Comparison of steel and timber formwork system used for building projects on the basis of quality, cost and speed

Abstract

The type of formwork system used is the factor which determines the success of building construction project in terms of quality, cost and speed. Completing the project with estimated cost, time and specified quality is the measure for successful deliverance of the project to client but almost all building projects in our country are not lucky to be delivered successfully to the client. Pointing out the usage and practices of formwork system this research study the comparison of steel and timber formwork with regarding to cost, quality and time of completion of selected building construction projects. The study was conducted by selecting the building projects from different sites that are under construction during the study period. The projects comprise different category of building such as office, commercial, apartment, multipurpose, hospital buildings. Questionnaires and interviews were conducted in the projects to get relevant data which helps to achieve the objectives of this thesis. Formwork rental companies and regulatory bodies were also interviewed. The research finding indicated that the average meter square cost of steel formwork is higher than timber formwork the cost difference varies based on the type of structural element, for instance cost of steel beam formwork is 20% higher than timber beam formwork and for column steel formwork is 25% higher than timber formwork, Taking average the difference is steel formwork costs 22.5% higher than timber formwork. Regarding to the speed of construction the research finding indicated that the steel formwork construction gives faster phase of construction and concerning with the quality of finished concrete modern formwork system creates good surface concrete.