CONCRETE FORMWORK

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

© 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 owner’s 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?