LEAVE-IN-PLACE CONCRETE FORM

Abstract

A concrete form is disclosed and can include an elongated body having a length and a width. A cross-section of the elongated body perpendicular to the length can include a closed, box-shaped main body having an upper wall, a lower wall opposite the upper wall, a first sidewall extending between and connecting the upper wall and the lower wall, and a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall and extending between and connecting the upper wall and the lower wall. A lower extension can extend from the main body portion in a first direction beyond the lower wall and an upper extension can extend from the main body portion in a second direction opposite the first direction beyond the upper wall.

Description

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Prov. App. No. 61/677,235, filed Jul. 30, 2012, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The following is generally directed to concrete forms, and more particularly, to concrete forms that remain in place after concrete held in place by the forms sets.

2. Description of the Related Art

The use of concrete in modem construction is ubiquitous. Concrete, or a combination of concrete and steel, serves as the base or foundation for many structures. For example, concrete footers, concrete slabs, etc. can be poured and allowed to set. Once the concrete has set it has the requisite load bearing capabilities for providing structural support.

When installing concrete, it is often necessary to provide support for the concrete while the concrete sets. For example, concrete forms can be assembled to establish, or define, a volumetric space. Reinforcing rod (re-bar) can be assembled to form an internal support structure and placed within the space defined by the forms. Then, the volumetric space within the forms can be filled with concrete and the re-bar can be completely entombed within the concrete. After the concrete cures, the concrete forms can be removed from the concrete and the set concrete can have the shape of the volumetric space.

In certain instances, the forms can be left in place adjacent to the set concrete. Thus, the concrete form can become integral with the set concrete when it is left in place once the form is used in the construction process. Further, these forms can be configured to provide water drainage around the concrete, radon venting, etc. As with other industries, improvements to these concrete forms are always sought.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure may be better understood, and its numerous features and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 includes a plan view of a concrete forming system in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2 includes an orthogonal view of a leave-in-place concrete form in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 3 includes a first end plan view of a leave-in-place concrete form in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 4 includes a second end plan view of a leave-in-place concrete form in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 5 includes a front plan view of a leave-in-place concrete form in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 6 includes a back plan view of a leave-in-place concrete form in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 7 includes a top plan view of a leave-in-place concrete form in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 8 includes a bottom plan view of a leave-in-place concrete form in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 9 includes a cross-sectional view of a leave-in-place concrete form in accordance with an embodiment taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 includes a plan view of a die for shaping a leave-in-place concrete form in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 11 includes a front plan view of a coupler for a leave-in-place concrete form in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 12 includes a side plan view of a coupler for a leave-in-place concrete form in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 13 includes a top plan view of a coupler for a leave-in-place concrete form in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 14 includes an exploded plan view of adjacent leave-in-place concrete forms in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 15 includes an assembled plan view of adjacent leave-in-place concrete forms in accordance with an embodiment.

The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicates similar or identical items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to an embodiment, a concrete forming system includes a first concrete form configured to provide water drainage and a second concrete form distanced from the first concrete form to define a channel between the first concrete form and the second concrete form. The second concrete form can include an elongated body having a length and a width. The cross-section of the elongated body perpendicular to the length can include a closed, box-shaped main body portion. The main body portion can include an upper wall, a lower wall opposite the upper wall, a first sidewall extending between and connecting the upper wall and the lower wall, and a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall extending between and connecting the upper wall and the lower wall. The second concrete form can also include a lower extension extending from the main body portion in a first direction beyond the lower wall and an upper extension extending from the main body portion in a second direction opposite the first direction beyond the upper wall.

Referring to FIG. 1, a concrete forming system is shown and is generally designated 100. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the concrete forming system 100 can include a first concrete form 102 that can be configured to provide water drainage. The system 100 can also include a second concrete form 104 that is distanced from the first concrete form 102 to define a channel 106 between the first concrete form 102 and the second concrete form 104. The second concrete form 104 may not be configured to provide water drainage.

As depicted in FIG. 1, the concrete forming system 100 can also include a spacer strap 108 that can extend between the first concrete form 102 and the second concrete form 104. The spacer strap 108 can include a first hook 110 and a second hook 112 separated by a spacer body 114. The first hook 110 can be configured to fit over the first concrete form 102 and the second hook 112 can be configured to fit over the second concrete form 104. The spacer strap 108, e.g., the spacer body 114 of the spacer strap 108, can maintain the spacing between forms 102, 104 can help define the width of the channel 106.

FIG. 1 further indicates that the concrete forming system 100 can further include a plurality of grade stakes 116 placed along the concrete forms 102, 104 at a regular stake interval, I_S. The stakes 116 can be placed along the outside of the concrete forms 102, 104 in order to further maintain the channel width between the forms 102, 104 and to prevent the forms 102, 104 from deflecting outward due to the hydraulic pressure of wet, uncured concrete that is pumped or otherwise placed within the channel 106.

In a particular embodiment, the second concrete form 104, which is described in greater detail below, can provide an installed deflection, D_I, between adjacent stakes 116 along the second concrete form 104 that can be ≦1% I_S, ≦0.9% I_S, such as ≦0.8% I_S, or ≦0.75% I_S. In a particular aspect, D_I can be measured at a top of the second concrete form 104. Further, D_I can be measured along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the second concrete form 104.

FIG. 2 through FIG. 9 depict the details concerning the second concrete form 104. As illustrated, the concrete form 104 can include an elongated body 200 having an overall length, L_O, an overall width, W_O, and an overall height, H_O.

As indicated in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 9, the elongated body 200 can be configured so that when viewed from an end or when viewed in cross-section taken perpendicular to the length of the elongated body 200, the elongated body 200 can include a closed, box-shaped main body portion 202. The box-shaped main body portion 202 can include an upper wall 204 and a lower wall 206 opposite the upper wall 204. The main body portion 202 can also include a first sidewall 208. The first sidewall 208 can extend between and connect the upper wall 204 and the lower wall 206. Further, the main body portion 202 can include a second sidewall 210 opposite the first sidewall 208. The second sidewall 210 can extend between and connect the upper wall 204 and the lower wall 206.

In a particular aspect, the upper wall 204 and the lower wall 206 are parallel to each other. Further, the upper wall 204 and the lower wall 206 are perpendicular to the first sidewall 208 and the second sidewall 210.

In a particular aspect, a lower extension 212 can extend from the main body portion 202 in a first direction beyond the lower wall 206. An upper extension 214 can extend from the main body portion 202 in a second direction beyond the upper wall 204. The second direction can be opposite the first direction of the lower extension 206. The upper extension 214 can also include a distal end 216. The lower extension 212, the upper extension 214, and the first sidewall 208 can lie along the same plane. Moreover, in another aspect, the lower extension 212 can extend in a downward direction and the upper extension 214 can extend in an upward direction when the concrete form 104 is correctly installed in accordance with an embodiment herein.

Further, as mostly clearly depicted in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 9, the concrete form 104 can further include a stiffening lip 218 that can extend from the upper extension 214 such that the upper extension 214 does not extend above the stiffening lip 218. In one aspect, the stiffening lip 218 can extend from the upper extension 214 at or near the distal end 216 of the upper extension 214. In another aspect, the stiffening lip 218 can extend from the upper extension 214 at some location between the distal end 216 of the upper extension 214 and the main body portion 202 of the concrete form 104. In yet another aspect, the stiffening lip 218 can extend along the entire length of the elongated body 200 of they concrete form 104.

As illustrated, the stiffening lip 218 can extend at an angle, α, with respect to the upper extension 214. In a particular aspect, α can be ≦90°, such as ≦89°, ≦88°, or ≦85°. Further, α can be ≧30°, such as ≧45°, ≧60°, or ≧75°. In another aspect, α can be within a range between and including any of the values described above. Additionally, in a particular aspect, the stiffening lip 218 can be perpendicular to the upper extension 214. Further, the stiffening lip 218 can be parallel to the upper wall 204 and the lower wall 206. The stiffening lip 218 can extend from the upper extension 214 such that the upper extension 214 does not extend above the stiffening lip 218.

In another aspect, the elongated body 200 can include a overall height, H_O, and wherein the stiffening lip extends from the upper extension at a distance, D, from the upper wall, and wherein D≦50% H_O, such as D≦45% H_O, ≦40% H_O, or ≦35% H_O. Further, D≧5% H_O, such as ≧10% H_O, ≧15% H_O, ≧20% H_O, or ≧25% H_O. In other embodiments, a ratio of D/H can be in a range of about 5% to about 50%.

In a particular aspect, the elongated body 200 can include a substantially uniform cross-section perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongated body 200 along the entire length of the elongated body 200. The substantially uniform cross-section can be achieved by forming the elongated body 200 via an extrusion process from an extrudable material. A suitable extrudable material, e.g., an extrudable polymer, an extrudable metal, etc., can be mixed and forced through a die to create an uncured extruded body.

Thereafter, the extruded body can be cured to create the concrete form 104. The curing process can include the application of radiation (e.g., heat), the application of a cooling fluid (e.g., chilled air), allowing the uncured extruded body to cure naturally as time passes. The extruded body can be formed in various lengths, e.g., 4 feet, 6 feet, 8 feet, 10 feet, etc.

Referring briefly to FIG. 10, an exemplary die for shaping the elongated body 200 is illustrated and is generally designated 1000. The die 1000 can include a body 1002 formed with an opening 1004. The opening 1004 within the body 1002 of the die 1000 can have the same shape as the external shape of the cross-section of the elongated body 200. FIG. 10 also shows that the body 1002 of the die 1000 can include a mandrel 1006 disposed within the opening 1004. The mandrel 1006 can include an outer shape that corresponds to the inner shape of the main body portion 202 of the elongated body when cross-sectioned as shown in FIG. 9.

In a particular aspect, the elongated body 200 can include a height, H, and the box-shaped main body portion 202 can include a height, H_B. H_B can be ≦75% H, such as ≦70% H, ≦65% H, ≦60% H, ≦55% H, ≦50% H, ≦45% H, or ≦40% H. Further, H_B can be ≧5% H, such as ≧10% H, ≧15% H, ≧20% H, ≧25% H, or ≧30% H. H_B can be within a range between and including any of the values for H_B described above.

In another aspect, the box-shaped main body portion 202 can include a width, W_B, and W_B can be ≦75% H, such as ≦70% H, ≦65% H, ≦60% H, ≦55% H, ≦50% H, ≦45% H, or ≦40% H. Moreover, W_B≧15% H, such as ≧20% H, ≧25% H, or ≧30% H. W_B can be within a range between and including any of the values for W_B described above.

In another aspect, the stiffening lip 218 can include a width, W_SL, and W_SL can be ≦35% H, such as ≦30% H, ≦25% H, or ≦20% H. Also, W_SL can be ≧5% H, such as ≧10% H, or ≧15% H. In addition, W_SL can be within a range between and including any of the values for W_SL described above. Further, W_SL can be ≦50% W_B, such as ≦45% W_B, ≦40% W_B, or ≦35% W_B. W_SL can also be ≧5% W_B, such as ≧10% W_B, ≧15% W_B, ≧20% W_B, or ≧25% W_B.

In yet another aspect, the lower extension 212 can includes a height, H_LE, and H_LE≦35% H, such as ≦30% H, ≦25% H, or ≦20% H. Further, H_LE, can be ≧5% H, such as ≧10% H, or ≧15% H. In addition, H_LE can be within a range between and including any of the values for H_LE described above.

Further, in another aspect, the upper extension 214 can include a height, H_UE, and H_UE can be ≦60% H, such as ≦55% H, ≦50% H, or ≦45% H. H_UE can be ≧20% H, such as ≧25% H, ≧30% H, or ≧35% H. In addition, H_UE can be within a range between and including any of the values for H_UE described above.

In another aspect, the ratio of H_B:W_B≧4:1, such as ≧3:1, or ≧2:1. Further, H_B:W_B≦0.25:1, such as ≦0.33:1, ≦0.5:1, or ≦1:1. Moreover, the box-shaped main body portion 202 can include a wall thickness, T_W, and T_W can be ≦15% H, such as ≦10% H, or ≦5% H. Further, T₂≧0.5% H, such as ≧1.0% H, ≧1.5% H, ≧2.0% H, ≧2.5% H, or ≧3.0% H. In addition, the ratio can be within a range between and including any of the values described above.

In still another aspect, H_B can be ≧400% W_B, such as ≧200%, or ≧100%. Further, H_B can be ≦0.25% W_B, such as ≦0.5%, ≦0.8%, ≦1.0%, ≦10%, ≦25%, or ≦50% W_B. In addition, the relative values of H_B and W_B can be within a range between and including any of the values described above.

In another particular aspect, the elongated body 200 can include an installed stake interval, I_S, measured between adjacent stakes 116, e.g., from center line to center line. Also, the upper extension 214 can include an installed deflection, D_I, measured the upper extension 214 in an outward direction, i.e., in the same direction in which the stiffening lip 218 extends. D_I can be measured from the base of the upper extension 214, i.e., near the interface between the upper extension 214 and the main body portion 202. Moreover, D_I can be measured at or near the distal 216 end (aka the top) of the upper extension 214. D_I can also be measured anywhere along the upper extension 214 between the base of the upper extension 214 and the top of the upper extension 214. Further, D_I can be measured along the length of the elongated body 200 at a midpoint between adjacent stakes 116.

D_I can be caused by the weight or hydraulic pressure of the green concrete disposed between the forms 102, 104. Further, certain features of the elongated body 200, e.g., the box-shaped main body portion 202, the stiffening lip 218, or a combination thereof, can substantially reduce D_I and substantially prevent D_I from reaching a critical value in which failure can occur. That failure can include the form bowing or breaking and allowing concrete to flow out of the channel 106 between the forms 102, 104 or otherwise causing a level change of the concrete.

In a particular aspect, D_I can be ≦0.2% I_S, such as ≦0.6% I_S≦1%, ≦5% I_S≦10% I_S≦20% I_S, or even I_S≦25% I_S. Further, D_I may be ≧0.00625% I_S, such as ≧0.025% I_S, or even ≧0.05% I_S. D_I can be within a range between and including any of the D_I values above. I_S can be ≧0.91 meters (3.0 feet), such as ≧1.22 meters (4.0 feet), or ≧1.52 meters (5.0 feet). Moreover, I_S can be ≦3.05 meters (10.0 feet), such as ≦2.74 meters (9.0 feet), ≦2.44 meters (8.0 feet), ≦2.13 meters (7.0 feet), or ≦1.83 meters (6.0 feet).

As illustrated in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 9, the elongated body 200 of the concrete form 104 can also include a first upper fillet 220 formed at a first upper corner established between the upper wall 204 and the first sidewall 208. The elongated body 200 can include a second upper fillet 222 at a second upper corner established between the upper wall 204 and the first sidewall 208, wherein the first upper fillet 220 and the second upper fillet 222 are located on opposite sides of the upper wall 204, i.e., the first upper fillet 220 is above the upper wall 204 and the second upper fillet 222 is below the upper wall 204.

The elongated body 200 of the concrete form 104 can also include a first lower fillet 230 at a first lower corner established between the lower wall 206 and the first sidewall 208. Further, the elongated body 200 can include a second lower fillet 232 at a second lower corner established between the lower wall 206 and the first sidewall 208. The first lower fillet 230 and the second lower fillet 232 are located on opposites sides of the lower wall 206, i.e., the first lower fillet 230 is above the lower wall 206 and the second lower fillet 232 is below the lower wall 206.

In one aspect, the upper extension 214 can include a thickness, T_UE, and T_UE can be uniform throughout the upper extension 214, i.e., uniform from the base of the upper extension 214 to the distal end 216 of the upper extension 214. In another aspect, T_UE can decreases along the upper extension 214 from the upper wall 204 to the distal end 216 of the upper extension 214.

In another aspect, the lower extension 212 can include a thickness, T_LE, and the stiffening lip 218 can include a thickness, T_SL. Further, T_UE, T_LE, and T_SL can be the same as T_W so that the elongated body 200 of the concrete form 104 has a uniform wall thickness throughout a cross-section of the elongated body 200 taken perpendicular to the length of the elongated body 200. Moreover, the uniform wall thickness can extend along the entire length of the elongated body 200 of the concrete form 104.

A cross-section, or a cross-sectional shape, of the concrete form 104 perpendicular to the length of the concrete form 104 and passing through the main body 202, the lower extension 212, the upper extension 214, the stiffening lip 216, or a combination thereof is substantially uniform along the length of the concrete form 104. Further, a cross-section of the upper extension 214 perpendicular to a length of the concrete form 104 and is substantially uniform along the length of the concrete form 104.

Further, the concrete form 104 is free of discontinuous structural features extending from the upper extension. In particular, the concrete form 104 is free of discontinuous structural features extending along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the concrete form 104. Moreover, the concrete form 104 is free of discontinuous structural features that are non-parallel to a longitudinal axis of the concrete form 104. These structural features can include lateral, discrete stiffening ribs, buttresses, webs, brackets, other discrete structures, or a combination thereof.

Referring to FIG. 11 through FIG. 13 a concrete form coupler is illustrated and is designated 1100. The concrete form coupler 1100 can include a generally hollow body 1102 having a first end 1104 and a second end 1106. The body 1102 can be configured to fit into the ends of adjacent concrete forms, i.e., concrete forms placed end-to-end.

Specifically, the body 1102 of the concrete form coupler 1100 can have an upper wall 1120 and a lower wall 1122 and spaced apart from the upper wall 1120. The upper wall 1120 and the lower wall 1122 can be parallel to each other. The concrete form coupler 1100 can also include a first side wall 1124 and a second side wall 1126. The first side wall 1124 can extend between and connect the upper wall 1120 and the lower wall 1122. The second wall 1126 can extend between and connecting the upper wall 1120 and lower wall 1122.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the concrete form coupler 1100 includes an outer shape, when viewed from the first end 1104 or the second end 1106, that corresponds to the internal shape of the main body portion 202, depicted in cross-section in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 through FIG. 13 also indicate that the concrete form coupler 1100 can include an arm 1130 that can extend from the second sidewall 1126 of the body 1102. A generally cylindrical, hollow collar 1132 can be attached to, or otherwise formed on, the arm 1130. The collar 1132 can be configured to receive a stake, as described below and as illustrated in FIG. 15.

FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 indicate that the concrete form coupler 1100 can be placed between adjacent concrete forms, e.g. a first concrete form 1302 and a second concrete form 1304. Thereafter, an end 1310 of the first concrete form 1302 can be fitted over the first end 1104 of the concrete form coupler 1100. Moreover, an end 1312 of the second concrete form 1304 fitted over the second end 1106 of the concrete form coupler 1100. The concrete forms 1302, 1304 can be brought together over the concrete form coupler 1100 as illustrated in FIG. 14. The concrete form coupler 1100 can prevent the ends 1310, 1312 of the concrete forms 1302, 1304 from moving with respect to each other while concrete is being poured, or otherwise deposited, into a channel at least partially established by the concrete forms 1302, 1304. Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 15, a stake 1320, or spike, can be driven through the collar 1132 of the coupler 1100 and can provide further support for the assembly.

According to an embodiment, a concrete forming system can include a first concrete form that is configured to provide water drainage and a second concrete form that is distanced from the first concrete form to define a channel between the first concrete form and the second concrete form. The concrete forming system can also include a spacer strap extending between the first concrete form and the second concrete form. The spacer strap can define a channel width. The system can also include a plurality of stakes placed along each concrete form at a regular stake interval, I_S. The second concrete form can provide an installed deflection, D_I, between adjacent stakes that is, in some embodiments, ≦0.5% I_S, such as ≦0.3% I_S, or even ≦0.2% IS. The second concrete form can be a molded or an extruded form which can substantially reduce the manufacturing costs.

With the configuration of structure described herein, a leave-in place concrete form is provided that can be molded or extruded. The extrusion process can utilize less material than other forming processes, such as a molding process. Further, the less material utilized can result in reduced material costs. One or more features of the leave-in place concrete form, e.g., the shape and placement of the box-shaped main body portion, the lower extension, the upper extension, the stiffening lip, or a combination thereof, can provide a concrete form that can perform and withstand substantially the same fluid pressure as traditional concrete forms. As such, after concrete is poured within a channel adjacent to the leave-in place concrete form, the likelihood of failure of the leave-in place concrete form before the concrete is substantially cured or the likelihood of unwanted deflection of the leave-in place concrete form is substantially the same as traditional concrete forms.

In the foregoing, reference to specific embodiments and the connections of certain components is illustrative. It will be appreciated that reference to components as being coupled or connected is intended to disclose either direct connection between said components or indirect connection through one or more intervening components as will be appreciated to carry out the methods as discussed herein. As such, the above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall within the true scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with Patent Law and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description of the Drawings, various features may be grouped together or described in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed to less than all features of any of the disclosed embodiments. Thus, the following claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description of the Drawings, with each claim standing on its own as defining separately claimed subject matter.

Claims

1. A concrete form, comprising:

an elongated body having a length and a width, wherein a cross-section of the elongated body perpendicular to the length comprises:

a closed, box-shaped main body portion comprising: an upper wall; a lower wall opposite the upper wall; a first sidewall extending between and connecting the upper wall and the lower wall; a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, the second sidewall extending between and connecting the upper wall and the lower wall;

a lower extension extending from the main body portion in a first direction beyond the lower wall; and

an upper extension extending from the main body portion in a second direction opposite the first direction beyond the upper wall.

2. The concrete form of claim 1, further comprising a stiffening lip extending from the upper extension, wherein the stiffening lip extends along the entire length of the elongated body.

3. The concrete form of claim 2, wherein the stiffening lip is perpendicular to the upper extension.

4. The concrete form of claim 1, wherein the lower extension extends in a downward direction and the upper extension extends in an upward direction when the concrete form is installed.

5. The concrete form of claim 1, wherein the upper wall and the lower wall are substantially perpendicular to the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

6. The concrete form of claim 1, wherein the lower extension, the upper extension and the second sidewall lie along the same plane.

7. The concrete form of claim 2, wherein the stiffening lip is parallel to the upper wall and the lower wall.

8. The concrete form of claim 2, wherein the elongated body comprises an overall height, H, and wherein the stiffening lip extends from the upper extension at a distance, D, and a ratio of D/H is in a range of from about 5% to about 50%.

9. The concrete form of claim 2, wherein the stiffening lip extends from the upper extension such that the upper extension does not extend above the stiffening lip.

10. The concrete form of claim 2, wherein the body includes a length along a longitudinal axis and the body includes a substantially uniform cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis along the entire length of the body.

11. The concrete form of claim 1, wherein the elongated body is molded or extruded.

12. The concrete form of claim 1, wherein the concrete form is left in place once the form is used in the construction process.

13. A concrete form, comprising:

a closed, box-shaped main body portion comprising: an upper wall; a lower wall opposite the upper wall; a first sidewall extending between and connecting the upper wall and the lower wall; a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, the second sidewall extending between and connecting the upper wall and the lower wall;

a lower extension extending from the main body portion in a first direction beyond the lower wall; and

an upper extension extending from the main body portion in a second direction opposite the first direction beyond the upper wall;

wherein a cross-section of the concrete form perpendicular to a length of the concrete form and passing through the main body, the lower extension, and the upper extensions is substantially uniform along the length of the concrete form.

14. The concrete form of claim 13, wherein the concrete form is produced via a molding process or an extrusion process.

15. The concrete form of claim 13, wherein the concrete form is free of discontinuous structural features extending along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the concrete form.

16. A concrete forming system, comprising:

a first concrete form configured to provide water drainage; and

a second concrete form distanced from the first concrete form to define a channel between the first concrete form and the second concrete form, wherein the second concrete form comprises: an elongated body having a length and a width, wherein a cross-section of the elongated body perpendicular to the length comprises: a closed, box-shaped main body portion comprising: an upper wall; a lower wall opposite the upper wall; a first sidewall extending between and connecting the upper wall and the lower wall; a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, the second sidewall extending between and connecting the upper wall and the lower wall; a lower extension extending from the main body portion in a first direction beyond the lower wall; and an upper extension extending from the main body portion in a second direction opposite the first direction beyond the upper wall.

17. The concrete form of claim 16, wherein the concrete form is produced via a molding process or an extrusion process.

18. A concrete forming system, comprising:

a first concrete form configured to provide water drainage;

a second concrete form distanced from the first concrete form to define a channel between the first concrete form and the second concrete form; and

a plurality of stakes placed along each concrete form at a regular stake interval, IS, wherein the second concrete form provides an installed deflection, DI, between adjacent stakes and DI≦0.75% IS.

19. The concrete forming system of claim 18, wherein DI is measured along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the second concrete form.