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james ivett

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  1. Thank you for your response. The proposal has only been issued for planning permission so early days still. As above, the building was designed as RC/ICF to achieve the requirements in the SPD. The architect is now suggesting using steel frame, hence my post regarding its thermal performance and air tightness. A structural engineer was not consulted as there is no guarantee that we will get planning and the client did not want to waste money prior to approval. The client is building the offices for his company and employees who will be the end users. He is keen to keep future maintenance, running and operational costs to a minimum and see's the benefit of investing in the building fabric as the most effective way of achieving this. He also appreciates that the building fabric has a huge effect on the internal climate/working environment and in turn will have an effect on the working conditions of his employees. He therefore wants the optimum solution, hence my post regarding its thermal performance and air tightness for steel frame as these are typically hot boxes in my experience... RE the building methods, RC is not unconventional for commercial buildings, all building needs to be insulated therefore ICF makes sense as it is simply the formwork system that stays in place and also achieves ~5 other steps in one operation. Alternatively with steel frame, insulation is placed between studs and cladding railing systems as part of a multiple step operation in addition to sheathing, breather membrane, vapour barrier and numerous other air tightness tapes/mastics to get even close to what ICF does inherently. It was proven at Loughborough that the most efficient way to use the thermal mass of a wall is to have the internal face completely exposed. My client also likes the look of exposed concrete. This is why we looked at single sided ICF but again, cannot really find it being us too much in the UK and from my experience don't really like the look of the internal formwork restraint, not to mention the additional labour costs to rip down the forms, drill the required holes and set up the blocks (if we used locally sourced film faced ply as opose to imported ply). The accuracy of this also has the potential to create further issues, hence why I asked this forum as other posts have mentioned it. Regretably, I now realised I should have just commented on that post, but as I have varying concerns, I decided to create my own. Just to clarify, I am mainly concerned about: -The thermal performance of steel frame and all the elements that will go into achieving the required thermal resistance and air tightness. - How the single sided ICF systems mentioned above preformed during the pour. The only information I have found on the single sided ICF has been by "Up to Kode" YT channel and this Forum. I have reached out to both. The manufactures and UK suppliers don't seem to do much of it and are also reluctant to share detailed information also. I don't think you have read my post, I am not procuring, merely asking for information on single sided ICF as this is one of the few places it has been discussed.
  2. Thank you for your response, As you say, many here aren’t likely to, but I am looking for the few - like yourself - who have. Just to clarify, I am not looking for anyone to tell me how to pour a wall, just how the single sided ICF systems mentioned above preformed during the pour. The only information I have found on the single sided ICF has been by "Up to Kode" YT channel and this Forum. I have reached out to both. The manufactures and UK suppliers don't seem to do much of it and are also reluctant to share detailed information also. The architect is in his 80's/90's and is also the father of the client so not your typical arrangement and doesn't have experience with high proformance structure in steel frame/stud or ICF. The Sustainability Consultant (or "Independent engineering consultant & researcher" as he references) is into building physics and not physically building, hence why I don't expect him to answer my concerns. The commercial sector is reluctant to change, whereas the self-build community can see beyond the "bottom line cost", appreciate the future benefits and are typical more savvy with alternative methods of construction. I don't see why this is relevant to my question but, I am the currently the designer on the project but will also hopefully build it if it goes down the RC/ICF route. I have designed and built with ICF for the last 8 years, using 5 different systems as well as SIP and traditional prior. I have not used single sided systems; I am looking for user experience and thought this would be a good place to start? Thanks again for your response, James
  3. Hello, We are designing a 4 story carbon neutral, built for purpose office block on stilts (as it is in a flood zone). ICF was originally specified for the walls during planning phase to achieve the best thermal performance, air tightness, security and acoustics outlined in GBS's Sustainability SPD and client brief. This was also backed up by our sustainability consultant. Over the last year of waiting for planning permission, the client has taken a liking to the single faced ICF system (based on aesthetics) and the Architect seem to prefer the more traditional methods with steel frame with light weight metal stud, sheathing, cladding railing system and all the insulation/membranes/tapes/etc. In my opinion, I feel like we will struggle to achieve the above requirements outlined in the SPD with steel frame while the RC frame/ICF will provide these properties inherently. The only negative I can think of for the ICF although will be a heavier build and therefore more piles/thicker caps. If anyone has had any experience achieving almost passive standards with Steel frame/light weight metal stud and possibly also has ICF experience to compare the two, it would be greatly appreciated? Also, I was hoping to see if anyone has had any experience with the 'off the shelf' single faced ICF systems (Nudura/Integraspec) as well as potentially using systems like Quad-Lock that don't offer a single faced solution but could easily adapted to do so. (Fixings 8'x4' ply sheets too the ties at 12" H&V centres). The main reason for trying to "re-invent the wheel", is mainly cost of the material, cost of importing the smaller/expensive sections of pre-drilled wood from Canada and also speed of build. I am however, concerned about how well the wall will hold with pour heights of ~3m. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Many thanks
  4. Hello, Thank you for allowing me to join this community. We have some interesting project coming up so wanted to pick a few brains on alternative methods of build, as well as hopefully returning the favour with my experience following my 16 years of experience in the construction industry with 8 years dedicated to ICF. One of the projects we are designing is a 4/5 story carbon neutral, built for purpose office block on stilts (as it is in a flood zone). ICF was originally specified for the walls during planning phase to achieve the best thermal performance, air tightness, security and acoustics outlined in GBS's Sustainability SPD and client brief. This was also backed up by our sustainability consultant. Over the last year of waiting for planning permission, the client has taken a liking to the single faced ICF system (based on aesthetics) and the Architect seem to prefer the more traditional methods with steel frame with light weight metal stud, sheathing, cladding railing system and all the insulation/membranes/tapes/etc. In my opinion, I feel like we will struggle to achieve the above requirements outlined in the SPD with steel frame while the RC frame/ICF will provide these properties inherently. The only negative I can think of for the ICF although will be a heavier build and therefore more piles/thicker caps. If anyone has had any experience achieving almost passive standards with Steel frame/light weight metal stud and possibly also has ICF experience to compare the two, it would be greatly appreciated? Also, I was hoping to see if anyone has had any experience with the 'off the shelf' single faced ICF systems (Nudura/Integraspec) as well as potentially using systems like Quad-Lock that don't offer a single faced solution but could easily adapted to do so. (Fixings 8'x4' ply sheets too the ties at 12" H&V centres). The main reason for trying to "re-invent the wheel", is mainly cost of the material, cost of importing the smaller/expensive sections of pre-drilled wood from Canada and also speed of build. I am however, concerned about how well the wall will hold with pour heights of ~3m. Many thanks, James (Note, I will also add this to the correct page, without the introduction. Thanks again)
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