Title: Prestressed Fabric Formwork for Precast Concrete Panels

Author(s): Mark West

Publication: Concrete International

Volume: 26

Issue: 4

Appears on pages(s): 60-62

Keywords: Precast; fabric formwork; direct-cast panels; inverted shell panels

DOI:

Date: 4/1/2004

Abstract:
Unlike conventional formwork, which is typically rigid and prismatic, fabric formwork is flexible. The flexible textile membranes that compose fabric formwork are allowed to deflect under the weight of the concrete they contain, thus producing concrete members that are defined by three-dimensional curves rather than planar surfaces. This article describes two new methods for creating precast concrete panels using fabric formwork that is prestressed.