what is formwork in construction

Formwork is a structure, usually temporary, used to contain poured concrete and mold it to the required dimensions and support it until it is able to support itself. In other words, formwork is the mold in which fresh concrete is poured and formed. The mold can be permanent or temporary and can be made of timber, steel, plastic, or fiberglass. The inside surface of the formwork is coated with a bond breaker, such as plastic or oil, to keep the concrete from sticking to the mold. Formwork is an essential component of concrete construction, as it must have enough strength to bear all the loads present during casting operations and must then hold its shape while the concrete hardens. Formwork construction accounts for up to 25% of the total cost of building a structure. There are different types of formwork, including timber formwork, steel formwork, and prefabricated formwork systems. The type of formwork used depends on factors such as the building shape and size, site location, formworks load-bearing capacity, and the concretes surface quality.