Our Frequently Asked Questions

Slipform construction is an advanced concrete construction technique where the formwork is continuously raised while concrete is being poured and cured. This allows reinforced concrete structures to be built in a smooth, continuous operation, improving efficiency, quality, programme certainty and structural consistency on tall or repetitive structures.

Slipforming can provide major advantages on projects involving significant height, repetitive concrete elements, tight programmes or high-quality finish requirements. It is commonly used for cores, silos, shafts, towers, tanks and complex infrastructure where speed, safety and precision are critical. Our team can review your project at an early stage to assess whether slipform construction would deliver programme, cost or engineering benefits.

Slipform Engineering is a global specialist design-and-build contractor delivering slipform project solutions, both standalone and as part of wider infrastructure developments.

Slipforming is well suited to tall or repetitive reinforced concrete structures such as shafts, silos, bunkers, cores, walls, tanks and infrastructure structures where speed, quality and continuous construction are important.

Ideally during early design or pre-construction. Early involvement allows the slipform methodology, reinforcement, embedments, temporary works, concrete supply and access constraints to be considered before the design becomes difficult or expensive to build.

Speed, reduced programme duration, consistent concrete quality, reduced working-at-height interfaces, repeatability, and the ability to deliver complex vertical RC structures efficiently.

This is project-dependent, but our usual slipforming rate of rise is 200-300mm per hour for larger complex structures and can be greatly increased for smaller footprint structures.

Yes, we provide full design-and-build solutions for cement storage silos and design development / reviews for all other structures, including rig design, design management and practical input into reinforcement, embedment plates and cast-in items.

For successful slipform construction, the concrete must be designed to achieve the correct balance between workability, cohesion, early-age strength gain and finish quality. The mix should be suitable for continuous placement and capable of supporting itself as it emerges from the formwork. We carry out concrete mix design reviews, lab trials and site trials prior to the slipforming works commencing and have in-house dedicated concrete quality control managers to ensure concrete arriving on site is fit for purpose and meets your standards.

The slipform process requires specialised equipment and highly skilled labourers and managers overseeing the project. For example, our highly experienced site teams are masters in pre-planning, scheduling, design input, as well as communications and client & stakeholder relationship management.

Yes we continually provide value engineering by early engagement and close collaboration with clients, including temporary works solutions and slipforming technologies.

Yes we have constructed watertight secondary linings for Thames Tideway shafts, as well as digester tanks in the UK.

Infrastructure, water, energy-from-waste, biomass, commercial buildings, silos, shafts, offshore and specialist reinforced concrete structures.

Yes we design all temporary works required for the slipform works.

The usual level of information required would be early stage drawings, specification, programme, site constraints, access arrangements, concrete requirements, reinforcement details, embedments, openings, temporary works constraints, and any quality or watertightness requirements.

Yes our preferred approach is early involvement on a project so that we can liaise with the structural engineers to develop reinforcement, embedment plates and other cast-in items so they can be efficiently incorporated into the slipform process.

Yes we can incorporate loose reinforcement detailing, modelling and design management to suit the slipform process as part of our offering.

Yes, each slipform rig design is specifically tailored to the needs of the project to achieve a site-specific solution, taking account of all wall adaptions, site constraints, access and concrete pumping requirements.

We have full QA procedures and work to approved drawings, method statements, tolerances. Our on site QA engineers inspect and sign off all works both Pre and Post pour and manage any non-conformances and final handover.

Safety is our top priority from first engagement through to project completion. Our site specific RAMS and temporary works designs consider all access, lifting, exclusion zones and interface management.

Yes, but they need early coordination. Openings, embedment plates, box-outs, reinforcement congestion and interfaces will all be reviewed early by our specialist experienced team so the slipform can progress without delays.

We predominantly work in UK and Ireland but have also completed projects in the US and Continental Europe.

Please send drawings, specifications and project details to the team and we’ll advise on feasibility, methodology and next steps. Feel free to get in touch via [email protected] or via our contact form.

Slipform Engineering is one of the leading global specialist slipform contractors, delivering complex reinforced concrete structures across the construction, infrastructure and industrial sectors.

  • Specialist in-house slipform expertise with decades of experience
  • Innovative engineering solutions and modular slipform systems
  • Early-stage pre-construction and buildability input
  • Strong focus on safety, quality and programme certainty
  • Proven delivery on complex and high-profile projects
  • Continuous investment in technology, systems and workforce capability
  • Collaborative approach with clients, designers and principal contractors

Our reputation is built on delivering challenging structures safely, efficiently and to the highest standard.