Foam forms and natural building...

I recently discovered foam form construction and have found it fascinating. It is like building with large legos....looks like it simplified construction for the layman/diy person. I know that my first question may seem diametrically opposed to the permie idea...has anyone considered using clay, cob, etc in this kind of form? My second question, is it possible to make forms like this out of pressed straw, hemp or some other natural material?

Rammed earth involves forms. They're wooden forms, not foam, and they're removed, not left in place.... but as far as a natural version, yes. People have doing it for a very, very long time, and pretty well have the kinks worked out. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rammed_earth



As far as using earth or clay in a foam form, the first problem that comes to mind is this:
Concrete is suitable for use in a non-permeable, non-removed form, because concrete hardens by curing. Earth hardens by drying, so a method that doesn't allow the water out of the earth isn't going to lead to a useful structural component.

This is a rapidly developing industry...some good...many not so much...all growing each year...

Some of the product lines are very 'low tech' and natural.

ICF are, in general, not the great thing they are cracked up to be. Having followed them since they came to be. I have even corresponded with many of the developers that now are switching over to more sustainable materials and methods that do not have the challenges that the original ICF system presented.

As for foams, some are working on soy based but this is coming from 'big ag business' and not any better than what we see (if not worse) than the petroleum industries. As for a "foamed" system that has promise I would look into magnesium oxide and related "aircretes."

Durisol insulated concrete forms is one of the industry leaders at the moment, yet again is very heavily industrialized compared to actual...natural building methods that are superior.

Hemcrete, BioBric & Poroton Sustainable & SolidWall Systems with Ecological Materials is a good read on this and related information.

Regards,

j

Check out 3-D printed buildings, houses in particular. These are becoming more popular as they have worked out many of the problems with installing the utilities required in a home. The homes are printed much like any model on a small 3-D printer only they have enlarged the printer to print a house-sized building.

They are supposedly built in such a way as to need no other insulation in the walls than the concrete.
Most of the heat goes UP anyway so the attic is where you would need normal insulation.

The walls are built with two runs of concrete separated by about 4" to 6" with a snake-like run between the two straight runs. That snake running through the walls are what make the buildings walls insulated.

For a country rich in timber, this would come close to the 'lego' style of construction. If no one has yet bought the licence for North America then probably not available there yet https://www.homecrux.com/build-house-without-nails-or-screws-thanks-to-brikawood-interlocking-wooden-bricks/65913/

Years ago we built a straw bale addition to our home. We were newlyweds and didn't have much money. It was cheap, sturdy, earth quake resistant and had a r54 insulation factor. There are two types, Nebraska and post and beam. Nebraska is cheaper and sturdier. That is what we built. They call it Nebraska style because that is where it originated. They didn't have wood to build with so they used straw bales which were a waste product. When they had a big earthquake there most of the buildings were knocked down but the straw bale house only got a crack in the stucco. It is also fire resistant. Because it is covered in stucco and no air can get to it, it only smolders. It is easy to construct, but I would recommend help just because after you get to the 3rd or 4th row those bales are heavy to lift. Invite a dozen friends over for the day and you can have the walls up in a day and the roof on the next. If you have everything ready

Jay,

actual...natural building methods that are superior.

I have to ask, where is the proof of this statement?

OP the concrete is needed along with reo to give the wall strength with compression and bending.
Its covered in another topic here. I think for those who want to use it, its good and solid. A Video I shared about it pointed out a few pros and cons.
- walls must be vertical and propped perfectly
- changing your mind about design will cause more than headaches
- its very sound proof
- it has great insulating factors
- the surface MUST be coated to seal moisture paths through joins.
- once finished its fire, storm, tornado proof.