Concrete and

Formwork in
New York City

Yegal Shamash, P.E

Marco A. Frias, P.E
 American Institute of Architects
Continuing Education System
The NYC Department of Buildings is a registered Provider with The American
Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems (AIA/ CES). Credit earned
on completion of this program will be reported to AIA/CES for AIA members.
Certificates of Completion for both members and non-AIA members are
available upon request.

This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing professional

education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or
constructed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of
construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or
dealing in any material or product.

Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be

addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.
 Course Description
 Comprehensive review of the latest NYC Building Code
requirements for concrete construction and formwork in
accordance with the 2014 Building Code Chapters 19 and 33.

 Provide participants with the guidelines on how to work with the

Concrete Enforcement Unit on design, construction or special
inspection related issues that may arise during the course of
design or construction of a project.

 Review of construction related failures, incidents and overall

dangerous conditions commonly found by the Concrete
Enforcement Unit.

 Review the dangers of formwork failures as it relates to

neighboring buildings and the general public.
 Learning Objectives

1. Participants will review and be able to identify the 2014 Building

Code requirements for formwork.

2. Participants will review and be able to identify the 2014 Building

Code requirements for concrete construction.

3. Participants will review and be able to identify the 2014 Building

Code requirements for special inspections of concrete
construction.

4. Participants will review and be able to apply the 2014 Building

Code Chapter 19 and related safety requirements in Chapter 33
as it relates to formwork and concrete construction.
 Copyright Materials
This presentation is protected by US and International copyright laws.
Reproduction, distribution, display and use of the presentation without written
permission of the speaker is prohibited.

© NYC Dept. of Buildings

Concrete and Formwork in New York
Concrete and Formwork in New York
 Investigative Engineering Services

 Forensic Engineering Unit

 Concrete Enforcement Unit
 Facade and Local Law Unit
 Retaining Walls
 Compromised Buildings
 Cooling Towers
 Concrete Enforcement Unit

Description
 Is a Legislative Unit
 Enforcement in all five boroughs
 Unit comprised of specially trained inspectors,
engineers and administrators
 All inspectors and engineers are ACI certified
Concrete – NYC Filing Statistics
 Concrete Enforcement Unit

Legislative Responsibilities: Field Inspections

 Structural inspections and Site Safety inspections of all
buildings nine stories and under
 Structural inspections of all buildings ten stories and up
(BEST responsible for site safety of major buildings)
 Parallel Testing – compressive cylinders taken on site and
tested at Port Authority Lab. CEU engineers compare test
results from PA with testing lab results
 TR-2/TR-3 forms, referrals from industry and other DOB
Units (BEST, Excavation/Foundation, Scaffold Safety)
 Concrete Enforcement Unit

Legislative Responsibilities: Concrete Lab Inspections

 Random twice annual inspections of all NYC
registered concrete testing labs
 Review lab records for equipment calibration
 Witness a compression test
 Inspect that concrete cylinders are stored properly
 Concrete Enforcement Unit
Legislative Responsibilities: Engineering Audits
 Review of structural and architectural drawings
− Engineering Design
• Lateral systems, building separations, under design
structural elements

 Pre-permit reviews
− Special Inspections
• Incomplete TR-1, TR-2 and TR-3 forms

 Post-permit reviews
− Special Inspections
• Lack of Special Inspections
− Concrete operations/construction
 Concrete Enforcement Unit

Legislative Responsibilities: Incident Response

 Formwork failures
 Concrete Pump/Hose malfunctions
 Concrete truck accidents
 Concrete: Special Inspections

BC 1704.4 Concrete construction.

Special Inspections for Concrete Construction is
exempt in the following cases:
 Nonstructural concrete slabs on grade
 Concrete foundation for lightweight fences and
recreational equipment
 Concrete patios, site furnishings, garden walls,
driveways, sidewalks and similar construction
 Concrete: Special Inspections

BC 1704.4 Concrete construction.

Testing of Concrete Construction at the time fresh
concrete is required at all times except in the
following cases:
 Where total concrete placement on a given project is
less than 50 cubic yards
 Isolated spread footings of 1 or 2 family buildings three
stories or less supported on earth or rock
 Continuous concrete spread footings supporting walls
of 1 or 2 family buildings three stories or less supporting
on earth or rock
 Formwork: New Design Triggers

BC 3305.3.2.1 Design Drawings. (new design triggers)

Triggers incorporated into 2014 NYCBC Code
 For concrete formwork is in a structure classified as a
major building; or
 Wherever the slab thicknesses or beam heights equal or
exceed 10 inches; or
 Wherever there are concentrated loads exceeding 2000
lbs. imposed on the formwork; or
 Wherever there are loads imposed on existing structures in
accordance with Section 3305.3.1.2.1.
 Formwork: Existing Triggers

BC 3305.3.2.1 Design Drawings.

Triggers from 2008 NYCBC Code
 Wherever the shore or form height exceed 14 feet; or
 Wherever the total vertical load on the forms exceed 150
pounds per square foot; or
 Wherever power buggies are used; or
 Wherever multi-stage shores are used.
Note: In 2008 NYCBC these design triggers were located in Chapter 19
(Concrete) section 1906.3 Design of Concrete Formwork.
 Concrete Load on Existing Structures

BC 3305.3.1.2.1 Use of existing structures to support

vertical or lateral loads.
The use of existing structures to support vertical or
lateral loads imposed by concrete construction
operations shall require an evaluation of the existing
structure for the loads imposed by a registered design
professional. The registered design professional shall
prepare design drawings documenting the findings of
the evaluation, indicate the location of formwork
elements, and the interface between the formwork and
the existing structure.
 Formwork: Inspection & Observation
BC 3305.3.3.1 Inspection.
Formwork, including shores, reshores, braces and other supports,
shall be inspected prior to placement of reinforcing steel to verify that
they conform to the construction documents and formwork design
drawings …periodically… during the placement of concrete. During
and after concreting, the elevations, camber, and vertical alignment of
formwork systems shall be inspected using tell-tale devices…

BC 3305.3.3.2 Formwork observation.

In addition to the inspections by the contractor required pursuant to
Section 3305.3.3.1, visual observations of the formwork for the
general conformance with the design intent shall be performed by the
formwork designer or his designee.
 Construction Concrete Formwork

BC 3305.3.4.5 Perimeter formwork.

Horizontal formwork deck panels and beam for
formwork within 16 feet (4877 mm) from the building
perimeter shall be positively attached to all formwork
support systems at a minimum.
 Reshoring at Forms

BC 3305.3.6 Reshoring.
A signed and sealed reshoring schedule shall be provided
and maintained at the construction site whenever reshoring
is employed.
Exception:
A separate reshoring schedule is not required when the
required reshoring information is covered on the approved
construction documents prepared by the applicant of
record.
 Curing and Cold Weather Requirements
BC1905.11.1 Curing Regular. Concrete (other than high early strength) shall be
maintained above 50°F and in a moist condition for at least the first seven days
after placement, except when cured in accordance with BC1905.11.3 (Accelerated
curing).

BC1905.12 Cold weather requirements.

 Curing and Cold Weather Requirements
BC1905.11.1 Curing Regular. Concrete (other than high early strength) shall be
maintained above 50F and in a moist condition for at least the first seven days after
placement, except when cured in accordance with BC1905.11.3 (Accelerated
curing).

BC1905.12 Cold weather requirements.

 Spacing Limits for Reinforcement
BC1907.6 The clear distance between reinforcing bars, bundle bars, tendons
and ducts shall comply with ACI 318, Section 7.6.
 Reinforced Concrete
(BC1901.2)
BC1901.2 Structural concrete shall be designed and constructed in
accordance with the requirements of this chapter and ACI 318 as
amended in Section 1908 of this Code.

Column rebars
undeveloped
 Reinforced Concrete
BC1901.2

Column rebars
capped but
insufficient splice
length
 Compliance with Construction and
Submittal Documents
28-105.12.2 All work shall conform to the approved construction
and submittal documents, and any approved amendments thereto.
Changes and revisions during the course of construction shall
conform to the amendment requirements of this Code.
 Perimeter Concrete Formwork
(BC3305.3.4)
BC 3305.3.4.5 Perimeter formwork. Horizontal formwork deck panels and
beam for formwork within 16 feet (4877 mm) from the building perimeter
shall be positively attached to all formwork support systems at a minimum.

Inadequate
shoring
 Formwork Inspection
BC 3305.3.3.1 Inspection A classic one!

Candy bar Paint can

wrapper
 Formwork Inspection
BC 3305.3.3.1 Inspection

Concrete into adjacent

property = collateral
damage
 Formwork Inspection
BC 3305.3.3.1 Inspection

Improper concrete
formwork
 Concrete Load on Existing Structures

BC 3305.3.1.2.1 Use of existing structures to support vertical or

lateral loads

Adjacent building
parapet wall partially
collapsed under wet
concrete lateral load =
collateral damage

Single form
 Concrete Load On Existing Structures
BC 3305.3.1.2.1 Use of existing structures to support vertical or lateral
loads Vertical enlargement: New concrete
slabs, columns and walls

Existing party wall

affected by lateral
load imposed by
adjacent building
construction
 Concrete Load on Existing Structures
BC 3305.3.1.2.1 The use of existing structures to support vertical or lateral loads
imposed by concrete construction operations shall require an evaluation of the
existing structure for the loads imposed by a registered design professional…

New concrete
construction

Existing joist pockets

Existing party wall

Existing joists cut unbraced
 Concrete Load on Existing Structures
BC 3305.3.1.2.1 The use of existing structures to support vertical or lateral loads
imposed by concrete construction operations shall require an evaluation of the
existing structure for the loads imposed by a registered design professional…

New concrete
construction

New Existing joist cut

concrete
construction
 Formwork Inspection and Observation
BC 3305.3.3 Formwork…shall be inspected prior to placement of reinforcing steel
to verify that they conform to the construction documents and form design
drawings…periodically…during the placement of concrete…

Shear wall Stay Form partially collapsed

Wet concrete
Stay Form
against adjacent
existing wall
 Concrete Load on Existing Structures
BC 3305.3.1.2.1 Use of existing structures to support vertical or lateral loads

Chimney flutes filled with wet concrete

Existing party wall

affected by lateral
load imposed by
adjacent building
construction
 Concrete Load on Existing Structures
BC 3305.3.1.2.1 Use of existing structures to support vertical or lateral
loads

Upper
portion
of wall
bulging
out
 Concrete Load on Existing Structures
BC 3305.3.1.2.1 The use of existing structures to support vertical or lateral
loads imposed by concrete construction operations shall require an evaluation
of the existing structure for the loads imposed by a registered design
professional.

Major problems
1. Failure to identify party wall with adjacent building to the north.
2. Removal of floor joist that destabilized this party wall.
3. Failure to evaluate existing structure for loads imposed.
4. Failure to inspect formwork before and during concrete pour.

Main consequences
1. FULL VACATE OF ADJACENT PROPERTY – collateral damage -
16 people displaced from residence.
2. Regulatory actions at on going construction (SWO, Violations, etc.) -
50 People out of work at construction site.
 Concrete Load on Existing Structures
BC 3305.3.1.2.1 The use of existing structures to support vertical or
lateral loads imposed by concrete construction operations shall require an
evaluation of the existing structure for the loads imposed by a registered
design professional.

Free available resources online: Oasis maps http://www.oasisnyc.net/

 Concrete Load on Existing Structures
BC 3305.3.1.2.1 The use of existing structures to support vertical or lateral
loads imposed by concrete construction operations shall require an evaluation
of the existing structure for the loads imposed by a registered design
professional.

Free available resources online: http://www.oasisnyc.net/

 Concrete Load on Existing Structures
BC 3305.3.1.2.1 The use of existing structures to support vertical or lateral
loads imposed by concrete construction operations shall require an evaluation
of the existing structure for the loads imposed by a registered design
professional.

Free available resources online: New York Public Library

http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/collections/atlases-of-new-york-city
 Concrete Load on Existing Structures
BC 3305.3.1.2.1
Using NYPL Historic Tax Maps:
1852
 Concrete Load on Existing Structures
BC 3305.3.1.2.1
Using NYPL Historic Tax Maps:
1857-1862
 Concrete Load on Existing Structures
BC 3305.3.1.2.1
Using NYPL Historic Tax Maps:
1893

2016
 Concrete Load on Existing Structures
BC 3305.3.1.2.1

Existing party wall

affected by lateral
load imposed by
adjacent building
construction
 Concrete Load on Existing Structures
BC 3305.3.1.2.1
 Safety Measures and Standards
BC 3301.2 Contractors, construction managers, and subcontractors
engaged construction…operations shall institute and maintain all
safety measures required by this chapter and provide all equipment
or temporary construction necessary to safeguard the public and
property affected by such contractor's operations.

fake ladder
 Safety Measures and Standards
BC 3301.2

Missing safety
measurements
 Safety Measures and Standards
BC 3301.2

Missing safety
measurements
 Safety Measures and Standards
BC 3301.2

Missing safety
measurements
 Safety Measures and Standards
BC 3301.2

Concrete pump
at the sidewalk,
inadequate
public
protection
 Safety Measures and Standards
BC 3301.2

Concrete
pump flying at
the sidewalk,
inadequate
public
protection
 Safety Measures and Standards
BC 3301.2

Concrete pump
resting at the
deck
 Protection of Pedestrians
BC 3307.1 Pedestrians shall be protected during
construction…activities as required by this section and by the
Department of Transportation

> 40’

Sidewalk shed
and construction
fence required
BC3307.6.2 &
BC3307.7
Accidents & Damage to Adjoining Property

BC 3301.8 The department shall be notified

immediately by the permit holder, or a duly
authorized representative, of an accident at a
construction …site, or of any damage to adjoining
property caused by the construction…activity at
the site.
Accidents & Damage to Adjoining Property
BC 3302.1 ACCIDENT: An occurrence directly caused by
construction…activity or site conditions that result in one or more of
the following:
1. A fatality to a member of the public; or
2. Any type of injury to a member of the public; or
3. A fatality to a worker; or
4. An injury to a worker that requires transport by emergency medical
services or requires immediate emergency care at a hospital or offsite
medical clinic; or
5. Any complete or partial structural collapse or material failure; or
6. Any complete or partial collapse or failure of pedestrian protection,
scaffolding, hoisting equipment, or material handling equipment; or
7. Any material fall exterior to the building or structure
Thank you!
 This concludes the
American Institute of Architects
Continuing Education Systems Course.

Department Contact for AIA:

Allison Ginsburg
[email protected], 212-393-2167

© 2016 New York City Department of Buildings