How many times can wood formwork be reused?
Depends on the panel: yellow 3-ply softwood goes up to 8 cycles, melamine film-faced (EN 636-2) up to 15 cycles, phenolic film-faced (EN 636-3) up to 20 cycles. These are maximums on clean pours, not guarantees. Reduced by poor release oil, missed cleaning, edge impacts, and repeat tie-rod holes in the same locations.
What is the difference between formwork and form?
Formwork is the complete system (panels, beams, props, accessories, pour geometry). The form (cassero) is the single containment element. Italian site documents often use the terms as synonyms, but the INAIL Quaderno Tecnico Casseforme distinguishes the system (cassaforma) from the element (cassero).
Which 3-ply yellow panel is best for foundations?
For small-scale foundations, 18 mm 3-ply spruce/fir yellow panel is the standard: low cost, free geometry, on-site cutting, and acceptable rough finish since foundations stay below grade. When the pour will be visible (plinths, retaining walls), step up to melamine film-faced EN 636-2.
What plywood thickness is needed for 30×30 cm columns?
For 30×30 cm columns at medium pour rate the standard is 18 mm film-faced panel, stiffened by beams or frames at 30–40 cm centres. Columns over 3 m tall or with fast pours benefit from 21 mm panels and tighter stiffener spacing. Concrete pressure rises with pour height and rate; on tall walls the sizing is the engineer's call.
Wood or steel formwork for residential construction?
Below 20 cycles wood formwork remains competitive almost always in residential: the initial cost of steel is not amortised. Between 20 and 50 cycles it depends on geometry — repetitive favours steel, variable favours phenolic film-faced wood (up to 20 cycles). Above 50 cycles with repetitive walls, modular steel or aluminium dominates on cost per pour.
