A six-level cast-in-place parking structure caused some problems for a Maryland forming contractor. It was a typical garage except for the stair and elevator towers. Curved beams framing into upturned beams at the sixth-floor roof were originally planned to be cast in place. This would have been costly and dangerous since the stair-elevator towers had to be built ahead of the adjacent garage. Site precasting reduced hazards for form workers.
Casting the curved beams horizontally at ground level reduced forming to simple, 1-foot-high edge forms. Anchors for lifting inserts were cast in the beams at points designated for stability during lifting.
Fortunately, cooperation from all parties involved with the project solved a difficult formwork problem safely and economically.
