Alton,

This is a good question....can the top of the remaining SABS wall be used as a bearing surface for let's say a brickledge? My gut would tell me no. I think the SABS structure is likely stressed like that of the SIPS panel (I know, it's not a "true" SIPS). If you were too build SABS on top of let's say ICF how do your interconnect the walls?

Leonard

I was confused about the basements with the Strata system because I thought they couldn't do them.  However I talked to them and I guess you can do a basement as long as you put a system in to eliminate water pressure on the basement.  So i guess you can cross out my statement above about basements.

The 4" ledge can be used as barring for the SABS floor panels.
 
As for brick i know SABS is not very good at mixing with conventional systems but I could find out for you.  I know they could attach to SIP easily currently they do not have a detail for this but when a project calls for it they will provide one I am old.

Thanks,
Gerret

Gerret,

I listened to the SAB video again. I quote:

"SAB structures can be decorated with any type of exterior surface including half brick, rock fascia, siding, and in this case, stucco. There are no limitations on interior amenities."

I like what I hear. The real proof will be in the detailed and stamped drawings. Maybe this company will post some detail drawings on their web site showing typical floor/wall/roof interconnections. I do understand that their system requires a stamped plan. It would be nice to see how this has been done before. Since I am a designer, I rely upon drawings to show the contractors how things go together in the field.

I would like to encourage this company to post an exhaustive list of Frequently Asked Questions. The list on their web site is very short. A lot of my questions could have been answered by a longer list.

I very much would like to see this company succeed and their system widely used.

This sounds pretty good as I am interested in stucco exterior and smooth concrete type finish interior for a modern minimalist industrial look.

A company rep should be invited to post here and answer Q's.

I am very interested in potentially building a home in Kansas using SABS. However, there doesn't seem to be a lot of info on it yet, perhaps because it is a relatively new building system. I would like to know how the house performs from the perspective of a person who lives in one.

I guess I'll post a few links I found for those who might find this thread in the future:

1) There are currently two other threads on the green building talk forums that mention SABS: Finishing over ICF and SICP's.

2) Of course there is the StrataUs site which has been provided already.

3) Meram Building International is the exclusive UAE exclusive License Holder for
SABS

4) Archinect post "SABS™ receives ICC-ES accreditation - Report # ES-1638"

5) The Foam Home

6) Strata's First SABS Home Withstands Microburst Storm in Scottsdale

Will be difficult for the DIY and small builder to get involved with this product. In some of their communications to me, they mention that they are only interested in dealing with medium to large companies/projects right now. Bummer for most of us out there.

That is very disappointing. Did you get any sense of how long (how many years) they will be like that? I am not planning on building my house for a couple of years, but if they still will not be dealing with the small builder by then I might as well move on to a different product.

Per their email: "This system is receiving interest from all over the world and we are only securing agreements on large scales at this time. The nature of our economy, the world’s economy and the desire to go green and sustainable positions Strata for an incredible opportunity this year. If you have the projects (Residential or Commercial) and the resources, please respond to this email with your contact information."

Strata International Group Inc. is currently addressing the DIY market. Currently Strata International Group Inc. is only able to service DIY customers in and around Arizona. However please keep watching Strata and the SABS system because in the next few months plans for DIY market nationwide are going to be implemented.

I will make these DIY program details available to you guys as soon as I get the information.

Thanks,
Gerret Martin
Tech. Spec.
Strata Int. Group Inc.

Gerret,

Thank you for responding.  It is great to see that you are posting again.  A few days ago I used Strata's contact form to ask for information and a password to download CAD details.  I am reaching out to you because I may not get a response otherwise.  My contact info is below.

This system, iike every other system, has its benefits and drawbacks. Unfortunately, its hard to distinguish the drawbacks for SABS mostly because there are very few applications to judge from.

Gerret, you have been involved in construction using this system. What are the drawbacks, or challenges to overcome when using this system?  I guess I am looking for the major points that would persuade someone to use or choose a different product (other than perhaps no local support).  I am always optimistic about new applications and technologies, but apprehensive when real world data is not available.

Thanks in advance.

I was curious about the properties of GFRC since it is only 1/4" thick as used in SABS applications and I found this very informative pdf and webpage.

Physical Properties of GFRC

What is GFRC?

One question I still have after reading the above is how much force is needed to pull out a masonry screw in a 1/4" thick GFRC? The document did not address strength in that direction at least as far as I could tell. Since the glass fibers are an inch and a half in length, they cannot possibly be oriented to run from front to back of 1/4" application so any tensile strength they can contribute in that direction would be limited, and the masonry screw would only have a quarter of an inch of bite. I guess what I am really getting at is could I hang cabinets on a GFRC wall, or would I need special reinforcers behind the cabinets?

Oh, and how long are the glass fibers you use in SABS? I read that anything less than 1 and 1/2" inches are a problem.

In SABS likes to quote self tapping masonry screws at 50lbs shear and 0lbs pull out. To hang cabinets on SABS Strata uses molly bolts. Loading to failure for pullout of a molly bolt was over 700lbs. The molly bolts wings folded in on themselves and slid out of the GFRC hole. Strata also conducted a test on cabinets using 4 molly bolts; they loaded the cabinet to destruction (about 900lbs) The cabinet portion collapse off the wall and the backing board still hung. Strata will provide you allowable safe loads per bolt type when related to a job.

It is important to know that SABS GFRC is not typical GFRC. It is called GFRC because it is concrete reinforced by glass fiber. However the ratio of aggregate to cement to glass fiber and polymers is drastically different then GFRC. Reason being is GFRC is normally used in a precast type application. SABS GFRC is used in a very different application.

SABS GFRC uses a blend of fibers between 1/2" to 1-1/2"

The problem your reading about short fiber is in a completely different application. SABS uses highshear mixers in premix application and it is spray on to EPS components.

Please note that ESR-1638 has been issued all potential problems regarding the quality, predictability, and continuity of SABS GFRC has been tested and verified.

Thank you very much for your replies.

Dave

I have a couple of questions about this system

1. I understand that this method includes exterior and interior walls. How thick are the interior walls?
2. In many homes, especially two story homes, some of he interior walls are load bearing, does this system require special consideration for floor construction to carry the loads from load bearing interior walls.
3. How about things like cathedral ceilings. How are they accomodated?
4. Are there any construction sites in progress involving non- southwest style homes( 2 story with basement)?
5. How does the design handle snow loading on roofs ?

Thanks

JW

1. Interior walls can be 4 to 16 inch per design. Any wall carrying a roof element usually 6 to 8 inch.

2. The system is monolithic. Every wall is load barring. The only reason some walls are thicker is because during construction you have to have a wide enough surface to place a panel on.

This system is lightweight and require minimal foundation around the exterior. Mainly to tie the building down.

3. Any ceiling can be done easily.

4. No 2 story with basement houses are in progress. We done like to do basements. However we will build on top of conventional or ICF basements.

5. The system can be engineered to accommodate any loading. The second structure build was in an area of high snow load requirements.

Gerret

Can you give me your ideas as to how SABS can allow DIY'ers to build using GFRC as the critical component?  There seems to be a potential for a large margin of error when spraying on the GFRC coating, and therefore would require some sort of expertise in this area.

Yes you are correct. The mixing and spraying of GFRC is done by a professional contractor. DIY'ers do get involved in the GFRC part in the finishing etc. A normal GFRC team is about 6 - 8 people. DIY'ers can do everything but mix and spray. DIY'ers can do all the of EPS alone.

Also getting mixing a spraying equipment for a DIY’er would not be easy. Another reason why contracting someone for that part is necessary.