ICF Construction Beyond Residential

For years, insulating concrete forms (ICFs) were used almost strictly for residential construction. Not anymore. The method is rapidly gaining popularity in the commercial sector for hospitals, retirement homes, churches, hotels, resorts, theaters, multifamily hosing, retail stores, and schools.

For design and construction, it’s hard to find an easier system than ICFs—hollow foam blocks or panels are stacked into the shape of the walls of a building. The forms are filled with steel-reinforced concrete to form a solid structure, sandwiching a heavy, high-strength material between two layers of light, high-insulation foam. The resulting walls are air-tight, strong, quiet, highly insulated, pest and fire resistant, and durable in the face of even the harshest weather. More about ICF construction.

The upscale Waterside condominium development at the Bay Beach area of Ft. Myers, Fla. is an example of ICF construction for luxury residential utilzing insulating concrete form infill walls with a stucco finish. Designed by R.J. McCormack Architect, Inc., a total of eight buildings are planned in the development by Giles Development, LLC. The luxury condominiums are 2- and 3-bedroom, 2,100- 2,600 square foot units with 9 and 11 foot ceilings. More.

When Parlin Properties and Development, Inc. of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., decided to build a hotel on 500 feet of ocean-front property, protecting the local environment was important. "We wanted it to be eco-friendly," said Parlin's president, Steve Kruse, "and ICF walls were a big part of that effort." Parlin had past experience with ICF construction, and they knew the system would provided many benefits for the planned Best Western Pelican Beach Resort. More.

Concrete Buildings and Progressive Collapse Resistance

Progressive collapse can be described as a chain reaction or propagation of failures following damage to a relatively small portion of a structure. In progressive collapse, the extent of total damage is disproportionate to the original cause.

The inherent mass and stiffness characteristics of reinforced concrete offer distinct advantages over other building materials under blast loading and in resisting progressive collapse. In 2003, the Portland Cement Association (PCA) initiated a study on the analysis and design for concrete buildings against progressive collapse. It concluded that the columns in the buildings investigated do not require additional reinforcement to prevent such extensive damage. Also, progressive collapse prevention in concrete buildings can be achieved with only a very minor increase in cost for beams. More.

How Does Concrete Fit in the Big Picture?

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is today’s sustainability buzzword. The United States Green Buildings Council (USGBC) is preparing to integrate LCA into its LEED^® rating system, and the industry is filled with lively debate about its impact. As LEED matures and other rating systems find their place in the movement, increasing emphasis is placed on the importance of examining all aspects of a structure—not just the building itself, but the embodied energy of materials, the long-term affects of manufacturing processes, the stages of construction, building performance and operations, durability and maintenance of existing structures, and, in the end, demolition, materials recycling, and future land use ramifications. Although LEED considers some of these, USGBC is considering including more into the rating system.

Concrete brings numerous lasting benefits that many believe far outweigh the front-end labor and energy. Many concrete structures are designed for a 100-year life span. Locally available materials mean less transportation and pollution. Concrete also offers high thermal mass, contributing to energy efficiency and comfort. More.

pcaWall Upgrade Now Available

The pcaWall program for analysis and design of reinforced concrete, precast, ICF, and tilt-up walls has been upgraded to incorporate provisions of the ACI 318-05 and CSA A23.3-04 concrete design standards. The pcaWall upgrade implements a key change in the CSA A23.3-04 code concerning the design of wall stiffeners for shear and torsion. A number of other improvements in the user interface have also been implemented to facilitate data entry and processing results. Click here to download the fully functional evaluation version of new pcaWall. Click here to view examples that illustrate slender and non-slender wall design using both hand calculations and the pcaWall program.

More about software products available from pcaStructurePoint.

New PCA Codes and Standards Web Site

Most building construction in the U.S. is influenced by state and local building codes. These codes are intended as minimum design and construction requirements to assure life safety, property protection, general welfare of the public, and safety to firefighters and other emergency responders. Recognizing an opportunity to help professionals and the public alike, PCA has created a new area on its Web site that covers codes and standards issues. Visit the site.

Building and Bridge Professors Seminars
The 15th annual Buildings seminar is scheduled for July 31-August 2, and the 8th annual Bridges seminar for August 3-4, 2006. Both events will be held at the Portland Cement Association’s headquarters in Skokie, Ill. These seminars provide a forum in which the latest concrete industry developments are presented to university professors in civil, structural and architectural engineering. As in past years, there is no seminar registration fee. More

ACI/PCA One-Day Seminars on Changes in the ACI 318-05 Building Code
Learn the new Code provisions and how to implement them correctly in your day-to-day work. Instructors that served on the ACI Committee that produced the Code will explain each change, why it was made, and what it means to you as a designer and specifier of structural concrete. A portion of the day will be set aside to discuss Appendix D, Anchoring to Concrete, and to answer many of your questions. More.

Fundamentals of Post-Tensioning—Design, Analysis, & Construction
Gain a basic understanding of post-tensioning design and construction concepts as applied to elevated structures. Fundamentals, design, and construction concepts of post-tensioning are introduced in this series of seminars. Technology, analysis, and construction of post-tensioned buildings are covered. More.

Come see us or visit our booth at...

SEI Structural Congress and Exposition—Structural Engineering and Public Safety
May 18-20, St. Louis, Mo.

AIA National Convention and Design Exposition—Innovation, Engagement, Inspiration
June 8-10, Los Angeles, Calif.