EarthCrete Systems

Need Picture

Concrete construction, particularly powered by the Cavity Wall Technology System, will prove to be the "green" and affordable housing solution of the future. The bulky heavy forming that usually goes into building with concrete is eliminated. That alone brings costs down considerably. If one gives serious thought to an optimal wall system, a cavity wall has to win. Anything that creates contained inner space within a wall is better than something that doesn't. That inner space, in this instance 8", allows for a versatility of application that of course no space cannot do. Being able to effectively contain loose bulk material, native to the site or imported higher performing products, gives a secure environment for longevity and protection to one's choice. A dry flowable material, like sand or dirt, can effectively seal the cavity space and give lowest cost bulk to the wall.

 

A cavity wall with regular spacing of embedded steel fasteners creates a grid for simple attachment of form boards to either make vertical columns or horizontal beams. Or the cavity fill can be stopped at any level to form a base to support concrete pumped directly upon it, to any depth desired.

 

Creating this wall with a lightweight concrete, using volcano processed aggregates, be it expanded pumice, scoria, or cinders, uses the heat of the big bang and galaxy forming hot gases now residing in the inner earth to bring these rarefied materials to the surface. Genuine primordial energy efficiency.

 

For versatility in design, a minimum number of components, and aesthetic balance and symmetry, a geometry in necessary that provides good proportions compatible with construction norms. That normality is basically defined as that which yields a four feet by eight feet rectangle to eliminate waste. A twelve inch horizontal grid coupled with an eight and sixteen inch vertical grid works perfectly.

 

Ductility is a prime requisite for survivability when occasional wild forces enter the environment. That's how a lashed together raft like the "Kon Tiki" was able to negotiate the oceans. Being able to move is being able to absorb energy. If one is bare handed trying to catch a hard thrown ball, the backward movement with one's hand softens the blow of impact.

 

A tongue and groove joinery in both the horizontal and vertical dimensions creates a slight "give" that when multiplied by the number of joints provides a substantial "shock absorption" system. Contain that system within a reinforced concrete frame and a special result occurs. A wall system that actually "damps" the vertical and horizontal components generated by the sine wave propagative nature of earthquakes. This is a breakthrough trait that no other system can provide. A protective concrete jacket in synergetic relationship to a steel reinforced concrete frame.

 

There are six main applications of the cavity wall:

 

1. One step finished wall requiring no veneer or coating, ready for artistry of acid staining.

2. A stay in place form cast in place structural columns and beams

3. Exterior Insulated Wall

Two inch rigid polyiso insulation bonded to each panel back

Four inches lightweight aggregate center fill

R-35 net insulation further enhanced by center fill buffer

4. Interior mass wall

Water containers placed within cavity for thermal mass enhancement

Space around containers filled with sand for solid supporting cavity mass

5. Exterior duct wall

Transport solar heated air from attached south wall greenhouse to under first floor slab

Two inch polyiso insulation on exterior panel back side

Bubble foil bubble insulation for added insulation to interior panel and counteract rough surface air turbulence

6. Interior duct wall

Blows stratified warm air at top floor ceiling back to under lowest slab