EarthCrete Systems

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One yard of lightweight concrete is a good standard to calculate panel costs. One yard is 27 cubic feet. At two inches thick the square footage of panel produced is 27 / (1/6 foot) = 27 x 6 = 162 square feet. The lightweight nature of the aggregate allows a dump truck to easily haul at full volume capacity. An end dump can deliver about 29 yards and a regular tandem dump 18 yards.

 

The most expensive scenario is with Texas Industries aggregate. $50 per yard, 7.5% tax, $300 per 18 yard trucking. Price per yard =

$50 + $3.75 + $300 / 18 = $70.42. One yard = 27 cubic feet at 2" thick = 27 x 6 = 162 sq ft of panel. Aggregate cost per square foot =

$70.62 / 162 = $0.44.

 

Cement cost per square foot. Use a delivered cost per sack of $13.00. Six sacks are used per yard is $78.00. $78.00 / 162 sq ft =

$0.48. The embedded expanded steels are 112 per 4' x 8' sheet. Including saw blades and labor they come to about $0.50 each and are used one per 16" x 12" area = 1.33 sq ft. $0.50 / 1.33 = $0.38 per square foot.

 

So far the cost per square foot is 44 + 48 + 38 cents = $1.30. Add the strips and bolts and it adds up to a total of about $1.50.

 

Design examples show that on the high side it requires about 3.5 square feet of panel per square foot of floor area. So the entire wall panel system, including both faces of the cavity wall has a materials cost of 3.5 x $1.50 = $5.25 per floor area square footage.

 

Once the slab concrete and reinforcement is added, along with footings etc. the total materials cost to build mega strength reinforced concrete can be under $25 per square foot. Analysis has shown a labor requirement of about one hour per square foot of floor area. Using a total labor cost of $28 per hour, including FICA, unemployment, workmen's comp a completed structure cost of $25 + $28 =

$53. Add in other accessories and the cost at $60 becomes the final number.

 

This is the system to give the economy and safety that only reinforced concrete construction can offer, with this being the best way to accomplish it.

 

 

I'm accepting inquiries about being the architect and/or PE for taking this forward.