 70%-100% of the design strength, the removal of the formwork begins at the top of the formwork. The steel formwork needs to be removed carefully so that the concrete surface will not be damaged. Store the formwork by category, clean it and place it in a designated area for storage.
Selection Of Steel Formworks For Your Project
- The project scale and complexity: For major or complicated structures, you should select an adjustable steel formwork system with a variety of shapes and high durability.
- Reusability: If your project is large or you intend to use the formwork in more than one project, the reusability of the system is important.
- Easily use: The design of the formwork system should be user-friendly. A formwork system that can be quickly constructed and dismantled is more favorable for increased efficiency in work scheduling and to keep labor costs down.
- Cost : The initial cost and long-term cost should be taken into consideration. The general expense of a system including reusability, buying price, and maintenance costs should be taken into consideration.
- The Experiences of the Supplier: You must purchase a formwork system from a dependable supplier. Check on the supplier’s previous project experience, product quality, and service.
- Concurrency with safety: Safety is the top priority in all construction processes. Check and be sure that the formwork system you adopt is appropriate for the safety standards required.
Why Choose Aj Building As Your Steel Formwork Supplier
Company Background and Reputation: AJ Building has over 20 years of experience and a strong reputation in the industry, with successful cases ranging from high-rise buildings to large infrastructure projects.
Product Quality and Certification: High-quality materials and strict quality control system are used to ensure the durability of products. The company has quality management system certifications such as ISO 9001 and CE certification, which meet international standards.
Technical Support and Service: Our experienced technical team provides design customization services to meet the special requirements of your project, and provides installation guides and training to support the correct installation and use of our products.
Price and cost-effectiveness: We work with more than 160 countries and regions around the world. Large-scale production enables us to offer you lower prices than other suppliers and provide discounts for long-term customers to improve overall cost-effectiveness.
Delivery Capability and Logistics: Advanced production equipment and sufficient inventory ensure on-time delivery, and an extensive logistics network supports safe and timely delivery.
Contracts and Terms: Provide clear and detailed contract terms to protect the rights and interests of both parties; support flexible payment methods to reduce customer financial risks.
On-site inspection and communication: Visiting the factory allows you to witness the production environment and product quality with your own eyes. You are welcome to visit our production factory on site to understand the production environment, equipment and management level.
With rich experience, high-quality products, professional technical support and good after-sales service, AJ Building is capable of serving as your reliable steel formwork supplier and providing high-quality formwork solutions for your projects.

FAQ
How is steel formwork different from other formwork materials like wood or plastic?
- Steel formwork offers greater durability and reusability compared to wood or plastic. It provides a smoother surface finish and can support heavier loads.
What maintenance is required for steel formwork?
- Regular cleaning and lubrication of moving parts, as well as inspections for wear and damage, are recommended to ensure safe and efficient use.
Are there safety features in steel formwork systems?
- Yes, safety features such as guardrails and non-slip surfaces are often integrated into steel formwork systems to protect workers.