# Formwork and Shuttering Explained

> Formwork, or shuttering, is the temporary mold that holds wet concrete until it sets. See an aluminium formwork example and how it is measured for billing.

Canonical: https://superwise.site/glossary/formwork/
Last updated: 2026-11-01

The temporary mold that holds wet concrete in shape until it hardens, made of timber, plywood, steel or aluminium.

## What is Formwork (Shuttering)?

Formwork, commonly called shuttering on Indian sites, is the temporary mold into which wet concrete is poured and held until it hardens. It is made of timber, plywood, steel or aluminium, and it must be strong enough to carry the hydrostatic pressure of wet concrete without bulging or collapsing.

## Practical example

For a high-rise residential tower, a contractor drops timber formwork and invests in aluminium shuttering such as [Mivan](https://superwise.site/glossary/mivan-shuttering/). The system lets the crew pour the walls and slabs together, which cuts the floor cycle from 14 days to 7 days.

## In SuperWise

Subcontractors bill formwork by contact area in sq.m, so shuttering is a [BOQ](https://superwise.site/glossary/bill-of-quantities/) item measured in sq.m. In SuperWise the engineer records the area in a measurement sheet against that item and the [work order](https://superwise.site/glossary/work-order/), with a deduction for openings, and the sheet computes the net quantity. The approved quantity feeds the [RA bill](https://superwise.site/glossary/running-account-bill/), where the cumulative billed quantity cannot pass the work order quantity.

[Digital measurement book](https://superwise.site/features/digital-measurement-book/)

## Related terms

- [Mivan Shuttering (Aluminium Formwork)](https://superwise.site/glossary/mivan-shuttering/)
- [De-shuttering (Formwork Removal)](https://superwise.site/glossary/deshuttering/)
- [Kickers (Concrete Starter)](https://superwise.site/glossary/concrete-kicker/)
- [Scaffolding](https://superwise.site/glossary/scaffolding/)

## Related
- [Mivan Shuttering (Aluminium Formwork)](https://superwise.site/glossary/mivan-shuttering/)
- [De-shuttering (Formwork Removal)](https://superwise.site/glossary/deshuttering/)
- [Kickers (Concrete Starter)](https://superwise.site/glossary/concrete-kicker/)
- [Scaffolding](https://superwise.site/glossary/scaffolding/)
- [Digital measurement book](https://superwise.site/features/digital-measurement-book/)