A formwork system moved by forklift rather than by crane was used to build the upper ramp of a two-level, 1,250-car cast-in-place concrete parking garage in Milwaukee. Because of the large area covered by the post-tensioned, slab-and-beam ramp, the contractor had to find an efficient way to transport formwork to the jobsite. The forming system he used consisted of beam and deck forms that can be stripped, moved, and reset using only forklifts and dollies. The main element of the system is a 60-foot-long steel beam form that rests on 18-kp support frames having hinged, height-adjustable legs. Because the beam and its framework support the deck panels, shoring is usually unnecessary.
Twelve forms were normally used for each pour. To strip, transport, and set up the forms, the contractor rented four forklifts. Workers used the forklifts to lift the beam forms into place. Then workers set up and braced the beam support frames and again used forklifts to raise the deck panels into position. After the concrete for each pour cured and was post-tensioned, workers removed the cross braces from the beam's support frame and folded the hinged legs up and out of the way. This allowed movement of construction traffic on the lower garage deck. After stripping each beam form, the forklifts were used to tow the form into position for the next pour.
