CONCRETE FORMWORK Presented by David H. Glabe, P.E.

CONCRETE FORMWORK

2012, DH Glabe & Associates, Westminster, CO 80031 All Rights Reserved

Guide to Formwork for Concrete

ACI 347R-03

Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Design Chapter 3 Construction Chapter 4 Materials

FORMWORK
ACI 347, Chapter 1, Section 1.2
Formwork total system of support for freshly placed concrete, including the mold or sheathing that contacts the concrete and all supporting members, hardware, and necessary bracing.

CDOT, Section 601.11

Falsework is defined as any temporary construction used to support vertical loads for a structure until it becomes self-supporting. Formwork is the temporary structure or mold used to retain plastic or fluid concrete in its designated shape until it hardens.

Formwork or Falsework??

Formwork v. Falsework
ACI - Formwork includes Falsework CDOT Formwork and Falsework are separate Formwork is the Jello Mold that holds fresh concrete Falsework supports formwork and other structures (such as precast girders)

Formwork the Jello Mold

There are two types of Formwork: 1. Vertical Forms 2. Horizontal Forms
Vertical Forms are used to hold pressure Horizontal Forms are used to hold weight

Vertical Forms
Vertical Forms are used to form:
Walls Columns Piers Abutments Beamsides Other Vertical Concrete Surfaces

Vertical Form: Wall Form

Vertical Form: Shear Wall

Vertical Form: Retaining Wall

Vertical Form: Sidewall/Abutment

Horizontal Forms
Horizontal Forms are used to form:
Bridge Decks Floors Overhangs Other Horizontal Concrete Elements

Horizontal Form: Metal Bridge Deck

Horizontal Form: Bridge Overhang

Horizontal Form: Bridge Overhang (Cantilevered Beams)

Formwork or Falsework?

Pressure or Weight?

Pressure
Vertical Forms are designed to resist pressure. Form Pressure is affected by:
The Concrete Mix The Rate of Placement The Temperature of the Concrete The Weight of the Concrete

Weight
Horizontal Forms are designed to hold the weight of the concrete. The design weight is determined by:
The Depth of the Concrete The Unit Weight of Concrete The Amount of Reinforcing

Concrete Structures
The Quality of the finished product is determined by:
Materials Design Construction Placement of the Concrete

Manufactured Forms

What is the Pressure Capacity?

Job-Built Forms

Is it designed according to specification? Is it constructed according to the design?

Does it meet Project Specifications?

Success?
Success is measured by how well the Jello Mold conforms to the owners expectations.
Is it the right shape? Are the length, height and width correct? Is it within tolerance? Is it in the right location?

The Perfect Wall??

Bad Joint

Blemish

What do you think?

Is the concrete being placed properly?

Falsework
Falsework is used to support fresh concrete and the Jello Mold it is in. Falsework is also used to support other structures such as precast girders, steel girders, and existing bridges.

Falsework Supporting Pier Cap Formwork

Falsework Supporting Precast Concrete Girders

Formwork-the jello mold

Wall forms hold pressure. Deck Forms hold weight. Falsework holds formwork. Watch your tolerances. What are their qualifications? What are your qualifications?