I’m hoping to build some short (18″ to 24″) free-form concrete retaining walls. These walls will have many small radius curves in them so I don’t think block would work. I’m in arizona where freezing is not a problem. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to build curved forms? The walls will probably be about 4″ to 6″ thick.
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Something like a Mesa block can create a 6' radius. You going tighter than that?
Edited 7/6/2002 10:38:45 PM ET by Cloud Hidden
Some of the radii are as small as 3'. I've even thought about doing block wall segments connected by poured concrete curves but I'm unsure about how to successfully connect them.
Richard,
Bending ply would work but is kinda pricey. Stagger the cores in your blocks so concrete can flow in to tie to curved segment. Sounds like fun.
KK
After building the forms I would seal coat them well and then place plastic over the forms to keep the moisture in while the concrete cures. And don't forget steel. A curving wall like this could be more subject to shrinkage & stress cracks.
Excellence is its own reward!
I've bent hardboard to radii that tight for concrete forming. As for stabilizing the form, a stake or rebar in the ground on each side, spaced fairly close, with the ply/hardboard inside that, and furring across the top as a spacer and tie.
This isn't a perfect pix, but it shows you the general setup...
http://www.cloudhidden.org/dometag/formwork.jpg
Edited 7/7/2002 6:35:41 PM ET by Cloud Hidden