Building foundation form with integral drain

Abstract

A form for use with hardenable, flowable material such as concrete, wherein the form is flexible along a first axis and rigid along a second axis. The form may further include perforations in one side of the form such that when the form is left in place the form acts as a drain.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to structural footing forms and footing drains and in particular to a permanent footing/foundation form having an integral drain.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Laying a form (e.g., a building foundation form) for the construction industry is time consuming in that much preparation is required before pouring flowable, hardenable material (e.g., concrete). A trench may be formed and the form constructed in the bottom of the trench or the form may be constructed directly on the ground. A form typically requires many cuts and is labor intensive in the assembly. Forms that are made of plastic materials may or may not be left in place after the material has hardened. Forms that are made of metal are generally removed material after the material has hardened because of the cost of the metal forms. Forms made of wood which are not removed after the material has hardened create an environment for vermin such as termites and carpenter ants to attack the integrity of the structure built upon the foundation.

[0003] In many cases, after the foundation is poured and the material set and the forms removed or not removed, a drainage system is next installed.

[0004] The containment and direction of drainage is an ongoing area of concern to the construction industry, particularly that portion of the industry which specializes in construction of foundations for buildings roads and sidewalks. Numerous approaches and systems have evolved to avoid and alleviate the problems associated with unwanted groundwater and underground water flow caused by rain runoff. These approaches include various applications of hydraulic drainage systems, which are occasionally used in combination with water barriers, surface grading, or underground piping.

[0005] Drainage control systems typically involve extensive installation procedures which are both time-consuming and labor intensive. Further, the materials used to control water flow typically permit flow in a single direction, and are further subject to the deleterious effects of silt accumulation. Existing groundwater control systems are further limited by their methods of implementation which typically require extensive set-up and removal procedures involving many man-hours of labor and much material waste.

[0006] Therefore, a need exists to reduce the manpower, time and expense of installing forms and drains.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is therefore a feature of the present invention to reduce the time and expense of installing forms and drains by providing a form that may be left in place permanently and then functions a drainage system or forms part of a drainage system.

[0008] The present invention may be adapted to a plurality of applications which include, foundation drainage, footing drainage, wide area (e.g., athletic field or golf green) drainage, roadway drainage, footing formation, sidewalk formation,, and roadway formation.

[0009] A first aspect of the present invention is a form for use with hardenable, flowable material, wherein the form is flexible along a first axis and rigid along a second axis.

[0010] A second aspect of the present invention is a method comprising: providing a form which is flexible along a first axis and rigid along a second axis; shaping the form about the first axis; and pouring flowable, hardenable material within the form.

[0011] A third aspect of the present invention is a method of fabricating a form for use with hardenable, flowable material, the form being flexible along a first axis and rigid along a second axis, comprising: extruding an extrusion extending along the first axis, the extrusion having a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall and a back wall and containing at least one longitudinal flow channel; cutting the extrusion to a predetermined length; and forming perforations transverse to the first axis in the top wall, the bottom wall and the front wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0013] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a foundation form according to first embodiment the present invention;

[0014] FIGS. 2A through 2C are partial top views of the foundation form of FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional end views of a first foundation form assembly according to the first embodiment the present invention;

[0016] FIGS. 4A through 4C are partial top views alternative spacers illustrated in FIG. 3;

[0017] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional end view of a second foundation form assembly according to the first embodiment the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 6 is a front view of a portion of spacer material illustrated in FIG. 5;

[0019] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional end view of a third foundation form assembly according to the first embodiment the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional end view of a fourth foundation form assembly according to the first embodiment the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of a subterranean structure illustrating the use of the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 10 is top view of a simplified foundation form according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 11 is a partial side view illustrating an exemplary interconnection of forms according to the first embodiment of present invention;

[0024] FIG. 12A is a top view of a first alternative connector for joining forms according to the first embodiment of present invention;

[0025] FIG. 12B is a cross-section view through section 12B-12B of FIG. 12A;

[0026] FIG. 13A is a top view of a second alternative connector for joining forms according to the first embodiment of present invention;

[0027] FIG. 13B is a cross-section view through section 13B-13B of FIG. 13A;

[0028] FIG. 14 is an isometric view illustrating setup of a pouring form utilizing the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 15 is an isometric view of a foundation form according to second embodiment the present invention;

[0030] FIGS. 16A through 16C are cross-sectional end views of a alternative form assemblies according to the second embodiment the present invention;

[0031] FIG. 17 is a partial sectional view of a subterranean structure illustrating the use of the second embodiment of the present invention; and

[0032] FIGS. 18A and 18B are diagrams illustrating fabrication of the form of the first embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a foundation form according to first embodiment the present invention. In FIG. 1, form 100 has a front wall 105, an opposite back wall 110, a top wall 115 and an opposite bottom wall 115. A vertical axis 125 runs through top and bottom walls 115 and 120 and a horizontal axis 130 is perpendicular to vertical axis 125 and parallel to front and back walls 105 and 110. Horizontal axis 130 defines a longitudinal axis of form 100. The length of form 100 is defined in the direction defined by horizontal axis 130, the height of form 100 is defined in the direction defined by vertical axis 125 and the width of form 100 is defined in the direction defined by a Z-axis 135, the Z-axis being mutually orthogonal to both vertical axis 125 and horizontal axis 130. Front and back walls 105 and 110 are optionally joined by webs 140. Webs 140 run the entire length of form 100 and partition the interior of form 100 into flow channels 145. Flow channels 145 allow water that collects along a foundation wall or footing to be channeled away from the building. While six flow channels 145 are illustrated in FIG. 1, there may be as few a one flow channel 145, in which case there are no webs 140, or as many flow channels 145 as desired. Besides forming flow channels 145, webs 140 impart rigidity to form 100 along vertical axis 125.

[0034] A set of perforations 150 is formed in front wall 105 along the entire height of front wall 105. Perforations 150 are transverse to flow channels 145. Perforations 150 extend through top and bottom walls 115 and 120 as well as webs 140. Perforations 150 provide flexibility of form 100 along horizontal axis 130 as well as allowing entry of water to flow channels 145. Perforations 150 do not extend through back wall 110, and preferably terminate at an inner surface 155 of back wall 110, however inner surface 155 may be scored to a fixed depth by the 910 process of forming perforations 150 as illustrated in FIG. 18B and described infra.

[0035] In one example, front and back walls 105 and 110, top and bottom walls 115 and 120, and webs 140 are integrally formed and form 100 is formed of extruded plastic such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene,(PP) polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile, butadiene, styrene copolymer (ABS) or other suitable plastics or of extruded structural foam.

[0036] FIGS. 2A through 2C are partial top views of the foundation form of FIG. 1. In FIG. 2A, perforations 150 of FIG. 1, are slits 150A, which may be formed by cutting form 100A with a knife edge. In FIG. 2B, perforations 150 of FIG. 1, are slots 150B, which may be formed by cutting form 100B with a saw. In FIG. 2C, perforations 150 of FIG. 1, are “V” shaped grooves 150C, which may be formed by milling form 100C with a shaped cutter. Grooves 150C decrease in width from front wall 105 to back wall 110. The principal functional difference between forms 100A, 100B and 100C is the minium radius of curvature that may be obtained when back wall 110 forms the exterior surface of the bend, form 110C being the most bendable and form 110A being the least bendable in that respect. Perforations 150 may be covered by tear-away or wrap material such as paper or plastic (not shown) for protection prior to use. An advantage of the form of FIG. 2A is that the form is flexible along a first axis 125 when bent in a first direction of rotation and rigid along the first axis 125 when bent in a second direction of rotation. In this manner the form may be deformed or flexible for curves and bends when laying the form, yet rigid to receive hardenable, flowable material.

[0037] Form 100 is particularly suited for use as a combination form/drain when the building foundation or footing is used in a very course rocky soil or gravel or in rock ledges. However, in a soil containing fine particles such as clay and loam soils, the fine particles may clog flow channels 145. The foundation form assembly illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 8 and described infra, address this soil condition, though these foundation form assemblies may be used in any soil.

[0038] FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional end views of a first foundation form assembly according to the first embodiment the present invention. In FIG. 3A, a form assembly 160A includes form 100 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 2C and described supra, and a porous cover 170. Porous cover 170 allows water to enter flow channels 145 through perforations 150 (not shown, see FIG. 1) but filters out particulates. In one example, porous cover 170 is formed from any porous material such as filter fabric.

[0039] In FIG. 3B, a form assembly 160B includes form 100 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 2C and described supra, porous cover 170 and spacers 175. Spacers 175 extend the length the form 100 as does porous cover 170. Porous cover 170 allows water to enter flow channels 145 through perforations 150 (not shown, see FIG. 1) but filters out particulates. Spacers 175 have a front surface 180 in contact with porous cover 170 and a back surface 185 in contact with front wall 105 of form 100. Spacers 175 prevent porous cover 175 from being forced against front wall 105 and potentially clogging perforations 150 (see FIG. 1) by providing voids 190 between front wall 105 and porous cover 170. While two spacers 175 are illustrated in FIG, 3B, any number of spacers 175 may be employed and the spacers may be positioned vertically anywhere along front wall 105.

[0040] FIGS. 4A through 4C are partial top views alternative spacers illustrated in FIG.3. In FIG. 4A, a spacer 175A is a solid spacer that may be formed, in one example from a flexible closed cell foam such as foam rubber. In FIG. 4B, a spacer 175B is a hollow tube that may be formed, in one example from a flexible closed cell foam such as foam rubber. In FIG. 4C, a spacer 175C includes a set of slots 195 extending partially through the spacer from a front surface 180C. Spacer 175C may be hollow. In one example, spacers 175A, 175B and 175C may be formed from foam rubber, PE, PP, PVC, ABS or other plastics or rubbers.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional end view of a second foundation form assembly according to the first embodiment the present invention. In FIG. 5, a form assembly 200 includes form 100 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 2C and described supra, a spacer 205 and a filter 210. Spacer 205 is illustrated in FIG. 6 and further described infra. Both spacer 205 and filter 210 are coextensive with front wall 105 of form 100. Both spacer 205 and filter 210 must be flexible along horizontal axis 130 (see FIG. 1). Filter 210 allows water to pass through but prevents particulates from passing through. Spacer 205 prevents filter 210 from being forced against front wall 105 and potentially clogging perforations 150 (see FIG. 1). In one example, filter 210 is formed from [PLEASE FILL IN GENERIC MATERIAL NAMES OR BRAND NAMES].

[0042] FIG. 6 is a front view of a portion of spacer material illustrated in FIG. 5. In FIG. 6, spacer 205 is a lattice of spaced apart upper strips 215 placed at an angle over spaced apart lower strips 220 forming openings 225. Upper and lower strips 215 and 220 are attached to one another where they cross over. Alternatively, spacer 205 may be an expanded lattice wherein openings 225 are formed by stretching a single sheet of material having slots formed therein or may be a stamped lattice. In one example, spacer 205 may be formed PE, PP, PVC, ABS or other suitable plastics or rubbers.

[0043] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional end view of a third foundation form assembly according to the first embodiment the present invention. In FIG. 7, a form assembly 230 is similar to form h assembly 200 with the difference that form assembly 230 includes a porous cover 170 that covers filter 210, a top edge 235 and a bottom edge 240 of spacer 205, and top wall 115, bottom wall 120 and back wall 110 of form 100.

[0044] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional end view of a fourth foundation form assembly according to the first embodiment the present invention. In FIG. 8, a form assembly 245 is similar to form assembly 200 with the difference that filter 210 covers top edge 235 and bottom edge 240 of spacer 205 and top wall 115 and bottom wall 120 of form 100.

[0045] FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of a subterranean structure illustrating the use of the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 9, an outer form 250 and an optional inner form 255 surround a footing 260. Back wall 110 of outer form 250 contacts an outer surface 265 of the footing and back walk 110 of inner form 255 contacts an inner surface 270 of the footing.

[0046] While inner and outer forms 250 and 255 illustrated in FIG. 9 are shown as form assemblies 245, as illustrated in FIG. 8 and describes supra, inner and outer forms 250 and 255 may be any combination of variations of form 100 and variations of form assemblies 160A, 160B, 200, 230 and 245 as variously illustrated in FIGS. I through 8 and described supra. Inner form 255 may be entirely missing or may be a conventional form, such as a wooden or non-draining plastic form. A foundation wall 275 is formed on a top surface 285 of footing 260 and a floor 280 is formed over a top surface 285 of footing 260 and contacts an inner surface 290 of foundation wall 275. Outer gravel fill 295A is placed under floor 280 and inner gravel fill 295B over outer form 250. Backfill 300 is placed against a lower portion of an outer surface 305 of foundation wall 275 and covers outer gravel fill 295B. In one example, footing 260, foundation wall 275 and floor 280 are concrete.

[0047] FIG. 10 is top view of a simplified foundation form according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 10, a foundation form 310 includes a continuous inner form 315 and a continuous outer form 320 defining a footing space 325. Inner form 315 includes first and second sections 330A and 330B joined at joints 335A and 335B. Outer form 320 includes first, second and third sections 340A, 340B and 340C joined at joints 345A, 345B and 345C. Forms 335A, 335B, 340A, 340B and 340C may be any combination of variations of form 100 and variations of form assemblies 160A, 160B, 200, 230 and 245 as variously illustrated in FIGS. 1 20 through 8 and described supra. Back walls 110 of forms 335A, 335B, 340A, 340B and 340C face footing space 325. Inner form 315 bends around corners 350A, 350B, 350C and 350D with joints 335A and 335B away from corners 350A, 350B, 350C and 350D and outer form 320 bends around corners 355A, 355B, 355C and 350D with joints 345A, 345B and 340C away from corners 355A, 355B, 355C and 350D.

[0048] Optional flexible pipe connectors 360 connect inner form 315 to outer form 320 allowing water accumulating in an inner space 365 to be conveyed to the outer form and thence away from the outer form by any one of drainage means known in the art. Punch outs in back walls 110 may be provided for this purpose. Optionally, inner form 320 may be a conventional form of wood or non-draining plastic and connectors 360 would be eliminated.

[0049] FIG. 11 is a partial side view illustrating an exemplary interconnection of forms according to the first embodiment of present invention. In FIG. 11, form 350A and 350B are illustrated where they join at joint 335A. Forms 350A and 350B are joined by insertion of inserts 370 into respective and corresponding flow channels 145 of the forms. This interconnection method is typical of all other joints in foundation form 310.

[0050] FIG. 12A is a top view of a first alternative connector for joining forms according to the first embodiment of present invention and FIG. 12B is a cross-section view through section 12B-12B of FIG. 12A. In FIG. 12A, an insert 370A has the form of a hollow bar having sidewalls 375. In FIG. 12B, sidewalls 375 define a channel 380 in insert 370A. When inserted into a form, channel 380 communicates with flow channels 145 (see FIG. 11) in the form.

[0051] FIG. 13A is a top view of a second alternative connector for joining forms according to the first embodiment of present invention and FIG. 13B is a cross-section view through section 13B-13B of FIG. 13A. In FIG. 13A, an insert 370B has the form of a solid bar having slots 385 formed in outer surfaces 390 of the insert. When inserted into a form, slots 385 communicate with flow channels 145 (see FIG. 11) in the form.

[0052] FIG. 14 is an isometric view illustrating setup of a pouring form utilizing the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 14, Form 400 includes a first(and outer) form 405 staked into place using stakes 410 placed against front wall 105 (not shown, see FIG. 1) of the first form and a second (and inner) form 415 is staked into place using stakes 410 placed against front wall 105 of the second form. First and second forms are spaced apart and mutually support each other via form spacers 420 attached to upper walls 115 of the forms. The spacers 420 may be any rigid or flexible material. For example, spacer 420 may be a flexible strap, such as nylon, have adhesive thereon or a rigid member such as metal bar or Poly vinyl chloride (PVC) which may be attached by interlocking, gluing, clipping or the like. The back wall 110 of form 405 and the back wall 110 (not shown, see FIG. 1) of form 415 face each other and concrete will be poured into the space between these back walls. Visible in FIG. 14 are perforations 150 in front wall 105 of second form 415. First form 405 bends around an outer corner 425 and second form 415 bends around an inner corner 430.

[0053] FIG. 15 is an isometric view of a foundation form according to second embodiment the present invention. In FIG. 15, form 500 includes a panel 505 slidably engaged with a corrugated pipe section 510. Panel 505 and corrugated pipe section 510 extend in a longitudinal direction defined by a horizontal axis 515. A vertical axis 520 is orthogonal to horizontal axis 515. The height of form 500 is in the direction defined by vertical axis 520 and the length of form 500 is in the direction defined by horizontal axis 515. Corrugated pipe section 510 is a longitudinal section of a whole corrugated pipe with formed edges 530. More informally, corrugated pipe section 510 may be thought of as similar to one part of a whole corrugated pipe sliced lengthwise. Panel 505 engages channels 525 formed in edges 530 of corrugated pipe section 510. Channels 525 extend the length of corrugated pipe section 510. Panel 505 and corrugated pipe section 510 define a single flow channel 535.

[0054] A set of perforations 540 in the form of slits or narrow slots is formed in corrugated pipe section 510. Perforations 540 are formed parallel to vertical axis 520. Holes 545 formed in corrugated pipe section 510 allow stakes 550 to be easily inserted through form 500 to fasten the form in place on the ground.

[0055] In one example, panel 505 and corrugated pipe section 510 are formed of extruded plastic such as PE, PP, PVC, ABS or other suitable plastics or of extruded structural foam. Panel 505 and corrugated pipe section 510 may or may not be formed of the same material. Multiple units of form 500 may be assembled together by overlapping corrugated pipe sections 510. Panels 505 may also be slid so the panel associated with a given form 500 may engage channels 525 of an abutting form. Adjoining sections 510 and panels 510 may be attached by any manner such as clipped, slidably engaged (such as press-fitted), welded, glued, riveted, interlocked or the like.

[0056] FIGS. 16A through 16C are cross-sectional end views of a alternative form assemblies according to the second embodiment the present invention. FIG. 16A is a cross-section of through vertical axis 520 of FIG. 16A and illustrates form 500 of FIG. 15.

[0057] In FIG. 16B, a form assembly 500A includes a corrugated pipe section 510A and a panel 505A. Out-turned lip 555 is formed on each edge 530A of corrugated pipe section 510A. Panel 505A includes extensions 560 adapted to engage lips 555 of corrugated pipe section 505A.

[0058] In FIG. 16C, a form assembly 500B includes a corrugated pipe section 510B and a panel 505B. Corrugated pipe section 510B includes “T” shaped edges 565. Panel 505B includes opposite facing pairs of extensions 570 adapted to engage each “T” shape edge 565 of corrugated pipe section 505B.

[0059] FIG. 17 is a partial sectional view of a subterranean structure illustrating the use of the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 17, an outer form 575 and an optional inner form 580 surround a footing 260. Panel 505 of outer form 575 contacts an outer surface 265 of the footing and panel 505 of inner form 580 contacts an inner surface 270 of the footing. While inner and outer forms 575 and 580 illustrated in FIG. 10 are shown as form assemblies 500, as illustrated in FIG. 15 and describes supra, inner and outer forms 575 and 580 may be any combination of variations of form 500, 500A and 500B as variously illustrated in FIGS. 15 through 16C and described supra. Inner form 580 may be entirely missing or may be a conventional form, such as a wooden or non-draining plastic form. A foundation wall 275 is formed on a top surface 285 of footing 260 and a floor 280 is formed over a top surface 285 of footing 260 and contacts an inner surface 290 of foundation wall 275. Outer gravel fill 295A is placed under floor 280 and inner gravel fill 295B over outer form 575. Backfill 300 is placed against a lower portion of an outer surface 305 of foundation wall 275 and covers outer gravel fill 295B. In one example, footing 260, foundation wall 275 and floor 280 are concrete.

[0060] FIGS. 18A and 18B are diagrams illustrating fabrication of the form of the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 18A, an extrusion 600 is being extruded through a die 605 attached to an extrusion machine (not shown). Formed in extrusion 600 are front wall 105 (facing the viewer in FIG. 18A), a back wall 110 (not shown, see FIG. 18B), a top edge 115, a bottom edge 120, webs 140 and flow channels 145. After the extrusion process, extrusion 600 is cut to a predetermined length by convention cutting means. In FIG. 18B, perforations 150 are formed through front wall 105, top wall 115 (not shown, see FIG. 18A) and bottom wall 120 by cutting device 610. If perforations 150 are slits, cutting device 610 is a knife, which may be optionally heated. If perforations 150 are slots, cutting device 610 is a saw. If perforations 150 are shaped grooves, cutting device 610 is a milling cutter.

[0061] It should be understood that combinations of all variations of the first and second embodiments of the present invention may be used in combination with each out, with conventional form systems and with conventional drain systems.

[0062] The description of the embodiments of the present invention is given above for the understanding of the present invention. It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is capable of various modifications, rearrangements and substitutions as will now become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the following claims cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

a form for use with a hardenable, flowable material, wherein said form is formable about a first axis of rotation when rotated in a first direction, but rigid when rotated in a second direction.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first axis is a vertical axis and said form further comprises a second axis wherein said second axis is a longitudinal axis.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said form includes at least one flow channel for drainage.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the flow channel is longitudinal.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the form includes a front wall and a back wall and a plurality of said flow channel positioned therebetween.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said front wall includes a plurality of perforations.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said front wall includes a plurality of cuts.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the perforations are transverse to the flow channels.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the cuts are transverse to the flow channels.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a porous material surrounding said form.

11. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a porous material surrounding said form and a spacer positioned between said perforations and said porous material.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a porous material surrounding said form and a spacer positioned between said cuts and said porous material.

13. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a porous material surrounding said form and a spacer and a filter positioned between said perforations and said porous material.

14. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a porous material surrounding said form and a spacer and a filter positioned between said cuts and said porous material.

15. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said form further comprises a portion of a corrugated pipe operatively attached to a panel.

16. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said corrugated pipe is slidably attached to a panel.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the corrugated pipe is slidably attached to each end of the panel.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the corrugated pipe is slidable attached to slots on said panel.

19. A method comprising:

providing a form which is flexible along a first axis and rigid along a second axis;

shaping said form about said first axis; and

pouring flowable, hardenable material within said form.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of shaping further comprises:

bending the form about a corner, wherein said form is a unitary piece.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of forms; and

positioning the plurality of forms in a spaced apart manner with form spacers.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

joining a plurality of said forms together.

23. A method of fabricating a form for use with hardenable, flowable material, said form being flexible along a first axis and rigid along a second axis, comprising:

extruding an extrusion extending along said first axis, said extrusion having a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall and a back wall and containing at least one longitudinal flow channel;

cutting the extrusion to a predetermined length; and

forming perforations transverse to said first axis in said top wall, said bottom wall and said front wall.

24. The method of claim 24 wherein said extrusion further contains at least one web formed between inner surfaces of said front wall and said back wall and the step of forming perforations further includes forming perforations in said web the perforation in said web aligned with the perforations formed in said top wall, said bottom wall and said front wall.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein said perforations are slits and the step of forming perforations includes cutting said slits with a knife.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein said perforations are slots or shaped grooves and the step of forming perforations includes cutting said slots with a saw or cutting said shaped grooves with a shaped cutter.

27. A system comprising:

a plurality of forms, operatively attached together, for use with hardenable, flowable material, wherein at least one of said forms is flexible along a first axis and rigid along a second axis.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the forms are slidably attached together.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein the forms are clipped together.

30. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said form further comprises a portion of a corrugated pipe operatively attached to a panel.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the forms are slidably attached together.

32. The system of claim 30, wherein the forms are clipped together.

33. Apparatus comprising:

a plurality of spaced apart forms for receiving a flowable hardenable material; and

a spacer, wherein the spacer is adhered to the forms by an adhesive.

34. Apparatus comprising:

a form for use with hardenable, flowable material, wherein said form is flexible along a first axis and rigid along a second axis.