The form work should be planned and constructed in such a manner that it is possible to remove the different components in the order of sequence.
Shuttering forming vertical faces of walls, beams and column sides which bear no load but are used only to retain. The concrete should be removed first.
Shuttering forming soffit to slabs should be removed next.
Shuttering forming soffit of beams, girders or other heavily loaded shuttering should be removed in the end.
Duration of time up to which the form work should be kept in place depends upon many factors such as type of cement used, shape and position of the member whether horizontal, vertical or inclined, loads to be carried by the member and the temperature of the air. In general rapid hardening cement, warm weather and light loading conditions allow early removal of form work.
The form work, should under no circumstances, be allowed to be removed until the concrete reaches a strength of at least twice the stress to which the concrete may be subjected to at the time of removal of form work.
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