ENGINEERING OFFICE

GENERAL SPECIFICATION DIVISION 3 - CONCRETE

SECTION 03100 - CONCRETE FORMS & ACCESSORIES

PART 1 - GENERAL

1.1 REFERENCES

A. The publications listed below form a part of this specification to the extent referenced. The
publications are referred to within the text by the basic designation only.

Table: 03100-1A
Workmanship on building sites. Code of practice for concrete work.
BS 8000-2.2:1990
Site work with in situ and precast concrete

1.2 SUBMITTALS

A. The following shall be submitted in accordance with Section 01330 SUBMITTAL

PROCEDURES:

1. Shop Drawings.
2. Formwork:
a. Drawings showing details of formwork, including dimensions of fibre voids, joints,
supports, studding and shoring and sequence of form and shoring removal.
3. Product Data.
4. Design:
a. Design analysis and calculations for form design and methodology used in the
design.
5. Form Materials:
a. Manufacturer's data including literature describing form materials,
accessories and form releasing agents.
6. Form Release Agents:
a. Manufacturer’s recommendation on method and rate of form releasing
agents.

1.3 DESIGN

A. Formwork shall be designed to resist anticipated loads, lateral pressures, and stresses.
Forms shall be capable of producing a surface which meets the requirements of the class of
finish specified in Section 03300 CAST-IN-PLACE STRUCTURAL CONCRETE.

B. The design of the formwork shall be the responsibility of the Contractor not withstanding any
approval, which may be given.

C. Forms shall be designed to meet the following basic requirements:

1. It will safely support all loads that might be applied until the concrete has hardened
sufficiently to support such loads itself
2. Construction loads including the dynamic effects of placing, compacting and
construction traffic.
3. It is sufficiently water tight to prevent the loss of liquid.
4. It fits tightly against previous concrete lifts to prevent lipping, loss of liquid or grout.
5. It is capable of being cleaned out immediately prior to concreting with temporary
access holes provided as necessary
6. It can be removed without damage to the concrete.
7. The side forms of members can be removed without disturbing the soffit form
8. Props are positioned so as not to overstress any part of the completed structure.

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GENERAL SPECIFICATION DIVISION 3 - CONCRETE

1.4 CAMBERS

A. Cambers shown on the drawings or specified below relate to the concrete immediately before
formwork is struck. Make adequate allowance for the deflection of the formwork under the
weight of fresh concrete. Top surfaces of concrete must also be cambered to maintain the
required structural depths and profiles. Unless otherwise shown on drawings construction
forms to achieve the following upward cambers:

1. Slabs: 0.1% of span measured at centre.

2. Beams: Maximum of following to be provided.
( Span) 2
Camber = (Span & Depth in mm)
7200 × depth

Camber = 0.1% of span measured at centre.

3. Cantilever beams and slabs – 12mm at free end for each 3.0m span.

B. After the striking of formwork and removal of props check levels to determine the extend of
any residual camber and inform the engineer.

1.5 WORK BELOW GROUND

A. Vertical faces of mass concrete strip footings, bases and slabs may be cast against face of
excavation provided:

1. No waterproofing is required
2. The faces are sufficiently accurate and stable
3. Supports to faces are withdrawn progressively as concrete is placed
4. Adequate measures are taken to prevent contamination of concrete

B. Faces of walls and surfaces requiring waterproofing must be cast against formwork.

PART 2 - PRODUCTS

2.1 FORM MATERIALS

A. Refer Section -03300 ‘CAST IN PLACE CONCRETE’ for the selection of formworks for
achieving different classes of finishes.

2.2 FORM TIES

A. Form ties shall be factory-fabricated metal ties, shall be of the removable or internal
disconnecting or snap-off type, and shall be of a design that will not permit form deflection
and will not spall concrete upon removal. Solid backing shall be provided for each tie. Except
where removable tie rods are used, ties shall not leave holes in the concrete surface less
than 6 mm nor more than 25 mm deep and not more than 25 mm in diameter. Removable tie
rods shall be not more than 38 mm in diameter. No ties shall pass through the full width of
the lining wall so as to potentially damage the waterproofing membrane, or to leave potential
leakage paths through the wall.

2.3 WATER BARRIER FORM TIES

A. Water barrier form ties shall be used in any concrete acting as a fluid retaining structure.

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GENERAL SPECIFICATION DIVISION 3 - CONCRETE

2.4 FORM RELEASING AGENTS

A. Form releasing agents shall be commercial formulations that will not bond with, stain or
adversely affect concrete surfaces. Agents shall not impair subsequent treatment of concrete
surfaces depending upon bond or adhesion nor impede the wetting of surfaces to be cured
with water or curing compounds.

B. The form release agents shall be an approved material and shall be of the following types.

1. Cream emulsion.
2. Neat oil with surfactant added.
3. Chemical release agent.

PART 3 - EXECUTION

3.1 INSTALLATION

A. Forms shall be grout tight, properly aligned and adequately supported to produce concrete
surfaces meeting the surface requirements specified in Section 03300 CAST-IN-PLACE
STRUCTURAL CONCRETE. Formed surfaces must be free from twist and bow, all
intersections, lines and angles being square, plum and true. Joints in form panels shall be
arranged as approved. Formwork, including joints in lining and between forms and completed
work, shall be constructed to prevent loss of grout, using seals when necessary. Forms shall
not be reused if there is any evidence of surface wear and tear or defects which would impair
the quality of the surface. Surfaces of forms to be reused shall be cleaned of grout from
previous concreting and of all other foreign material before reuse. Form ties that are to be
completely withdrawn shall be coated with a non-staining bond breaker.

B. Confirm positions and details of inserts holes and chases to ensure that alterations to and
decisions about their size and location are not made without the knowledge and approval of
the Engineer. Fix inserts or box out as required in correct positions before placing concrete.
Form all holes and chases. Do not cut hardened concrete without approval.

3.2 CHAMFERING

A. Except as otherwise shown, external corners that will be exposed shall be chamfered,
bevelled, or rounded by mouldings placed in the forms.

3.3 COATING

A. Forms shall be coated with a form releasing agent before the form or reinforcement is placed
in final position. The coating shall be used as recommended in the manufacturer's printed or
written instructions. Surplus coating on form surfaces and coating on reinforcing steel and
construction joints shall be removed before placing concrete.

3.4 REMOVAL OF FORMS

A. The Engineer shall be notified when the Contractor intends to remove any formwork.

B. The minimum periods between concreting and the removal of formwork are shown in
Table:03100-3A, however, compliance with the table shall not relieve the Contractor of his
obligations to leave the forms and props in position until the new construction is sufficiently
strong to support its own weight and any incidental additional loads without damage. Where
necessary, the arrangement should be such that the soffit form, properly supported on props,
should be retained in position for such period as may be required to achieve the strength as
decided by the Engineer.

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GENERAL SPECIFICATION DIVISION 3 - CONCRETE

Table: 03100-3A: Minimum periods for removal of props after concreting.*

Location Elapsed Time
Sides of beams, walls and columns 24 hours
Soffits of slabs (props left in position) 7 days
Props to slabs 10 days
Soffits of beams (props left in position) 10 days
Props to beam soffits 15 days

* To the approval of engineer-in-charge.

C. Where props are to be left in place the soffit forms may only be removed if the design of the
formwork allows such a sequence of operation without the props being in any way disturbed.

D. Soffit form properly supported on props to be retained in position for cantilever beams and other
beams as identified by the Engineer for a specific period as decided by the Engineer.
3.5 REMEDIAL WORK TO DEFECTIVE SURFACES

A. If, on stripping any formwork, the concrete surface is found to be defective in any way, the
Contractor shall make no attempt to remedy such defects prior to the Engineer's inspection
and the receipt of any instructions, which the Engineer may give.

B. Defective surfaces shall not be made good by plastering.

C. Areas of honeycombing which the Engineer agrees may be repaired shall be cut back to
sound concrete or to 75 mm whichever is the greater distance. In the case of reinforced
concrete, the area shall be cut back to at least 25mm clear distance behind the reinforcement
or to 75mm, whichever is the greater distance. The cavity shall have sides at right-angles to
the face of the concrete.

D. After cleaning out with water and compressed air, the surfaces shall be allowed to dry.

E. In accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations, the surfaces of both concrete and
steel in the cavity shall be primed with two coats of Nitoprime 28 or other equal
approved primer.

F. Following curing of the priming system, the repair area shall be progressively built up in
accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations with Nitomortar HB, or other equal
approved high build epoxy mortar, in layers not exceeding 50mm. Nitomortar HB shall be
trowel applied and compacted firmly into place. To build up the required thickness of the
repair area, additional layers, each not exceeding 50 mm in thickness, may be superimposed
once the previous layer has reached a state of hardness sufficient to resist further trowelling.
Priming shall be carried out between layers using Nitoprime 28.

G. Surface irregularities which are outside the limits of tolerance set out in section – 03300
Clause 3.9 shall be ground down in the manner and to the extent instructed by the Engineer.

H. Defects other than those mentioned above shall be dealt with as instructed by the Engineer

END OF SECTION 03100

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