How To Calculate Shuttering Quantity For Column

In this post, I’ll show you how to calculate shuttering materials for making column forms.

Either you are using steel shuttering or wooden shuttering, you can easily calculate shuttering materials for columns with this tutorial.

I use this process every time in my project whenever I need to calculate columns’ shuttering materials for purchase.

So, let’s learn the process without further ado…

How To Calculate Shuttering Quantity For Column

Follow the steps below:

Step-1: Summarize The Different Types Of Column

For that:

Get the column layout plan from your structural drawing book.

That will somehow look like this:

This is an example of a column layout plan.

With that, count similar types of columns.

In our example,

• C1 – 2 nos
• C2 – 3 nos
• C3 – 1 nos
• C4 – 2 nos
• C5 – 2 nos
• C6 – 1 no

I’ll show you how to calculate shuttering materials for C1.

Once you learned the process you’ll be able to calculate for the rest of the columns.

Step-2: Calculate Sheathing Materials

Calculating shuttering materials for columns is the same as calculating shuttering materials for footings.

The only difference is, the column is a vertical member and the footing is a horizontal member. So the bracing may be different.

Okay!

Let’s calculate the sheathing materials for C1.

Sheathing materials are used to make panels for column forms.

Panels are sides of a column.

You can use various types of materials for sheathing. Such as Plain sheets, Plywood, or Lumber.

Whichever materials you use, no matter, just get the area.

The formula is,

= Periphery of the column × height of the column

As the size of our C1 column is 12″ × 20″, so the periphery will be,

= 2 × (12″ + 20″)

= 5′-4″

Let say, the height of the column is 10′.

So the area of sheathing materials is,

= 5′-4″ × 10′

= 53.33 sq.ft.

As we have 2 numbers of C1 column, so the required sheathing materials will be,

= 2 × 53.33

= 106.66 sq.ft.

Say, 107 sq. ft.

Step-3: Calculate Cleats

Cleats are used to join sheathing. It runs vertically and horizontally.

For making steel shutter, MS angles and flat bars are used as cleats.

In wooden forms, lumbers/wooden battens are normally used.

To get the quantity of cleats…

First, calculate the vertical cleats.

The size of our example column is 12″ × 20″.

That means, we have 2-12″ sides and 2-20″ sides.

Depending on the formwork design, we need two vertical cleats for the short side and three vertical cleats for the long side of the column.

So, the required number of vertical cleats are,

= 2 × 2 + 2 × 3

= 10 numbers

If we consider 10 feet height, the required vertical cleats are,

= 10 × 10′

= 100 running feet.

Now, calculate the horizontal cleats.

The formula is,

= required number of horizontal cleats × periphery of the column

Depending on the form design, horizontal cleats are used at 2 feet center to center distance.

Considering 10 feet height of the column, the required number of cleats are,

= (10′ ÷ 2′) + 1

= 6 nos

And,

The periphery of the C1 column is,

= 2 × (12″ + 20″)

= 64″

= 5′-4″

So, the required horizontal cleats are,

= 6 × 5′-4″

= 32 running feet.

So the required cleats for the C1 column is,

= 100 + 32

= 132 running feet.

As we have 2 numbers of C1 column, so the total required cleats are,

= 2 × 132

= 264 running feet.

Step – 4: Calculate Yoke

Normally, wooden battens or MS boxes are used as yoke.

To get the required quantities of the yoke for our C1 column…

First, calculate the number of required yoke.

The formula is,

= (Height of the column ÷ distance of yokes) + 1

= (10′ ÷ 2′) + 1

= 6 nos.

For both sides,

= 2 × 6

= 12 nos

Next, calculate the length of a yoke

The formula is,

= long side of the column + (2 × 4”)

The long side of our C1 column is 20”.

So, the length of a yoke is,

= 20” + (2 × 4”)

= 28”

= 2′-2”

Finally, calculate the required quantity of yokes

The formula is,

= Number of yokes × length of a yoke

= 12 × 2′-2”

= 26 running feet.

For both the C1 column,

= 2 × 26

= 52 running feet.

Step – 5: Calculate The Required Quantity Of Clamps

Clamps are used to tighten two opposite yokes.

The formula for calculating the required number of clamps for one side is,

= (height of the column ÷ Distance of clamps) + 1

= (10′ ÷ 2′) + 1

= 6 nos.

For both sides,

= 2 × 6

= 12 nos.

These are for a C1 column.

As we have two numbers of C1 column. So the required clamps are,

= 2 × 12

= 24 nos.

Step – 6: Calculate The Required Number Of Props

Props are used to hold the column’s form in its place.

The quantity of required props depends on the size of the column.

As the size of our C1 column is 12″ × 20″. So we require 2 numbers of props for a 12″ side and 4 numbers of props for a 20″ side.

As we have 2-12″ side and 2-20″ side. So the required props for a C1 column is,

= 2 × 2 + 2 × 4

= 12 nos.

For 2 numbers of C1 column we require,

= 2 × 12

= 24 nos.

Summary Of Required Shuttering Materials For 2 Numbers Of C1 Column:

• Sheathing materials – 107 Square feet.
• Cleats – 264 running feet
• Yoke – 52 running feet
• Clamp – 24 nos
• Props – 24 nos

To calculate the shuttering materials for the rest of the columns follow step-2 to step-6.

Conclusion

A combination of different types of materials is used to make column forms. It depends on the availability of the shuttering materials.

So calculating shuttering quantity for columns requires some practical experience. The best way to get this experience is to visit some construction sites in your area.

[Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in April 2021 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.]