Ciria Report 108 Concrete Pressure On: Formwork

You can use this as a LinkedIn article, a technical bulletin, or a forum post (e.g., for Engineers, Construction Managers, or Concrete Technologists).

CIRIA Report 108 (1985) provides a standard, non-hydrostatic method for calculating lateral concrete pressure on vertical formwork by accounting for placement rate, temperature, and concrete mix design. The model determines the maximum pressure based on either full hydrostatic pressure or a formula covering the "arch effect," which is widely recognized in standards like BS 5975. For more information, visit the official CIRIA R108 overview Concrete pressure on formwork (R108) - CIRIA ciria report 108 concrete pressure on formwork

Despite being nearly four decades old, Report 108 remains the primary reference for formwork design in the UK and is widely respected internationally. This article explores the science behind the report, its key formulae, and why it remains indispensable in an era of advanced concrete technology. You can use this as a LinkedIn article,

Limitations and application notes

Report 108 provides a rational method to answer this, moving beyond simple hydrostatic assumptions (which overestimate pressure) to a more economical, performance-based approach. For more information, visit the official CIRIA R108