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Falsework & Formwork

SEL supplies falsework and formwork equipment for concrete construction projects, from straightforward hires to complex shapes and structural requirements. Our systems can be used for vertical slabs, walls, columns, soffits, floor slabs, bridge decks and other concrete structures, with temporary works design and technical support available from our in-house engineers.

Use cases

  • Basements, foundations, pile caps and retaining walls
  • Bridges, abutments, culverts and headwalls
  • Floor slabs, soffits, podiums and suspended decks
  • Concrete walls, columns, cores and transfer structures
  • Underpinning and structural alterations
  • Treatment tanks, reservoirs, pools and water-retaining structures
  • Tunnels, shafts, lift pits and box structures
  • Staircases, ramps and complex concrete geometries
  • Flood defences, marine and civil-engineering structures
  • Hydrotherapy pools, swimming pools and specialist tanks
  • Architectural concrete and bespoke shaped pours

Our Solutions

Unsure which formwork system you need? Speak to an SEL expert today and we'll give you a free consultation.

Case studies

Our Expertise

Our engineers can take the headache out of formwork planning with bespoke temporary works designs. Here are some recent examples. Whether facing awkward geometry, large pours or unique ground conditions, our engineers were able to deliver a safe, reliable solution.

Planning a concrete pour? Our engineers can provide temporary works design no matter how difficult the job. Get in touch today.

We also supply

In addition to our flagship systems we supply a range of shuttering equipment including skips, props and accessories.

Common questions

What is the difference between formwork and falsework?
Formwork is the mould: the shutters the wet concrete is poured against. The concrete takes the shape of the formwork mould, so it is crucial you use a clean and well-supported system that won't budge during curing. Falsework therefore is everything that holds that mould up – the props, beams and frames carrying the weight until the concrete cures and can hold its own. For a wall pour you can sometimes get away with just formwork, but for heavier pours or suspended slabs or soffits you'll need falsework too.
Is shuttering and formwork the same thing?
Yes. Shuttering is the older site name; formwork is what engineers and the codes tend to call it. You'll still hear shuttering used for traditional timber methods, like shuttering a column with ply and clamps. We can provide both, along with the ties, clamps and accessories to go with them.
What formwork do I need for walls, columns and slab edges?
Our Frami system handles walls up to about 3m high, plus columns, foundations and slab edges – with no crane needed. Square columns shuttered in timber are usually more cheaply done with column clamps. If you'd like more help choosing the right solution, please get in touch for a chat.
Which falsework system do I need to support a slab soffit?
Give us a call, and we'd be happy to help you decide. Broadly though, Dokaflex 1-2-4 is the one for everyday slabs – anything up to about 30cm thick at normal storey heights. The markings on the beams tell you where the props go, so it's quick to put up. For thicker slabs, heavier loads or high soffits (up to 11m), you'll need Titan, which takes 100kN on each leg.
What are manhole shutters used for?
Manhole shutters are used to form the concrete surround or chamber around a manhole. We provide PVC shutters and shrouds from 900mm to 1800mm diameter, light enough for two people to handle – and concrete doesn't stick to PVC the way it does to steel.
How much does formwork cost to hire?
We offer competitive rates on all our falsework and formwork. Hire is charged per week. What you pay depends on the design, so it comes down to which systems your pour needs, how much of each, and how long they stay on site. Our engineers put together a comprehensive, itemised kit list for each project, so you can see everything that's coming before you decide. Ask us for a quote and we'll price everything up for you, often within 24 hours.
What causes formwork to fail?
Wet concrete can push on the shutters harder than people expect, and if the ties or props weren't specced for that pressure, the shutter can blow out. Pouring faster than the design allowed, striking too early and props sat on soft ground are also common issues. Here at SEL, our in-house engineers have decades of experience designing formwork and falsework solutions that factor in concrete pressure, pour rates, wind loading, ground conditions and more – so problems are found on paper, not on site. If you'd like a free consultation, simply get in touch.
How it works

Hire formwork with SEL

1

Consultation

Tell us what you're casting and how you plan to pour it, and we'll help you decide what you need.

2

Design*

We design the scheme for your pour, then issue drawings, calculations and a temporary works design.

3

Delivery

We deliver to your site, inspected and ready to assemble, with test certificates where applicable.

*If you're planning to design the solution yourself, we are happy to supply kit only.

We can help with your next project.

Our team is friendly, knowledgeable and ready to consult. We offer complimentary site visits, fast delivery and competitive rates. Simply fill in the form and we'll be in touch.

You can also give us a call at any time.