Constructing Concrete

Forms and Reinforcement

Definitions of terms associated

with form construction:
A.

Footer form (footing) - a continuous slab of concrete that

provides a solid, level foundation for block and other
masonry.
B. Construction joint - place where one pouring of concrete
stops and another starts.
C. Control joint - planned break which permits concrete to
expand and contract without cracking.
D. Reinforced concrete - concrete slabs or structures that are
strengthened with embedded steel rods or wire mesh.
E. Wale - a heavy plank extending along the sides of wooden
concrete forms for reinforcement of the 2@ x4" studs.

Selecting materials for concrete

forms.
A. Metal forms
B. Synthetic materials
C. Wood (most commonly used). It should be
straight, sound lumber, free of knots, decay and
other defects.

Well constructed concrete forms

should be:
A. Substantial enough to retain their correct shape when
filled.
Freshly mixed concrete exerts great pressure
since
concrete weighs from 130 to 150 lbs. per cubic
foot.
B. Tight to prevent the escape of the water-cement paste,
because the loss of water will change the strength of the
remaining mixture.
C. Constructed so they can be easily filled from a truck or
wheelbarrow.
D. Easily removed after the concrete has hardened.

Construction of forms.

A.

Use soft, clean, straight lumber.

$ Use spruce 2" x 4" or 2" x 6" for form because it will not warp as bad as yellow pine.
$ Use green lumber when possible because it does remove the water from the fresh concrete
like kiln dried lumber will.

B.
Sharpen stakes evenly so they can be driven in straight.
C.
Place stakes about 30 inches apart along the outside of the form for 4
inch thick concrete. Place the stakes close when the concrete is more
than 4 inches thick.
D.
Use a transit or level to adjust the height of forms for the desired slope or
Afall@ of the slab.
E.
Drive nails through the form and into, but not through, the stakes.
F.
Be sure the stakes do not stick up above the top of the form. If they do,
saw them off so they are level with or tapered down from the form.
G.
For smooth walls use plywood panels.

Types of points.
A.
Isolation joints
$
Used to separate floors from points of abutment with walls
columns, or building footings.
B.
Control joints
$
May be properly called crack control joint.
$
To prevent random cracking, predetermine the crack location by
making a crack control joint or by sawing into the floor to make a
weakened plane so that the crack will occur where you want it.
C.
Construction joints
$
Created where concrete stopped and later was started again.
$
Most construction joints are actually a combination of a control
joint and a construction joint.

Types of reinforcement

A.
$

Steel bars

Steel reinforcing bars have ridges that increase the bond between the
concrete and the steel.
$
Bars may be ordered by number or by diameter. It is available in
diameters from 1/4 to 1 inch and over. They may be purchased in 20,
40, or 60 foot lengths.
The size bars needed for the job depends on the amount of tensile
strength needed in the concrete.
$
Rebar should be lapped 24 times its diameter.
$
Rods may be placed in concrete slabs in cross-sectional pattern and
wired together.
$
Reinforcing bars should be free of rust, dirt, oil or other materials that
will reduce adhesion by the concrete.

Types of reinforcement

B.

Welded wire fabric

$
$

C.

Generally available in a 6 by 6 inch pattern and consist of number 6, 8, or 10

gauge wire.
Used for jobs requiring relatively light reinforcement.
Used to help reduce the cracking due to changes in temperature and moisture in
the concrete.
Reinforcement wire fabric needs to be placed so it is protected by an adequate
coverage of concrete.
Lap welded wire a minimum of 13 inches or at least one full spacing plus two
additional inches.

Fiberglass fibers

$
$

Fibers may be mixed in concrete mixtures for increased tensile strength.

By using the fibers in the mixture the fibers are mixed completely from the top to
the bottom of the slab.
Cost is comparable to the price of welded wire fabric.

Footings and foundations

A.

B.

C.
D.
$
$
$

E.

No substitute for an adequate foundation, which is the key part of

every building.
Adequate footing provides a stable base and directly affects both
the life and performance of the building.
Protects against rats, mice termites, water and the elements.
Foundation consists of:
Its bed B the earth giving support
Its footing B the widened part of the structure resting upon the bed
Its wall B the structural part resting upon the footing.

The size of the footing depends on the load-carrying capacity of

the soil and the weight of the building and its contents.

Footings and foundations

Load-carrying capacities of Soils
Type of soil

Tons per sq. ft.

Soft clay

Firm clay or fine sand

Compact fine or loose coarse sand

Loose gravel or compact coarse

sand

Compacted sand-gravel mixture

Footings and foundations

F. Approximate ratio of foundations size to the wall it
supports.
$
$

G.

Footing thickness the same as foundation wall thickness.

Footing width is equal to twice the thickness of the foundation
wall.

Foundation should be reinforced with rebar to increase the

strength of the concrete.

Care of concrete forms

A. Forms should be coated with used motor oil.
B. Use paraffin oil diluted with kerosene or benzene if the
concrete is to be painted or stuccoed.
C. Form must be braced to prevent bulging.
D. Form should not be removed until the concrete is strong
enough to stand alone (time varies with weather).
E. Do not saw into the top of the form.
F. Do not allow concrete trucks to bump or run over the
forms.
G. Be careful in removing forms as to not damage concrete.

A.

Stake

G.

B.

Brace

H.

C.

Tie, 1" x 4"

I.

D.

Sheathing

J.

Tie, Snap
Spreader
Tie, Wire
Footing

Joints Commonly
Used in Concrete Construction

Control Joints

Reinforcing Affects: Strength of Concrete Structures

Reinforce Concrete to Increase Tensile Strength

Reinforcing For Concrete

Steel
Reinforcing Bars (Re-Rod)
20' Lengths
Sizes
Number
2
3
8
9* 10*
11*
Inches 1/4 3/8 2 5/8
1 1/8 1 1/4

3/4 7/8 1

* Equivalent to Square Cross Section

Area
Tensile Strength
70,000 - 90,000 PSI

Reinforce For Concrete

Wire Fabric
5' X 150' Rolls
T
inches

Mesh
6" X 6"
10, 8, 6 & 4 Gage
4" X 4"
13, 10 & 4 Gage

Tensile Strength
60,000 - 70,00 PSI

Installation
Overlap 1 mesh plus
2

Concrete is strengthened greatly by the addition of

steel rods or wire mesh

The footer should be as thick as the wall resting on it is wide.

The footer should also be at least twice as wide as the wall.
Concrete footers are placed below the frost line to provide a
solid base for masonry walls.

Patio Block 1' X 1'

Construction Procedure
1.
Determine quality of sand with silt and
organic matter test. (Quality Concrete manual page 4 and 5).
2.
Determine moisture in sand (pages 8 and 9) & make corrections in mix if needed.
3.
Weigh sand & gravel & place in mixer.
4.
Weigh cement and place in mixer.
5.
Mix dry ingredients.
Materials
6. Measure water and add to mixer.
1. 7 lbs. grey Portland cement
2. 20 lbs. washed sand
8. Oil patio block mold.
3. 3 lbs. or 3 pints water
9. Fill mold three-fourths full and vibrat
4. Quality Concrete manual, HoBar
Shake
#164
10. Fill mold and vibrate or shake
5. Fiberglass mold, HoBar #1273
11. Screed concrete level with bottom o
6. Five gallon concrete mixer, HoBar
12. Float or trowel concrete surface.
#M-58
13. Keep concrete in mold for 20-40 hours.
7. Scale and measure
14. Place plywood pallet on concrete surface.
8. Brush and form oil
15. Turn mold and pallet over.
9. Vibrating table, Quality Concrete
16. Gently tap mold with rubber mallet.
manual, page 27
17. Lift mold from concrete.
10. Screed
18. Place in water tank for curing or cover with
11. Wood float, magnesium float or steel
trowel, HoBar No=s. M-44, M-145 &
MMX-64
Name:
12. Exterior plywood pallet
13. Colored pigment, if desired
Evaluation:
Operation Teaches: ability to . . .
1. Determine organic matter, test on sand.
2. Determine silt test on sand.

Item

Possible

Evaluation Score Sheet

Earned
1. Silt test

10
3. Determine moisture content of sand.
4. Weigh and measure ingredients.

2. Organic matter test

3. Moisture content of sand

5. Mix concrete.

4. Proper mix

6. Oil the mold.

5. Proper mixing procedure

7. Screed and vibrate concrete.

6. Surface appearance & finish

8. Finish the surface of the concrete.

7. Cleaning of equipment and

9. Remove patio block from the mold.

10. Cure the patio block.

molds

8. Safety & work h

10
11. Color concrete by sprinkling, topping or

Total