Title:
Tunnels in Paradise
Author(s):
Mark Hirschi, Baldridge & Associates Structural Engineering
Publication:
Web Session
Volume:
ws_F19_Hirschi.pdf
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
Keywords:
DOI:
Date:
10/23/2019
Abstract:
As contractors and developers in Hawaii seek opportunities to squeeze additional productivity out of the construction schedule, many have begun to turn to tunnel forms in search of an edge over the competition. This specialty forming system allows contractors to cast walls and slabs in the same sequence, eliminating a pour and allowing contractors to cycle formwork more quickly. Additionally, with their closely spaced concrete walls tunnel forms offer further time savings as less interior build-out remains to be constructed after the concrete is poured and significantly less reshoring is typically required. However, tunnel forms are not without their challenges. When done correctly, tunnel form construction can result in significant time and cost savings, as exemplified by several recent projects completed in Hawaii.