Vulnerable to chemical reactions with raw alkaline concrete if untreated 5. Construction and Execution Best Practices
Unlike mandatory building codes, ACI 347R-14 is a guide. However, its specifications are routinely incorporated into legally binding contract documents and project specifications worldwide. 2. Structural Design Principles for Formwork
If you are a formwork engineer, you do not just want the 40-page guide; you want the 500-page manual that is built upon it.
The official document can be purchased directly from the American Concrete Institute bookstore. Does ACI 347R-14 cover slipforming? aci 347r14 guide to formwork for concrete pdf
ACI 347R-14 presents recommendations for the design, construction, and materials used in formwork. The document is structured to assist professionals in preparing formwork specifications and ensuring temporary structures can safely withstand all loads during construction. Key Objectives of the Guide
The primary objective of ACI 347R-14 is to provide engineers, contractors, and inspectors with a comprehensive, state-of-the-art guide for the design, erection, use, and removal of formwork. Unlike a prescriptive standard that dictates specific materials or dimensions, this document serves as a “guide,” offering recommended practices based on decades of research and field experience. It covers all major aspects of formwork for structural concrete, including materials (timber, steel, aluminum, and modern polymer systems), design loads, lateral pressure on vertical forms, shoring and reshoring strategies, and safe stripping times.
One of the most vital sections of ACI 347R-14 details the calculation of loads that formwork must resist. Formwork must be designed as a temporary structure capable of supporting vertical loads, horizontal loads, and lateral concrete pressures. Vertical Loads Vertical loads consist of dead loads and live loads: Vulnerable to chemical reactions with raw alkaline concrete
This article is for informational purposes only. Always consult a licensed professional engineer for specific formwork designs. ACI standards are subject to copyright; purchase official copies for legal use.
ACI 347R-14 is a committee report that provides recommendations for the design, construction, and materials used in formwork. It outlines the responsibilities of both the design engineer and the contractor, ensuring a collaborative approach to safety and structural performance.
A contractor plans to pour a 12-foot-tall wall at a rate of 4 feet per hour, using Type I cement at 70°F. ACI 347R-14’s wall pressure formula yields a maximum lateral pressure of 600 psf. Without the guide, an engineer might incorrectly assume full hydrostatic pressure (~750 psf), overdesigning the forms and wasting money—or worse, underestimate and cause a blowout. Does ACI 347R-14 cover slipforming
The guide provides comprehensive guidance for both engineers and contractors across several critical areas:
Designers must consider the following load combinations (typically expressed in pounds per square foot or PSF):