Big Solutions for a Big Job

The heavy-duty Max-A-Form^® forming system was used for the mat foundation, support columns and tie beams. The contractor reconfigured the Max-A-Form system for each of these structural elements to maximize equipment usage and minimize the total amount of equipment needed on the site.

To support the mid- and upper-level construction, a "work platform" of Max-A-Form panels, Symons Soldier construction beams, Versiform^® walers and Symons aluminum beams was designed. This work platform kept the mat foundation free from any obstructions, supported the column and tie beam construction, and provided a stable base for shoring the vessel slab.

The main component of the work platform design was a Max-A-Form panel. The panels were used on edge as stringers, supported from the columns with Anchor Brackets. The Max-A-Form panels were used in this self-spanning application for all four bays in the structure, with only minimal support from Symons Soldier towers below. A walkway was added to the work platform and exterior columns to provide safe access around the entire building perimeter.

The biggest construction project in Texarkana

The IH30 in Texas project consists of new construction and reconstruction of frontage roads. Austin Bridge and Road was given the contract to build 22 bridges, consisting of main lane crossovers, turnarounds and flyovers. The project also includes reconstruction of State Highway 59 at the IH 30 interchange and the installation of 25 retaining walls. The bridge and road work is the both the biggest construction project Texarkana has ever had, and the largest contract that Austin Bridge and Road has ever signed.

Like many bridge construction project designs, there are many repetitive elements, such as stems and pier caps. Austin talked to Symons about forming them as productively as possible. They knew that even small ways to simplify construction add up to big savings over the duration of the project.

Symons also proposed using a combination of Max-A-Form^® for the large areas on the pier caps and Steel-Ply^® on the "ear wall" details. Most contractors use wood forms or come back later in a separate operation, but Austin Bridge and Road knew that those methods slowed them down. They immediately recognized the value of this simplified plan. They knew that even small ways to simplify construction add up to big savings when utilized repeatedly.

How to Increase Productivity Before the Job Even Starts

There are many ways to increase job productivity, and it all starts with planning ahead to avoid potential problems. It isn’t hard, but it is very important in the early stages of a job. Time is money, and a little planning can save a whole lot of both!

• Make sure you have what you need. Consider renting forms to provide extra panels and fillers for those big jobs to keep up a good pace.


• Make substitutions. For instance, if you need an 18" filler that you don’t have in stock, use a 10" and an 8" filler.


• If you need to order construction materials, make sure that the order is placed with sufficient lead time to avoid backorders, schedule changes, and construction delays.


• Make sure that the forming system is being used correctly. Using Wedge Bolts at every slot in your Steel-Ply forms increases setting and stripping time, and requires unnecessary parts.


• Have enough forms and accessories on hand. If you skimp to save a few dollars in rental or purchase, you will pay in lower productivity.


• Preplanning the form drop-off point can speed form setting. Stage forms close to where they will be set to reduce handling.


• Similarly, when stripping forms, move the forms to the next pour location to eliminate handling the forms twice.

What are "Symons forms"?

You hear the term "Symons forms" all the time, but what forms do people really mean?
Most of the time, contractors are referring to the steel-framed and plywood-faced Steel-Ply, which is manufactured by Symons.

Symons makes many other concrete forms, so why do builders call Steel-Ply "Symons forms"?
Steel-Ply has been around for over 50 years, they are Number 1, and they are everywhere, so it is only natural for them to be called "Symons forms".

Why are they so popular?
Instead of contractors having to build forms out of plywood and lumber and drilling holes for ties and for bolting them to each other the way generations of concrete contractors had to do before Steel-Ply, they can buy a bunch of standard forms that are reliably strong and easy to connect up. In the building boom that was going on in the 1950's when Steel-Ply was introduced, and in all the ones since, contractors snapped it up. It stays popular because it's a great form.