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IS 16744:2018 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for design and construction of formwork using proprietary systems - code of practice. This code provides guidelines for the design, fabrication, erection, and dismantling of proprietary formwork systems. It covers materials, design loads, structural analysis, safety procedures, and inspection criteria to ensure the temporary structure is robust, safe, and achieves the desired concrete finish.
Lays down guidelines for the design and construction of formwork using proprietary systems.
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Frequently Used
Domain
Structural Engineering — Scaffolding, Formwork and Construction Equipment
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! Always insist on the manufacturer's design manual and calculations for the specific system and configuration being used on site.
! Strictly follow the erection and dismantling sequence provided by the supplier; unauthorized deviations are a primary cause of formwork collapses.
! Before reuse, every component must be inspected for damage like dents, cracks, and corrosion. Damaged components compromise safety and must be segregated.
EN 12812:2008CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighCurrent
Falsework - Performance requirements and general design
Focuses on the structural design and performance of the load-bearing part of formwork (falsework).
ACI 347R-14American Concrete Institute, USA
HighCurrent
Guide to Formwork for Concrete
A comprehensive guide covering design, construction, materials, and specific applications of formwork.
BS 5975:2019BSI (British Standards Institution), UK
HighCurrent
Code of practice for temporary works procedures and the permissible stress design of falsework
Covers procedural control and design of temporary works, with a strong focus on falsework.
AS 3610.1:2018Standards Australia, Australia
HighCurrent
Formwork for concrete - Part 1: Specifications
Specifies requirements for the design, fabrication, erection, and stripping of concrete formwork.
Key Differences
≠IS 16744 references Indian material standards (e.g., IS 2062 for steel), whereas international codes reference their respective regional standards like EN, ASTM, or AS, impacting material property assumptions.
≠Wind load calculations in IS 16744 are based on IS 875 (Part 3), which uses different basic wind speeds and terrain categories compared to Eurocode 1 (used in EN/BS) or ASCE 7 (used in the US).
≠BS 5975 places a more rigorous and codified emphasis on procedural management, defining specific roles like the Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC), which are described more generally as responsibilities in IS 16744.
≠While all use a limit state approach, the specific partial safety factors for loads (e.g., γf) and material resistance (e.g., γm) differ. For example, IS 16744 references IS 800 for steel design factors, which are not identical to those in Eurocode 3 or AISC 360.
Key Similarities
≈All standards mandate consideration of a similar set of loads, including self-weight, concrete weight and pressure, construction live loads, and environmental loads like wind.
≈All codes require the formwork to be designed by a competent person or qualified engineer with relevant experience in temporary works design.
≈The requirement for minimum horizontal stability, often expressed as a percentage of the vertical load (typically 2-3%), is a common provision across all standards to account for imperfections and construction eccentricities.
≈All standards specify permissible deflection limits for formwork members to ensure the final concrete element meets dimensional tolerances and has an acceptable finish.
≈The principle of calculating lateral concrete pressure based on pour rate, concrete temperature, member size, and concrete mix properties is a shared methodology, with many codes referencing or adapting the original CIRIA or ACI research.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Minimum Horizontal Load (for stability)
2.5% of the total vertical load applied at the point of action.
2.5% of the characteristic vertical load for Class B falsework, used to account for geometric imperfections.
EN 12812:2008
Minimum Construction Live Load (on working platforms)
1.5 kN/m²
A uniformly distributed load of 1.0 kPa (1.0 kN/m²) plus a concentrated load of 1.4 kN.
AS 3610.1:2018
Factor of Safety Against Overturning
≥ 1.5
The ratio of stabilising moments to overturning moments shall be ≥ 1.5.
BS 5975:2019
Vertical Deflection Limit (for members supporting concrete)
Span/270 or 3 mm, whichever is less.
Span/360, but not to exceed 1/8 in. (3 mm) for unexposed surfaces. Stricter for exposed finishes.
ACI 347R-14
Design Wind Load Reference Standard
IS 875 (Part 3)
EN 1991-1-4 (Eurocode 1)
EN 12812:2008
Maximum permissible deviation from plumb (height ≤ 6m)
1 in 300 of the height (max 20mm).
1 in 200 of the height unless a smaller tolerance is specified.
BS 5975:2019
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values6
Quick Reference Values
Minimum imposed load on slab formwork2.0 kN/m²
Max vertical deflection for members supporting concreteSpan/360 or 5 mm, whichever is less
Max lateral deflection for vertical members (props/standards)Height/300 or 25 mm, whichever is less
Minimum horizontal load (for stability)2.5% of the total vertical load
Minimum striking time for props under beams over 6m span21 days
Max deviation from vertical for any member1/200 of its height
Key Formulas
Load combinations for limit state design: 1.5 (DL + LL), 1.5 (DL + WL), etc. as per Clause 6.3.1
Concrete Pressure: To be calculated based on established methods (e.g., CIRIA Report 108) considering pour rate, temperature, concrete density, and form height (Annex A).