LEAVE-IN-PLACE CONCRETE FORM
A concrete form is disclosed and can include an elongated body having a length and a width. A cross-section of the elongated body perpendicular to the length can include a closed, box-shaped main body having an upper wall, a lower wall opposite the upper wall, a first sidewall extending between and connecting the upper wall and the lower wall, and a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall and extending between and connecting the upper wall and the lower wall. A lower extension can extend from the main body portion in a first direction beyond the lower wall and an upper extension can extend from the main body portion in a second direction opposite the first direction beyond the upper wall.
1 . A concrete form, comprising:
an elongated body having a length and a width, wherein a cross-section of the elongated body perpendicular to the length comprises:
a closed, box-shaped main body portion comprising:
an upper wall;
a lower wall opposite the upper wall;
a first sidewall extending between and connecting the upper wall and the lower wall;
a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, the second sidewall extending between and connecting the upper wall and the lower wall;
a lower extension extending from the main body portion in a first direction beyond the lower wall; and
an upper extension extending from the main body portion in a second direction opposite the first direction beyond the upper wall.
2 . The concrete form of claim 1 , further comprising a stiffening lip extending from the upper extension, wherein the stiffening lip extends along the entire length of the elongated body.
3 . The concrete form of claim 2 , wherein the stiffening lip is perpendicular to the upper extension.
4 . The concrete form of claim 1 , wherein the lower extension extends in a downward direction and the upper extension extends in an upward direction when the concrete form is installed.
5 . The concrete form of claim 1 , wherein the upper wall and the lower wall are substantially perpendicular to the first sidewall and the second sidewall.
6 . The concrete form of claim 1 , wherein the lower extension, the upper extension and the second sidewall lie along the same plane.
7 . The concrete form of claim 2 , wherein the stiffening lip is parallel to the upper wall and the lower wall.
8 . The concrete form of claim 2 , wherein the elongated body comprises an overall height, H, and wherein the stiffening lip extends from the upper extension at a distance, D, and a ratio of D/H is in a range of from about 5% to about 50%.
9 . The concrete form of claim 2 , wherein the stiffening lip extends from the upper extension such that the upper extension does not extend above the stiffening lip.
10 . The concrete form of claim 2 , wherein the body includes a length along a longitudinal axis and the body includes a substantially uniform cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis along the entire length of the body.
11 . The concrete form of claim 1 , wherein the elongated body is molded or extruded.
12 . The concrete form of claim 1 , wherein the concrete form is left in place once the form is used in the construction process.
13 . A concrete form, comprising:
a closed, box-shaped main body portion comprising:
an upper wall;
a lower wall opposite the upper wall;
a first sidewall extending between and connecting the upper wall and the lower wall;
a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, the second sidewall extending between and connecting the upper wall and the lower wall;
a lower extension extending from the main body portion in a first direction beyond the lower wall; and
an upper extension extending from the main body portion in a second direction opposite the first direction beyond the upper wall;
wherein a cross-section of the concrete form perpendicular to a length of the concrete form and passing through the main body, the lower extension, and the upper extensions is substantially uniform along the length of the concrete form.
14 . The concrete form of claim 13 , wherein the concrete form is produced via a molding process or an extrusion process.
15 . The concrete form of claim 13 , wherein the concrete form is free of discontinuous structural features extending along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the concrete form.
16 . A concrete forming system, comprising:
a first concrete form configured to provide water drainage; and
a second concrete form distanced from the first concrete form to define a channel between the first concrete form and the second concrete form, wherein the second concrete form comprises:
an elongated body having a length and a width, wherein a cross-section of the elongated body perpendicular to the length comprises:
a closed, box-shaped main body portion comprising:
an upper wall;
a lower wall opposite the upper wall;
a first sidewall extending between and connecting the upper wall and the lower wall;
a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, the second sidewall extending between and connecting the upper wall and the lower wall;
a lower extension extending from the main body portion in a first direction beyond the lower wall; and
an upper extension extending from the main body portion in a second direction opposite the first direction beyond the upper wall.
17 . The concrete form of claim 16 , wherein the concrete form is produced via a molding process or an extrusion process.
18 . A concrete forming system, comprising:
a first concrete form configured to provide water drainage;
a second concrete form distanced from the first concrete form to define a channel between the first concrete form and the second concrete form; and
a plurality of stakes placed along each concrete form at a regular stake interval, I S , wherein the second concrete form provides an installed deflection, D I , between adjacent stakes and D I ≦0.75% I S .
19 . The concrete forming system of claim 18 , wherein D I is measured along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the second concrete form.