Concrete formwork is essentially the frame or mould that holds wet concrete in place while it sets (or cures) fully. There are two main types of formwork – temporary and permanent.
Temporary formwork is a reusable formwork that is removed from around the concrete once it is set. It is generally made from timber, steel, plywood or plastic. Permanent formwork is formwork that stays in place and is never removed and an excellent example of this is Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs). ICFs are made from a foam material (EPS – expanded polystyrene) that has a “hollow” in the middle into which concrete is poured. The combination of the foam and the concrete provides excellent thermal insulation to the building.
