Concrete is the most used man-made material in the world and is the fundamental physical medium for most of the world’s architecture and construction. The character of concrete is largely the product of the rigid moulds that have shaped it since its invention in antiquity. The advent of flexible moulds, however, marks a radical break from conventional practice – and conventional concrete architecture. The Fabric Formwork Book provides the first comprehensive handbook on the emerging technology of flexible moulds for reinforced concrete architecture. Written by the foremost expert in the field, this book takes a comprehensive and generous approach that includes technical, historical and theoretical aspects of the subject. The book: concentrates on simple flat-sheet formworks contains detailed technical descriptions of how to construct a wide range of formworks for various applications features case studies from around the world critiques the difficulties and advantages in each case it covers provides instruction and guidance on how to model and design fabric-formed structures includes the most comprehensive history of fabric formwork yet published features essays from guest expert authors, which explore the theoretical, historical, and poetic significance of flexibly formed architecture and structures discusses fabric formwork as an exemplary approach to sustainable construction through its simplicity and efficiency. Beautifully designed and illustrated with a superb range of images, diagrams and technical drawings, the book both informs and inspires. Speaking directly and plainly to professionals, students and academics, the language used is both clear and precise, and care is taken to avoid opaque technical or academic jargon. Technical terms, when used, are clearly described and a special glossary is included to make the book as widely accessible as possible.

Fabric-cast concrete involves casting concrete in forms made with flexible formwork. This provides the potential to produce forms that are both structurally efficient and architecturally exciting in a relatively inexpensive and practical manner. By careful shaping of the fabric it is possible to produce complex shapes that would otherwise be difficult and expensive to produce using conventional formwork systems. This book contains six essays that describe the collaboration between the Universities of Edinburgh and East London, together with the Centre for Architectural and Structural Technology (CAST) at the University of Manitoba, in their detailed and practical research into concrete casting and formwork. Richly illustrated with photographs and diagrams and containing new and innovative research this book offers the architect, engineer and student inspiration and technical guidance in this re-emerging material.

Offers insights on currently-used concrete formwork structures, from classification, system components and materials' properties to selection and construction requirements and procedures, while considering product quality, labour, safety and economic factors throughout. The text details hand-set, crane-dependent and crane-independent systems.

A classic examination of superb design through the centuries. Widely regarded as a classic in the field, Experiencing Architecture explores the history and promise of good design. Generously illustrated with historical examples of designing excellence—ranging from teacups, riding boots, and golf balls to the villas of Palladio and the fish-feeding pavilion of Beijing's Winter Palace—Rasmussen's accessible guide invites us to appreciate architecture not only as a profession, but as an art that shapes everyday experience. In the past, Rasmussen argues, architecture was not just an individual pursuit, but a community undertaking. Dwellings were built with a natural feeling for place, materials and use, resulting in “a remarkably suitable comeliness.” While we cannot return to a former age, Rasmussen notes, we can still design spaces that are beautiful and useful by seeking to understand architecture as an art form that must be experienced. An understanding of good design comes not only from one's professional experience of architecture as an abstract, individual pursuit, but also from one's shared, everyday experience of architecture in real time—its particular use of light, color, shape, scale, texture, rhythm and sound. Experiencing Architecture reminds us of what good architectural design has accomplished over time, what it can accomplish still, and why it is worth pursuing. Wide-ranging and approachable, it is for anyone who has ever wondered “what instrument the architect plays on.”

Permeable framework is a special class of lined formwork used to produce improvements in the strength and durability of concrete. The bracing and the liner in the formwork are engineered to resist the pressure of plastic (or fresh) concrete, but to allow trapped air and excess water to pass through and be removed during concrete placement and consolidation. The objective in using permeable formwork is to eliminate voids on the surface of the concrete (bug holes) and to increase the strength and durability of the concrete surface immediately behind the formwork. A review of permeable formwork and its use in placing concrete was conducted. Methods, techniques, and materials are discussed, and example applications are described. Benefits of using permeable formwork include a reduction in bug holes and surface defects, improved resistance to freezing and thawing, reduced rates of surface carbonation and chloride-ion infiltration, increased surface strength, reduced form coating requirements, reduced efforts in curing, and reduced surface preparation for coating. The cost of using permeable formwork varies greatly among job sites. However, the cost of using permeable formwork will generally be double that for conventional impermeable formwork. Cost savings can be realized in the extended life of any wooden formwork used behind the filter fabric, the ability to proceed without applying form-release compounds, the decreased cost of final surface preparation (if coatings are to be applied to the finished concrete), and the increased service life of the finished concrete.

Structure and Fabric Part 2 consolidates and develops the construction principles introduced in Part 1. With generous use of illustrations this book provides a thorough treatment of the techniques used in the construction of various types of building. This new edition has been thoroughly reviewed and updated with reference to recent changes in building regulations, national and European standards and related research papers. The comprehensive presentation provides guidance on established and current practice, including the administrative procedures necessary for the construction of buildings.

Concrete has been used in arches, vaults, and domes dating as far back as the Roman Empire. Today, it is everywhere—in our roads, bridges, sidewalks, walls, and architecture. For each person on the planet, nearly three tons of concrete are produced every year. Used almost universally in modern construction, concrete has become a polarizing material that provokes intense loathing in some and fervent passion in others. Focusing on concrete’s effects on culture rather than its technical properties, Concrete and Culture examines the ways concrete has changed our understanding of nature, of time, and even of material. Adrian Forty concentrates not only on architects’ responses to concrete, but also takes into account the role concrete has played in politics, literature, cinema, labor-relations, and arguments about sustainability. Covering Europe, North and South America, and the Far East, Forty examines the degree that concrete has been responsible for modernist uniformity and the debates engendered by it. The first book to reflect on the global consequences of concrete, Concrete and Culture offers a new way to look at our environment over the past century.

The definitive guide to formwork design, materials, and methods--fully updated Formwork for Concrete Structures, Fourth Edition, provides current information on designing and building formwork and temporary structures during the construction process. Developed with the latest structural design recommendations by the National Design Specification (NDS 2005), the book covers recent advances in materials, money- and energy-saving strategies, safety guidelines, OSHA regulations, and dimensional tolerances. Up-to-date sample problems illustrate practical applications for calculating loads and stresses. This comprehensive manual also includes new summary tables and equations and a directory of suppliers. Formwork for Concrete Structures, Fourth Edition, covers: Economy of formwork Pressure of concrete on formwork Properties of form material Form design Shores and scaffolding Failures of formwork Forms for footings, walls, and columns Forms for beams and floor slabs Patented forms for concrete floor systems Forms for thin-shell roof slabs Forms for architectural concrete Slipforms Forms for concrete bridge decks Flying deck forms