ACI Resources: Formwork for Concrete

9/19/2025

To make your next project a success, The American Concrete Institute has various resources available regarding formwork for concrete - including publications, online courses, journal articles, presentations, and more.

ACI defines formwork for concrete as "a total system of support for freshly placed concrete including the mold or sheathing that contacts the concrete as well as supporting members, hardware, and necessary bracing (also called shuttering in the United Kingdom)."

Formwork molds the concrete to the desired size and shape, and controls its position and alignment. It is a temporary structure that supports its own weight and the freshly placed concrete, as well as construction live loads including materials, equipment, and workers.

ACI Concrete Formwork Resources:

Publications

SP-004: (8TH) Formwork for Concrete – is the American Concrete Institute's (ACI) guide to designing, building, and using formwork for concrete, with the eighth edition serving as a comprehensive resource updated to align with the latest ACI standards like ACI 347R-14. The publication covers aspects from planning and materials to specific design considerations for various structures like walls, slabs, and bridges, emphasizing safety, quality, and economic efficiency in formwork practices. Key updates include expanded coverage on wind loads, shoring, new formwork technologies, and the inclusion of Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) examples.

ACI PRC-347-14(21) Guide to Formwork for Concrete (Reapproved 2021) – Objectives of safety, quality, and economy are given priority in these guidelines for formwork. A section on contract documents explains the kind and amount of specification guidance the engineer/architect should provide for the contractor. The remainder of the guide advises the formwork engineer/contractor on the best ways to meet the specification requirements safely and economically. Separate chapters deal with design, construction, and materials for formwork.

ACI PRC-347.2-17(25): Guide for Shoring/Reshoring of Concrete Multistory Buildings (Reapproved 2025) – This guide presents information and design criteria for shoring/reshoring operations during the construction of reinforced and post-tensioned multistory buildings. Methods for developing safe construction practices, including sequencing and timing, as well as design examples, are provided. It is written for the use of formwork engineer/contractors and engineer/architects.

ACI PRC-347.3-13(21) Guide to Formed Concrete Surfaces (Reapproved 2021) – This document defines four quality levels of formed concrete surfaces and provides methods to achieve and evaluate them. These quality levels are identified by three surface finish categories: 1) form facing; 2) concrete surface void ratio; and 3) characteristics of form-facing materials. The basic procedures for classification are defined using tables derived from recommendations of the German Concrete Association (DBV) (Merkblatt Sichtbeton Deutscher Beton- und Bautechnik-Verein e.V. 2004).

Online Courses

On-Demand Course: Formwork Systems: Design and Construction – Continuing Education Credit: 0.2 CEU (2.0 PDH).

On-Demand Course: Troubleshooting Concrete Forming and Shoring – Total Continuing Education Credit: 0.8 CEU (8 PDH)

On-Demand Course: Constructability Series: Formwork for Constructable Concrete Structures – Continuing Education Credit: 0.10 CEU (1.0 PDH).

On-Demand Course: Contractor's Guide: Formwork – Continuing Education Credit: 0.1 CEU (1 PDH). This course is included in the Fundamentals of Concrete Construction Certificate Program. Completion of all courses in an ACI University Certificate Program will earn you a program certificate and digital badge. For more details, visit ACI University Certificate Programs.