Comparison of ICF buildings

with Conventional Structures

BySTYRO STONE INDIA (P) LTD.

BackgroundDemand for building systems that are

more energy efficient, durable,

and use fewer natural resources.

has led to numerous studies globally, over the past decade.

Findings from some of these are presented here ...

Summary

It was concluded that, ICF wall provides, energy efficient green building, of high durablity and increased strength with maximum resistance to natural disasters

and also minimizes temperature fluctuations

by absorbing and storing heat.

Reasons for PopularityOver the last two decades, ICFs have become the most preferred construction material for green buildings in many countries with extreme weather conditions due to their - reduced construction time, compatibility with any inside or outside surface finish, strength, mold & pest resistance, noise reduction, reduced dust & dirt infiltration,

and significant and continuing energy savings.

Durability

Criteria ICF walls RCC / Conventiional

1 Life

> 50 years without any significant

repairs

> 50 years, periodic repair and maintenance work

needed

2Weather resistant (under thermal stress) Yes, no ageing

No, ageing due to poor resistance

3 Life Cycle Analysis : Global Warming Potential (GWP)

Least GWP (permanent, high value

thermal protection)

Medium to high GWP(low thermal protection)

4 Partition walls Uniformly strong Weak

5Diaster Proof withstands Quakes, Floods & Cyclonic storms

No cracks Cracks

6 Fire Resistance Tested & rated for >2 hrs < 2 hrs

Raw MaterialsMaterial ICF walls RCC / Conventiional

1 Concrete upto 50% less than conventional Yes

2 Bricks No Yes

3 Steel reinforcing bars upto 50% less than conventional Yes

4 EPS Yes No

ManufacturingMaterial ICF walls RCC / Conventiional

1 Molded Formwork from EPS Molding Plant Yes No

2 Bricks from local Kiln No Yes

3Steel Rebars from local

construction material suppliers Yes Yes

4 Cement-Sand-Concrete Mix Yes Yes

Machinery, Equipment & Tools Material ICF walls RCC / Conventiional

1 Shuttering Boards & fixing tools No Yes

2 Cranes (for multi storey structures) No Yes

3 Lifts No Yes

4 Heavy duty material handling equipment No Yes

5 Hand held tools Yes Yes

6 Tools for Wall Dimensions & Alignment measurement No Yes

7 Measuring & Mixing equipment for Concrete mix Yes Yes

8 Trestles / Scaffolding Yes / Yes No / Yes

Onsite Labour & Skill for construction of a single floor 1,000 1,500 sq ft covered area

(with Speed Floor for Roof, not mentioned below)

Manpower ICF RCC / Conventiional

1 Semi-skilled Labour (For foundation) 6 8

2 Semi-skilled Labour (For formwork / walls) 1 6

3 Unskilled Labour (For concrete pour) 4 0

4 Skilled Labour (mason) 1 2

4.1 Skilled Labour (electrical + plumbing) (1+1) (2+2)

4.2 Skilled Labour (Finishing & Painting) 2 6

4.3 Skilled Labour (Doors & Windows) 2 2

5 Site Supervisor 1 1

6 Project / Structural Engineer 1 1

TOTAL 20 30

Time Required

for construction of a single floor 1,000 -1,500 sq ft house (with manpower as per prev. slide)

Construction Days for ICF Days for RCC / Conventiional

1

Building completed : from foundation to Finishing with plaster & paint < 30 55-60

Cost

for construction of a single floor ( 1,000 - 1,500 sq ft ) stand alone bungalow

Per Sq Mtr ICF RCC / Conventiional

1 Manpower Less (approx 25%) More

2.1 Material - concrete Less (approx 50%) More

2.2 Material - steel Less (approx 50%) More

3Method equipment & handling tools

Only hand tools Costly machinery for handling heavy loads

4 Time project completion Less (approx 30-50%) More

Note : Total project cost by the two methods is similar despite higher priced molded forms used in ICF, due to lesser material quantity, labour & execution time.

Green ParametersCriteria ICF walls RCC / Conventiional

1 Thermal Efficiency Permanent & high R-Value (60-80% energy saving) Low (energy loss)

2 Lifelong monetary savingsSignificantly lower requirement of minor Maintenace & repair work

Frequent & periodic, costly

3 Reduced HVAC load 50% less investment & use No reduction

4 Embodied Energy - Light weight formworkEase of transport, handling, lower risk of accidents No

5 Resource conservation

Minimum onsite material waste, lower manpower & natural resources (eg. Water) needed

No

6 Health & comfort Minimal Air, pollen, dust & noise infiltration No

7 Indoor temperature Uniform, despite huge outdoor swings No

8 Acoustic Insulation At no extra cost, time or labour No

9 Risk of toxic emissions No No

Insulation Property : R-Value

Thermal Insulation ICF walls RCC / Conventiional

1 Range From R-18 to R-30 Approx R-1

2 Uniform Yes No

3 Permanent Yes Insignificant

TechnologyICF walls RCC / Conventiional

1 Started Since 1960s. Europe, Canada Since 100s of years

2 Popular

Since 1990s. Europe, North America,

Middle East, South Asia, etc.

Global monopoly decreasing due to advent of new technologies

3 Proven Successful in every climate & region

Cracks & damages due to impact of natural or man made disasters

4Monolithic, load bearing Walls Yes

No, needs columns & beams

5 Thermal Bridges None, due to air tight & leakproof construction Significant Thermal Leakages

6 Plumb straight & smooth walls Trestles fixed for ensuring wall alignment & fast finish

Needs Special tools & skilled manpower

How to Build Monolithic walls with ICF

Interlocking, Insulating, hollow EPS molded formwork

External & internal surfaces straight & smooth

Concrete reinforced with steel&

poured inside

of low weight, for quick assembly

For ease of cladding & rendering

With minimal resources & material waste

BenefitsCriteria ICF walls RCC / Conventiional

1 Energy savings Significantly high Low

2 Severe weather resistance Yes Low

3 Faster construction time Yes, at least 50% less time No

4 Exterior noise reduction Significant impact & air borne noise shut out No

5 Environmentally friendly Yes Yes

6 Damp & Mold resistance Clean & dry interiors Cracks, leaks common

7 Fire & pest resistance High Medium

8 Design friendliness Contours, Curves, Arches, all easily made No

9 High ceilings & long floor spans

Plans easily executed without significant increase in manpower, cost or time No

10 Fixing Electrical & Plumbing components Easy to cut, drill, chase & fit large pipes No

11 Wall Cladding Wall ties for ease of fixing finishing material No

Disadvantages

ICF walls RCC / Conventiional

1 Wall thcikness Fixed Variable

2 Door & Window Placings

Cannot change after concrete poured

Change possible

3 Reusable No Bricks are recylable

For your kind attention ...

From STYRO STONE INDIA (P) LTD.

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