An Investigation into the critical factors affecting the performance of composite controlled permeable formwork liners: Part I – Drainage medium

The critical elements associated with a CPF drainage medium and their associated effects on the near surface performance of vertically cast concrete slabs are the focus of this study. A range of board absorption levels, textured features and texture depth are investigated using a Taguchi orthogonal array approach. A permeable polypropylene filter layer was used in conjunction with the various drainage mediums. Statistical software was utilised to determine significant variables as a function of the near surface performance. The range of tests used to characterise the surface performance of the various drainage mediums include surface roughness, surface hardness, surface tensile strength and water absorption. Results are compared to a control sample which was cast against impermeable plywood formwork. All drainage medium permutations showed similar evidence of water/cement ratio reduction at the near surface region of the concrete slab. Surface quality was analysed using quantitative methods and showed significant improvements for all systems over the control. The results for the systems studied indicate that the features of a drainage medium are not critical to the functionality of a CPF liner to reduce the near surface w/c ratio. In fact, it is indicated that the absence of a drainage medium has the same enhancement in near surface concrete slab properties as that of a complex structure when compared to the control sample.