Additional fabric must be allowed in the column height to go around each rope or PEX tubing.

OVERVIEW

Reveals are created by using a hoop (rope or PEX tubing) to constrain the circumference of the fabric where the reveal is located. The fabric must travel around the hoop, and therefore the fabric length is greater than the column height.

For example, with a 1/2" PEX tubing, the extra distance the fabric travels is about 3/8".
 

A 3/8" section of the alignment tab is removed.

SHORTEN THE COLUMN

The column height is reduced by shortening the length of the alignment tab stapled to the 2x4 as shown.

A 3/8" section of the alignment tab is removed.

SLIT FOR HOOP MATERIAL

Carefully cut a vertical slit an inch up and down from the reveal to allow the hoop to go around the Fast-Tube™. Do not cut the body of the tube as this will lead to form failure.

The edges of the alignment tab are stapled adjacent to each other.

STAPLE TABS TOGETHER

The adjacent edges of the alignment tab are stapled together, providing extra tube fabric to go around the hoop material, creating the reveal in the concrete.

By knotting the rope at the correct length before the pour, the exact depth of reveal is obtained.

USING ROPE AS HOOP

Calculate the length of the rope to go around the Fast-Tube™ at the reveal depth, and mark lines on the rope for positioning.

For example, with a 10" diameter tube and a 1/2" diameter rope, the diameter at the center of the rope will be 9-1/2", or a length of 29-7/8". Use a felt pen to mark this distance on the rope.

Place the rope around the tube, through the slit between the 2x4 and tube, around the 2x4s, and tie the knot so that the marks on the rope line up.
 

Hoop of PEX tubing is passed through the slot cut in the alignment tab.

USING PEX TUBING AS HOOP

Calculate the length of the PEX tubing required to go around the Fast-Tube™ at the reveal depth, and cut off the required length. Place the PEX tube through the slot cut in the alignment tab, and use a coupling and hose clamps to form the hoop.

Ron Kautzma of Sunset Builders checks the rope on the Fast-Tube™.

POURING CONCRETE

Ron Kautzma adjusts the rope to meet the specifications of the architect.

One of the 2x4s has been removed to show the column just prior to stripping the fabric.

READY TO STRIP

The next day, one 2x4 has been removed, showing the tab detail at the point of the reveal, prior to stripping the fabric.

This reveal was created with a twisted 5/8" diameter rope.

FINISHED RESULTS

This photo shows the reveal created by using a 5/8" diameter twisted nylon rope around a 10" diameter Fast-Tube™.

1/2" diameter braided rope was used to create this reveal.

This reveal was created using a 1/2" diameter braided rope around a 10" diameter Fast-Tube™.

Note the subtle fabric texture on the column.

The potential for using Fast-Tube™ to create architectural detailing is unlimited.