Construction & estimating · Concrete & reinforcement

Formwork contact area calculator

Formwork area for slabs, beams, columns and footing edges, ply sheets allowing for re-use, and cost.

Standard: Contact area by element · ply sheets with re-use

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Inputs in the worked example

The live calculator starts with these values; change any of them and every result, check and diagram updates instantly.

InputValueUnit
Slab soffit area180m²
Slab edge perimeter56m
Slab depth0.2m
Beam length (total)60m
Beam width0.3m
Beam depth below slab0.4m
Columns12
Column b0.4m
Column d0.4m
Column height3m
Footing edge perimeter70m
Footing depth0.6m
Ply re-uses4
Waste10%
Form, strip & clean75$/m²

Worked example — results

ResultValueUnit
Slab soffit + edges191.2m²
Beams (sides + soffit)66.0m²
Columns57.6m²
Footing edges42.0m²
Total contact area356.8m²
Ply sheets 2400 × 120035
Total$26,760
$26,760formworkSlab: $14,340Beams: $4,950Columns: $4,320Footings: $3,150
Diagram for the worked example

Method, formulas and assumptions

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For preliminary design and education. Check every result against the current standard and your own engineering judgement before use.