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The building of forms to contain
concrete is not confined to flat surface areas. Any area that
requires the accurate control and placement of concrete will
require forming. In many areas within a skatepark, these
forms will need to follow surfaces that are not flat, but are
curved. Forms can be built to guide a screed across any
curved surface. First, build up a good base of fill dirt and
compacted gravel to come as close as possible to the shape
wanted. Decide where to divide the shape so that you will
have an upper and lower form for the screed to ride on. Then,
fabricate forms for those dividing lines using ¾-inch
plywood. Cut the plywood fairly close to the shape of the
ground. Then, with the plywood setting at a right angle to
the ground, make a fist around a pencil. With the pencil
facing the plywood, drag your knuckles along the ground and
trace the shape of the ground onto the plywood. Cut away the
excess material at the bottom of the plywood. If you repeat
this process, by the third time the plywood will conform to
the shape of the ground almost exactly. Make sure that the
form is a uniform 4 inches thick (the depth of concrete) by
trimming away any excess material from the top. Stake the
form to the ground using the method outlined in forming and
flat areas with straight sides. Use the same method for the
other form, if necessary. Finally fabricate a screed to ride
across the upper and lower forms, giving the concrete the
desired shape.

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