Formwork is a temporary mold used to contain and shape wet concrete until it hardens. It is commonly made from timber or steel. Formwork must balance requirements like containment, strength, resistance to leakage, accuracy, ease of handling, finish, access for concrete, and economy. It must safely support the weight of wet concrete and other loads until the concrete sets. Formwork design considers quality, safety, and minimizing costs through reuse. Forms are designed according to intended structural elements like walls, columns, beams, slabs, stairs, and more.