Title: Meeting the Formwork Requirements for a Challenging Structure

Author(s): Eric Peterson

Publication: Concrete International

Volume: 32

Issue: 1

Appears on pages(s): 42-48

Keywords: self-consolidating concrete, shop drawings, high-density overlay.

DOI:

Date: 1/1/2010

Abstract:
The Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland, CA, incorporates curved and battered perimeter concrete walls that function structurally and as exposed architectural finishes. The walls were constructed using self-consolidating concrete because of reinforcing bar congestion and the need to product crisp details at many acute corners and recesses while maintaining a nearly uniform appearance. Creation of the formwork required the production of accurate shop drawings for each wall elevation, showing reveals, seam locations, openings, and embedded features. Studs and wales were closely spaced and the form sheathing comprised two layers of plywood. The plywood layer in contact with the concrete had a high-density overlay and was back-screwed so that no fasteners were used on the finish side.