How L&T Automated Their Formwork Planning Process

Sep 10, 2021

CAD

10 min

Objective

To reduce manual effort in formwork layout planning by 75%, L&T Construction partnered with us to develop an automated application that generates:

  • Bill of Materials (BOM)

  • 2D Elevation Drawings

  • 3D Panel Arrangement Models

The system requires only a standard input sheet — all outputs are generated automatically with minimal user input.

The Problem: A Time-Intensive, Manual Workflow

At L&T Construction, formwork planning involved a series of repetitive, manual tasks — from identifying panel sizes and types to drafting elevations and preparing the BOM. These processes were time-consuming and prone to revision cycles between site and design teams.

To address this, we began with a deep research phase: collecting data from formwork and field engineers, reviewing actual project workflows, and observing site-level practices. The goal was to replicate expert judgment in a rule-based, reliable automation logic.

Our Approach to Automation

We started by collaborating closely with formwork engineers and field teams, conducting extensive site visits and interviews to understand every stage of the panel arrangement process. Based on these insights, we developed structured algorithms that mimic expert decision-making — but with the speed and precision of automation.

The user simply selects a model and provides the relevant data sheet. From there, the system takes over, performing all the necessary calculations and layout generation automatically.

Automation Scope

The application handles the entire formwork arrangement workflow:

  • Reads and processes the input sheet

  • Identifies all required panel elements

  • Calculates placement and spacing based on project parameters

  • Generates outputs with minimal or no manual adjustments

Outputs

Bill of Materials

An automatically generated, structured Excel sheet listing all required formwork components.

3D Panel Arrangement Model

A visual representation of the entire formwork system in 3D, showing real-world dimensions and placements.

2D Elevation Drawings

Precise elevation views automatically extracted and formatted for use in field documentation and approvals.

Working Model Demo

This video demonstrates the actual functionality of the software in action. It intelligently analyzes all the 3D model faces of the building structure and automatically plots the corresponding values—a task that would otherwise take humans several hours to complete manually.

Note: The video has been intentionally slowed down to clearly showcase the detailed working of the system.

Automated 3D Model Analysis and Nesting– Slowed View for Clarity

Impact

For L&T Construction, the results were immediate and measurable:

  • 75% reduction in manual work required for panel layout and documentation

  • 300+ components processed and output generated within minutes

  • Improved alignment between design and field teams

  • Faster turnaround for client-ready drawings and material planning

This solution empowered their teams to focus more on decision-making and less on drafting — without sacrificing accuracy or control.

Contact Us

We understand that formwork design challenges vary across construction projects and sites. Whether your projects involve residential buildings, commercial complexes, industrial structures, or infrastructure — our automation software can be customized to meet your specific design and compliance needs.

Our team will guide you through every step of the evaluation and implementation process, including:

  • Analyzing your current formwork design workflow and efficiency gaps

  • Demonstrating our automation software's capabilities and outputs

  • Suggesting implementation strategies for your specific needs

  • Creating a deployment plan with training and support

To schedule a demonstration or speak with one of our construction automation specialists:

Email: harsha@tandemloop.in

Offices: India | UAE | Malaysia

We typically respond within one business day. All consultations are confidential and tailored to your construction needs.

Links and References

Download our Case Study PDF to see how we improved Formwork Efficiency for L&T: View

For a detailed look at our experience developing this application with our client, check out the story: View