Question 1

How many times can plywood formwork be reused?

Accepted Answer

Standard construction plywood: 5-10 times with proper care (cleaning, oiling). Film-faced/phenolic plywood: 15-30 times. Steel forms: 50-200+ times. Reuse count depends on concrete surface requirements, handling care, and weather exposure.

Question 2

When should formwork be removed?

Accepted Answer

Removal timing depends on the element: column sides after 24-48 hours, beam sides after 3-7 days, slab bottoms after 14-21 days, and beam bottoms after 21-28 days. These times assume normal curing at 20°C — cold weather extends them significantly.