I’m interested in any information or resources in relation to slab and footing engineering requirements to accommodate ICF construction in N. Texas. Having lived in Texas for a decade before moving back to Canada, I’m quite familiar with building techniques in the State and the prolific use of slab on grade / post tension slabs used in the vast majority of stick frame construction in Texas. I’m interested in information regarding any necessary enhancements to the traditional slab on grade post tension slabs used in Texas when building with ICF v. Stick framing. Planning on relocating back to Texas and considering focusing on ICF v. Stick built.

I live in North Texas (near Dallas). I ended up going with piers for both my ICF house and ICF pool foundations. I have been happy with the results. We did soil tests and found the top 12' was expansive clay, followed by a soft shale down to 25+'. The test holes never found rock. After looking at the options with a couple of engineers, I went with 25' deep piers with some post-tension on top for the house, and 25' piers with a double mat of rebar for the ICF pool floor. The house foundation is going on 9 years old right now with zero issues. The pool was built a few years later and has been problem-free as well. Obviously, any detailed recommendations would depend on the soil tests for your build location and your engineer, but I would definitely consider piers in the North Texas area. Best of luck!