| Chapter | Title | Key Topics Covered | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 1 | Introduction and Scope | Overview of the guide's purpose and application. | | 2 | Notation and Definitions | Clear definitions of terms and symbols used in formwork. | | 3 | General Considerations | Achieving economy in formwork and preparing contract documents. | | 4 | Design | Loads, member capacities, safety factors for accessories, shoring, bracing, foundations, and settlement. | | 5 | Construction | Safety precautions, construction practices, tolerances, irregularities in formed surfaces, form removal, and shoring/reshoring. | | 6 | Materials | Properties of materials used in formwork, including accessories, coatings, and release agents. | | 7 | Architectural Concrete | Specific considerations for achieving high-quality exposed concrete finishes. | | 8 | Special Structures | Formwork for bridges, thin shells, mass concrete, and underground structures. | | 9 | Special Methods of Construction | Preplaced aggregate concrete, slipforms, permanent forms, prestressed concrete, site precasting, and underwater concrete. | | 10 | References | A list of cited standards and reports. |
The application of ACI 347-14 to excavation support is best understood through the lens of load path continuity. When an excavation is opened, the soil’s natural state of equilibrium is disturbed. The potential for cave-ins creates a lateral load that must be transferred to a support system. The standard’s guidance on formwork acts as a surrogate framework for understanding these lateral forces. For instance, the design of wales and struts in a trench box or a sheet pile system mirrors the design of wales and ties in a vertical concrete form.
During the construction of a multistory concrete building, newly poured concrete floors do not instantly gain enough strength to support their own weight, let alone the weight of construction equipment and the next floors above them. This document provides the engineering framework to safely distribute these temporary construction loads down through multiple lower levels using temporary vertical supports. 2. Core Concepts: Shoring vs. Reshoring vs. Backshoring
This comprehensive guide breaks down the core structural principles, design equations, load parameters, and field practices detailed across the 122 pages of the . Core Objectives of ACI 347R-14 aci 34714 pdf
ACI 347.14 provides guidelines for the design and construction of high-strength concrete structures. The standard covers materials, design, and construction practices, and emphasizes the importance of quality control during construction. By following the guidelines in ACI 347.14, engineers and contractors can build high-strength concrete structures that are durable, strong, and require less maintenance.
The weight of workers, equipment, tools, and material storage. ACI recommends a minimum live load of 50 lbs/ft² (2.4 kPa) for standard operations, or 75 lbs/ft² (3.6 kPa) if motorized buggies are used. Lateral Pressure of Concrete
To understand the significance of ACI 347-14, one must first situate it within the hierarchy of construction safety standards. Although the primary designation of ACI 347 is "Guide to Formwork for Concrete," the principles contained within the 2014 revision are integral to the design of excavation support systems. Excavation support, often synonymous with shoring, shares fundamental engineering principles with concrete formwork: both are temporary structures designed to resist significant lateral pressures, both must prevent collapse to protect human life, and both require rigorous engineering judgment. | Chapter | Title | Key Topics Covered
In the construction industry, formwork represents one of the most significant cost components of a concrete structure, often accounting for 40% to 60% of the total cost of the concrete work. Beyond cost, it is a critical element for structural safety and worker protection.
Detailed guidance on calculating horizontal and vertical forces, including lateral concrete pressure and environmental loads like wind.
Protecting workers and ensuring structural integrity during construction loads. | | 4 | Design | Loads, member
ACI 347-14 is an "ACI Committee Report." Unlike the Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete (ACI 318), ACI 347 is not automatically legally binding unless it is referenced by a local building code or a project specification. However, it represents the for the industry.
The guide is based on three core objectives: . Because formwork can often account for over half the total cost of a concrete structure, the ACI 347-14 PDF provides the necessary framework to balance material efficiency with the structural integrity required to prevent catastrophic failures. Key Definitions in Formwork
Achieving the desired concrete finish, dimensions, and tolerances. Economy: Maximizing reusability and minimizing labor time.
The legitimate, fully updated PDF version is available for purchase directly from the American Concrete Institute official bookstore or licensed technical document distributors (such as IHS Markit or Techstreet).
Includes the weight of the reinforcement steel and the wet concrete itself (typically assumed to be 150 lbs/ft³ or 2400 kg/m³), plus the weight of the formwork equipment.