REMOVING FORMWORK
REMOVING FORMWORK
(OP)
Can anyone tell me how long I should wait before removing the forms and wood supports under an 8"x24" concrete beam spanning 12ft between columns for a residential terrace. I poured 3000 psi pump mix down here in South Florida? I hear after 7 days it gets 80% of its full strength but I'm getting different replies from different contractors.





RE: REMOVING FORMWORK
You could core the concrete to find its strength, since I assume you did not take test specimens for compressive strength. Don't let the concrete producer or a contractor use a "magic" Swiss Hammer on the concrete to tell you the compressive strength. It doesn't do that, even though there's a scale on it that is shown as compressive strength. It is a poor indicator of strength for a variety of reasons.
Given all that, it would be better to wait a few extra days, to assure yourself of more strength gain, assuming your beam is properly reinforced and the concrete was not modified during placement.
RE: REMOVING FORMWORK
RE: REMOVING FORMWORK
Ron, again educated all of us. Thanks.
RE: REMOVING FORMWORK