Formwork system, or just so-called shuttering, is a temporary structure used to shape the pouring materials (commonly referred to as concrete). There are many kinds of formwork system in the world. Today we will make a brief introduction on different formwork systems.

According to the frequently-used materials used to manufacture the formwork system, formwork systems can be divided into the following types:

1. Timber formwork system

2. Plywood formwork system

3. Steel formwork system

4. Aluminum formwork system

Timber Formwork System

The timber used for the formwork system should satisfy the following requirement:

1) Lightweight

2) Easily workable with nails without splitting

3) Smooth and even surface

Plywood Formwork System

Plywood is a sheet material manufactured from thin layers or "plies" of wood veneer that are glued together with adjacent layers having their wood grain rotated up to 90 degrees to one another. It is an engineered wood from the family of manufactured boards which includes medium-density fibreboard (MDF) and particle board (chipboard). 

Plywood is a kind of artificial engineering materials which has a more smooth surface. This characteristic can save a lot of labor forces who do the surface treatment on timber. By use of large size panels, it is possible to save the labor cost of erecting and dismantling.

Steel Formwork

Compared to timber formwork system, steel formwork system has the following advantages:

1) Steel is a stronger, more durable and high strength materials. Steel formwork system has a  longer life than timber formwork and can be reused for more times.

2) With the modular design, the steel formwork can be erected and dismantled with greater ease and faster speed.

3) The quality of exposed concrete surface by using steel forms is good and such surfaces need no further treatment.

4) Steel formwork system does not absorb moisture from the concrete.

5) Steel formwork system does not shrink or warp.

Aluminum Formwork System

Compared to steel formwork system, aluminum formwork system has many advantages. The only shortcoming is that the aluminum is more expensive than steel formwork system.