CONCRETE FORMING

DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION GUIDE

A PA
THE ENGINEERED
WOOD ASSOCIATION
 WOOD
The Miracle Material™
Wood is the right choice for a host of construction applications. It is the
earth’s natural, energy efficient and renewable building material.
Engineered wood is a better use of wood. The miracle in today’s wood
products is that they make more efficient use of the wood fiber resource
to make stronger plywood, oriented strand board, I-joists, glued laminated
timbers, and laminated veneer lumber. That’s good for the environment, and good for
designers seeking strong, efficient, and striking building design.

A few facts about wood.

■ We’re not running out of trees. One-third of the United States land base
– 731 million acres – is covered by forests. About two-thirds of that 731
million acres is suitable for repeated planting and harvesting of timber. But
only about half of the land suitable for growing timber is open to logging.
Most of that harvestable acreage also is open to other uses, such as
camping, hiking, and hunting. Forests fully cover one-half of Canada’s land mass. Of
this forestland, nearly half is considered productive, or capable of producing timber on a
sustained yield basis. Canada has the highest per capita accumulation of protected natural
areas in the world – areas including national and provincial parks.
■ We’re growing more wood every day. American landowners plant
more than two billion trees every year. In addition, millions of trees seed
naturally. The forest products industry, which comprises about 15 percent
of forestland ownership, is responsible for 41 percent of replanted forest
acreage. That works out to more than one billion trees a year, or about
three million trees planted every day. This high rate of replanting accounts for the fact that
each year, 27 percent more timber is grown than is harvested. Canada’s replanting record
shows a fourfold increase in the number of trees planted between 1975 and 1990.
■ Manufacturing wood is energy efficient.

Percent of Percent of
Wood products made up 47 percent of all Material Production Energy Use
industrial raw materials manufactured in the
Wood 47 4
United States, yet consumed only 4 percent
Steel 23 48
of the energy needed to manufacture all
industrial raw materials, according to Aluminum 2 8
a 1987 study.
■ Good news for a healthy planet. For every ton of wood grown,
a young forest produces 1.07 tons of oxygen and absorbs 1.47 tons of
carbon dioxide.
Wood, the miracle material for the environment, NOTICE:
for design, and for strong, lasting construction. The recommendations in
this guide apply only to

A PA
THE EN
RED
GINEE TION
IA
panels that bear the APA
trademark. Only panels
ASSOC
WOOD bearing the APA trademark
ING are subject to the
SHEATH CH
RATED 15/32 IN Association’s quality
32/1D6FOR SPACING auditing program.
SIZE RE 1
EXPOSU
000 PRP-10
8
C-D
PS 1-95
 CONTENTS

Selecting and Specifying

Concrete Form Panels . . . . . . . . 4

Form Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . 9
oncrete formwork represents close to

C half the cost of a concrete structure. Form

development, therefore, warrants serious
and detailed engineering consideration.
The realization of architectural intent, similarly, is
related to formwork quality. The form is to struc-
Form Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Engineering Data . . . . . . . . . . .17

Case Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

ture what a mold is to sculpture, and it follows that

a concrete building or other structure will be as
aesthetically true as the form that shapes it.
This APA publication is intended for use by archi-
tects, engineers and contractors in their pursuit of
successful, cost-effective concrete structures. It
contains APA panel grade information, form main-
tenance recommendations, design data and several
project case histories.
For additional information on APA panel grades,
applications or member manufacturers, contact
APA or visit the Association’s web site at
www.apawood.org.
The following books also are recommended for
additional concrete formwork information:
Formwork for Concrete, M.K. Hurd,
copyright 1995 by the American Concrete Institute
Formwork for Concrete Structures,
R.L. Peurifoy and Garold Oberlender,
copyright 1995 by McGraw-Hill

©2004 APA-The Engineered Wood Association

SELECTING AND Structural I Plyform. Each may be HDO Plyform
SPECIFYING CONCRETE ordered with a High Density Overlaid This Plyform panel meets the same
FORM PANELS surface on one or both sides. Plyform general specifications as Plyform
Class I is also available as Structural I Structural I or Class I or Class II. All
General Plyform when additional strength is classes of HDO Plyform have a hard,
Virtually any Exterior type APA panel needed. semi-opaque surface of thermo-set
can be used for concrete formwork Plyform Class I resin-impregnated material that forms
because all such panels are manufac- Class I Plyform has Group 1 faces for a durable, continuous bond with the
tured with waterproof glue. For concrete high strength and stiffness. See Tables 3 plywood. The abrasion-resistant surface
forming the plywood industry produces and 4 for load capacities. should be treated with a release agent
a special product called Plyform,® which prior to its first use and between each
Structural I Plyform
is recommended for most general form- pour to preserve the surface and facili-
This concrete forming panel is made
ing uses. The term is proprietary and tate easy stripping.
with Group 1 wood species throughout
may be applied only to specific products HDO Plyform is most often specified
– the strongest. All other factors being
which bear the trademark of APA – The when the smoothest possible concrete
equal, it will support the highest loads
Engineered Wood Association. All Plyform finishes are desired, because the panel
both along and across the panel. It is
panels are Exterior type made with C or has a hard, smooth surface. It can
specifically designed for engineered
better veneer and waterproof glue. impart a nearly polished concrete sur-
applications and is recommended where
MDO and HDO are names the plywood face grain is parallel to supports. See face. Both sides of HDO are moisture
industry uses to describe overlaid sur- Table 5 and 6 for load capacities. resistant but cannot always be used to
faces. MDO means “Medium Density form concrete with equal effectiveness
Plyform Class II
Overlay” and HDO means “High unless specifically made for that pur-
Class II Plyform may have Group 2 faces
Density Overlay.” During plywood pro- pose. Scratches and dents in the backs
but still provides adequate strength for
duction, these overlays are bonded to caused by fastening the panels to the
most forming applications. Check with
the plywood under high heat and pres- supports may make the use of both
supplier for availability.
sure in a press. The function of the sides impractical. Various grades of
overlay is to add stability, repel foreign B-B Plyform HDO Plyform may be available; check
substances from the surface and provide Nonoverlaid Plyform is usually made with your supplier. With reasonable
a smoother and more durable forming with B grade veneer face and back and care, HDO Plyform will normally pro-
surface. The thermo-set resins used in referred to as “B-B Plyform.” It is avail- duce 20 to 50 reuses or more. Some
overlay production are hard and resist able as Structural I, Class I or Class II. concrete-forming specialists achieve 200
water, chemicals and abrasion. HDO The panels are sanded on both sides or more reuses with good results.
is most often specified where the and treated with a release agent at the
Medium Density Overlay
smoothest possible concrete finish and mill (called “mill oiled”) unless other-
Special proprietary grades of MDO are
maximum number of reuses is desired. wise specified.
available for concrete forming. Regular
Unless the mill treatment is reasonably MDO is intended for use as a paint surface
Plywood Grades
fresh when the panels are first used, the and should not be used for concrete form-
Plyform is Exterior-type plywood limited
plywood may require another treatment ing. Panels are typically overlaid on only
to certain wood species and veneer
of release agent. It is also important to one side, although they can be pro-
grades to assure high performance.
apply a top-quality edge sealer before duced with MDO on both sides.
Products bearing this specific identifi-
the first pour. Plyform panels can be Proprietary MDO concrete form ply-
cation are available in three basic grades:
ordered edge-sealed from the mill. wood is normally factory-treated with a
Plyform Class I, Plyform Class II and
Five to ten reuses of B-B Plyform release agent and edge-sealed to protect
are common. the edges from water absorption. The

4 ©2004 APA-The Engineered Wood Association

abrasion-resistant surface should be damage in the stripping process. Film-
treated with a release agent prior to its coatings, such as lacquer, polyurethane
first use and between each pour to or epoxy, can be used with a release
preserve the surface and facilitate agent to make stripping easier.
easy stripping. MDO form panels
create a matte or flat finish on Plywood Tolerances
the concrete surface. Plywood is an engineered product,
manufactured to exacting tolerances
Related Grades
under U.S. Product Standard PS 1-95.
Additional plywood grades specifically
A tolerance of plus 0.0 inch and minus
designed for concrete forming include
1/16 inch is allowed on the specified
special overlay panels and proprietary
width and/or length. Sanded Plyform
panels. These panels are designed to
panels are manufactured with a
produce a smooth, uniform concrete
thickness tolerance of plus or minus
surface. Some proprietary panels are
1/64 inch of the specified panel
made of Group 1 wood species only,
thickness for 3/4 inch and less, and
and have thicker face and back veneers
plus or minus 3 percent of the
than those normally used. These pro-
specified thickness for panels
vide greater parallel-to-face grain
thicker than 3/4 inch.
strength and stiffness for the panel.
Faces may be specially treated or Overlaid Plyform panels have a
coated with a release agent. Check plus or minus tolerance of 1/32 inch
with the manufacturer for design for all thicknesses through 13/16 inch.
specifications and surface treatment Thicker panels have a tolerance
recommendations. of 5 percent over or under the
specified thickness.
case, two 3/4-inch sanded panels, both
Special Textures
For squareness, the Product Standard within manufacturing tolerances, could
Plywood is manufactured in many
requires panels to be square within form a joint with a 1/32-inch variation
surface textures, ranging from the pol-
1/64 inch per nominal foot of length in surface level from panel to panel.
ished High Density Overlaid plywood
when measured corner to corner along Realignment of panels and shimming
to patterned board-and-batten siding
the diagonal, for panels 4 feet and are quick, easy solutions.
panels. Working with these special
greater in length.
panels, and with field-applied patterns, Concrete Surface Characteristics
virtually any texture can be created. For edge straightness, panels must be
Surface dusting of concrete has occa-
manufactured so that a straight line
Exterior-type textured plywood usually sionally been observed in concrete
drawn from one corner to an adjacent
is applied in two ways in formwork poured against a variety of forming
corner shall fall within 1/16 inch of the
design: (1) as a liner requiring plywood materials, including plywood. There
panel edge.
backing so that the liner delivers tex- appears to be no single reason – the
ture, but contributes little to the struc- These tolerances, and consistent levels soft, chalky surface has been traced to
ture of the formwork, or (2) as the basic of quality required by APA – The a variety of possible causes, including
forming panel. In the second case, the Engineered Wood Association, help mini- excess oil, dirt, dew, smog, unusually
best reports come from projects where mize the time and labor required in hot, dry climactic conditions, and
the number of pours required is limited, building forms. Good construction chemical reactions between the form
because the textured surface can practices dictate an awareness of the surface and the concrete.
increase necessary stripping forces tolerances at the jobsite. In an extreme
and, therefore, the possibility of panel

5 ©2004 APA-The Engineered Wood Association

There may be other factors involved in On rare occasions, other discolorations Special surface requirements should
dusting. The problem appears to occur have been observed in new concrete. be stated after the standard form of the
at certain seasons of the year and in For example, iron salts resulting from order. Weights of surfacing material
specific localities and with certain iron sulfides and ferrous oxides in slag include High Density 60-60 (standard
concrete mixes. Dusting during cold cement have been found to stain con- weight) and other variations such as
weather pouring may result from crete a greenish-blue color, particularly 90-60, 120-60, or 120-120.
additives used in the concrete to protect when large, continuous, smooth and
against freezing. Too much water in the airtight form surfaces are used. Metric Conversions
Metric equivalents of nominal
mix can cause laitance which, in effect, Both occurrence and intensity of color thicknesses and common sizes of wood
is dusting. Excess vibration can con- seem to be related to the length of time structural panels are tabulated below
tribute to the same problem. between application of release agents to (1 inch = 25.4 millimeters).
Various means of rectifying the problem forms and pouring of concrete, as well
have been successful. Preventive mea- as to the length of time before the forms
sures include proper form storage (cool, are stripped. It has been suggested that
PANEL NOMINAL DIMENSIONS
dry conditions) and cleanliness (avoid- loosening or opening the forms at the (WIDTH X LENGTH)
ing needless exposure to dust, oil and earliest possible time after placing the m
ft mm (approx.)
weathering). If dusting occurs, a fine concrete would prevent the occurrence
4x8 1220 x 2440 1.22 x 2.44
water spray is reported to help speed of discoloration in slag concrete. The
4x9 1220 x 2740 1.22 x 2.74
surface hardening. The State of discoloration usually fades and disap-
4 x 10 1220 x 3050 1.22 x 3.05
California Department of Transportation pears with time. Hydrogen peroxide
reports that “…rather than attempt to solutions have been reported useful in
employ inconvenient methods of pre- removing the color, particularly when
venting dusting, final results will be applied to the concrete immediately
satisfactory if affected areas are subse- after form removal. PANEL NOMINAL THICKNESS
quently cured for a few days with water Ferrous sulfides in the coarse aggregate, in. mm
in a spray fine enough not to erode the such as pyrite and marcasite, can cause 1/4 6.4
soft surface.” Other concrete specialists rust-colored stains on the concrete. 5/16 7.9
have recommended surface treatment 11/32 8.7
solutions such as magnesium fluorosili- Suggested Method of Ordering 3/8 9.5
cate or sodium silicate. The best method of ordering Plyform 7/16 11.1

Staining is occasionally observed on is to state the Class, number of pieces, 15/32 11.9

concrete poured against HDO plywood width, length, thickness and grade. 1/2 12.7

forms. The reddish or pinkish stain is a For example: “APA Plyform Class I, 19/32 15.1

fugitive dye, and usually disappears with 100 pcs. 48 x 96 x 5/8 B-B Exterior 5/8 15.9

exposure to sunlight and air. type, mill oiled.” Concrete form panels 23/32 18.3
are mill treated with release agents 3/4 19.1
Where sunlight cannot reach the stain,
unless otherwise specified. Even so, it 7/8 22.2
natural bleaching takes longer. House-
is good practice to indicate treatment 1 25.4
hold bleaching agents such as Clorox or
requirements when ordering. 1-3/32 27.8
Purex (5% solutions of sodium
When ordering overlaid plywood, the 1-1/8 28.6
hypochlorite), followed by clear-water
flushing, have been found effective in basic descriptions should be specified –
hastening stain removal. High Density Overlay (HDO), for exam-
ple. The number of pieces, size and
thickness should be noted in the
same way as Plyform.

6 ©2004 APA-The Engineered Wood Association

GRADE-USE GUIDE FOR CONCRETE FORMS*
Veneer Grade
Use These Terms When Typical
You Specify Plywood Description Trademarks Faces Inner Plies Backs

APA Specifically manufactured for concrete B C B

B-B PLYFORM forms. Many reuses. Smooth, solid A PA
Class I & II** surfaces. Mill-treated unless THE ENGINEERED
WOOD ASSOCIATION
otherwise specified.
PLYFORM
B-B CLASS 1
EXTERIOR
000
PS 1-95

APA Hard, semi-opaque resin-fiber HDO • B-B • PLYFORM I • 60/60 • EXT-APA • 000 • PS 1-95 B C-Plugged B
High Density Overlaid overlay, heat-fused to panel faces.
PLYFORM Smooth surface resists abrasion. Up
Class I & II** to 200 reuses. Light application of
releasing agent recommended
between pours.

APA Especially designed for engineered B C or B

STRUCTURAL I applications. All Group 1 species. A PA
THE ENGINEERED
C-Plugged
PLYFORM** Stronger and stiffer than Plyform Class I WOOD ASSOCIATION
and II. Recommended for high pressures
where face grain is parallel to supports. STRUCTURAL I
PLYFORM
Also available with High Density
Overlay faces.
B-B CLASS I
EXTERIOR
000
PS 1-95

Special Overlays, Produces a smooth uniform concrete surface.

proprietary panels Generally mill treated with form release
and Medium Density agent. Check with manufacturer for
Overlaid plywood specifications, proper use, and surface
specifically designed for treatment recommendations for greatest
concrete forming.** number of reuses.

APA Sanded panel often used for concrete B C C

B-C EXT forming where only one smooth, solid A PA
side is required. THE ENGINEERED
WOOD ASSOCIATION

B-C GROUP 1

EXTERIOR
000
PS 1-95

* Commonly available in 19/32", 5/8", 23/32" and 3/4" panel thicknesses (4' x 8' size).
** Check dealer for availability in your area.

7 ©2004 APA-The Engineered Wood Association

©2004 APA-The Engineered Wood Association
FORM Plywood stack handling equipment and A “chemically reactive” release agent
MAINTENANCE small trailers for hauling and storing will give overlaid panels the longest life
panels between jobs will minimize han- and should be applied prior to the first
Stripping dling time and damage possibilities. pour. Some concrete additives may
Metal bars or pry bars should not be During storage, the stacks of plywood degrade overlays. Check with the
used on plywood because they will panels should be kept out of the sun manufacturer and see sidebar, page 11.
damage the panel surface and edge. Use and rain, or covered loosely to allow The selection of a release agent should
wood wedges, tapping gradually when air circulation without heat build-up. be made with an awareness of the prod-
necessary. Plywood’s strength, light Panels no longer suited for formwork uct’s influence on the finished surface
weight and large panel size help reduce may be saved for use in subflooring or of the concrete. For example, some
stripping time. Cross-laminated wall and roof sheathing if their release agents including waxes or sili-
construction resists edge splitting. condition permits. cones should not be used where the
Specially coated panels with long-lasting concrete is to be painted. The finished
Cleaning and Release
Agent Application finishes that make stripping easier and architectural appearance should be
Soon after removal, plywood forms reduce maintenance costs are available. considered when selecting the
should be inspected for wear, cleaned, They should be handled carefully to form surface treatment.
repaired, spot primed, refinished and assure maximum number of reuses. Plywood form coatings, such as
lightly treated with a form-release agent Hairline cracks or splits may occur in lacquers, resin or plastic base com-
before reusing. Use a hardwood wedge the face ply. These “checks” may be pounds and similar field coatings some-
and a stiff fiber brush for cleaning (a more pronounced after repeated use of times are used to form a hard, dry,
metal brush may cause wood fibers to the form. Checks do not mean the water-resistant film on plywood forms.
“wool”). Light tapping on the back side plywood is delaminating. A thorough The performance level of these coatings
with a hammer will generally remove a program of form maintenance including is generally rated somewhere between
hard scale of concrete. On prefabricated careful storage to assure slow drying will B-B Plyform and High Density Overlaid
forms, plywood panel faces (when the minimize face checking. plywood. In most cases the need for
grade is suitable) may be reversed if application of release agents between
damaged, and tie holes may be patched Coatings and Agents pours is reduced by the field-applied
with metal plates, plugs or plastic mate- Protective sealant coatings and release
coatings, and many contractors report
rials. Nails should be removed and agents for plywood increase form life
obtaining significantly greater reuse than
holes filled with patching plaster, plastic and aid in stripping. “Mill-oiled”
with the B-B Plyform, but generally
wood, or other suitable materials. Plyform panels may require only a light
fewer than with HDO plywood.
coating of release agent between uses.
Handling and Storage Specifications should be checked before Mill-coated products of various kinds
Care should be exercised to prevent using any release agent on the forms. are available, in addition to “mill-oiled”
panel chipping, denting and corner Plyform. Some plywood manufacturers
A form release agent, applied a few days
damage during handling. Panels should suggest no release agents with their
before the plywood is used, then wiped
never be dropped. The forms should be proprietary concrete forming products,
so a thin film remains, will prolong the
carefully piled flat, face to face and back and claim exceptional concrete finishes
life of the plywood form, increase its
to back, for hauling. Forms should be and a large number of reuses.
release characteristics and minimize
cleaned immediately after stripping and
staining.
can be solid-stacked or stacked in small
packages, with faces together. This
slows the drying rate and minimizes
face checking.

9 ©2004 APA-The Engineered Wood Association

FORM DESIGN Pressures on Column slab thickness. Table 2 gives minimum
and Wall Forms design loads which represent average
Introduction Table 1 shows the lateral pressure for practice when either motorized or
This section presents tables and shows newly placed concrete that should be nonmotorized buggies are used for
how to use them to choose the right used for the design of column and wall placing concrete. These loads include
Plyform thickness for most applications. formwork. This pressure is based on the the effects of concrete, buggies,
It also includes tables for choosing the recommendations of the American and workers.
proper size and spacing of joists, studs, Concrete Institute (ACI). When form-
work is to be designed for exterior vibra- Curved Forms
and wales. See pages 17-20 for technical
tion or to be used in conjunction with Plyform can also be used for curved
information of interest to the form man-
pumped concrete placement systems, forms, as illustrated on page 8. The
ufacturer or the engineer who must
the design pressures listed should following radii have been found to be
design forms having loading conditions
increase in accordance with accepted appropriate minimums for mill-run
and/or deflection criteria not included
concrete industry standards. panels of the thicknesses shown when
in the following tables.
bent dry. Tighter radii can be developed
Though many combinations of frame Concrete form design procedures are
by selecting panels that are free of knots
spacing and plywood thicknesses will based on ACI standard 347-04 (pending
and short grain, and/or by wetting or
meet the structural requirements, it is publication by ACI), which recognizes
steaming. Occasionally, a panel may
probably better to use only one thick- the use of a large number of variables in
develop localized failure at
ness of plywood and then vary the modern concrete designs. These vari-
these tighter radii.
frame spacing for different pressures. ables include the use of various cement
Plyform can be manufactured in various types, admixtures, design slumps, con- Recommended
thicknesses, but 19/32", 5/8", 23/32" crete placement systems, etc. The effect Pressures on Plyform
and 3/4" Plyform Class I panels are most of some of these variables on concrete Recommended maximum pressures
commonly available. Plywood thickness forming pressures is addressed by the on the more common thicknesses of
should be compatible with form tie unit weight coefficient, Cw, and the Plyform Class I are shown in Tables 3
dimensions. For large jobs or those chemistry coefficient, Cc, as shown in and 4. Tables 5 and 6 show pressures
having special requirements, other the Tables 9 and 10. for Structural I Plyform. Calculations for
thicknesses may be preferable, but Concrete pressure is in direct proportion these pressures were based on deflec-
could require a special order. to its density. Pressures shown in Table 1 tion limitations of 1/360th or 1/270th
are based on a density of 150 pounds of the span, or shear or bending
Concrete Pressures strength: whichever provided the most
per cubic foot (pcf). They are appropri-
The required plywood thickness, as conservative (lowest load) value. Use
ate for the usual range of concrete
well as size and spacing of framing, will unshaded columns for design of
poured. For other densities and mixes,
depend on the maximum load. The first architectural concrete forms where
pressures may be adjusted by Cw and Cc
step in form design is to determine appearance is important.
from Tables 9 and 10. For pour rates, R,
maximum concrete pressure. It will
greater than 15 feet/hr, calculate wall
depend on such things as pour rate,
pressures by p = wh. MINIMUM BENDING RADII
concrete temperature, concrete slump,
Plywood Across Parallel
cement type, concrete density, method Loads on Slab Forms Thickness the Grain to Grain
of vibration, and height of form. Forms for concrete slabs must support (in.) (ft) (ft)

workers and equipment (live loads) as 1/4 2 5

5/16 2 6
well as the weight of freshly placed 3/8 3 8
concrete (dead load). Normal weight 1/2 6 12
5/8 8 16
concrete (150 pcf) will place a load on 3/4 12 20
the forms of 12.5 psf for each inch of

10 ©2004 APA-The Engineered Wood Association

 Effect of Admixtures in
TABLE 1 Forming Panels
CONCRETE PRESSURES FOR COLUMN AND WALL FORMS Admixtures are liquids, solids,
Pressures of Vibrated Concrete powders or chemicals added to a
(psf)(a)(b)(d)
50°F (c) 70°F (c)
concrete mix to change the proper-
Walls Walls ties of a basic mix of cement, water
Pour Rate
(ft/hr) Columns To 14' 15' and Over Columns To 14' 15' and Over and coarse aggregate. They can
1 600 600 1070 600 600 810 speed or retard setting times,
2 600 600 1130 600 600 850 increase workability, increase air
3 690 690 1190 600 600 890
4 870 870 1240 660 660 930
content, decrease water permeability,
5 1050 1050 1300 790 720 970 increase strength, etc. Admixtures
6 1230 1230 1350 920 920 1010 include pozzolans such as silica
7 1410 1410 1410 1050 1050 1050
8 1590 1470 1470 1180 1090 1090 fume, blast-furnace slag and fly ash.
9 1770 1520 1520 1310 1130 1130
10 1950 1580 1580 1440 1170 1170
The use of admixtures has become
relatively common and many of
(a) Maximum pressure need not exceed wh, where w is the unit weight of concrete (lb/ft3), and h is
maximum height of pour in feet. these additives increase abrasiveness
(b) Based on Types I and III cement concrete with density of 150 pcf and 7 inch maximum slump,
without additives, and a vibration depth of 4 feet or less. and/or alkalinity of the concrete.
(c) See pages 17 and 18 for additional information on concrete form pressures. While wood and phenolic overlays
(d) 600 psf is recommended minimum design pressure.
are very resistant to alkaline solutions
and abrasion, the use of admixtures
may significantly decrease the
TABLE 2 “normal” life of a concrete-forming
panel. The examples of reuse life
DESIGN LOADS FOR SLAB FORMS
Design Load (psf) that follow assume standard concrete
Slab Thickness Nonmotorized Motorized mixes with minimal or no use of
(in.) Buggies(a) Buggies(b) admixtures.
4 100(c) 125(c)
5 113 138
6 125 150
7 138 163
8 150 175
9 163 188
10 175 200
(a) Includes 50 psf live load for workers, equipment, impact, etc.
(b) Includes 75 psf live load for workers, equipment, impact, etc.
(c) Minimum design load regardless of concrete weight.

11 ©2004 APA-The Engineered Wood Association

 TABLE 3

RECOMMENDED MAXIMUM PRESSURES ON PLYFORM CLASS I (psf)(a)(c)

FACE GRAIN ACROSS SUPPORTS(b)

Support Plywood Thickness (in.)

Spacing
(in.) 15/32 1/2 19/32 5/8 23/32 3/4 1-1/8
4 2715 2715 2945 2945 3110 3110 3270 3270 4010 4010 4110 4110 5965 5965
8 885 885 970 970 1195 1195 1260 1260 1540 1540 1580 1580 2295 2295
12 355 395 405 430 540 540 575 575 695 695 730 730 1370 1370
16 150 200 175 230 245 305 265 325 345 390 370 410 740 770
20 – 115 100 135 145 190 160 210 210 270 225 285 485 535
24 – – – – – 100 – 110 110 145 120 160 275 340
32 – – – – – – – – – – – – 130 170
(a) Deflection limited to 1/360th of the span, 1/270th where shaded.
(b) Plywood continuous across two or more spans.
(c) ACI recommends a minimum lateral design pressure of 600 Cw but it need not exceed p = wh.

TABLE 4

RECOMMENDED MAXIMUM PRESSURES ON PLYFORM CLASS I (psf)(a)(c)

FACE GRAIN PARALLEL TO SUPPORTS(b)

Support Plywood Thickness (in.)

Spacing
(in.) 15/32 1/2 19/32 5/8 23/32 3/4 1-1/8
4 1385 1385 1565 1565 1620 1620 1770 1770 2170 2170 2325 2325 4815 4815
8 390 390 470 470 530 530 635 635 835 835 895 895 1850 1850
12 110 150 145 195 165 225 210 280 375 400 460 490 1145 1145
16 – – – – – – – 120 160 215 200 270 710 725
20 – – – – – – – – 115 125 145 155 400 400
24 – – – – – – – – – – – 100 255 255
(a) Deflection limited to 1/360th of the span, 1/270th where shaded.
(b) Plywood continuous across two or more spans.
(c) ACI recommends a minimum lateral design pressure of 600 Cw but it need not exceed p = wh.

Though not manufactured specifically panels) use the Plyform Class I tables grade in Group 1 species and determine
for concrete forming, grades of plywood assuming 15/32" Plyform for 32/16 the thickness assuming Plyform Class I.
other than Plyform have been used for panels, 19/32" for 40/20 and When 3/8" textured plywood is used as
forming when thin panels are needed 23/32" for 48/24. a form liner, assume that the plywood
for curved forms. The recommended Textured plywood has been used to backing must carry the entire load.
pressures shown in Tables 3 and 4 give obtain various patterns for architectural In some cases, it may be desirable to
a good estimate of performance for concrete. Many of these panels have use two layers of plywood. The recom-
sanded grades such as APA A-C Exterior some of the face ply removed due to mended pressures shown in Tables 3
and APA B-C Exterior, and unsanded texturing. Consequently, strength and through 6 are additive for more
grades such as APA Rated Sheathing stiffness will be reduced. As textured than one layer.
Exterior and Exposure 1 (CDX) (marked plywood is available in a variety of pat- Tables 3 through 6 are based on the
PS 1), provided face grain is across terns and wood species, it is impossible plywood acting as a continuous beam
supports. For Group 1 sanded grades, to give exact factors for strength and which spans between joists or studs. No
use the tables for Plyform Class I. For stiffness reductions. For approximately blocking is assumed at the unsupported
unsanded grades (Span Rated PS 1 equivalent strength, specify the desired panel edges. Under conditions of high

12 ©2004 APA-The Engineered Wood Association

 TABLE 5

RECOMMENDED MAXIMUM PRESSURES ON STRUCTURAL I PLYFORM (psf)(a)(c)

FACE GRAIN ACROSS SUPPORTS(b)

Support Plywood Thickness (in.)

Spacing
(in.) 15/32 1/2 19/32 5/8 23/32 3/4 1-1/8
4 3560 3560 3925 3925 4110 4110 4305 4305 5005 5005 5070 5070 7240 7240
8 890 890 980 980 1225 1225 1310 1310 1590 1590 1680 1680 2785 2785
12 360 395 410 435 545 545 580 580 705 705 745 745 1540 1540
16 155 205 175 235 245 305 270 330 350 400 375 420 835 865
20 – 115 100 135 145 190 160 215 210 275 230 290 545 600
24 – – – – – 100 – 110 110 150 120 160 310 385
32 – – – – – – – – – – – – 145 190
(a) Deflection limited to 1/360th of the span, 1/270th where shaded.
(b) Plywood continuous across two or more spans.
(c) ACI recommends a minimum lateral design pressure of 600 Cw but it need not exceed p = wh.

TABLE 6

RECOMMENDED MAXIMUM PRESSURES ON STRUCTURAL I PLYFORM (psf)(a)(c)

FACE GRAIN PARALLEL TO SUPPORTS(b)

Support Plywood Thickness (in.)

Spacing
(in.) 15/32 1/2 19/32 5/8 23/32 3/4 1-1/8
4 1970 1970 2230 2230 2300 2300 2515 2515 3095 3095 3315 3315 6860 6860
8 470 530 605 645 640 720 800 865 1190 1190 1275 1275 2640 2640
12 130 175 175 230 195 260 250 330 440 545 545 675 1635 1635
16 – – – – – 110 105 140 190 255 240 315 850 995
20 – – – – – – – 100 135 170 170 210 555 555
24 – – – – – – – – – – – 115 340 355
(a) Deflection limited to 1/360th of the span, 1/270th where shaded.
(b) Plywood continuous across two or more spans.
(c) ACI recommends a minimum lateral design pressure of 600 Cw but it need not exceed p = wh.

moisture or sustained load to the panel What is the maximum support spacing Select Table Giving Maximum Pressure
however, edges may have greater deflec- for 23/32" Plyform Class I for architec- on Plyform: Assume the plywood will
tion than the center of the panel and tural concrete if the wall is 9 feet high? be placed with its face grain across
may exceed the calculated deflection The concrete to be used is made with supports. Therefore, see Table 3.
unless panel edges are supported. For Type I cement, weighs approximately Determine Maximum Support Spacing:
this reason, and to minimize differential 150 lbs per cubic foot, contains no fly Look down the column for 23/32"
deflection between adjacent panels, ash, slag or retarders, has a 4-inch Plyform. It shows 695 psf for supports
some form designers specify blocking slump, and is internally vibrated to a at 12 inches on center. In this case,
at the unsupported edge, particularly depth of 4 feet or less. The safe working 12 inches is the maximum
when face grain is parallel to supports. load of our ties is 2250 lb. recommended support spacing.
Concrete Forming Design Example 1: Find Maximum Concrete Pressure: Step 2 – Selecting Size of
Step 1 – Selection of Plyform Class I Table 1 shows 600 psf pressure for 70° Joists, Studs, and Wales
for Wall Forms and a pour rate of 3 feet per hour. This The loads carried by slab joists, and by
Internally vibrated concrete will be
is less than wh (150 x 9 ft = 1350 psf), wall studs and wales are proportional
placed in wall forms at the rate of 3 feet
therefore, use 600 psf maximum design to their spacings as well as to the
per hour; concrete temperature is 70°.
pressure.

13 ©2004 APA-The Engineered Wood Association

maximum concrete pressure. Tables 7 Step 3 – Selection Assuming No. 2 Douglas-fir or southern
and 8 give design information for lum- of Framing for Wall Forms pine 2x4 studs continuous over 4 sup-
ber framing directly supporting the Design the lumber studs and double ports (3 spans), Table 7 shows a 32"
plywood. Note that the tables show wales for the Plyform selected in Step 1. span for 600 lb per ft. Interpolate when
spans for two conditions: members over Maximum concrete pressure is 600 psf. necessary.
2 or 3 supports (1 or 2 spans) and over Design Studs: Since the plywood must The 2x4 studs must be supported at
4 or more supports (3 or more spans). be supported at 12" on center, space least every 32" on center. For a symmet-
Some forming systems use doubled studs 12" on center. The load carried by rical initial form layout, support the
framing members. Even though Tables 7 each stud equals the concrete pressure studs with wales spaced 24" on center.
and 8 are for single members, these multiplied by the stud spacing in feet:*
Design Double Wales: The load carried
tables can be adapted for use with mul-
12 by the double wales equals the maxi-
tiple members. The example following 600 psf x __ ft = 600 lb per ft
12 mum concrete design pressure multi-
Tables 7 and 8 shows how to account
plied by the wale spacing in feet, or
for these factors. *This method is applicable to most framing
systems. It assumes the maximum concrete 24
pressure is constant over the entire form. Actual 600 psf x __ ft = 1200 lb per ft
distribution is more nearly “trapezoidal”or “trian- 12
gular.” Design methods for these distributions are
covered in the American Concrete Institute’s
Formwork for Concrete.

TABLE 7

MAXIMUM SPANS FOR LUMBER FRAMING, INCHES – DOUGLAS-FIR NO. 2 OR SOUTHERN PINE NO. 2
Equivalent Continuous Over 2 or 3 Supports Continuous Over 4 or More Supports
Uniform (1 or 2 Spans) (3 or More Spans)
Load Nominal Size Nominal Size
(lb/ft) 2x4 2x6 2x8 2x10 4x4 4x6 4x8 2x4 2x6 2x8 2x10 4x4 4x6 4x8
200 48 73 92 113 64 97 120 56 81 103 126 78 114 140
400 35 52 65 80 50 79 101 39 58 73 89 60 88 116
600 29 42 53 65 44 64 85 32 47 60 73 49 72 95
800 25 36 46 56 38 56 73 26 41 52 63 43 62 82
1000 22 33 41 50 34 50 66 22 35 46 56 38 56 73
1200 19 30 38 46 31 45 60 20 31 41 51 35 51 67
1400 18 28 35 43 29 42 55 18 28 37 47 32 47 62
1600 16 25 33 40 27 39 52 17 26 34 44 29 44 58
1800 15 24 31 38 25 37 49 16 24 32 41 27 41 55
2000 14 23 29 36 24 35 46 15 23 30 39 25 39 52
2200 14 22 28 34 23 34 44 14 22 29 37 23 37 48
2400 13 21 27 33 21 32 42 13 21 28 35 22 34 45
2600 13 20 26 31 20 31 41 13 20 27 34 21 33 43
2800 12 19 25 30 19 30 39 12 20 26 33 20 31 41
3000 12 19 24 29 18 29 38 12 19 25 32 19 30 39
3200 12 18 23 28 18 28 37 12 19 24 31 18 29 38
3400 11 18 22 27 17 27 35 12 18 24 30 18 28 36
3600 11 17 22 27 17 26 34 11 18 23 30 17 27 35
3800 11 17 21 26 16 25 33 11 17 23 29 16 26 34
4000 11 16 21 25 16 24 32 11 17 22 28 16 25 33
4200 11 16 20 25 15 24 31 11 17 22 28 16 24 32
4400 10 16 20 24 15 23 31 10 16 22 27 15 24 31
4600 10 15 19 24 14 23 30 10 16 21 26 15 23 31
4800 10 15 19 23 14 22 29 10 16 21 26 14 23 30
5000 10 15 18 23 14 22 29 10 16 21 25 14 22 29
Notes:
Spans are based on the 2001 NDS allowable stress values. CD = 1.25, Cr = 1.0, CM = 1.0
Spans are based on dry, single-member allowable stresses multiplied by a 1.25 duration-of-load factor for 7-day loads.
Deflection is limited to 1/360th of the span with 1/4" maximum. Spans are measured center-to-center on the supports.
Spans within brown boxes are controlled by deflection. Shear governs within white boxes. Bending governs elsewhere.

14 ©2004 APA-The Engineered Wood Association

Since the wales are doubled, each 2x4 Tie Spacing: The load on each tie Note that the design pressure drops off
wale carries 600 lb per ft (1200 ÷ 2 = equals the load on the double wales above 600 = 4 ft and the spacings
600). Assuming 2x4 wales continuous times the tie spacing in feet, or 150
over 4 or more supports, Table 7 shows 24 could be increased. For construction
1200 lb per ft x __ ft = 2400 lb
a 32" span for 600 lb per ft. Assume 12 sites, however, equal spacings will
support of 2x4s at 24" on center, for reduce errors.
If allowable load on the tie is less than
now, with form ties. (Place bottom wale 2400 lb, the tie spacing may be Other Loads on Forms
12" from bottom of form). decreased accordingly. In this case, a tie Concrete forms must also be braced
with 2250 lb safe working load should against lateral loads due to wind and any
Note: Tables 7 and 8 are for uniform loads but the
wales actually receive point loads from the studs. be spaced no more than: other construction loads. Design forms
This method of approximating the capacity of the
wales is adequate when there are three or more 2250
____ for lateral wind loads of at least
studs between the ties. A point load analysis
x 12 in. = 22.5 in.
1200 15 pounds per square foot – or greater if
should be performed when there are only
one or two studs between the ties. Point-load
To maintain a symmetrical layout, space required by local codes. In all cases,
analysis for this example confirmed the adequacy
of the final design. ties 12" o.c. bracing for forms should be designed to
carry at least 100 pounds per lineal foot
Figure 1 illustrates the final design
applied at the top.
resulting from the example problem.

TABLE 8

MAXIMUM SPANS FOR LUMBER FRAMING, INCHES – HEM-FIR NO. 2

Equivalent Continuous Over 2 or 3 Supports Continuous Over 4 or More Supports
Uniform (1 or 2 Spans) (3 or More Spans)
Load Nominal Size Nominal Size
(lb/ft) 2x4 2x6 2x8 2x10 4x4 4x6 4x8 2x4 2x6 2x8 2x10 4x4 4x6 4x8
200 45 70 90 110 59 92 114 54 79 100 122 73 108 133
400 34 50 63 77 47 74 96 38 56 71 87 58 86 112
600 28 41 52 63 41 62 82 29 45 58 71 48 70 92
800 23 35 45 55 37 54 71 23 37 48 61 41 60 80
1000 20 31 40 49 33 48 64 20 32 42 53 37 54 71
1200 18 28 36 45 30 44 58 18 28 37 47 33 49 65
1400 16 25 33 41 28 41 54 16 26 34 43 29 45 60
1600 15 23 31 39 25 38 50 15 24 31 40 26 41 54
1800 14 22 29 37 23 36 48 14 22 30 38 24 38 50
2000 13 21 28 35 22 34 45 14 21 28 36 22 35 46
2200 13 20 26 33 20 32 42 13 20 27 34 21 33 43
2400 12 19 25 32 19 30 40 12 20 26 33 20 31 41
2600 12 19 25 30 18 29 38 12 19 25 32 19 30 39
2800 12 18 24 29 18 28 36 12 18 24 31 18 28 37
3000 11 18 23 28 17 26 35 11 18 24 30 17 27 36
3200 11 17 22 27 16 25 34 11 17 23 29 17 26 34
3400 11 17 22 27 16 25 32 11 17 22 29 16 25 33
3600 11 17 21 26 15 24 31 11 17 22 28 16 24 32
3800 10 16 21 25 15 23 31 10 16 22 28 15 24 31
4000 10 16 20 24 14 23 30 10 16 21 27 15 23 30
4200 10 15 20 24 14 22 29 10 16 21 27 14 22 30
4400 10 15 19 23 14 22 28 10 16 21 26 14 22 29
4600 10 15 19 23 13 21 28 10 15 20 26 14 21 28
4800 10 14 18 22 13 21 27 10 15 20 25 13 21 28
5000 10 14 18 22 13 20 27 10 15 20 24 13 21 27
Notes:
Spans are based on the 2001 NDS allowable stress values. CD = 1.25, Cr = 1.0, CM = 1.0
Spans are based on dry, single-member allowable stresses multiplied by a 1.25 duration-of-load factor for 7-day loads.
Deflection is limited to 1/360th of the span with 1/4" maximum. Spans are measured center-to-center on the supports.
Spans within brown boxes are controlled by deflection. Shear governs within white boxes. Bending governs elsewhere.

15 ©2004 APA-The Engineered Wood Association

 Wall forms should be designed to with-
FIGURE 1 stand wind pressures applied from
FINAL SOLUTION TO CONCRETE FORM DESIGN EXAMPLE 1 either side. Inclined wood braces can be
Isometric
designed to take both tension and
12" compression, so braces on only one side
23/32" Plyform Class I may be used. Wood bracing must be
designed so it will not buckle under
96" axial compression load. Guy-wire brac-
48" ing, on the other hand, can resist only
tensile loads. If used, it is required on
both sides of the form.
In general, wind bracing will also resist
uplift forces on the forms, provided the
24"
forms are vertical. Walls with unusual
48" height or exposure should be given
special consideration. If forms are
inclined, uplift forces may be significant.
24"
Special tiedowns and anchorages may
be required in some cases.

24" In most forms, it is best to attach the

Plyform to the framing with as few nails
as possible. For slab forms, each panel
Double 2x4s
24"
must be at least corner nailed. Use 5d
Ties at 12" o.c. nails for 19/32 and 5/8 inch Plyform
and 6d nails for 23/32 and 3/4 inch
2x4 bottom plate
12" Plyform. In special cases, such as
Footing gang forms, additional nailing may be
required. Panels expand as they absorb
water. To minimize the possibility of
Cross Section panel buckling, do not butt panels too
tightly, especially on the first pour.
2x4 double wales
(#2 Douglas-fir) Region of decreasing
3' 450 psf design pressure
4' 4' 600
p = wh, = 4'
150
Tie wedge

Form tie

Region of maximum
design pressure
2x4 stud at 12" o.c. 5'
p = 600 psf for
(#2 Douglas-fir) R = 3 ft/hr (Table 1)
T = 70° F

0 200 400 600

16 ©2004 APA-The Engineered Wood Association

ENGINEERING DATA placement less than 7 feet per hour, These formulas are presented graphically
where placement height exceeds 14 ft in Figure 2 for various combinations of
The form designer may encounter and for all walls with a placement rate of pour rate and temperature.
loading conditions and spans not cov- 7 to 15 ft per hour:
Plywood Section
ered in the previous tables. This section
is included for the engineer or form
designer who requires more extensive
[ 43,400
T
R
pmax = Cw Cc 150 + _______ + 2,800_
T ] Properties
The various species of wood used in
(minimum 600 Cw psf, but in no case manufacturing plywood have different
engineering analysis.
greater than wh) stiffness and strength properties. Those
Concrete Pressure species with similar properties are
d. For walls with rate of placement
As explained earlier, maximum concrete greater than 15 feet per hour or when assigned to a species group. In order to
pressure will depend on several factors. forms will be filled rapidly (before simplify plywood design, the effects of
Some of these factors are the unit weight stiffening of the concrete takes place), using different species groups in a panel,
p = wh, and h should be taken as the as well as the effects of cross-banded
of the concrete, the addition of various
full height of the form.
additives to the concrete mix and the construction, have been accounted for in
depth of internal vibration. If external Where: the section properties given in Table 11.
vibration is used or internal vibration is w = unit weight of concrete, pcf In calculating these section properties,
over four feet deep, design the formwork Cw = unit weight coefficient all plies were “transformed” to properties
to resist a design load of p = wh (psf). Cc = chemistry coefficient of the face ply. Consequently the
p = lateral pressure, psf designer need not concern himself with
Assuming regular concrete (150 pcf),
R = rate of pour, feet per hour the actual panel layup, but only with the
made with Type I or Type III cement,
T = concrete temperature, degrees allowable stresses for the face ply and the
containing no pozzolans or admixtures,
Fahrenheit given section properties. Please note that
with a 7-inch maximum slump, and
h = height of fresh concrete above these properties are for Plyform Class I
vibration limited to normal internal vibra-
point considered, feet
tion to a depth of 4 feet or less,
the American Concrete Institute recom-
mends the following formulas to TABLE 9
determine design pressure (ACI 347-04, UNIT WEIGHT COEFFICIENT Cw (ACI 347-04, Pending publication by ACI)
pending publication by ACI): Inch-Pound Version
a.For ordinary work with normal Unit weight of concrete Cw

internal vibration in columns, Less than 140 lb/ft3 Cw = 0.5 [1+(w/145 lb/ft3)] but not less than 0.80
140 to 150 lb/ft3 1.0

[ R
pmax = Cw Cc 150 + 9,000 __
T ] More than 150 lb/ft3 Cw = w/145 lb/ft3

(minimum 600 Cw psf, but in no case

greater than wh).
b.For ordinary work with normal TABLE 10
internal vibration in walls with rate of CHEMISTRY COEFFICIENT Cc (ACI 347-04, Pending publication by ACI)
placement less than 7 feet per hour and Cement Type or Blend Cc
a placement height not exceeding 14 ft. Types I, II, and III without retarders* 1.0
Types I, II, and III with a retarder* 1.2

[ R
pmax = Cw Cc 150 + 9,000 __
T ] Other types of blends containing less than 70% slag or 40% fly ash without retarders* 1.2
Other types of blends containing less than 70% slag or 40% fly ash with a retarder* 1.4
(minimum 600 Cw psf, but in no case
Blends containing more than 70% slag or 40% fly ash 1.4
greater than wh).
*Retarders include any admixture, such as a retarder, retarding water reducer, retarding mid-range
water-reducing admixture, or retarding high-range water-reducing admixture (superplasticizer), that
c. For ordinary work with normal delays setting of concrete.
internal vibration in walls with rate of

17 ©2004 APA-The Engineered Wood Association

 FIGURE 2

LATERAL CONCRETE PRESSURES FOR VARIOUS TEMPERATURES*

3200
30o 40o 50o 60o 70o 80o 90o

100o
2800

2400
Lateral Pressure “p” (psf)

2000

30o
1600 Wall Design Pressures
For pour rates, “R”, greater than 15 ft/hour,
40o design pressures equal full hydraulic head.
1200 80o p = wh
50 o 90o
100o Where: p = pressure (psf)
60o w = weight of concrete (pcf)
800 70o h = placement height (ft)

600 psf minimum design pressure Walls to 14 ft and columns any height
400 Walls with height greater than 14 ft
Columns any height

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Pour Rate “R” (ft/hr)
*Concrete made with Type I or Type III cement, weighing 150 pounds per cubic foot, containing no pozzolans or admixtures, having a slump of 7 inches or less
and internal vibration to a depth of 4 feet or less.

and Class II and Structural I Plyform. For Recommended

other plywood grades, see the section Concrete Setting Factor, Cs(a) Concrete Pressure
property tables in the APA publication Bending Stress (Fb ) 1.625 Recommended concrete pressures are
Plywood Design Specification (Form Y510). influenced by the number of continuous
Rolling Shear Stress (Fs ) 1.625
spans. For face grain across supports,
(a) An adjustment to tabulated bending
Plywood Stresses and shear stresses that accounts for the assume 3 continuous spans up to a
The Plywood Design Specification ability of setting concrete to carry more of
its own weight with the passage of time. 32-inch support spacing and 2 spans for
gives basic plywood design stresses. The adjustment was previously described
greater spacing. For face grain parallel to
as a duration-of-load factor (1.25) in
As concrete forming is a special combination with an “experience” adjust- supports, assume 3 spans up to
ment (1.30).
application, wet stresses should be used 16 inches and 2 spans for 20 and
and then adjusted for forming condi- 24 inches. These are general rules only.
tions such as duration of load, and the When shear deflection is computed
For specific applications, other span-
rate at which the concrete stiffens and separately from bending deflection, as
continuity relations may apply.
begins to carry its own weight. was done in preparing Tables 3 through
6, the modulus of elasticity used for In computing recommended pressures,
In general, “wet” design stresses are use center-to-center distance between
calculating bending deflection may
adjusted by multiplying by each of supports for pressure based on bending
be increased 10 percent.
the following factors: stress. Testing has established that a
These adjustments result in the stresses
shorter span, clear span + 1/4 inch, can
shown in Table 12.
be used in determining load based on

18 ©2004 APA-The Engineered Wood Association

TABLE 11

SECTION PROPERTIES FOR PLYFORM CLASS I AND CLASS II, AND STRUCTURAL I PLYFORM(a)
Properties for Stress Applied Properties for Stress Applied
Parallel with Face Grain Perpendicular to Face Grain
Effective Rolling Shear Effective Rolling Shear
Moment Section Constant Moment Section Constant
Thickness Approx. of Inertia I Modulus KS Ib/Q of Inertia I Modulus KS Ib/Q
(inches) Weight (psf) (in.4/ft) (in.3/ft) (in.2/ft) (in.4/ft) (in.3/ft) (in.2/ft)
CLASS I
15/32 1.4 0.066 0.244 4.743 0.018 0.107 2.419
1/2 1.5 0.077 0.268 5.153 0.024 0.130 2.739
19/32 1.7 0.115 0.335 5.438 0.029 0.146 2.834
5/8 1.8 0.130 0.358 5.717 0.038 0.175 3.094
23/32 2.1 0.180 0.430 7.009 0.072 0.247 3.798
3/4 2.2 0.199 0.455 7.187 0.092 0.306 4.063
7/8 2.6 0.296 0.584 8.555 0.151 0.422 6.028
1 3.0 0.427 0.737 9.374 0.270 0.634 7.014
1-1/8 3.3 0.554 0.849 10.430 0.398 0.799 8.419
CLASS II
15/32 1.4 0.063 0.243 4.499 0.015 0.138 2.434
1/2 1.5 0.075 0.267 4.891 0.020 0.167 2.727
19/32 1.7 0.115 0.334 5.326 0.025 0.188 2.812
5/8 1.8 0.130 0.357 5.593 0.032 0.225 3.074
23/32 2.1 0.180 0.430 6.504 0.060 0.317 3.781
3/4 2.2 0.198 0.454 6.631 0.075 0.392 4.049
7/8 2.6 0.300 0.591 7.990 0.123 0.542 5.997
1 3.0 0.421 0.754 8.614 0.220 0.812 6.987
1-1/8 3.3 0.566 0.869 9.571 0.323 1.023 8.388
STRUCTURAL I
15/32 1.4 0.067 0.246 4.503 0.021 0.147 2.405
1/2 1.5 0.078 0.271 4.908 0.029 0.178 2.725
19/32 1.7 0.116 0.338 5.018 0.034 0.199 2.811
5/8 1.8 0.131 0.361 5.258 0.045 0.238 3.073
23/32 2.1 0.183 0.439 6.109 0.085 0.338 3.780
3/4 2.2 0.202 0.464 6.189 0.108 0.418 4.047
7/8 2.6 0.317 0.626 7.539 0.179 0.579 5.991
1 3.0 0.479 0.827 7.978 0.321 0.870 6.981
1-1/8 3.3 0.623 0.955 8.841 0.474 1.098 8.377
(a) The section properties presented here are specifically for Plyform, with its special layup restrictions. For other grades, section properties are listed in the
Plywood Design Specification, page 16.

stiffness or deflection for 2-inch nominal

TABLE 12
Plyform Plyform Structural I
framing, with clear span + 5/8 inch
Class I Class II Plyform for 4-inch nominal framing. Use clear
Modulus of elasticity – E span for calculating shear stress and
(psi, adjusted, use for bending
shear deflection.
deflection calculation) 1,650,000 1,430,000 1,650,000
In some forming applications, not all of
Modulus of elasticity – Ee
(psi, unadjusted, use for shear the stress adjustments may be applica-
deflection calculation) 1,500,000 1,300,000 1,500,000 ble. For instance, with HDO Plyform,
stresses for wet locations may not apply
Bending stress – Fb (psi) 1,930 1,330 1,930
if panel edges are properly sealed to
Rolling shear stress – Fs (psi) 72 72 102 maintain a moisture content less
than 16 percent.

19 ©2004 APA-The Engineered Wood Association

The allowable pressures for various Shear Deflection: Pressure Based on Bending Stress:
spans can be found by conventional Cwt2l22 120 F b KS
∆ s = _______ w b = _________
engineering formulas. The following 1270 EeI l12
formulas have been adjusted to com- 120 x 1930 x 0.455
∆ s = shear deflection (in.) = ________________ = 412 psf
pensate for the use of mixed units and C = constant, equal to 120 for face (16)2
were used in preparing Tables 3 grain across supports, and 60 for Pressure Based on Shear Stress:
through 6. face grain parallel to supports 20Fs(lb/Q)
t = plywood thickness (in.) ws = _________
Pressure Controlled l2
by Bending Stress: Ee = modulus of elasticity, 20 x 72 x 7.187
_____________
unadjusted (psi) = = 714 psf
96 Fb KS 14.5
w b = _______ for 2 spans;
l12
The following example illustrates the
120 Fb KS Pressure Based on Deflection:
= ________ for 3 spans procedure for calculating allowable pres-
a) Determine allowable deflection:
l12 sures by the use of engineering formulas.
l1 16
w b = uniform load (psf) The allowable pressure is the least of the ∆all. = ___ = ___ = 0.0444"
360 360
F b = bending stress (psi) pressures calculated for bending stress,
shear stress and deflection. b) Find shear deflection due to
KS = effective section modulus (in.3/ft)
1.0 psf load:
l1 = span, center-to-center of
Example 2: Cwt2l22
supports (in.) ∆ s = ________
What is the recommended pressure for 1270 EeI
3/4" Plyform Class I with face grain 120 x 1.0 x (0.75)2 x (14.5)2
_______________________
Pressure Controlled =
by Shear Stress: across supports spaced 16 inches on 1270 x 1,500,000 x 0.199
19.2 Fs (Ib/Q) center, if deflection is no more than = 0.0000374"
ws = ___________ for 2 spans;
l2 l/360? Assume 2-inch nominal framing. c) Find bending deflection due to
20 Fs (Ib/Q) Since the span is less than 32 inches, 1.0 psf load:
= __________ for 3 spans
l2 assume 3 spans. From Table 9, section wl34
∆ b = _______
properties of 3/4" Plyform Class I: 1743 EI
ws = uniform load (psf)
1.0 x (14.75)4
Fs = rolling shear stress (psi) I = 0.199 in.4/ft = ______________________
1743 x 1,650,000 x 0.199
Ib/Q= rolling shear constant (in.2/ft) KS = 0.455 in.3/ft
= 0.0000827"
l2 = clear span (in.) Ib/Q = 7.187 in.2/ft
d) Allowable pressure:
Design stresses:
Bending Deflection: ∆all.
E = 1,650,000 psi w∆ = _______
wl34 ∆s + ∆b
∆ b = _______ for 2 spans; Ee = 1,500,000 psi
2220 EI 0.0444
Fb = 1930 psi = _____________________
wl34 0.0000374 + 0.0000827
= _______ for 3 spans Fs = 72 psi
= 370 psf
1743 EI
Spans for calculation: SUMMARY:
∆ b = bending deflection (in.)
w = uniform load (psf) l1 = span, center-to-center of
wb = 412 psf
l3 = clear span + 1/4 inch for 2-inch supports = 16" ws = 714 psf
framing (in.) l2 = clear span = 16" – 1.5" = 14.5" w∆ = 370 psf
clear span + 5/8 inch for 4-inch l3 = clear span + 1/4" = 14.5"
Therefore, 370 psf is the allowable
framing (in.) + 0.25" = 14.75"
pressure.*
E = modulus of elasticity, adjusted (psi)
I = moment of inertia (in.4/ft) *Pressures shown in Tables 3 through 6 were
determined by computer analysis with values
given for design stresses and section properties
mathematically rounded. Consequently, pressures
determined by hand calculations may not agree
exactly with those shown in the tables.

20 ©2004 APA-The Engineered Wood Association

CASE STUDIES The basic form employed by Heede (see throughout the construction process
drawing) is relatively simple and fool- and were still capable of reuse on other
Sophisticated Slipform System proof. The preferred forming material is projects. The same HDO plywood is
Relies on Smooth, Durable 3/4-inch High Density Overlay ply- frequently used in patented leased
Overlaid Plywood Forming Surface.
wood. Readily available, these panels form systems where 200 and more
With proper planning, precise
deliver a smooth, even surface. Tough reuses are common.
scheduling and a well-trained crew,
and durable, the panels performed
slipforming can save time and labor.
The larger the project, the more
imperative the need for precision – and
the smaller the margin for error.
The structure pictured here was built
with a classic slipform system developed
by Heede International of San Francisco,
a firm which specializes in slipforming
design and equipment. Heede has engi-
neered and supervised slipform opera-
tions for structures as large as 30 stories
high, with more than a million and a
half square feet of interior area.
This building is a 15-story apartment
in San Francisco. The 4-foot-deep
slipforms were advanced 15 inches
per hour during the slipping process
to complete a story-height in 8 hours,
operating with one shift (two three-man
crews for each half-tower).

STANDARD SLIPFORM
FOR STRAIGHT WALL

Jackrod
Hydraulic jack
Yoke leg

Working
platform

2x8 joists

3 ply waler
2x6 or 2x8

2x4 stud

2x6 vertical
at lifting points

3/4" HDO plywood

21 ©2004 APA-The Engineered Wood Association

Engineered Wood Formwork
and Post-tension Reinforced
Concrete Combine for Innovative
Solutions in Parking Garage.
When the Port of Seattle decided to add
1.26 million square feet of parking
space at Seattle Tacoma International
Airport, gang forms and slab forms
framed with engineered wood members
and HDO and MDO plywood saved
money and material.
Wall forming of an eight-story elevator
tower was accomplished with gang
forms framed with laminated veneer
lumber (LVL) studs and walers. The slab
forms were framed with wood I-joists.
“The main reason we use the I-joists
is that you get longer spans than you
can even with aluminum,” said Brian
Blount, project engineer for Nelson The exceptional stiffness of LVL and Such treatment – or restraint from treat-
Concrete Company. wood I-joists kept form deflection to a ment – helped realize the underlying
minimum and resulted in a nearly archi- architectural objective: A structure with
The light weight of engineered wood
tectural finish on the concrete. In addi- elevated purpose produced from
products provided a distinct advantage
tion, the forms averaged 24 pours each humble materials.
over steel, according to Blount.
before they were re-skinned and put The achievement is particularly note-
Especially since the forms were fabri-
back into service. worthy in that the simplest, least com-
cated in Nelson’s Portland, Oregon yard
and trucked to the construction site. plicated structural approach was
Subtle Architectural Expression
Achieved with Simple, Practical possible. By emphasizing the character
The concrete slabs are only six inches
Forming Approach. of the basic materials – plywood and
thick due to post-tensioned reinforce-
The church pictured at right was concrete – rather than masking them,
ment. The original parking garage slabs
designed by Paul Thiry, FAIA, to express the architect obtained a practical,
were formed with metal waffle forms.
the material as directly and simply as economical structure of high
According to Blount, waffle forms for
possible – the church looks like con- aesthetic merit.
the addition would have been more
crete with the same clear honesty that
costly because they require more time
a stone church from another age looks
and more material.
like stone.
“The advantage of these types of forms
The plywood forming material reads
is that you can move forming material
through with a similar directness.
faster and with a whole lot less people,”
Unsanded plywood was used with no
said Herb Dunphy, the engineer who
attempt to obtain a smoother finish
designed the forming system for
than the pour itself provided. The result
Formwork Engineering. “Speed and
is an awareness of the forming material
labor savings are the primary advan-
as well as the final surface, without
tages,” said Dunphy.
masking and without apology.

22 ©2004 APA-The Engineered Wood Association

Engineered Wood Shapes
State History: Structural Wood
Panels Used to Form Massive
Concrete Arches.
It was clear from the beginning that
building the Washington State History
Museum in Tacoma, Washington was
going to be a challenge. Not only was
the museum a high-profile project on a
prominent site in downtown Tacoma,
but the project featured the construc-
tion of a dramatic series of eleven
55-foot-high reinforced concrete arches
that were designed to accentuate the
building’s facade and blend into the
neighboring historical Union Station.
Union Station is a huge masonry
structure built in 1911 with four vaulted
arches forming a central dome. The goal
of the Washington State Historical
Society was to construct a world class
facility while maintaining the historic
architecture of the former railroad sta-
tion. The Historical Society turned to
Moore/Andersson Architects, a Texas-
based design firm, to design the facility.
Moore/Andersson designed the eleven
55-foot-high reinforced concrete arches
to match the same height and scale as
those in Union Station. Of the eleven
arches, four run east and west and
the remainder intersect and run north gang forms. “The first arch took us four By using HDO plywood, Holopainen
and south. weeks,” recalls Eric Holopainen, senior was able to reuse the panels seven times
The construction team built a 6,800- project manager for Ellis-Don Construc- while pouring the other arches. A scale
square-foot gang form composed of tion Co., the general contractor. “By the model proved essential in determining
APA trademarked high-density overlay time we finished the second cycle, it how the panels would be laid out in the
(HDO) plywood panels to form a single took us just 15 days.” gang forms.
arch. Over 4,000 sheets of HDO ply-
wood were used to create sections of

23 ©2004 APA-The Engineered Wood Association

Multiple-Use Panels Help The high bridges here were formed beds was smooth 3/4-inch plywood.
Shape Graceful Freeway Project. against B-B Plyform supported by intricate On top of this, at four-foot intervals,
The forming requirements on complex timber scaffolding. The same panels were the contractor laid panels of 3/4-inch
freeway interchanges can range from reused again and again, frequently being striated plywood, face up. The resulting
relatively simple retaining walls to recut to fit new curves and new patterns. wall sections have a pleasant textured
soaring bridges formed atop surface. Up to 10 pours were made
One of the unusual features of the pro-
intricate scaffolding. against a form before it was dismantled
ject is the precast retaining walls
All the challenges were present in required for 8,000 feet of the freeway and the plywood was reused in
the Spokane Street interchange on which was carved from a hillside. bridge deck forming.
Interstate 5 in Seattle, Washington, a Casting walls in place would have Most wall panels were cast in 24-foot
city whose major arterials feed into the meant waiting for the weather and the lengths, some weighing more than
city by skirting the surrounding hills completion of earthmoving operations. 50 tons. Higher sections (maximum
and waterways. The most economical approach proved 34 feet) were cast in 8- or
to be precasting. Decking for the casting 12-foot lengths.

24 ©2004 APA-The Engineered Wood Association

Eight Bridges in Final Phase of
Dallas Central Expressway Shaped
with HDO.
Commuters on their way to work see
slow but steady changes in road con-
struction as the final phase of the five-
year Dallas Central Expressway project
nears completion. Eight bridges are
woven into this 2.3 mile stretch of the
expressway, creating challenges at every
bend. The complexity of the project –
differing curves and angles of bridges,
100,000 square feet of concrete retaining
walls and 70,000 square feet of cantilever
overhang – made versatile engineered-
wood concrete forms an ideal choice.
To accommodate the variability in
shape and to make the pours more
manageable, each bridge was divided
into corners – 32 in all. The construc-
tion teams of Granite Construction
Company, the general contractor, built
gang forms for pouring bridge segments,
composed of APA trademarked high-
density overlay (HDO) plywood panels.
Beyond the need for versatility, the
highly visible nature of the surface
meant the forms had to have a high
reuse capability, while maintaining a
top-quality surface for the finished
concrete. HDO’s hard, smooth surface
imparted a nearly polished concrete Another hurdle in this project was An additional challenge for project
surface, even after many pours. By using coordinating pours so that numerous contractors was keeping the waste factor
3/4-inch HDO, Granite was able to save home owners and business owners low on a project of this size, a crucial
money by using the panels on the over- and their patrons still had access to the issue in terms of cost and the environ-
hang forms for over 20 pours before adjacent restaurants, office buildings ment. Approximately 400 sheets of
turning the panels over to use the sec- and homes. This meant building the 4 x 8 HDO were used to create the gang
ond face. The flexibility and reusability complex roadway in small sections and forms for the various pours – a low
of HDO engineered wood panels also pieces. HDO gangforms made it easier number for a project of this magnitude.
permitted the same gang forms to be for construction teams to adjust forms
used on 6 of the 8 bridges. for pouring smaller segments.

25 ©2004 APA-The Engineered Wood Association

Assembly Hall Shell System footing for the buttresses; the compres- Plywood’s mechanical properties con-
Formed with Material First Used in sion ring at the top of the dome; and tribute to its versatility, but there are
Main Floor and Buttress Pours.
the post-tensioned edge beam at the other values so apparent they are often
As on many projects, this shell roof
junction of upper and lower shells, overlooked. Among those values: the
structure was constructed over a period
which supports the 6,000-ton roof. material is readily available in a broad
spanning several seasons of the year.
Plywood proved its versatility on this selection of thicknesses; it can be
The forming process, therefore,
job, functioning as a workhorse material worked easily and quickly into countless
occurred during a wide range
on the massive foundation pours, and shapes and patterns using ordinary tools
of weather conditions.
also as a precision forming surface when and standard carpentry skills; the nature
Plywood’s natural insulating qualities of the material is such that site improvi-
reused in the intricate, shell-shaped
helped level out temperature curves, sation is possible without complicated
roof system.
providing more consistent curing reworking of a basic system.
conditions.
The structure is an 18,000-seat
spectator arena at the University of
Illinois. The 48 buttresses were built
with six plywood forms, the same mate-
rial was reused in the six traveling forms
used in the roof system. The shell is
composed of 24 folded-plate segments.
The plywood system permitted a sched-
ule that resulted in the completion of
two roof segment pours per week.
The three concrete rings that make up
the support system also were formed
with plywood: the continuous ring

26 ©2004 APA-The Engineered Wood Association

ABOUT APA – THE Maintains a network of field representa-
ENGINEERED WOOD tives to assist engineered wood product
ASSOCIATION users, specifiers, dealers, distributors A PA
THE ENGINEERED
and other segments of the trade. WOOD ASSOCIATION

APA – The Engineered Wood Association Conducts informational buyer and PLYFORM
is a nonprofit trade association whose specifier seminars and provides dealer B-B CLASS 1
member mills produce a majority of and distributor sales training. EXTERIOR
the structural wood panel products 000
Publishes a vast inventory of PS 1-95
manufactured in North America.
publications on engineered wood
The Association’s trademark appears product applications, design criteria
only on products manufactured by and scores of other topics. Many of
member mills and is the manufacturer’s these publications are available on
A PA
THE ENGINEERED
assurance that the product conforms to the Association's web site at
WOOD ASSOCIATION

the standard shown on the trademark. www.apawood.org. STRUCTURAL I

That standard may be an APA perfor- PLYFORM

mance standard, the Voluntary Product

Advertises and publicizes engineered B-B CLASS I
EXTERIOR
wood product systems and applications
Standard PS 1-95 for Construction and 000
in national trade and consumer PS 1-95
Industrial Plywood or Voluntary Product
magazines.
Standard PS 2-92, Performance
Standards for Wood-Based Structural- Works to secure acceptance of
engineered wood products and applica- Always insist on panels bearing the
Use Panels. Panel quality of all APA
tions by code officials, insuring agencies mark of quality – the APA trademark.
trademarked products is subject to
and lending institutions. Your APA panel purchase or specifica-
verification through APA audit.
tion is not only your highest possible
APA’s services go far beyond Develops and maintains performance
assurance of product quality, but an
quality testing and inspection. and industry product standards.
investment in the many trade services
The Association also: Conducts in-depth market research and that APA provides on your behalf.
Operates the most sophisticated development programs to identify
program for basic engineered wood and develop new markets in For More Information
product research in the world. the U.S. and abroad. For more information about APA panel
products for concrete forming, contact
Works in conjunction with other wood
APA – The Engineered Wood Association,
product industry organizations to solve
7011 So. 19th St., Tacoma, Washington
problems of common concern.
98466, or call the Association’s Product
Support Help Desk at (253) 620-7400.
Visit the Association's web site at
www.apawood.org.

27 ©2004 APA-The Engineered Wood Association

 CONCRETE FORMING
DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION GUIDE

We have field representatives in many

major U.S. cities and in Canada who can help
answer questions involving APA trademarked
products. For additional assistance in specifying
APA engineered wood products, contact us:

APA – THE ENGINEERED

WOOD ASSOCIATION
HEADQUARTERS
7011 So. 19th St.
Tacoma, Washington 98466
(253) 565-6600 ■ Fax: (253) 565-7265

Addres
eb s
W
@
:

www.apawood.org

PRODUCT SUPPORT HELP DESK

(253) 620-7400
E-mail Address: [email protected]

The product use recommendations in this publica-

tion are based on APA – The Engineered Wood
Association’s continuing programs of laboratory
testing, product research, and comprehensive field
experience. However, because the Association has
no control over quality of workmanship or the con-
ditions under which engineered wood products are
used, it cannot accept responsibility for product
performance or designs as actually constructed.
Because engineered wood product performance
requirements vary geographically, consult your local
architect, engineer or design professional to assure
compliance with code, construction, and perfor-
mance requirements.

Form No. V345U

Revised December 2003/0300

A PA
THE ENGINEERED
WOOD ASSOCIATION