Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Foam Concrete

[Joanie Connors (jvcphd]

A local Buddhist community (Iron Knot Ranch) here has used "rastra blocks"
sold by a factory in Arizona to build their community. They are made with
concrete and recycled industrial styrofoam and are sold as 8 ft long square
logs. They have channels for pipes, wiring, as well as rebar and concrete
to tie walls together. High R value and relatively inexpensive.



On Tue, Jul 25, 2017 at 9:50 AM, Cohousing <cohousing [at] mindspring.com> 
wrote:

>
> There is a new construction material invented in Raleigh NC — pre-cast
> ceramic walls which are fireproof and eco-friendly and can receive any kind
> of finish. Here is a link to that information and a video:
> http://wncn.com/2016/10/04/raleigh-inventors-ceramic-
> based-panels-could-protect-homes-from-fires-and-more/ <
> http://wncn.com/2016/10/04/raleigh-inventors-ceramic-
> based-panels-could-protect-homes-from-fires-and-more/>
>
> We at Raleigh Cohousing have toured the house featured and found it
> amazing. Imagine a home with those walls and the new Tesla solar roof that
> is actually less expensive than traditional roofing:
> https://www.inverse.com/article/31438-tesla-solar-roof-price?utm_source=
> facebook.com&utm_medium=on_site&utm_campaign=mobile_article-top <
> https://www.inverse.com/article/31438-tesla-solar-roof-price?utm_source=
> facebook.com&utm_medium=on_site&utm_campaign=mobile_article-top>
>
> I think this ceramic is a form of foam concrete to be so lightweight:
> http://americancraftsmeninc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/
> 07/ACI-Precast-Fact-sheet-.pdf <http://americancraftsmeninc.
> com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/ACI-Precast-Fact-sheet-.pdf>
>
> Kayelily
> Raleigh-cohousing.com
>
>
>
>
> > On Jul 25, 2017, at 7:51 AM, Sharon Villines <sharon [at] 
> > sharonvillines.com>
> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Has anyone heard of foam concrete? It’s light enough to float,
> waterproof, and can be sawed and cut like wood.
> >
> > AirCrete has some beautiful examples and sells all the stuff for making
> blocks which are made onsite. The equipment seems to cost ~$1,000. (I say
> “seems” because one never knows what one needs until you get into it.)
> >
> > AirCrete —beautiful dome houses, equipment, video on the making blocks
> and building process.
> > http://www.domegaia.com
> >
> > General Information
> > https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foam_concrete
> >
> > Technical information. Pictures of more conventional buildings:
> > http://www.litebuilt.com/index.html
> >
> > I have not a clue how to interpret the technical data so I hope someone
> else can. I would think if zoning allows concrete block houses it would
> allow foam concrete?
> >
> > From Wikipedia:
> >
> >       • Weight reduction of superstructure due to lesser load.
> >       • Earthquake-resistant. Suitable for buildings in hurricane,
> cyclone and flood areas.
> >       • Reduced cost of raw materials.
> >       • Cost reduction for transportation and storage.
> >       • Faster construction using cast-in-situ application
> >       • Improved thermal insulation.
> >       • Improved fire protection.
> >       • Easy to use/ produce/ handle
> >       • Low investment: Just one simple machine required.
> >
> > Sharon
> > ----
> > Sharon Villines
> > Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC
> > http://www.takomavillage.org
> >
> >
> >
> >
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> >
> >
>
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