How Cuplock Falsework Goes Up: The 6-Step Erection Sequence

Cuplock falsework looks complex once it's standing, but it goes up in a strict, repeatable sequence. This is the procedure our crews follow for a basic supporting grid of four standards and beams — and it's the same logic however large the deck gets.

The six steps

1. Set out the bases. Space out the socket bases and stand in the base jacks where required, plain shank at the top.
2. First standard, first ledgers. Assemble a standard on a jack and connect two ledgers at right angles into a lower cup. Drop the upper cup of the joint over the two blade ends — but don't tighten yet.
3. Close the corner. Take a second standard on another jack and fix the free ledger end into its cup. Repeat with a third standard to complete a right-angled corner.
4. Complete the grid. Add the fourth standard and two more ledgers — you now have four standards and four ledgers forming a stable bay.
5. Top layer and dropheads. Add the upper layer of four ledgers and two braces, then assemble the upper jacks and drophead assemblies on top of the completed grid.
6. Beams in, then tighten. Finally, place the primary beams and infills into the completed support structure. As each grid is completed, tighten all joints.

Adjacent supporting grids are added the same way, with primary beams and infills continuing until the required area is covered.

Why the cup joint makes this fast

Each standard carries a joint cup every 0.5 m of height. The ledger's forged blade end drops into the bottom cup, and the drop-forged top cup locks over it — no loose nuts and bolts at the connection. That's why a trained crew can erect and strike cuplock structures significantly faster than tube-and-fitting equivalents, with fewer components to lose on site.

Dismantling runs the same route in reverse

Striking follows the erection sequence in reverse — and because primary beams and infills can't fall to the ground on their own, dismantling stays controlled. After striking, components are removed manually, sorted and stacked for the next use.

Planning a slab or structure that needs falsework? See our Cuplock system or send us the drawings — we'll propose the grid, the quantities and the programme.