Assessment of Concrete Formwork Practices in Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia

Abstract

Formwork is among the most determinant factors affecting the cost and completion time of construction projects. In this study, the erection practices, challenges, types, quality and cost of formwork on active building construction projects in Bahir Dar were assessed. The study uses, Questionnaires, site observations and oral interviews with project managers, office and site Engineers, construction managers and carpenters were used to organize and analyse data. From assessment, most of the contractors have given less attention to formwork erection and safety issues. Since the principal criteria for formwork selection are cost and traditional formwork erection, it impacts construction safety and reduces the concrete finishing and quality. Formwork erection is left as the task of carpenters and labourers. There is no proper supervision of the quality of formworks that guarantees construction workers' safety so it is vulnerable to physical injuries and affects employee’s health. From the study, timber formwork is the most dominant type of formwork used for the construction of slabs, beams, columns and stairs due to its availability and low cost. Burnt oil is used as a releasing agent in all construction projects that causes undesirable outputs in concrete surfaces.