ICF Forms - Question
ICF Forms - Question
(OP)
Is it possible to use sand or earth to fill the cavities in ICF forms in lieu of concrete for the construction of a simple single story building? I am assuming we could devise a way to keep the sand/earth in the forsm without leaking (vapor barrier?). Thnk you.






RE: ICF Forms - Question
This is a structural engineers forum. Advice obtained from its contributors will result in permanent structures following good engineering practice, not something that will blow away in a stiff breeze.
RE: ICF Forms - Question
RE: ICF Forms - Question
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask
RE: ICF Forms - Question
RE: ICF Forms - Question
RE: ICF Forms - Question
Dik
RE: ICF Forms - Question
You are planning to build structures in a potentially high wind zone. Even though they might be small and single story, they still must withstand imposed loads.
Thinking outside the box to build inexpensive, viable structures is commendable, but as others have noted, this is not a process that has much capability to achieve your goal.
Since concrete is expensive, you might consider combining your intended process with some cement to produce a low strength, but competent material, that could be site-mixed. Even this would require testing and analysis to determine its efficacy.
Good luck.
RE: ICF Forms - Question
RE: ICF Forms - Question
Look a little closer the the traditional building materials that have a history of use and developed practices. No sense in reinventing the wheel using most costly materials that no one is familiar with in place of locally available materials. - especially for a one story home system. There many many different systems that are used in a wide range of countries. Even rammed earth is very usable in some primitive areas for 1 or 2 story structures.
Dick
Engineer and international traveler interested in construction techniques, problems and proper design.
RE: ICF Forms - Question
If you are looking for something that can be constructed in areas with minimal access- consider rammed earth. You still need to reinforce these walls, but more along the lines of masonry reinforcing instead of concrete reinforcing.
The mix is very important- so you do need to know the soil types to determine if local soils are acceptable.
RE: ICF Forms - Question
RE: ICF Forms - Question
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask
RE: ICF Forms - Question
John Southard, M.S., P.E.
http://www.pdhlibrary.com
RE: ICF Forms - Question
You are right about the ICF not being adequate for anything to "rammed" into the cavities or voids (depending on the type). The forms are not rigid enough for compaction and some systems (not the flat plate systems) can be penetrated by vermin and insects.
I assume this is for residential construction.
Rammed earth usually is just damp soil and some cement that is rammed into a confined space/form and is a very basic, rudimentary material below adobe on the pecking order, but is used if there is not the right type of soil/clay. It minimizes the amount of materials (cement) that must be brought into remote areas.
In most of the developing countries brick (if suitable materials are available) have been used for centuries and can be reinforced. A step up from adobe and partially fired brick, concrete block are commonly used in many countries because of the availability of local aggregates and ability to make stronger units and be easier to reinforce, if necessary.
In some of the more rapidly areas of Africa concrete block are common since 6" block walls can use local labor, local materials (except possibly some cement) and easily be reinforced for 1 and 2 story homes. There are many "portable" block machines in these countries, with permanent ones in the larger, more developed markets.
Dick
Engineer and international traveler interested in construction techniques, problems and proper design.