Fabric forming is a revolutionary innovation and paradigm shift in concrete forming. Fabric forms are healthy, efficient, ecologically sensitive products providing foundations for a green future.

Click here to go to the International Society of Fabric Forming (ISOFF).

Click here to go to the CAST Institute (Centre for Architectural Structures and Technology).

Differences between rigid forms and fabric forms?

Rigid forms are heavy, expensive, and must be recycled

Rigid Forms

Conventional concrete forms are made from rigid materials such as plywood, steel or aluminum. Concrete fluid loads induce pressure between restraining ties, causing the outside of the form to be in tension, the inside in compression, and the middle is neutral. This thickness results in heavy and expensive formwork which must be recycled from job to job.

Fast-Tube™ takes up less than 1% of the space of cardboard.

Fabric Forms

Fabric can only operate in tension, with no neutral or compression planes. As a result, fabric is extremely efficient in transferring fluid loads to the restraining ties. Typically fabric is 200 to 300 times lighter than a comparable rigid form, offering efficiencies unheard of in the history of the concrete forming.

These efficiencies allow the formwork to be left in place, reducing expensive recycling costs of stripping, transporting and storage. Furthermore, the fabric provides sustaining green value by acting as a damp proof membrane, preventing water wicking into the concrete and providing a drier and healthier indoor environment.

Types of fabric formwork manufactured by Fab-Form

1. Fastfoot® footing forms
2. Fastbag® footing forms
3. Fast-Tube™ column forms

Understanding fabric forming.