Checklist for Formwork - With Explanation

Checklist for Formwork

Today we are going to see, what are a formwork checklist, an explanation of the work to be performed, and the procedure to check them. The formwork inspection is important as it helps in maintaining the quality of the structure leading to fewer defects, better durability, proper finish to the structure. At the end of the article, you can download the checklist of formwork.

Today in this article you will see the systematic order of checking of formwork.

Formwork Checklist

(1) Are all the safety norms being covered as per the HSEM process?

HSEM stands for “ health and safety management system”, it is the most important and the first criteria we should follow in a construction site, as life is always more important than work. In this, we check out and assess the risks we may counter during the pouring of the concrete process. We will see a few important things we should check in the HSE process.

(i) Working area

The working area, where the work is being carried out and further it may get carried out should be clean. There should not be any equipment/materials lying in the place. The area should not have any foul materials which may lead to impact the health of the person who is working there. There should not be any nails lying on the floor by which people may get hurt.

(ii) Working platform

If we are working above the ground level then the working platform should be checked properly. The movements we are making should not strike any objects, the platform level should be maintained.

(iii) Electrification

The arrangement of electrical sockets should be covered and provided, the wiring should not have any cuts which may lead to an accident.

(iv) Proper Light

If the work is going to be performed in the night hours, then the proper arrangement of lights should be provided. Because of low or less lighting, many changes lead to accidents especially when the work is being performed at height.

(v) Access to the working area

The access to the working area should be clean and should be proper, in the case of the staircase the access should not have anything lying in front of it, the elevation and the slope should be maintained.

(vi) Handrail and toe board

When working on height, there should be a handrail at a height of 1m-1.5m as a precaution that person may not fall down and there should be a toe board which is at the bottom corner of the working platform just to protect any working tool does not fell down.

(vii) Covering of sharp material

If any open sharp materials may lead to injury to the worker then they should be covered with help of foams, jute bags, etc.

(2) Check for shuttering scheme for availability and arrangement

Shuttering scheme is the procedure of the shuttering work to be performed on the site, It is approved and authorized by both the client and the contractor. So while checking the formwork, the engineer must ensure that the work being done is as per shuttering scheme. If not done as per shuttering scheme, it may lead to accidents or failure of the formwork.

(3) Level of slab/beam/column/shear wall/concrete walls from proper reference level

The level of the top of the slab/beam/column/shear wall/ concrete wall is checked as mentioned in the drawing. They are checked with the help of reference levels. The reference levels are the marking made above the surface to a certain distance. Example - Reference level marked 1m above the top of the surface.

(4) Are all the plates/plywood cleaned and polished properly

The plates or the surface of the plywood must be clean and should be polished. This is done to ensure that the surface we receive after pouring concrete will be smooth with a clean finish. 

(5) Application of Mould releasing agent on the surface of shuttering

Shuttering oil is applied to the surface of the formwork, this is done to avoid the adhesive bonding between the shuttering board and the concrete. If the shuttering oil is applied to the formwork, it is easy to remove it after setting of concrete.

A. Vertical Members- Checklist for Columns/Checklist for shear walls/Checklist for starters etc.

1) Check alignment of all vertical members at floor level with respect to grid lines.

All the vertical member's alignment must be checked with the reference of the grid line, it is to ensure that they are in the same line, correct location and the distance between them is correct. Once they are checked we proceed to another requirement.

2) Check plumb for vertical members(min. 2 sides)

It is mandatory to check the plumb on 2 corners on the same side, it is done to ensure the verticality of the structure. Imagine a side of shuttering is twisted, we checked the plumb in 1 corner and it was correct, but we did not check the other corner. When the shuttering board will get removed, the twist will be visible easily.

3) Check the right angle and diagonals of the vertical member from the top

We should always ensure to check the diagonal dimensions of walls, columns, lifts, etc from the top of the formwork, and if any fault is found out then must be rectified as early as possible.

4) Check for adequate support as per shuttering design

The supporting to the formwork must be checked as per the formwork design scheme, the distance between the supporting, etc. Engineer Must ensure that the supports are properly tightened and should be of good quality to be used.

5) Check for adequacy of cover block

Cover blocks are used to maintain the distance between the reinforcement and the formwork. If the reinforcement comes to exposure to the environment it may lead to corrosion resulting in degrading the durability of the structure, So engineers must ensure that the cover blocks must be placed wherever they are required.

B. Checklist for Slabs & Checklist for Beams

(i) Check the alignments, level, and diagonals of beam bottom & beam sides with respect to the vertical members

At first, we check the beam bottom level with the help of measuring tape from the reference level provided by tighing a thread from one reference level to other or with the help of auto-level. When the beam bottom level is satisfied with the level provided in the drawing, we check the alignment of the beam and the diagonals with the help of measuring tape. 

(ii) Check the verticality of beam sides and confirm slab dimensions

In this, firstly both the corners of the beam sides are plumbed and are then tied with a thread from one corner to the other corner. With reference to the thread, we maintain the line of the beam sides maintaining the verticality.

(iii) Check the line and level of the slab

The level of the slab is checked with the help of reference level provided near the surface of the slab which is tied with a thread and with the help of measuring tape it is checked, another method to check is with the help of auto-level.

(iv) Check for vertical supports/cross supports/horizontal supports as per shuttering scheme

The vertical supports are checked as they are as per drawing scheme or not, the distance between the vertical supports, and the area of placement of the vertical support. If needed extra, more can be fixed. After that, we should check they are locked/tight or not.

(v) Check for horizontal Bracing.

The horizontal bracings must be there at a distance of at least 1m. If not then should be placed.

(vi) Check for sealing of gaps, joints, holes, and tie rods

All the gaps, holes must be sealed because they may lead to the escape of slurry from the concrete, resulting in the formation of honeycombing. We should ensure that all the openings should be closed.

C. Checking after deshuttering 

(i) Check for deshuttering time after concreting as per specification

The time of deshuttering should be scheduled as per the drawing scheme, which is approved by both the client and the contractor. Prior removal of shuttering may result in bending of the structure due to load, or improper finish if removed very early.

(ii) Check the condition of Shuttering assembly

The condition of shuttering is checked after de-shuttering since because of long contact with water due to curing can lead to degrading the formwork.

(iii) Are repairs required? (If so send to the shuttering yard)

If there is the possibility of using the shuttering boards again then they are sent for the re-make to shuttering yard and later been used after being repaired.

(iv) Clean, oil, and stack shuttering material for future use?

Shuttering oil is cleaned and the shuttering materials are stacked for later use.

D. Checklist For Formwork Download Link

Click here to download the checklist

Related topics

1) Difference between formwork, shuttering, centering

2) How to check the quality of formwork

3) How to read Formwork drawing