If you have ever worked on a concrete pour, you have probably heard “formwork” and “falsework” used as if they were the same thing. They are not. Formwork is the mould that shapes the wet concrete. Falsework is the temporary structure that holds that mould in place until the concrete can support its own weight. And when people talk about a formwork shoring system, they usually mean the props and towers underneath the formwork — which is, in practical terms, falsework.
Getting the distinction right matters. Write the wrong term on a method statement and you can end up specifying the wrong equipment in the wrong place — which is how decks come down before the concrete is ready. This article explains what each system does, how they work together on a slab pour, and what to look for when you are buying a shoring system.
What is falsework?
Falsework is the temporary, load-bearing structure that supports formwork and wet, curing concrete until the permanent structure becomes self-supporting. It does the heavy lifting. Think of the vertical props and adjustable shores under a suspended slab, the steel towers under a bridge deck, and the beams that spread the load across them.
Falsework is temporary, but it is also engineered. In the UK it falls under BS 5975, the code of practice for temporary works; across Europe the design standard is EN 12812. Both treat falsework as designed temporary works with its own loadings and sign-off — not site improvisation.
What is a formwork shoring system?
A formwork shoring system is the collection of adjustable props, towers, and supports that carry the formwork deck and the wet concrete above it. In many regions this is simply called shoring. The most common components are adjustable steel props — also known as telescopic props or Acrow props — which use an inner and outer tube with pin holes so the height can be set quickly on site.
Props come in light, middle, and heavy duty ratings, and the system is designed to be assembled, loaded, and struck in a controlled sequence. A well-made shoring system is built to EN 1065, the European standard for adjustable telescopic steel props, so that load capacity and safety stay consistent from one job to the next.
The key differences at a glance
| Aspect | Formwork | Falsework / Shoring System |
|---|---|---|
| Job | Moulds and shapes the concrete | Supports the formwork and wet concrete |
| Contact with concrete | Direct | None |
| Typical components | Panels, plywood faces, tie rods | Adjustable steel props, towers, beams |
| What it carries | Lateral pressure of wet concrete | Dead load of concrete and formwork, plus construction loads |
| Design reference | Formwork design | BS 5975 / EN 12812; props to EN 1065 |
| When it is removed | After the concrete sets (vertical faces often earlier) | After the concrete reaches the required strength |
How they work together on a slab pour
The clearest way to see the relationship is to build a slab soffit from the ground up. The load path runs in this order:
- Shoring props or towers stand on a firm, level base and carry everything above.
- Primary beams sit across the heads of the props or towers.
- Secondary joists run across the primaries at closer centres to support the deck.
- The formwork deck lays flat on the joists — this is the soffit face the slab is cast against.
- Concrete is poured onto the deck and cured.
- Once the slab reaches the required strength, the shoring is struck and the structure stands on its own.
Types of shoring props
A shoring system is not one product. The right choice depends on the span, the height, and the load:
- Light duty adjustable steel props — for low-rise slabs, beams, and light formwork where speed matters more than extreme load.
- Middle duty shoring props — the workhorse for general slab and beam support on most commercial jobs.
- Heavy duty telescopic props — for taller, heavier pours, bridge falsework, and deep transfer beams.
- Adjustment and locking accessories — screw jack nuts, cup nuts, sleeve nuts, and G-pins that let crews fine-tune height and lock the prop securely.
Regional terminology
The vocabulary shifts by market, which is part of why these searches get muddled. In the United States and parts of the Middle East, “shoring” covers what UK practice calls falsework, and props are called “shores.” In the UK and Australia, “props” or “Acrow props” are the individual telescopic supports. “Centering” still means the temporary support under an arch. Whatever you call it, the job is the same: hold the formwork up until the concrete can carry itself.
Safety and striking
The two riskiest moments on any pour are loading the shoring during the pour and striking it afterward. Never remove shoring before the concrete reaches the required strength for that element — a soffit struck early can deflect or fail under its own weight. Striking times are set by the temporary works design and confirmed by test results, not by the calendar.
And never treat load-bearing shoring as if it were access scaffolding. Access scaffold is built to carry people and light materials; shoring is built to carry the structural load of wet concrete. The components can look similar, but the design intent, the loadings, and the sign-off are different — confusing the two is a known cause of collapse.
Choosing the right shoring system
When you are selecting a shoring system, look for a supplier that can provide the full range — light, middle, and heavy duty props plus the adjustment and locking accessories — so the system works as one package. Check that the props meet EN 1065 and that the steel is properly finished, whether hot-dip galvanized or electro-galvanized, so the equipment survives repeated use and harsh site conditions. A supplier with flexible MOQ and OEM capability makes it easier to match the system to your project rather than the other way around.
Bythai Scaffolding supplies a complete formwork shoring system — adjustable shoring props in light, middle, and heavy duty ratings, plus screw jack nuts, cup nuts, sleeve nuts, and G-pins — all manufactured to EN 1065. Whether you need a system for slab formwork, bridge falsework, or emergency shoring, the range covers it. If you are comparing adjustable shoring props for your next pour, contact the Bythai team for specifications and pricing.