ICF Home

joasis

The trusses are secured with "hurricane clips" to the top plate (2X12) and it is J bolted in the concrete at roughly 6 feet on center. I haven't even thought about uplift, but the actual overhangs are 6 feet by 56, so 336 X the factor for an 80 mile an hour wind works here...and without getting out the books, I do not remember the percentage factor.

The solar gaurd we are installing under the metal panels claims a factor of R3...but the foil facing up is the effect we are after, not the R value. The reflective value is claimed to be higher then 50%, and from my experience, can make the attic 40 degrees cooler in the summer. We will blow in an R60 cellulose attic fill. The projected cost to heat and cool this home will be .03 cents a sq/ft per month.

I would not hesitate to do a metal truss system on ICFs, and I would imagine it would well exceed code for coastal areas. The University of Texas has tested the ICF block system used here (BuildBlock) and it withstands all they can shoot at it.

__________________

Diesel65

Thanks for the info, I am used to concrete block and tie beam construction, the Build block just looks like a real clean building system, I have not seen it before, very interesting.
Good luck with the rest of the build.

concretemasonry

Joasis -

I tried to find the University of Texas test reports on the BuildBlock site. Did they conduct separate tests for BuildBlock or did they just tag on the tests for the normal 6" walls?

I understand there may be some very, very localized Florida projectile requiremnts and would like to see if the tests were run for those areas.

A flat plate on an anchor bolt will give you even more uplift reisistance than a J bolt. Maybe not needed since the roof would fail first anyway.

__________________
Dick

Engineer, designer and consultant recently active domestically and internationally on construction and design in about 35 countries.

joasis

I am actually unsure of whether BUILDBLOCK was tested by UofT, but the testing they did on ICF with 6 inch fill was completed a few years back, as Reward wall reps love to talk about, and of course, the 2X4 at 200+ MPH shattered without even cracking the concrete.

We actually pulled a J bolt out of the top of the wall pulling a bowed plate down.....next one of these I do, I will use a grade 5 bolt with 1/4 inch washers....no way it will come out, and like you pointed out, the roof would fail first. Had I been building this as a spec (my money), I would have used weld plates with concrete hooks placed on the walls for steel trusses to be welded down to......

__________________

concretemasonry

It sounds like Buildblock was using the Reward test results. I can get the Reward test results somewhere to see what the steel size and spacing was.

I have seen the tests run. - Looks like it must have been fun shooting the 2x4s. From what I remeber, the amount of reinforcement and spacing is more important for the 6" walls than the 8". Any way you cut it, you would 4 to 10 wood walls together to match the protection.

__________________
Dick

Engineer, designer and consultant recently active domestically and internationally on construction and design in about 35 countries.

ICON Structures

Sorry I'm so late in the game with a question, but new to the site today. GREAT PROJECT!! Just wondering why you placed the bracing system on the exterior? It is usually harder to manage in the dirt, than on the concrete slab.

Greg

joasis

I prefer the exterior bracing simply because we can use a baker scaffold rolled around the interior while pumping and working....no walkboards.

As soon as I get my software uploaded, I will post the current pics....the brick is nearly done, and the cabs are getting stained now, the acid stained floors are top sealed......next will be the concrete countertops.

__________________

pwrbildr

Would like to see pics of both when you get them done. And also info, thoughts, and opinions on your acid stain product and counter top forming system.

Kingfisher

With all the wind from tornados you do not have to use full roof sheathing? That seems weak but I been having to use full sheating for the last 15 years hear on the east coast. Has any one used the block made of foam agrigate concrete. They go togeather like regular block but come in the longer lengths(4') and cut with a hand saw. Saw them in a show once but never again? Here in FL I'd worry the termites would tunnel right throught the foam? Looks great thanks for posting the photos

yankeeinuk

Hello has anyone here used reinforced glass rods in the poured concrete vs metal rods? I understand that some bridge designers are using the glass because many bridges have suffered from the corrosion of the metal rods against the poured concrete? Also I would appreciate a source for these rods (preferably in west europe or east cost usa) as I can only find them in china.

Also, I'd like to solicit comments about icf design and reinforcement near
a railway. The current solid brick (ie. 2ft thick in some places) structure in question that we are building an addition onto is a 120 yr old dwelling for station masters which abuts the railway platform. The structure receives some huge vibrations that resonate throughout the floor and walls when a railway track stamping machine comes by approx 1ce a quarter, or when high speed trains go by (maybe 2x per day). Specifically, is icf suitable for a basement about 3 ft from the platform, and how to deal with the footings of the existing structure as there are no records as to how it was built.

thanks for your comments and I hope this thread is seen

Dmax Consulting

What's ICF mean?

__________________
Atlanta Paint Contractors, Atlanta Painting, Atlanta Painters, Atlanta Painting

concretemasonry

ICF means Insulating Concrete Forms.

Alternates would be -

1. Reinforced block (the "forms" - block) are load bearing and are left in place. The wall is designed just like a reinforced concrete wall, except only the cores with rebar are filled, although all cores could be filled if it is easier. - Same strength potential as reinforced concrete. Insulation, if desired is applied when desired.

2. Reinforced concrete with the wood or aluminum forms removed after the concrete is strong enough. Like ICFs, the concrete muct not be too wet or you could/would end up with shrinkage cracks. Insulation, if desired is applied when desired.

An advantage of ICFs is the insulating value of the forms left in place. A disadvantage is the forms are bought and paid for and usually left in place even if insualtion is not wanted or justified. The construction "carbon foot print" (energy in production) for ICFs is greater than for either block or poured concrete because the forms are made and left in place and not reused. Most ICF walls have a 6" concrete core, which means the wall thickness must be increased to be equivalant 8" poured wall, unless you are comparing to a 6" poured wall.

Both the concrete block and poured walls are exposed after construction, so any construction defects can repaired early, when it is easier. ICF walls are not exposed (the structural portion) is never seen so there is no opportunity to view thw quality of construction.

__________________
Dick

Engineer, designer and consultant recently active domestically and internationally on construction and design in about 35 countries.