R608.5.1.6

Section R608.5.1.6 is titled 'Consolidation of concrete' and covers the requirements for assuring that concrete placed into forms for concrete walls is properly spread throughout the form without air voids. The requirement to consolidate concrete being placed in forms, and a specific method of consolidation where stay-in-place type forms are used is established. The purpose of this section is to prevent structural failure. This section has an exception which exempts the use of a specific consolidation method for stay-in-place forms where concrete mixtures designed for not requiring the consolidation method is used. The purpose of this exception is to allow for a practical alternative method which will allow for proper consolidation of concrete in forms.

The model shows a section of a stay-in-place form, which contains reinforcing bars, being filled with concrete which initially does not completely fill the form, but is then internally vibrated with equipment designed for this function, which settles the concrete and removes air voids, and lastly the concrete is topped off to fill the form.