Formwork Artwork

We recently removed the tarps that have been covering most of the project.  Only now can one observe the form work details and appreciate what was required to support the pressure of the fluid concrete mixture.

 

The wooden bracing is substantial.  It had to be.  These walls were cast without the use of form ties (steel rods that extend through the wall from one side to the other and typically hold the two halves of the form together during concrete placement).  We chose not to use these because they leave scars that would interrupt the pristine smooth finished surface we are after. 

 

The consequence of this decision is that we had to construct a system to brace the forms from the ground.  This posed additional challenges due to the soil composition and weather.  Saturated soil has very little strength.  It rained very regularly from mid-October until mid May with no substantial breaks between rain episodes to allow the ground to dry.

 

What took 6 months to assemble came apart in about 6 days.