Slab formwork selection starts with the deck size and prop layout the design calls for — a system that lets crews strike the deck panels early while leaving backprops in place keeps the floor cycle moving without waiting for the concrete's full design strength.
Prop spacing must be calculated against the slab thickness and imposed construction loads, including material stacking and equipment during the next floor pour — undersized prop layouts are a common cause of deflection issues that only surface after the fact.
For multi-story buildings, plan the number of formwork sets needed to run two or three floors concurrently — one being stripped, one curing, one being poured — rather than sizing the order for a single floor and slowing the whole schedule down waiting for panel turnover.