A tie rod suitable for use with known concrete forming systems is constructed from a non-metal fiber, such as fiberglass, that is wound about a pair of opposed thimble elements. The resultant tie rod is as strong as a metal tie rod without the drawbacks of conventional metal tie rods. Each of the thimble elements has a main body having a channel formed in an outer surface of the main body, and the fiberglass fiber is disposed within the channel when wound thereabout.

A removable form tie system and methods of construction using same are disclosed. The removable form tie system may comprise first and second brackets for respectively mounting to a first and second forms spaced apart from one another. A wire runs from the first bracket to the second bracket. Each bracket preferably comprises a fastening wall and a channel adapted to receive one end of the wire. Each bracket may further comprise a holder for receiving the wire at a substantially orthogonal angle after being received by the channel. The holder may comprise a portion of a stiffening wall extending substantially orthogonally away from the fastening wall, as well as a detent extending substantially orthogonally away from the first stiffening wall. In the alternative, the holder may be an extension from the fastening wall, wherein the holder extends substantially orthogonally away from the first fastening wall and then bends back to be generally parallel to the first fastening wall. Where the forms are plywood, a bracket may include a stiffening wall extending generally orthogonal away from the fastening wall, wherein the stiffening wall includes a sleeve adapted to receive a pin. Methods of using the form tie system include using the brackets with sleeve and pin arrangement to secure one or more braces, such as walers or strong backs, to maintain rigidity of the forms. The disclosed inventions advantageously permit wet concrete to be poured between the forms and troweled with ease. The wire may be easily removed from the concrete, even days after the concrete has cured, for an aesthetically pleasing result without concern of wire oxidization issues.

A removable form tie system and methods of construction using same are disclosed. The removable form tie system may comprise first and second brackets for respectively mounting to a first and second forms spaced apart from one another. A wire runs from the first bracket to the second bracket. Each bracket preferably comprises a fastening wall and a channel adapted to receive one end of the wire. Each bracket may further comprise a holder for receiving the wire at a substantially orthogonal angle after being received by the channel. The holder may comprise a portion of a stiffening wall extending substantially orthogonally away from the fastening wall, as well as a detent extending substantially orthogonally away from the first stiffening wall. In the alternative, the holder may be an extension from the fastening wall, wherein the holder extends substantially orthogonally away from the first fastening wall and then bends back to be generally parallel to the first fastening wall. Where the forms are plywood, a bracket may include a stiffening wall extending generally orthogonal away from the fastening wall, wherein the stiffening wall includes a sleeve adapted to receive a pin. Methods of using the form tie system include using the brackets with sleeve and pin arrangement to secure one or more braces, such as walers or strong backs, to maintain rigidity of the forms. The disclosed inventions advantageously permit wet concrete to be poured between the forms and troweled with ease. The wire may be easily removed from the concrete, even days after the concrete has cured, for an aesthetically pleasing result without concern of wire oxidization issues.

A concrete form apparatus and system for connecting opposing form sections at a desired distance from each other defining a space to receive poured concrete, the apparatus preventing the form section separation, the apparatus including a locking pin, form connector rotatably and releasably affixed to a form, and retainer affixed to arm defining a channel therein sized to be engaged within the slot whereby the locking pin is placed through corresponding holes in adjacent forms and engages a first form, extends through the relative distance between the forms, exits through a hole in the second form, and the channel of the retainer attached to the second form engages the locking slot on the locking pin maintaining a fixed distance between the forms and preventing form separation when pouring concrete. A system using the foregoing and also including clamps for affixing adjoining forms to one another is also claimed.

The insulating concrete form system includes longitudinal and corner block assemblies each having a pair of side panels configured with tie receivers interacting with panel spacing ties to hold the side panels in an opposing manner and leading edges with an alternating arrangement of projections and recesses for interlocking with neighboring block assemblies. Each panel spacing tie includes a mid-support section interposing in between and connecting to a pair of end sections by a living hinge with each end section being configured with a flange member for placement within an opposing spatial wedge of the tie receiver, whereby the living hinge possesses the capability of allowing the side panels to move inwardly toward one another in a racked position to yield compactness of the longitudinal block assembly for economical transport. The corner block assembly also includes corner panel spacing ties to supplementally reinforce its structure to withstand hydrostatic blowout caused by poured concrete.

A concrete wall formwork module is provided in which the lateral and longitudinal opposite side edges of the modules are provided with complementary shapes that lock in place two adjacent modules when they are both deployed. The opposite side edges of adjacent modules interlock in one direction and are configured for adjoining according to a shiplap arrangement in the other direction.

A collapsible formwork element, the element including: a pair of opposing side wall panels; and at least one connector member extending between the side wall panels, wherein the formwork element is movable between an expanded configuration, wherein the opposing panels are spaced apart, and a collapsed configuration, wherein the opposing panels are relatively closer together.

Disclosed is a spacer for a disposable formwork for the construction of a wall, with first and second panels. The spacer mutually couples the first and second panels at a certain distance one from the other. The spacer includes: a first connecting portion coupled, in use, with the first panel; a second connecting portion opposite the first and coupled, in use, with the second panel; and at least one pipe with at least one lateral opening communicating, in use, outside the formwork. In the pipe a through hole communicates, in use, with the formwork interior, allowing air passage from the outside towards the inside part and liquid outflow from inside towards the outside of the formwork. Also disclosed is a disposable formwork for the construction of a wall, including two panels and at least one such spacer, arranged between the two panels and coupling the two panels.

A stay-in-place footing form assembly includes a plurality of inner form boards serially aligned and joined by inner joining brackets, a plurality of outer form boards serially aligned and joined by outer joining brackets, a plurality of lower spacing rails, each disposed between and connecting base brackets in the inner and outer joining brackets aligned laterally, and a plurality of upper spacing rails, each disposed between and connecting top brackets in the inner and outer joining brackets aligned laterally. The lower spacing rails include first rebar receptacle(s) for seating horizontal rebars on the rails, and the upper spacing rails include second rebar receptacle(s) for holding vertical dowel rebars therein. The inner and outer form boards are insulation boards that have an ability of absorbing lateral forces of earthquakes exerted to a concrete footing formed in the stay-in-place footing form, and an ability of insulating the concrete footing from surrounding temperatures.

A method of forming one or more tie rods that includes flattening a main body of a wire in a first selected plane to form a flattened main body, further flattening selected portions of the flattened main body in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane to form one or more break back regions, and then passing the wire through a punch press machine to form one or more coined regions in one or more ends of the wire, thus forming the tie rod.