Fresh concrete pressure for free-form structural concrete components- An innovative design concept for formwork systems

摘要

Structural concrete components with inclined and/or curved surfaces are becoming increasingly popular in contemporary architecture (Fig. 1). Such concrete structures have long been the state of the art in structural engineering; they are used in many different fields, including for reservoirs and tunnel segments. Such elements are usually produced with double-faced formwork and impose demanding requirements on both formwork technology and the actual construction process. The design of formwork systems is largely determined by fresh concrete pressure, which results from the own weight of the concrete prior to its setting. Concreting pressure thus constitutes the main action that determines formwork and scaffold design.