Table Of Content

DUDLFYKNOX LIBRARY POSTGRADUATESCHOOL EREY CA 03J^-».S101 USE OF INSULATING CONCRETE FORMS IN RESIDENTIAL HOUSING CONSTRUCTION BY DAN LEWIS C. // A REPORT PRESENTED TO THE GRADUATE COMMITTEE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ENGINEERING UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA FALL 2000 J KNOXUBKAKY SCHOOL POSTGRADUATE EREY CA 93943-5101 LIST OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF FIGURES iii LIST OF TABLES iv ABSTRACT v BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH vi Chapter Current Status ofInsulating Concrete Forms 1. 1 Introduction 1 Partnership for Advancement in Technology in Housing 3 National Construction Goals 3 Advanced Technologies for Foundations and Structural Walls 5 Evaluation Protocol for Insulating Concrete Forms 7 Structural Properties 8 Fire Properties 9 Thermal Properties 9 Termite Protection 10 Dampproofing and Waterproofing 10 Independent Laboratory 10 Construction Installation 10 Inspections 11 System Durability, Reparability, and Erection 11 Barriers to Advancement of ICF Technology 12 Barrier 1: Fragmented Industry Structure 12 Barrier 2: Exposure to Liability 12 Barrier 3: Cyclical Nature ofConstruction 13 Barrier 4: Lack ofAccess to Information 13 Barrier 5: Need for Education and Training 13 Barrier 6: Building Code and Product Approval Systems 13 Barrier 7: Limited Funding for Nonproprietary Research 14 Barrier 8: Market Resistance 15 Chapter 2. Types of Insulating Concrete Form Units 16 ICF Forms 16 Concrete Shapes 17 Parts ofTypical ICF Systems 18 Manufacturing Process ofPolysteel Blocks 19 Construction with Polysteel Blocks 21 Types ofPlastic Foams 24 Structural Design ofInsulating Concrete Forms 26 Chapter 3. Comparisons Between ICF and Wood Frame Homes 29 Description ofThree Studies 29 VanderWerf Comparisons ofICF versus Wood Frame Homes 29 NAHB Study of Installed Cost, Acoustic, and Thermal 30 Performance — NAHB Study of ICF Residential Construction Demonstration 31 Homes Construction ofICF Home 32 Constructibility Design Issues 32 Construction Practices 33 ICF vs Wood Frame Homes 34 Construction Costs 34 Labor Cost 35 Material Cost 36 Total Cost 37 Construction Time 37 Effect ofPrice Fluctuations 38 Fire Resistance 40 Fire Resistance Requirements 40 Fire Performance 40 Acoustical Properties 42 Durability and Strength of Walls 43 Chapter 4. Energy Comparisons 46 Introduction 46 Thermal Mass 46 Consistency ofInsulation 48 Air Infiltration 48 R-Values 49 Sources of Energy Loss 50 Energy Savings by Climate and Location 51 Cooling Savings 52 Heating Savings 53 Total Annual Savings 54 Life Cycle Costs 56 Chapter 5. Insulating Concrete Form Sources 58 Internet Sources 58 Magazines and Newsletters 59 Trade Organizations 59 ICF System Manufacturers and Installers 61 n