Title: Philosophy of Formwork in Civil Engineering

Author(s): Kennedth G. Jessop

Publication: Journal Proceedings

Volume: 70

Issue: 8

Appears on pages(s): 571-581

Keywords: bridge piers: bridges (structures); columns (supports) ; concrete construction; docks: formwork (construction);prestressed concrete: reinforced concrete: steels (other than reinforcing steels) ; tunnel linings.

DOI: 10.14359/11230

Date: 8/1/1973

Abstract:
The paper refers to the need for product research, improved plant and the adoption of advanced construction techniques to offset variations in material economics, the growing famine in skills, both at craft and professional levels, and the escalating costs of labor. A further incentive for plant development stems from the dramatic changes in the size, type and location of large structures, an example of this being the construction of an elevated freeway in a high density urban situation. The author describes and illustrates several such problems, together with the solutions adopted, of projects completed in Britain where the particular geographical, environmental and economic considerations have produced a high concentration of the type of problem under discussion. Emphasis is placed on the unlikelihood of the many individual construction difficulties arising from current conditions being satisfied by standard techniques and equipment and the need for early participation by the formwork engineer to allow full impact of his expertise to the benefit of the overall contract.