Formwork – Projects and Qualified Teams

Formwork shapes liquid concrete and ensures dimensional accuracy. The trade covers wall, slab, column, beam, and special formwork for stairs, lift shafts, and foundations, plus single-sided formwork for excavation pits and climbing systems for high-rise cores. System formwork from Doka, Peri, or Meva is standard, supplemented by timber formwork for special shapes and curved geometries. Quality and safety depend on stability against fresh concrete pressure, dimensional accuracy on the visible side (sight concrete classes SB1–SB4), proper anchoring of ties, and correct stripping after the concrete has reached the required strength. Errors in formwork lead to bulging walls, surface defects, and in extreme cases blow-out. Example Germany: fresh concrete pressure calculated per DIN 18218; stability of falsework governed by DIN EN 12812.

FAQ

How much does formwork cost per m² as subcontracted work?

Which system formwork is standard?

How high is the fresh concrete pressure?

When can stripping take place?

What are the most common defects?

Which legal requirements apply?

How much does formwork cost per m² as subcontracted work?: Example Germany: wall formwork 25–45 €/m² formwork area, slab formwork 20–40 €/m² floor area, column formwork 35–60 €/m². Special formwork (stairs, curved walls): from 60 €/m². In Poland rates are typically 30–40 % below German levels.
Which system formwork is standard?: Wall: Framax (Doka), Trio (Peri), Mammut. Slab: Dokaflex, Skydeck (Peri). Column: RS (Doka), MULTI (Peri). Choice depends on the contractor's inventory or rental system. Formwork plan from structural engineer or system technical service.
How high is the fresh concrete pressure?: Example Germany: calculated per DIN 18218. For walls up to 1 m: full hydrostatic pressure. Taller walls with slow rise rate (≤2 m/h): reduced pressure. Design value often 60–80 kN/m². Formwork must safely carry this value.
When can stripping take place?: Wall formwork after 12–24 h, columns after 24 h, slabs only after strength verification – usually 5–7 days for C25/30, sooner with higher grades or accelerators. Slab support formwork often fully removed only after 21–28 days; otherwise leave auxiliary props.
What are the most common defects?: Formwork shifts during pouring (weak anchoring), voids and honeycombing from leaky joints, dimensional deviations from poor plumbing, missing release agent with fair-faced concrete damage, premature stripping with cracking.
Which legal requirements apply?: Example Germany: DIN EN 12812 for falsework, DIN 18218 for concrete pressure, BGV C22 (construction work) as accident prevention. Formwork above 2 m is a workplace requiring fall protection. Engineer sign-off mandatory for special geometries.

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