BT1: FORMS, SCAFFOLDING, AND STAGING

Construction Form

A temporary mold into which fresh concrete is poured to achieve the desired shape until it gains strength.

Cost of materials

must consider total service life, not just unit price. Example: Marine plywood vs. ordinary plywood.

Construction & assembling cost

ease of handling and labor. Example: Laminated plywood is faster to work with vs. T&G wood boards.

Number of reuses

metal forms are more economical for repetitive use (roads, large projects).

Strength & resistance

must resist fresh concrete pressure and wear/tear.

Wood Boards

Traditional, but expensive and less used now.

Plywood

Advantages: smooth surface, lightweight, economical, produces good finish.

Ordinary Plywood

Type of Plywood: cheap, 2–3 uses, not moisture resistant.

Marine Plywood

Type of Plywood: waterproof, durable, multiple reuses.

Phenolic Plywood

Type of Plywood: also known as film-faced plywood, is a durable, water-resistant, and high-strength plywood panel with a hard, smooth surface created by impregnating layers of wood veneers or paper with phenolic resin.

Scaffolding

a temporary structure for workers

Staging

stronger framework, built progressively as the building rises.

Columns

provide main support against bulging

Beams

includes support for weight + lateral pressure.

Aluminum Formwork

a construction system that utilizes prefabricated, high-strength aluminum alloy panels as molds for casting concrete structures. It is particularly favored for repetitive, large-scale projects, such as high-rise buildings and mass housing, due to its speed, efficiency, and high reusability.

Plastic Formwork

a reusable, temporary molding system used in construction to hold freshly poured concrete until it sets.

3D Printed Formwork

involves using additive manufacturing to create temporary or permanent molds for casting concrete.

Stay-in-Place Formwork

A construction method where the formwork remains as a permanent part of the final structure after concrete has hardened, acting as both temporary formwork during construction and integral structural reinforcement for the completed project. Common SIPF materials include fibre-reinforced polymers (FRP), galvanized steel, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Steel Scaffolding

a strong and durable temporary framework made of steel tubes and fittings. It provides safe access and working platforms for workers, while also supporting and stabilizing structures during construction, maintenance, and repair works, especially in high-rise and large-scale projects.

Galvanized Iron Pipes

Are commonly used for scaffolding because they provide a strong, stable, and rust-resistant temporary structure for workers and materials at elevated heights

Aluminum Scaffolding

a temporary structure made of lightweight, corrosion-resistant aluminum. It is widely used in construction, maintenance, and renovation projects to provide workers with a stable and safe elevated platform

Wall Forms

Pair of forms spaced at wall thickness.

Greasing of Forms

Purpose: Waterproofs wood, prevents warping, and prevents concrete adhesion.