Method for forming concrete barriers

A method of slip-forming a concrete barrier that extends along a substantially horizontal path so that one substantially vertically extending surface of the barrier includes a three-dimensional, nonhorizontally extending texture, the method comprising the steps of:

• mounting a form, having a substantially vertical inner surface including a pattern consisting of a reverse image of the nonhorizontally extending texture to be included on the one substantially vertically extending surface of the concrete barrier being slip-formed, such that the form extends along the substantially horizontal path and is fixed with respect to the path during the slip-forming of the concrete barrier;
• positioning an automated slip-former comprising:
• (i) a frame and support means coupled to the frame;
• (ii) drive means coupled to the frame for moving the frame and support means along the substantially horizontal path;
• (iii) a mule attached to the frame;
• and (iv) a hopper coupled to the mule, such that the mule engages the form so that the mule and the form together enclose a space in which the concrete barrier is slip-formed;
• and
• supplying concrete to the hopper and operating the hopper so that the concrete is delivered to the enclosed space while:
• (i) operating the drive means so as to cause the mule to move along successive portions of the form and, thus, along the substantially horizontal path;
• (ii) maintaining the mule in engagement with each successive portion of the form positioned opposite the mule;
• and (iii) preventing each successive portion of the form positioned opposite the mule from moving away from the mule by supporting each successive portion of the form with the support means, to thus slip-form the concrete barrier with the three-dimensional, nonhorizontally extending texture being formed on the one substantially vertically extending surface in contact with the substantially vertical inner surface of the form.