How feasible would it be to build a reinforced concrete post and beam frame and then infill the curtain walls with plain foam covered with stucco (or surface bonding mortar)? Ie, no steel mesh in the foam since it is mostly non structural). I've found fiber reinforced surface bonding mortar to work quite well applied directly to foam. Concrete + PVA fibers would be even better.

How feasible would it be to build a reinforced concrete post and beam frame and then infill the curtain walls with plain foam covered with stucco (or surface bonding mortar)? Ie, no steel mesh in the foam since it is mostly non structural). I've found fiber reinforced surface bonding mortar to work quite well applied directly to foam. Concrete + PVA fibers would be even better.


I guess this is possible but not well acceptable by those who have liability Arch,Eng.etc

Our system is wide flange I beams as columns and roof beams with Sips {metal preferably} The SIPS are trapped in the web of the beam ,unable to fail with out catastrophic event ..The engineers love it and Steel beams and SIPS are both proven tech. We can go multi story too....

I looked at your web site.  Under the Home tab I see this statement:

"The main components of the system are SIP Panels (Structurally Insolated Panel) and structural steel (I Beams), where the SIP is trapped and structurally supported in the web of wide flange I beams."

I do not understand why the word "Insolated" was used since it means to be exposed to the sun.  Should this word be "Insulated"?

Also in this same statement how are the steel columns and beams (roof support) insulated if the SIPs are placed within the metal flanges?

on the outside there is an offset where the face of the sip is one or more inches past the beam ,one inch foam is on top of the beam . on the inside hat channel or wood furring gets the drywall or finish to pass the beam , additionally there are no headers or built up post in the sip to be thermal bridging. all load goes horizontal with the horizontal sip to the steel column or beam ,we prefer metal roof or commercial type roofing ,shingle has to be adhered to the foam as it passes the beam. Hardy or other passes the beam because of the offset on outside wall ...as for insolated it a mistake insulated should be there,,,thx

Alton,
the beams are 12 to 16 feet apart as well and no need for added strength within the sip { bridge} because we are not loading the sips all load goes to the steel , hence why we can go multi story... each sip to beam offset is different depending on weight of w beam and size of w beam compared to sip thickness. we want at least one inch thermal break..

Ray,

Thanks for the explanation.  That makes sense to me now.

Will your company have installation crews that cover the Southeast?

Yes we will install the system especially in the beginning as we are now..The system goes together very fast as the panels simply slide into the w beams from top of column and from facia edge{roof} . We are most encouraged by the commercial interest so far....We are in commercial roofing FAA Military ETC and want to get some activity there with the panel system...

Jonr,

I have built a reinforced concrete post and beam home with surface bonded Geofoam panels as infill. It worked fine. 12 inch posts with 4 # 4s, 12X16 Beams 2-#6s and 2-#4s, Contained 6 foot by 6 foot footings. Three stories worked well. I poured the beams on top off placed Geofoam panels. I made the forms DIY out of 6 inch foam panels strapped with banding and backed with OSB witch was removed and used after setting. This is a picture of one of the insulated footings prior to pour.


I still have the plans and details.


Brian

Interesting. What was your overall impression of the method? Would you do it again?

How were the panels attached? Small rebars drilled into the posts/beams/slab makes sense to me.

Jonr,

The 4 by 16 by 1 foot panels were placed between the posts. the post was wraped with foam and everything was poured in place, posts and beams one floor at a time. the rebar work was was a lot more time intensive than originally thought.

No, I would not do it again. I have developed better methods that are easier, less time intensive, more thermally efficient and lower cost for materials to deliver a better porduct.

Brian

Having seen more about LiteDeck Tilt, I have to say that the idea looks like a good option if, for some reason, one doesn't want shotcrete. Basically, build a SCIP on the ground and then tilt it up. You get the advantages of concrete + insulation (like ICF) but better thermal performance (concrete is exposed) and no need for interior or exterior claddings. Embedded stone or brick patterns should be possible. But you need something to lift the panels (perhaps just a loader). I suppose you could call this a fiber cement SIP.

Fun
http://www.energyvanguard.com/blog-building-science-HERS-BPI/bid/52580/US-Green-Building-Council-to-Require-All-Glass-LEED-Homes