News Detail

Sustainability Using Insulating Concrete Forms

7/7/2016

Commercial building under construction using ICF. Photo courtesy of Insulating Concrete Form Association

Concrete is the most used construction material in the world and is increasingly used to achieve more sustainable buildings, some of which are constructed using insulating concrete forms (ICFs). ICFs are stay-in-place concrete forms that create vertical elements such as walls, columns, and pilasters, and horizontal elements such as floors and roofs.

According to the new ACI 560R-16 Report on Design and Construction with Insulating Concrete Forms, ICFs originally evolved in Switzerland near the end of World War II, and the earliest versions of ICFs were made from treated wood fibers and portland cement. In the late 1940s and 50s, plastic foams were developed, and by the late 1960s, the concepts of combining plastic foams and ICFs together resulted in the creation of contemporary ICFs. ACI 560R-16 is a comprehensive introduction to the design and construction of reinforced concrete structures with insulating concrete forms focusing on ICFs for walls.

In spite of their simplicity, ICFs are based on extensive research and continue to evolve with changes in technology. Because there are many proprietary systems, and building codes do not offer general guidance about ICF construction, this report provides background information that is useful for designing and building ICF structures. The report also supplements proprietary information available from indi­vidual manufacturers with general information applying to most ICFs. This report is also useful to building officials and other professionals who may work with ICFs.

The most widely used ICFs are block shapes, which are stacked in an interlocking fashion to create stable formwork for creation of reinforced concrete walls. Due to the variability of these manufactured form systems, ACI 560R-16 does not attempt to address every ICF type, but provides a commentary on those systems most prevalent in the market, and insight, as well as additional information, relative to their use in design and construction.

Insulating concrete forms (ICFs) were selected for this project under construction for their energy efficiency, durability, and safety. Photo courtesy of Portland Cement Association

Constructing quality structures that are durable and sustainable, with more emphasis on energy efficiency, is a priority. Additionally resilient construction has also been identified as an important factor in building construction practices, integrating entire building envelopes into a cohesive system.

This ultimately is moving today’s industry toward more sustainable structures that are longer-lasting and resilient enough to reduce rebuilding, thereby reducing energy consumption.

Insulated concrete forms have many benefits in terms of sustainability, including:

• High R-values are readily achieved, with less potential for installation problems
• Excellent thermal performance due to very low infiltration rates
• Extreme durability of both the insulation and structural components.
• ICFs are very lightweight, reducing fatigue of installation crew.
• Will not rot or rust.
• Versatility: ICF homes can be designed in any style, and will accept any traditional exterior finish including vinyl, wood siding, stucco, and brick.
• Peace and quiet: in sound transmission tests, ICF walls allowed less than one-third as much sound to pass through over ordinary frame walls filled with fiberglass insulation.
• Greater comfort and lower energy bills: a combination of high R-values, low air infiltration, and high thermal mass accounts for the 25 to 50% energy savings of ICFs versus traditional wood or steel-framed homes.
• Resilient: particularly against terrorist attacks and natural disasters such as fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods.
• Materials efficiency: can use regional and recycled materials (both)

ACI supports the consideration of economic, social, and environmental balance for sustainability criteria in concrete design, materials, and construction. ACI 560R-16 Report on Design and Construction with Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs) is one of ACI’s many resources on sustainability.

Explore ACI Resources on Sustainability.