Easy form

By last night we had cut and made four sections of shutter board with backing frames and the means to connect them to each other. And today we did our first test to find out whether they erect easily and if the joints are flush when erected. We were also anxious to find out if it was possible to work within the cavity to compact the earth. One concern was that 450mm was too narrow a space in which to operate and that this would undermine the levels of compaction.

We managed to set up the forms very easily. The alignment was not a problem and the panels bolted together as we had hoped. With a battery operated screwdriver the assembly was quick and painless. Each section, although heavy and rigid, can be lifted and erected quite easily by two people, which was a surprise. Fortunately the 450mm wide space is sufficient to operate within and this should not compromise the rammed earth compaction rates. However we will have to make a step ladder for the tamping team to use to get into (or out of) the assembled formwork especially when it is over 3m in height. And of course the pipe clamps worked a treat. They are simple robust units that I am sure may develop legs and walk if not carefully looked after.

We had planned to make three sets of formwork so that in any one day:

1. one would be compacted and curing,
2. a second would be in the process of being filled and compacted and
3. a third would be in the process of being erected.

After today's test, it might just be possible to get away with two sets. At the end of a day the cured set could be disassembled and the next morning erected before the compaction process began. But let's not get ahead of ourselves - there is still a long road ahead and next week will be dedicated to eradicating alien vegetation and to building forms. But for me, its off to stunning Mozambique with family and friends for a short holiday.