Forms

Today the concrete contractor set up the forms for the concrete. The guys then tied the rebar within the forms.  The rebar used here are steel rods 3/4" in diameter.  They're tied together with wire into a grid to reinforce the concrete.  Concrete has a high compressive strength, but a much lower tensile strength.  Meaning it will hold up to driving heavy equipment on it (compression), but doesn't have the lateral strength - if the edge of the slab is suspended (like if some dirt under it washed away), it could be snapped off.  The rebar helps give the slab the needed tensile strength.  Gee, how do I know so much about concrete?  Well, that would be because I work for a redimix company.  I could talk concrete until you start to nod off.  Which you might already be doing.  Sorry.

 Most of the forms are in, the guys are just finishing up.

 Here is what will be the sidewalk.  You can see two lines of rebar and the start of the third in between them.

 Look at all that bending.  Concrete work is hard on the back, let me tell you.  Because I do so much finishing, you know.  Okay, okay, not finishing, but I have tied rebar before, and that is murder on the back.  Do you know who is the rebar tying champion?  Sport.  No joke.  That kid is a pro.

 Here we are looking up the length of the gutter.  You can see where the curb will be to the left of it.

 From the right:  the first form is for the gutter pan, then the 2 driveway approaches, then the sidewalk.  Wow, that was confusing.  Maybe it'll make more sense when you see the concrete in place.  Or maybe when I learn to write a coherent sentence.  Lets put our money on the concrete.

 Here's a closer look at the rebar.  When the concrete gets poured into the forms, the finishers pull the rebar up so it is suspended in the slab.  Concrete work, not only hard on the back, but messy.

And here we have one last look at the forms.  Tomorrow, I'll show you the pour!