CA2174935A1 - A flexible formwork assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A flexible formwork assembly (11) into which concrete is delivered to form a concrete structure (10). The formwork assembly (11) includes flexible sheets (12, 13) suspended from a support assembly (18). The sheets (12, 13) surround a reinforcing cage (15). Fixed to the exterior of the sheets (12, 13) are stress distribution members (16), which stress distribution members (16) are arranged in pairs with the ties (17) extending therebetween. If so required, the reinforcing cage (15) can be used as the main frame or skeleton to hold and support the sheets (12, 13). Spacers (145) can be used to aid in maintaining the sheets (12, 13) in a desired position prior to pouring of the concrete. The formwork assembly (10) cam be supported on the reinforcing cage (15) so that the formwork (10) follows the general configuration defined by the reinforcing cage (15). In situ concreting of walls of most shapes and configurations under water is possible.

Description

PCI'~AU 9 4 / O O ~ . ~

2 1 7 ~ 9 3 5 RECE~ ~E o 1 2 o~C 1995 ~, 1 A FLEXIBLE FORMWORK ASSEMBLY
Technical Field The present invention relates to formwork and more pd~ uldlly but not exclusively to the use of flexible sheet in formwork to form concrete structures for marine and land s ~,. v il ~ lL~ .
Background of the Invention Traditionally formwork has consisted of rigid material such as sheets. Typically, the sheet would be plywood and would be held in position by timber brace members.
The above discussed traditional formwork is time consuming and expensive to erect.
o Further to the above, in-situ casting of concrete structures in wet areas is difficult.
This is particularly a problem with forming marine structures due to difficulties which exist in setting up the formwork under water.
Object of the Invention It is t_e object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the t 5 above di~a-lvall~a~.,a .
Summary of the Invention There is disclosed herein a formwork ~oll~
a water il~ âblc fiexible sheet to define at least one side of a space to receive unset concrete;
stress ~ members flXed tO a majOr surface of the sheet at spaced locations~
which major surface does not confront said space, said ~ rihl~fi~n members beingadapted to distribute within the sheet stresses, arising from the concrete within the space pressing on the sheet, to thereby aid the sheet to withstand pressure applied to the sheet;
and a plurality of ties, each tie being f~xed to and extending from an associated one of the members, the ties extending through the sheet and being fixed so as to support the associated members in a desired position to thereby support the sheet in a desired fi,,l~rAti-ln until the concrete sets.
Preferably, in the above described formwork, the sheet would sllhsf~nli~lly enclose 30 the space, so that stress distribution members are located on opposite sides of the space with the ties extending therebetween.
Preferably located in the space would be concrete reinforcing members.
Preferably the reinforcing members would support the sheet. Still further, it ispreferred that the sheet be supported on the reinforcing members by a- height adjustable 35 frame.
AM~ tl3 S~l~r ~PI~A/A~J

PCI~/AU 9 4 / O ~ 6 7 6 21 7l193~ RECEIYE~ ~ 2 ~C ~9g There is further disclosed herein a method of erecting formwork, said method comprising Ihe steps of:
providing a sl~hst~nti~lly water h~ l)le flexible sheet;
fixing to a major surface of the sheet, a plurality of stress distribution members;
s providing a plurality of ties;
suspending the sheet from a fixed point;
securing each tie to an associated stress distribution member and fixing the ties so Lhat the stress di~LIibu~iul~ members are held in a desjred position to thereby hold the sheets in a desired ~-r)nfi~lr~ti-~n defining at least one side of a space, with the tie o members extending from their associated stress distribution members and through the sheet and into said space.
Preferably, in the aboYe described method, the sheet would be arranged so as to 5l~h~f~nti~l1y enclose the space so that the ties extended through the space so as to extend between two associated stress (lisfrihlltirn members located on opposite sides of the space.
Still further, preferably reinforcing members are located in the space prior to pouring of the concrete, and the sheet is supported on the reinforcing.
Still further, preferably spacers are located between the reinforcing members and the sheet securing spacers to the reinforcing cage.
Brief Des~ ,Lio,) of the Drawings 20 Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the ~ulll~ yillg drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a schematic sectioned side eleYation of a formwork enclosing a spaceoccupied by concrete;
Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of a wall formed by the 25 formwork of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a schematic side elevation of a portion of the formwork of Figure 1;Figure 4 is a schematic side elevation of a tie employable in the formwork of Figure l;
Figure 5 is a schematic side elevation of a further tie which may be employed in the 30 formwork of Figure l;
Figure 6 is a schematic plan view of a stress distribution member employed in the formwork of Figure 1;
Figure 7 is a schematic side elevation of the stress distribution member of Figure 6, sectioned along the line A-A;
35Figure 8 is a schematic side elevation of a further formwork;
Figure 9 is a schematic plan view of a further sLress ~ member which may be employed in the formwork of Figure 1;
AMEN~EI) S~IEET
IPf~

- Pcr/Au 9 4 / O 0 6 g R~CEIVED 1 2 ~EC 71g 2a 2 1 74q35 Figure 10 is a schematic top plan view of various spacers which may be employed in the for~nwork of Figure l;
Figure 11 is a schematic top plan view of formwork items employed to form corners, in junction with the formwork of Figure l;
5 Figure 12 is a schematic side elevation of a forrnwork produced in forming a ceiling of a structure;

AMEN~EL~ SHEET
IPE~lAl.l W095/12726 2 ~ 7 ~ 9 3 ~ PCTIAU94100676 Figure 13 is a schematic pl~n view of the telescopic supportin~ beam assembl~:
Figure 14 is a schematic front elevation of a junction of flexible sheet material and rigid material such as metal formwork or sheet steel;
Figure 15 is a schematic side elevation of the formwork of Figure 1~;
s Figure 16 ~ ly illustrates a connection of the formwork of Figure 1. to a supporting surface;
Figure 17 is a schematic front elevation of an aperture to be formed in the form-vork of Figure l;
Figure 18 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of the formwork of Figure 17;
Figure 19 is a schematic side elevation of a fitting to be employed in the formwork of Figure 1, which firting would provide for a duct to extend throu~h the concrete structure formed;
Figure 20 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of flexible formwork emplo-~ing a collar fitting, used in c... j~ l ;.... with a preformed column;
15 Fi~ure 21 is a schematic top plan view of the column and collar fitting of Figure 20;
Fi~ure 22 is a schematic sectioned plan view of the ill~ Ollll..~iUll between two wall sections employing the formwork of Figure l;
Figure 23 is a schematic sectioned plan view of the ill.~l~Ullll..LiUII between two wall sections employing tile formwork of Figure 1;
20 Fi~ure 24 is a schematic sectioned plan view of the illitl~UIJII~Liull between two wall sections employing the formwork of Figure 1;
Figure 25 is a further schematic sectioned plan view of the connection between an already formed wall and the formwork of Figure 1;
Fi_ure 26 is a schematic side elevation of a formwork and suspension assembl-25 therefor;
Fi~ure 27 is a schematic top plan view of the formwork and suspension assembiy ofFigure 26;
Figure 28 is a schematic side elevation of a .. -~l;r;, A.;n.~ of the formwork of Figure 1 to p}ovide a plane concrete surface;
30 Figure 29 is a front elevation of the ~-~n~ of Figure 28;
Ficure 30 is a schematic side elevation of the formwork of Figure 1. with All~. 1llll. .ll~ applied thereto;
Figure 31 is a schematic side elevation of the formwork of Figure 1, modified t~provide for adjustment of the tension in the sheet material employed in the forrnwork:
3S Fi~ure 32 is a schematic plan view of a concrete thin panel snucture Figure 33 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of the thin panel strucmre c-Figure 32, sectioned along the line A-A;
Figure 34 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of the tbin panel strucmre c-Figure 32. sectioned along the line B-B;

21 74y3~ U9 Figure 35 is a schematic side elevation of a formwork employed to cast a ceilinr, wall or other concreoe structure;
Figure 36 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of a concrete section cast employing the formwork of Figure 35; and s Figures 37, 38 and 39 crh~m~rir:llly depict a variety of structure shapes which may be formed employing the formwork of Figure l;
Detailed Description of the Preferred ~. L^
In Figures 1 to 8 of the aLLU~ drawings there is crh~m~tir~lly depicted a cûncrete structure 10 which may be a wall, column, or other structure The cûncrete strucmre 10 is moulded within a forrnwork assembly 11 The formwork assembly of this .ol~;",. .11 includes a pair of flexible sheets 12 and 13 which enclose a space occupied by the concrete 14 forming the structure 10 The strucrure 10 further includes a reinforcing cage 15 Each of the sheets 12 and 13 has a major surface LUl~lUll~illy~ the concrete 14, and ~s an outer major surface. Fixed to the outer major surfaces are stress distribution members 16 which in this rll~llr~ have the f~ of a disc The stress distribution members 16 are arranged in opposing pairs with the discs of each pair being located on opposite sides of the strucnure 10. Extending between each associated pair of members 16 is a tie 17. The tie 17 may be rigid or flexible as required The spacers 145 are fixed to 20 the cage 15 and the ties 17 are fixed to the discs 16 so as to aid in retaining the discs 16 at plr~ locations to thereby aid in ~ -v a desired ....,~ ,.l;"" for the sheets 12 and 13 and therefore ultirnately the Cl,l,r;y"".li.", of the strucrure 10 As best seen in Figure 2, the discs 16 are distributed over the outer major surface of the sheets 12 and 13 25 Prûvided at the upper end of the structure 10 is a support assembly 18 The support assembly 18 includes an upper frame 19 which is fixed to the reinforcing cage 15 by bolts 20 threadably engaging angles 21 attached to the upper end of the cage 15. The frame 19 includes arlgles 22 which cooperate with angles 23 to securely engage tbe upper edge portions of the sheets 12 and 13. More ~ ,ulally, ~ threaded fasteners 24 30 clamp together the angles 22 and angles 23 with portions of the sheets 12 and 13 located cb~ . Therefore, the sheets 12 and 13 and the stress ~ictrihllri~n members 16 are suspended from the support assembly 18. The support assembly 18 is adjustable in height through bolts 20, to provide tension in the sheets 12 and 13 when required. The cage 15 therefore supports the sheets 12 and 13. The stress distribution members 16 ma~ be 35 attached to the sheets 12 and 13 after the sheets 12 and 13 are suspended from the support assembly 18.
If needed, a gasket may be located between the angles 22 and the angles 23 to aid in uniformly ,~ the stress to the sheets 12 and 13.

The stress diauilJu~iOl~ members 16 may be bonded to the sheets 1~ and 13 and would be sized in order to ~,, I,....,..~,I_r. the stress they are to distribute and the desired deflection pattern. If so required. the sheets 12 and 13 may be tensioned in order to minimise the deflection thereof.
s The external ~l,. r~ of the structure 10 and double curvature pattern 57 produced, is determined by the tension in the sheets 12 and 13, length of ties 17 as well as the spacing and size of the stress rii~trih-ltinn members 16.
Preferably, the sheets 12 and 13 would be PVC coated polyester fabric, or similar water i~ r or semi~ r fabric. If so required, the sheets 12 and 13 could be reinforced with wire mesh embedded in the sheets 12 and 13. Adjoining sections of sheets 12 and 13 can be oYerlapped and bonded by gluing, sewing, welding or using a zipper. The sheets 12 and 13 can each be assembled from several layers of the flexible sheets bonded or fixed to each other through ties.
It should be ~:p~ll ' that apertures are pierced in the sheets 12 and 13 in order to permit the ties 17 to pass tl~ uu~ll. The stress distribution members 16, as mentioned above, may be bonded to the sheets 12 and 13. This bonding could be by wa~
of adhesive or they may be mPr~nirrlly fixed to or if the members 16 are formed of plastics material, they may be welded to the sheets 12 and 13. Members 16 may be made of one or several pieces of the same or different materials. If so required, interposed 20 between the members 16 and the sheets 12 and 13 are pads 25 which may be resilient if required or made from flexible sheet materials. The pads 25 may be bonded to the sheets 12 and 13, and would aid in ~ the stress thereto. The stress JiaLI;buliuu members 16 may be fixed to the pads 25 if required. Such fixing could be by way of fasteners or clamps. After concreting members 16 may be detached and reused again.
2s The ties 17, if made of flexible material, could be forme~ of one or more loops 26 of flexible maoerial. The extremities would be secured together by means of sewing or a fastener 27. The loops 26 may pass through a sheath 28 as best seen in Figure 5. The loops 26 would pass about pins engaging the exposed outer surface of the members 16.
To further aid in retaining the members 16 at a desired location, ties 29 could 30 extend between the reinforcing cage 15 to the members 16 as best seen in Figure 8.
The ties 17 could be coated with form oil or located in plastic conduits, to aid their removal if required. Ties may be made of a variety of materials such as polyester cords.
wires, plastic clamps or metal bars.
In Figures 6 and 7 there is srhPm~ir:llly depicted one of the stress l;~l.;l..,~;."l 3s members 16. In tbis ~ rJll;.,l ,l. the stress ~ trihlltinn members 16 are of a disc .rL,..."I;l." and are molded from hard plastics material. However other materials sucr as metal are cnnt~ E'' ' The member 16 has a generally planar surface 30 to which t_e sheets 12 and 13 are fixed. The surface 30 forms part of a base portion 31 which i5 generally planar in ~ ,r.-,l, li.". and from which there extends reinforcmg ribs 32. The.-WO 95tl2726 PCTIA~v94100676 ~4935 may be also provided, if required. annular reiMforcing ribs 33. In the centre there is ahub 34 containing an aperture 35 which extends through the base 31. This permits the ties 17 to pass through the member 16 and to engage a pin 36. The hub 34 provides a cradle 37 for the pin 36. As best seen in Figures 6 and 7, the ties 17 loop over the pin 5 36. Preferably, the pin 36 would be "snap" en~Jaged within the cradle 37 but is remoYable in order to release the ties 17 and therefore permit removal of vhe member 16 once vhe concrete has set. Holes 138 may be provided in the hub 34 to allow removal of the pin 36.
A cap 38 snap engages over the hub 34. If so required, the cap 38 could be o coM~Igured so as to cover and bond to the entire external surface of the member 16 apart from the surface 30 by means of adhesives or threads.
The member 16 is intended to abut the sheets 11 and 12 and to be bonded or sealingly connected thereto. The cap 38 aids in this sealing connection in effectivel~
closing off the hub 34, that is the aperture or apertures 35. Alternatively a sealing s material may be applied to close the aperture 35. The aperture and other holes 56 diameter may be sr~ed for controlled ~ d~iliLy and drainage of bleeding water.
In Figure 9 there is crh~m~tir~l~y depicted an alternative Cvlla~luLLiull for the stress ~i~l,;l..,l;.,l. members 16. In Figure 9, the stress distribution member 16 is of a "torroidal" ~ ...,1~_...,.~;.... and is provided with three aperrures 39 through which ties can 20 pass to secure the member 16 to an opposing member on the other side of the structure 10.
The sheets 11 and 12 may be separate sheets, or alternatively may be merel~
differeM sides of an envelope ~ the structure 10. For example, in Figure 10.
the sheets 11 and 12 are just sides of a single envelope 40 sullvullLli l~ the reinforcing 2s assembly 15 which includes the bars 41 and v~m~sverse "stirrups" 42. To ensure that the envelope 40 is kept in desired ~...,~,...,.l;.-.~ and distance from the reinforcing assembl~
15, there is provided spacers 43. For example, in Figure 10 tbe spacers 43 may be merely cylindrical rods or pipes arranged smgularly or in groups. As one alternative, the spacers 43 could cooperate with an angled member 44. As a still further alternative, tbe 30 spacers 43 could be of a "circular" ~....i~.,.,.~;.~.~ which snap over portions of the bar 41.
stirrups 42, or when used at the corners cooperate with a corner member 45. However the main purpose of the spacers 43 is to provide concrete cover and to mamtain the sheets 11 and 12 in a desrred ~ If so required the spacers 58 could be removed gradually as the concrete pour progressed.
In another example, the spæers 43 may be of a "block~ ~.-.,ri,.. ,.,;.~" havinc channels 46 to engage the cage 15. The spacers 43 may be formed of anv suitabi:
material including plastics. As a further alternative plastics tubing can be bent and fille with concrete grout or extruded plastic profiles may be used to IlldllUIdL LUI~ the spacer~
43.

WO 95112726 2 1 7 ~ 9 3 5 PCrIAU94100676 In Figure 11 there is srhPm~ir~lly depicted a means of forming corners in th~
structure 10. In Figure ll the sheet 12 envelops an extension ~7. To form the corners.
pairs of ~o..~ ;"O right angle members 48 are clamped together by means of threaded fasteners 49 so as to hold the sheet 12 in the required posi~ion. The members 48 are then 5 secured to the stirrups 50 by ties 51. The members 48 may be of plastics or metal as required. The members 48 may be glued to the sheet 12. The,v would also act as stress .1;~.,;1,..1;.." members.
In Figure 12 there is ~. h .. -';1 ,.lly depicted a means of forming a generallyhorizontally extending structure 60. The structure 60 would have reinforcing members 61 and may be formed on a pre-existmg wall or support 62. A sheet 63 would extend below the reinforcing 61 and would support concrete poured thereon. Suspended from thereinforcing 61 would be stress ~ trihlltinn members 64 held by means of ties 65. The sheet 63 would be secured to the wall 62 by means of a clamp member 66 in I ~u~
with a threaded fastener 67. If so required, pads or washers 68 could aid in ~ trihlltino the stresses through the edges of sheet 63. As an alternative a beam assembly 54 as shown in Figure 13 could be used to support the sheet members 61 and/or reinforcing 61.
The beam assembly 54 would irlclude telescopic sections 59 enabling the assembly 54 to adjust to different spans.
In Figures 14 and 15 there is crhPrr~ir:~lly depicted a method of securing a flexible 20 sheet 70 to other surfaces such as rigid formwork or sheet steel 71. The steel 71 would have secured to a corner thereof, a right angle bracket 72 which cooperaoes with a further right angle bracket 73 to securely engage the sheet 70. Threaded fasteners 74 would then pass through the brackets 72 and 73 in order to securely engage the sheet 70 and secure il to the steel 71. Again if required a reinforcing cage would be employed together with 25 ~yl/-u,U~ . stress li;~ ." members.
In Figure 16 there is ,, l,. ., -l;~,.lly depicted the lower end of the strucrure 10 of Figure 1. The structure 10 is srhPm~tir~lly depicted as being secured to a generall-horizontal surface 68. The sheets 12 and 13 are clamped to the surface 68 by means of bracket 69 about which the sheets 12 and 13 may be wrapped if so required m order to 30 enharlce the cormection LI~ . The bracket 69 would then be secured to tbe surface 68 by means of fasteners 75. Additionally, the reinforcmg cage 15 would be secured to the surface 68 by means of fastenirlg to the starter bars 76.
In Figures 17 and 18 there is crhPr~ir~ily depicted an assembly 77 to form ar~
aperture in the structure 10. The assembly 77 includes a rectangular frame 78. Howe-e 35 it should be appreciated that the frame 78 could be of any desired rnn~ lr~lrinn Th-frame 78 P.,~ a space 79 which passes through the structure 10. T_e frame 78 o~
this ~.."Iln-li",. ..1 includes four channel members 80 which surround the space 79. T~.e channel members 80 have flanges 81 to which the sheets 12 and 13 would be secured ~
... _ _ . , _ ....... . .

W095/12726 ~ 4 q 35 8 PCTIA1194/00676 fasteners and brackets if required. The frame 78 can also be secured to the cace 15 if so requ*ed in order to maintam its location.
In Figure 19 there is srhpm~rirllly depicted a duct member fitting 82 to form a passage through the strucrure 10 for the passage of pipes and/or cabling or other such s surface conduits. The duct member 82 has end flanges 83 which would be bonded or otherwise secured to the sheets 12 and 13. Extending between the flanges 83 is acylindrical portion 84 which basically encloses the passage extending through the structure 10. The duct member 82 may have a "blind" end and be used to form a recess or hole in the strucrure 10. Some fittings may be coMected to and held by the flexible sheets with no attachmeM to the ~ ru~
In Figures 20 and 21 there is srhP~n ~tir~lly depicted an ~" ,.",. .11 .~1 for having the horizontal structure 60 of Figure 12, extend across the wall 6'. A collar 85 may be made of plastics or metal. and consisting of two segments 86 are secured together by means of threaded fasteners. In this particular Pmho~iimPnt the wall 62 could be a column. Each segment 86 would have a flange 87 to which the sheet 63 could be secured by means of clamping plates, fasteners or adhesiYes, so as to be supported thereto.
In Figures 2~ to 25, there is crhPm~tir~lly depicted various different means b-which one or more wall sections may be cast, with the sections being joined for sealing and/or strength purposes. For example, in Figure 22, there is ~rhPm~ir~lly depicted a 20 wall section 88 to be cast in ....j,..,. ~i.... with a wall section 89. As previously discussed.
each of the wall sections 88 and 89 would employ a flexible sheet 90 to enclose a space which receives the concrete 91. The reinforcmg cage 92 would support the sheet 90. In this L.,.~ , the wall sections 88 and 89 have abutting ends 93 and 94. The end 93 has an end plate 95 defining a vertical groove. The plate 95 would have flances 96 to 25 which the sheet 90 would be secured by clamp plates and thread~d fasteners.
The end 94 has an end plate 98 which has a l ~ liy extending ridge which is received within the i--..~,j....l;.._lly extending recess provided by the plate 95. If so required, spacers 97 may be fitted adjacent the corners of the structures 88 and 89 in order to correctly locate the plates 95 and 98. Plates 95 ar.d 98 may be made from rolled 30 steel sections.
In Figure 23 the wall sections 100 and 101 have sheets 102 and reinforcing cage 103 in a manner as previously discussed. Again appropriate stress ~iictrihl~tirn members and ties would be employed. However in this -...l.o.l;,. . : the ends 104 and 105 are provided with l..,.Yi~ lly extending trough members 106 which are arranged in pairs, with each 3s of the pairs being clamped to the sheet 102 separately by threaded fasteners 107. The opposing pairs cooperate to provide a irm~itl-rlin~lly extendmg generally cylindrical passage 108 which receives a seal member or set in ,ulll~uu~;Liull to sealingJly and/or rigidly comnect the two wall sections 100 and 101 by means of a metal pipe or filled wi~ls concrete. If so required, corner spacers 109 could be employed.
.

WO 95112726 2 1 7 4 9 3 5 PCTIA1~94/00676 In Figure 24 an alternative ~ is shown. In this ~ semi-circular sections 139 preferably made of PVC are bonded to the sheets 140 by adhesives.
After casting, the sheet portions 141 within the void formed, are cut, and the void filled with concrete, metal rod or pipe, or other lo~king means. Spacers used to retain the 5 sheets 140 are not shown.
In the . ..,l.o.l;". .l of Figure 25, the wall sections 110 and 111 are formed using separate sheets 112 and 113. The wall section 110 would be cast first and the section 111 cast so as to be attached thereto. The sheet 112 would have bonded to it the ttvo sheets 113, with the sheet portion 142 to be removed. The section 110 would have a protruding end 114 which would project into a recessed end 115 of the section 111. Spacers 116 would aid in forming the end 114.
Reinforcing rods 144 could be bonded in the section 110 and protrude from the end 114, to be located in the section 111, to aid in joining the sections 110 and 111~ when the section 111 is cast.
In Figures 26 and 27 there is srhPm~ir~lly depicted a formwork assembly 130. Theformwork assembly 130 would include a support telescopic post 131 supporting a reinforcing grid 132 consisting of reinforcino rods 133. More particularly, the grid 13' would be supported by support lines or cables 134. A flexible sheet 135 would besupported by stress ,l;~l,;l,.,li..ll members 136 again supported by fiexible lines or cables zo 137. The cables 137 are similar to the previously discussed ties but with ~djLIaL~d~iliLy in length, and can be released from hooks and re-used. Concrete would then be poured on top of the sheet 135 to form a generally horizontally extending structure.
In Figures 28 and 29, there is ~rh~tir:llly depicted a means of adapting the formwork assembly 11 deforming generally planar surfaces on the strucnure 10. In this 25 I'I'U~ 1, a generally rigid sheet 145 is enclosed by the sheet 66 which forms a sleeve and is placed between several of the stress ~i~trjhlltjon members 16 and the sheet 12. A
sleeve may be suspended from support assembly 18 of Ftgure 1, and is completel~
reusable.
In the ~ "l.o.l;~ of Figure 30, the formwork assembly 11 includes hooks or 30 eyelets 145. The hooks 145 have a flange 146 which may be secured to the sheet 112.
The hooks 145 include an end 147 to ensure that the hook 145 is securely anchored in the concrete structure formed. The hooks 145 may be m~rh~ lly fixed to stress - ,l,~l, ;l.. -l;-,., member 16 of Figure 1. A plurality of the hooks 145 provide d~ for foreign objects e.g. a reinforced earth strap.
3s Figure 31 shows the formwork assembly 11 includmg cables or rods 148 which extend from the support assembly 18 (as described with reference to Figure 1). Tension in the sheets 12 and 13 can be controlled by the cables or rods 148. Support assembly 1 may be repeated along the height of structure 10.

WO951126 ~ 7 4~ ~5 PCT/AU94/00676 In Figures 32 to 3~, there is ~ lly depicted a structure 150 which ma~ b~
formed by the formwork assembly of Figure 1. In this ~",l-u.l;,.,. ,l a thin panel strucrure 150 formed is curved. The panel lS0 would have reinforcing rods 151 to which there is attached spacers 152 to aid in retaining the sheets 153 and 154 in the desired position 5 during pouring. Stress ~ members 155 and associated ties would be used.
The formwork assembly of Figure 1 can be further optimised by reducing the volume of concrete used.
In Figures 35 and 36, there is crhPrr~rirllly depicted the ~ I.riL,. ,..;l.~. which may be used employing the fortnwork assembly of Figure 1. In this l.,.l"~-l;",. .,l, a concrete structure 160 is formed by the use of a sheet 161 and stress distribution members 162 and associated ties 163. ReiMforcing members 164 would be supported by ties 165. The ties 163 and 165 would extend upwardly to a support structure. In this rl~ the stress distribution members 163 are located in the ceMre of the ~c;llrul.,~ grid 16~
and in "~,., 'y the same plane as the reiMforcing grid 164. After pouring of theconcrete, the sheet 161 would deflect and extend downwardly so as to pro~ide sufficient concrete cover for the reinforcing grid 164. The depth of coverage of the concrete is determined by the length of the ties 163.
In Figures 3~, 38 and 39 there is ~rh~m~lir:llly depicted various regular and irregular structure shapes which may be cast employing the formwork assembly of Figure 20 1.
Post-tensioning techniques can be applied by assemblino the prc t~iullill~ tendorls and ducts, within the formwork prior to concrete placement.
In the above described preferred rll~ , particularly those e~ ûdil~
employing walls and columns, it should be appreciated that the walls andlor colurnns may 25 be used in a variety of buildings and structures including sea walls, jetties and wharves.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A formwork comprising:
a flexible substantially water impermeable sheet to define at least one side of a space to receive unset concrete;
stress distribution members fixed to a major surface of the sheet at spaced locations, which major surface does not confront said space, said distribution members being adapted to distribute within the sheet stresses, arising from the concrete within the space pressing on the sheet, to thereby aid the sheet to withstand pressure applied to the sheet;
and a plurality of ties, each tie being fixed to and extending from an associated one of the members, the ties extending through the sheet and being fixed so as to support the associated members in a desired position to thereby support the sheet in a desired configuration until the concrete sets.
2. The formwork of claim 1, wherein the sheet substantially encloses the space, and stress distribution members are located on opposite sides of the space with the ties extending therebetween.
3. The formwork of claim 1 or 2, further including reinforcing members to be embedded in the concrete, and wherein at least some of the stress distribution members are secured to the reinforcing members to aid in maintaining the location of the stress distribution members.
4. The formwork of claim 3, wherein said formwork includes a support frame for said flexible sheet, and means movably supporting said support frame on saidreinforcing members for vertical relative movement thereto.
5. The formwork of claim 4, wherein said support frame is adjustably connected to said reinforcing members.
6. The formwork of any one of claims 1 to 5, further including pads located between the stress distribution members and the associated sheet and being fixed to the associated sheet.
7. The formwork of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said stress distribution members and/or ties are adapted to be withdrawn after setting of the concrete.
8. The formwork of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the stress distribution members are of a disc or ring configuration and the ties are flexible.
9. A method of erecting formwork, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a flexible sheet;
fixing to a major surface of the sheet, a plurality of stress distribution members;
providing a plurality of ties;
suspending the sheet from a fixed point;
securing each tie to an associated stress distribution member and fixing the ties so that the stress distribution members are held in a desired position to thereby hold the sheets in a desired configuration defining at least one side of a space, with the tie members extending from their associated stress distribution members and through the sheet and into said space.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein said sheet substantially encloses said space.11. The method of claim 9 or 10, further including the step of locating reinforcing in said space and securing at least some of the stress distribution members to the reinforcing to aid in locating the flexible sheet and stress distribution members, and then delivering the concrete to said space.
12. The method of claim 11, further including providing a support frame for saidsheet, and supporting said frame on said reinforcing.
13. The method of claim 12, further including the step of adjustably supporting said frame on said reinforcing.
14. The method of any one of claims 9 to 13, further including locating a pad between each distribution member and the sheet, which pad is fixed to the sheet.15. The method of claim 9, further including providing generally rigid sheet material to abut a portion of said sheet in order provide a concrete structure cast in set form work, with a generally planar portion.
16. The method of claim 9, wherein said sheet and/or stress distribution membersare provided with apertures to drain water from said space.
17. The method of claim 9, wherein said formwork is erected adjacent an existingwall section, with said sheet being joined to said wall section.
18. The method of claim 9, further including the step of providing a support structure for said sheet, with said stress distribution members being connected to said support structure, and wherein said support structure includes at least one telescopic member which is adjustable in length.
19. The method of claim 9, further including step of providing attachment means to enable items to be attached to a concrete structure cast in the formwork, said attachment means passing through said sheet so as to have a portion located in said space and so as to project out from said sheet.
20. A method of forming a concrete structure, said method including the step of providing formwork according to the method of claim 9, delivering concrete to said space and permitting the concrete to set.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein said concrete structure includes a pair of abutting concrete structures having confronting surfaces defining a void to receive a connecting member therein.
22. The method of forming a concrete structure, including the method of claim 9,said method including delivering concrete to said space and permitting the concrete to dry so that said concrete structure has an external pattern having portions with a double curvature.

23. The method of claim 9, further including the step of providing a structure of reinforcing members, which structure supports that flexible sheet.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein said sheet substantially encloses said reinforcing structure but is spaced therefrom.
25. The formwork of claim 3, wherein said reinforcing members are arranged in a predetermined configuration which configuration determines the configuration of a structure to be moulded in the formwork.
26. The formwork of claim 1, wherein stress distribution members permit the flowof water therethrough to permit the draining of water from concrete supported by the formwork.
27. A formwork, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
28. A method of providing a formwork, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.