SECTION 03100

CONCRETE FORMWORK
1. PART 1 - GENERAL
1.01 SECTION INCLUDES
A.

Formwork for cast-in-place concrete as indicated

Drawings and as specified in this section.

on

1.02 REFERENCES
A.

B.

C.

ACI - American Concrete Institute:

ACI 301

Specifications for Structural Concrete for

Buildings

ACI 318

Building Code Requirements

Concrete

ACI 347

Recommended Practice for Concrete Formwork

(ANSI A145.1)

for Reinforced

APA - American Plywood Association:

APA

High Density Overlaid Concrete Form, Class1

APA

Structural 1, Exterior Quality, Class 1

APA

Plastic Overlaid Plywood Forms

ANSI - American National Standard Institute:

A199.1

Construction and Industrial Plywood

1.03 SUBMITTALS
A.

Product's Data: Submit manufacturer's

specifications and installation instructions for
proprietary materials and
items
as
required,
including
form
coatings,
manufactured
form
systems, ties and accessories.

B.

Detail Shop Drawings: Submit data on sequence of the

concrete placement, location of construction joints,
camber details, bearing values of the soils supporting
false-work
under
wet
and
dry
conditions,
the
anticipated settlements as well as false-work release
sequence.

1.04 QUALITY ASSURANCE

03100-1
Concrete Formwork

A.

Design, construct, erect, support, brace, maintain and

remove forms according to ACI 318, Parts 1, 2, and 3
requirements as well as ACI 347 requirements for loads,
lateral pressure and allowable stresses; in addition to
other design parameters such as wind loads.
1.

Construction: Construct formwork so that cast

concrete
surfaces
will
conform
to
the
requirements of ACI 301, Chapter 4, Paragraph 4.3
Tolerances.

2.

Hydraulic Pressure: Maximum allowable deflection of

forming surfaces from concrete pressure will be
length/360 between supports.

3.

Provide surveys as required to check the lines

and levels of
the
completed formwork for
exposed concrete
before
concrete is placed. Make
the
required
corrections or adjustments to formwork to correct
deviations which exceed the
specified
tolerances.

4.

Check formwork during concrete placement to ensure

forms, shores, false-work, ties and other features
have
not
been
unduly
disturbed
by
concrete
placement
methods
or
equipment.
Report
in
writing to the
Engineer
deviations
from the
allowable tolerances.

2. PART 2 - PRODUCTS
2.01 MATERIALS
A.

B.

Concrete Formwork:
1.

Unless otherwise specified construct formwork of

plywood, metal, metal-framed plywood-faced or other
panel type materials acceptable to the Engineer to
provide
continuous, straight, smooth surfaces.
Provide formwork in the largest practice sizes to
minimize number of joints and to conform to joint
system indicated on
Drawings.
Provide
form material
with
sufficient
thickness to withstand pressure of newly
placed concrete without bow or deflection. Provide
wood forms of minimum thickness of 16 mm.

2.

Use overlaid plywood complying with U.S. Product

Standard PS-1, A-C or B-B High Density Overlaid
Concrete Form, Class 1.

Pan-Type Forms for Waffle Slabs: Manufacturer standard

glass-fiber-reinforced plastic (GRP) or formed steel,
stiffened as required to support weight of placed
concrete without deformation. Size of forms shall be
Concrete Formwork

03100-2

Concrete Formwork

suitable for the applications indicated on Drawings.

Provide manufacturer standard chemical release agents,
repair compound and form tape.
C.

Forms of Unexposed Finish Concrete: Provide forms of

plywood, lumber,
metal or
glass-fiber
reinforced
plastic or other acceptable material.

D.

Form Ties:

E.

1.

Provide
factory-fabricated,
adjustable-length,
removable or snap-off metal form ties, designed to
prevent form deflection and to prevent spalling
concrete surfaces upon removal.
Use
Plastic
cone type, with threaded steel rod.
For water
tanks or other
water retaining structures
use
watertight form ties as recommended
by the manufacturer.

2.

Unless

3.

Form ties fabricated on

ties are not acceptable.

otherwise
indicated, provide
ties
so
that
portion
remaining
within
concrete after removal of exterior parts is at
least 38 mm from the outer concrete surface.
Provide form ties which will not leave
a hole
larger than
25
mm diameter
in the
concrete surface.
Project

Site

and

wire

Form
Release:
Non-staining,
non-reactive,
rustpreventive guaranteed not to affect bond of subsequent
surface applications to concrete.

2.02 DESIGN OF FORMWORK

A.

Design, erect, support, brace and maintain formwork to

safely
support vertical
and
lateral
loads
applied, until such
loads
can be
supported by the
concrete
structure.
Carry
vertical and lateral loads to ground by formwork
system and in-place construction that has attained
adequate strength for the purpose. Design and construct
formwork of concrete members and structures to
correct size,
shape, alignment,
elevation
and position.

B.

Design form and false-work to include assumed value of

live load, dead load, weight
of
moving
equipment operated on formwork, concrete mix,
height of concrete drop,
vibrator
frequency,
ambient
temperature, foundation pressures,
stresses, lateral stability and other factors pertinent
to safety of structure during construction.

C.

Design formwork to be readily removable without impact,

shock or damage to cast-in-place concrete surfaces and
adjacent materials.
Concrete Formwork

03100-3

Concrete Formwork

D.

Provide
formwork
sufficiently
tight
to
prevent
leakage of cement
paste
during
concrete
placement.
Solidly butt joints
and provide back-up material at joints as required to
prevent leakage and fins.

E.

Design forms according to ACI 318, Parts 1, 2, and 3

requirements as well as ACI 347 requirements for loads,
lateral
pressure,
and
allowable
stresses;
in
addition to other design parameters.

3. PART 3 - EXECUTION
3.01 INSPECTION
A.

Examine
substrate
and
conditions
under
which
concrete formwork is to be performed. Correct any
unsatisfactory conditions. Proceed with the work after
unsatisfactory conditions have been corrected in a
manner acceptable to the Engineer.

3.02 FORM CONSTRUCTION

A.

General:
1.

Construct
forms
complying
with
ACI
347,
to
sizes, shapes, lines and dimensions indicated and
required to
obtain
accurate
alignment,
location,
grades, level and
plumb work in the finished structures. Provide for
openings, offsets, sinkages, keyways, recesses,
moldings, rustication, reglets, chamfers, blocking,
screed, bulkheads,
anchorages, inserts,
and other features required. Use selected materials
to obtain the required finishes.

2.

Fabricate forms for easy removal without hammering

or prying against concrete surfaces. Provide crush
plates or wrecking plates where stripping may
damage cast
concrete
surfaces.
Provide top forms for inclined surfaces where the
slope is too steep to place concrete with bottom
forms only. Kerf wood inserts for forming keyways,
reglets, recesses, and the like, to prevent
swelling and assure ease of removal.

3.

Provide temporary openings where interior area of

formwork is inaccessible for cleanout, inspection
before
concrete
placement and
placement
of concrete.
Securely
brace
temporary
closures and
set
tightly to forms to prevent loss of concrete
mortar. Locate temporary openings in forms
at inconspicuous locations.

4.

Form intersecting planes to provide true, clean-out

Concrete Formwork

03100-4

Concrete Formwork

corners, with edge grain of plywood not exposed

as form for concrete.
B.

C.

False-work:
1.

Erect false-work and support, brace and maintain it

to
safely
support
vertical,
lateral
and asymmetrical loads applied until such
loads can be supported
by
in-place
concrete
structures. Construct false-work
so
that adjustments
can
be made for
take-up and settlement.

2.

Provide
wedges,
jacks
or
camber
strips
to
facilitate vertical adjustment. Inspect false-work
and formwork during and after concrete placement
operations to determine abnormal deflection or
signs of failure and make necessary adjustments to
produce work of required dimensions.

3.

Provide shores and struts with positive means of

adjustment capable of taking up formwork settlement
during concrete placing operations, using wedges or
jacks or a combination thereof. Provide trussed
supports when adequate foundations for shores
cannot be secured.

4.

Support
form
facing
materials
by
structural
members spaced sufficiently
close
to
prevent deflection. Fit forms placed in
successive units for continuous surfaces
to
an
accurate
alignment, free from
irregularities
and within
allowable
tolerances. Provide camber
in
formwork
as
required
for
anticipated deflections due to weight and pressures
of fresh concrete and construction loads for long
span members without intermediate supports.

5.

Provide temporary openings in wall forms and at

other locations necessary to permit inspection and
clean-out.

Forms for Exposed Concrete:

1.

Drill forms to suit ties used and to prevent

leakage of concrete mortar around tie holes. Do
not
splinter
forms
by
driving
ties
through
improperly prepared holes.

2.

Do not use metal cover plates for patching holes or

defect in forms.

3.

Provide
sharp, clean corners at intersecting
planes, without visible edges or offsets.
Back
joints with extra studs or girts to maintain true,
square intersections.
Concrete Formwork

03100-5

Concrete Formwork

D.

4.

Use extra studs and bracing as required to

prevent bowing of forms between studs and to avoid
bowed appearance in concrete. Do not use narrow
strips of form material which will produce bow.

5.

Assemble forms in a way to be readily removed

without damage to exposed concrete surfaces.

6.

Form moldings shapes, recesses and projections with

smooth finish materials and install in forms with
sealed joints to prevent displacement.

Corner Treatment:
1.

Form exposed corners to produce square, smooth,

solid,
unbroken
lines,
except
as
otherwise
indicated.

2.

Provide chamfers
Drawings.

3.

Unless otherwise
indicated, form chamfers using
wood strips 19 x 19 mm; accurately formed and
surfaced to produce uniformly straight lines and
tight
edge
joints.
Extend
terminal
edges
to required limit and miter
chamfer strips at changes in direction.

for surfaces where indicated

on

E.

Control Joints: Locate control joints where indicated

or as directed. Refer to Section 03300 - CAST-IN-PLACE
CONCRETE for control and construction joints treatment.

F.

Provisions for Other Trades: Provide openings in

concrete formwork to accommodate work of other
trades. Determine size and location of openings,
recesses and chases required
for
such
work.
Accurately place
and
securely support built-in items into forms.

G.

Cleaning and Tightening: Thoroughly clean forms and

adjacent surfaces to receive concrete. Remove chips,
wood, sawdust, dirt or other debris
just
before concrete placement. Re-tighten forms
immediately after concrete placement
as
required to eliminate mortar leaks.

3.03 FORM COATINGS

A.

Coat form contact surfaces with form-coating compound

before placing the reinforcement. Provide form-coating
compounds that will not bond with, stain, nor adversely
affect concrete surfaces and will not impair subsequent
treatment of concrete surfaces requiring bond or
adhesion nor impede the wetting of surfaces to be cured
with water
or
curing
compounds.
Do
not
allow
excess form coating
material
to
accumulate in the forms or to
Concrete Formwork

03100-6

Concrete Formwork

come intocontact
with surfaces against which fresh
concrete will be placed.
Apply
in compliance
with manufacturer's instructions.
B.

Coat steel forms with a non-staining, rust-preventive

form oil
or
otherwise
protect against
rusting.
Rust-stained steel formwork is not acceptable.

3.04 INSTALLATION OF EMBEDDED ITEMS

A.

General:
Set and build into the work anchorage
devices and other embedded items required for other
work that is
attached to,
or
supported by,
cast-in-place
concrete.
Use
setting
drawings,
diagrams, instructions and directions provided by the
suppliers of these items to be attached thereto.

B.

Edge Forms and Screed Strips for Slabs: Set edge forms
or bulkheads
and intermediate
screed strips for
slabs to obtain
required
elevations
and
contours
in
the finished
slab
surface.
Provide
and
secure units to
support types of screed required.

C.

Metal Inserts:
1.

Provide metal inserts for anchorage of materials or

equipment to concrete construction, as required for
the work.

2.

Provide adjustable wedge inserts of malleable cast

iron, complete with bolts, nuts and washers; 19 mm
bolt size unless otherwise indicated.

3.

Provide threaded inserts of malleable cast iron,

furnish complete with full-depth bolts; 19 mm bolt
size, unless otherwise indicated.

4.

Provide box-out sections

required for installation
work.

5.

Coordinate location of all required embedded weld

plates and other items for attachment of precast
concrete to cast-in-place concrete.

in concrete
of equipment

work as
or other

3.05 SHORES AND SUPPORTS

A.

Shore floor directly under slab being placed so that

loads from construction above will safely transfer
directly to these shores. Space out shoring below this
level in such a manner that no member
will be excessively
loaded or
will
induce
tensile stress in concrete members
where
no reinforcing steel
is
provided. Extend shores beyond minimum if required to
ensure the proper distribution of loads and the
safety
Concrete Formwork

03100-7

Concrete Formwork

of all concrete members.

B.

Remove shores and reshore in a planned sequence to

avoid damage to partially cured concrete, and to assure
that the structure supported is not subjected to impact
or loading eccentricities. Locate and provide adequate
reshoring to safely support the work.

3.06 REMOVAL OF FORMS

A.

Formwork

not supporting concrete, such as sides

of beams, columns, walls, and similar parts of
the work (vertical faces) may be removed not less than
24 hours after placing
concrete
provided that
concrete
is sufficiently hard and will
not
be
damaged
by
form removal
operations, and
provided
that curing and
protection operations are maintained.

B.

Formwork supporting weight of concrete, such as slabs

and other structural elements must remain in place for
the time period shown in ACI 347, Section 3.6.2.3
(assuming design live load is less than dead load) and
until concrete has attained
design
minimum
28
day compressive
strength determined
by
field-cured specimens as defined below.
Do
not remove forms until the approval has been obtained
from the Engineer.

C.

Determine potential compressive strength of

inplace concrete
by
testing field-cured
specimens representative of the concrete
location of members, as specified in Section 03300 CAST-IN-PLACE CONCRETE.

D.

Form facing material may be removed not less than 4

days after placement, provided shoresand
other
vertical
supports
have
been
arranged
to
permit
removal of form facing material without loosening or
disturbing shores
and
supports
and
provided
that
concrete
has
achieved adequate
compressive
strength to safely
support the load.

E.

Removal of Forms:
1.

Use necessary means and precautions to protect

workmen, passer-by, the installed work and material
of other trades and complete safety of structure.

2.

Cut nails as well as form ties off flush leaving

surfaces smooth and clean.

3.

Remove metal spreader ties on exposed concrete by

removing
or
snapping
off
inside
the
wall
surfaces
and
pointing
up
and
rubbing
the
resulting pockets to match surrounding surfaces.
Concrete Formwork

4.

Flush holes resulting from spreader rods and sleeve

03100-8

Concrete Formwork

nuts, using water, and solidly pack throughout the

wall thickness with cement grout applied under
pressure by means of grouting gun; grout shall
be one part cement to 2-1/2 parts sand; apply grout
immediately after removing forms.
3.07 RE-USE OF FORMS
A.

Clean and repair surfaces of forms to be reused in the

work.
Split,
frayed,
delaminated
or
otherwise
damage form facing material will
not be acceptable.
Apply new form coating
compound
material
to
concrete
contact
surfaces as specified for new formwork.

B.

When forms are extended

for successive
concrete
placement thoroughly clean surfaces, remove fins and
laitance, and tighten forms to close all joints. Align
and secure joints to avoid offsets. Do not use patched
forms for exposed concrete surfaces.
END OF SECTION

03100-9
Concrete Formwork