Aug. 11, 2025
According to Goodchild (), floor plates which chiefly means slabs account for 85% of superstructure costs. In the effort to cut construction costs of buildings, it is necessary to make a choice of the most effective and affordable slab type in construction. This consideration can be first by an in-depth knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of different types of slabs. This is the purpose of this article.
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Advantages
1. Simple.
2. Holes cause a few structural problems.
Disadvantages
1. Associated downstand beams may require greater storey height, deter fast formwork cycles and compromise flexibility of partition location and horizontal service distribution.
Advantages
1. Medium range spans.
2. Simple.
3. Large and small holes can be accommodated.
4. Fast.
5. Amenable to the simple distribution of horizontal services.
Disadvantages
Same as for one-way solid slab.
Advantages
1.Medium to long spans.
2. Lightweight.
3. Holes in topping are easily accommodated.
4. Large holes can be accommodated.
5. Profile may be expressed architecturally, or used for heat transfer in passive cooling.
Disadvantages
1. Higher formwork costs than for other slab systems.
2. Slightly greater floor thicknesses.
3. Slower.
Advantages
1. Medium to long spans .
2. Lightweight.
3. Holes in topping are easily accommodated (but avoid beams).
4. Large holes can be accommodated.
Disadvantages
1. Higher formwork costs than for other slab systems.
2. Slightly greater floor heights.
3. Slower.
Advantages
1. Longer spans than one-way solid or flat slabs.
2. Lightweight.
3. Level soffit.
4.The profile may be expressed architecturally, or used for heat transfer.
5. Holes in ribbed slab areas cause little or no problems.
Disadvantages
1. Higher formwork costs than plain soffits.
Advantages
1. Economical for longer spans and high loads.
Disadvantages
1. Presence of beams may require greater storey height.
2. Requires a regular column layout.
3. Grid of downstand beams deters fast formwork recycling.
4. Flexibility of partition location and horizontal service distribution may be compromised.
Advantages
1. Medium to long spans.
2. Lightweight.
3. Profiles may be expressed architecturally, or used for heat transfer.
Disadvantages
1. Higher formwork costs than for other slab systems.
2. Slightly deeper members result in greater floor heights.
3. Slow.
4. Difficult to prefabricate reinforcement.
Advantages
1. Medium spans
2. Lightweight
3. Level soffit
4.Profile may be expressed architecturally, or used for heat transfer.
Disadvantages
1. Higher formwork costs than for plain soffits.
2. Slow.
3. Difficult to prefabricate reinforcement.
Advantages
1. Simple and fast formwork and construction.
2. Absence of beams allows lower storey heights.
3. Flexibility of partition location and horizontal service distribution.
4. Architectural finish can be applied directly to the underside of slabs.
Disadvantages
1. Holes can prove difficult, especially large holes near columns.
2. Shear provision around columns may need to be resolved using larger columns. column heads, drop panels or proprietary systems.
3. Deflections, especially of edges supporting cladding, may cause concern.
Advantages
1. Relatively simple and fast formwork and construction.
2. Absence of beams allows lower storey heights.
3. Flexibility of partition location and horizontal service distribution.
Disdvantages
1. Holes can prove difficult, especially large holes near columns.
2. Shear provision around columns may be considered a complication.
3. Deflections, especially at edges supporting cladding, may cause concern.
4.Drops may cause some disruption to formwork.
Advantages
1. Relatively simple and fast formwork and construction.
2. Absence of beams allows lower storey heights.
3. Flexibility of partition location and horizontal service distribution.
Disadvantages
1. Holes can prove difficult, especially large holes near columns.
2. Shear provision around columns may be considered difficult.
3. Deflections, especially at edges supporting cladding, may cause concern.
4. Column heads can disrupt cycle times.
Advantages
1. Relatively simple and fast formwork and construction.
2. Architectural finish can be applied directly to the underside of the slab.
3. Absence of internal beams allows lower storey heights.
4. Flexibility of partition location and horizontal service distribution.
Perimeter holes present a few problems.
Disadvantages
1. Perimeter downstand beams may hinder the use of table form.
Advantages
1. Profile may be expressed architecturally.
2. Flexibility of partition location and horizontal service distribution.
3. Lightweight.
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Disadvantages
1. Higher formwork costs than for other slab systems.
2. Slightly deeper members result in greater floor heights.
3. Difficult to prefabricate, therefore reinforcement may be slow to fix.
Goodchild, C.H. (). Economic Concrete Frame Elements. British Cement Association Century House, Telford Avenue, Crowthorne, Berkshire RG45 6YS
In a nutshell, formwork is the mold wherein fresh concrete is poured and formed. The mold, which can be permanent or temporary, holds the poured concrete and shapes it until it solidifies and becomes strong enough to support itself and other loads.
Formwork is also known as “shuttering.” However, in certain parts of the world, shuttering refers to using plywood or timber to create the mold.
Formwork systems can be classified according to the following parameters:
Construction costs usually consist of building materials (ca. 45%), labor (ca. 45%), and operating expenses (ca. 10%). Formwork material comprises 15% of the total building material and contributes roughly 44% of the total labor. Meanwhile, formwork construction accounts for up to 25% of the total cost of building the structure. For this reason, many builders and construction companies prefer reusable forms (panel forms). The process of removing formwork is called “stripping.”
As the name suggests, column formwork is used in the construction of circular or rectangular columns. Columns have formwork sections with a “closed load transmission,” which is supported by the formwork’s design and the guaranteed tensile strength rather than by using ties.
Steel formwork is often used to form circular columns as it is economical and available in incremental dimensions. Single-use forms, which are destroyed and disposed of during stripping, can be used as an alternative. However, using single-use formwork is not advisable if you need to construct multiple circular columns.
Meanwhile, rectangular columns are formed using three systems depending on their specifications. For instance, classic timber girders with steel walers and a plywood facing are often used when builders need to construct a significant number of columns with special dimensions. The windmill system, which is composed of columns or multipurpose panels of frame formwork systems, is suitable for building single columns with a standard dimension.
Finally, a foldable column formwork is highly suitable for columns with great heights. Because all the essential components (panels, connecting devices, ladders, and access platforms) are integrated into this type of column formwork, it helps builders reduce their construction time and costs.
Wall formwork comes in different types and classifications, as outlined below.
Conventional
Conventional wall formwork consists of boards or sheets and squared timber. It is flexible, but it can be costly and time-consuming as each component must be assembled on-site. In addition, all of its parts should be made according to the project’s specifications, and they must be nailed together and dismantled again after concreting.
Girder
This is a better version of the conventional formwork. Its components, which usually consist of dimensionally stable girders with two chords and one web, have been standardized to facilitate the assembly of identical and ready-to-use panels. The connection of the panels has also been systematized.
Frame
This type of wall formwork helps reduce labor time since its essential components (forming face, support for forming face, and steel walers) are assembled as one panel. The profile nose of the frames protects the edges of the forming face, thereby extending its lifespan. Connecting devices are used when assembling the frame panels to large-sized units, which are then usually transported by crane.
Crane-independent (hand-set)
This type of formwork can be moved by hand. Because of weight considerations, it is usually made of aluminum or plastic. It can take less concrete pressure than crane-dependent formwork, and is often used in housing and municipal construction projects.
Crane-dependent
Crane-dependent formwork systems feature a large frame and formwork panels, usually made of steel. As a result, they cannot be moved manually. Since they can resist more fresh concrete pressures than crane-independent forms, they are suitable for the construction of commercial buildings and other extensive infrastructure projects.
Two-sided
As the name implies, two-sided formwork is erected on both sides of the wall. Its formwork ties, which are usually sleeved by spacing plastic tubes so they can be reused, take up the fresh concrete pressure. Push-pull props or large heavy-duty braces are attached to the formwork to align and secure it against wind loads during operation.
Single-sided
Single-sided formwork is used when the concrete has to be poured against existing structures or when builders need to do concreting against a hill or soil. This is why it is most suitable for reconstruction jobs. With this type of formwork system, concrete pressure is transferred from the formwork to the base plates through a support structure.
Prefabricated
This formwork consists of two prefabricated concrete panels which are assembled in advance, and then transported and filled with concrete on-site. Braces and push-pull props are often used to secure the walls, while working and safety scaffolds are installed with the help of special adapters to make the construction process more cost-effective. Prefabricated formwork helps minimize project duration and labor costs. However, pre-planning is required to ensure that it is transported safely to the site.
Circular
Circular formwork is designed for the construction of curved and polygonal walls. It is also quite useful in the construction of specific concrete structures, such as septic tanks and car park ramps. This formwork system comes in three different types:
Climbing
Climbing formwork is quite useful in the construction of high-rise concrete structures, such as control towers and skyscrapers, because it climbs with the wall. It comprises large wall formwork mounted to a climbing scaffold. There are three different types of climbing formwork:
MEVA is an industry leader offering a wide variety of wall formwork systems that provide highly efficient shuttering, flexibility, and reliability. Our products are lightweight and easy to assemble, and therefore will facilitate the rapid completion of your construction projects. Click here to learn more.
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