Thanks everyone for your questions/ comments.
There is a whole DAC-ART complex going up in the wine country of Calif. I have a few photos...all the engineering was done and the photos I have show the details of the reinforcement going into the columns on one of the structures. The complex is a system of main house and individual guest facilities, sorta like the real country villa concept a la Spain / Italy. I will make a point of adding those photos w/ a link of the home page of
link tomorrow. Also there are two other private residences going up in Calif using DAC-ART..and all the earthquake engineering has been done by Calif. engineers.
Since the blocks can easily be made to any thickness, that facilitates adding extra reinforcement for earthquake and also extra insulation where needed. The manufacturer says he can make ANY R-VALUE the customer requests. He can make them 15" thick w/ 4 " of foam insulation, 20" thick, etc...mine are just 12 " thick w/ 2 " of interior foam insulation. And yes, there are parts of the block that end up sitting directly on the concrete parts of the block below them, but w/ the newer designed blocks , that is a small % of the surface area. There is the thickness of the block (+ or - 3") at the ends that is solid concrete. But the new blocks are very long, not small 30' individual blcoks like my Phase I house was built from. Most of my blocks now are 60+". So that is more hollow space that has the double walled insulation and less % that is solid ends. It also saved $ on setting blocks.
I am building now w/ somewhat older blocks that were poured for a different house. I got them at a discount. That is why I am using them, plus there is a waitng list, so I am happy to have blocks on hand so we can build now. Even my blocks we are building with now have the new bottom style w/ a totally open bottom, and tapered side walls, so I have no solid concrete sitting on another block w/out insulation except a little bit at each end of the 60" block.
I live in a mild climate. My uitilty bills run at max $150 a month in Phase I, off season (spring & fall) is about $45. But we have only elecrtic available for hot water on my stretch of the road (I didn't want to do the burried in ground propane tank and sure don't want to look at one at this narrow lot waterfront location).
So my electric includes HVAC , hot water, electric clothes washer, dryer, dishwasher, 3 computers, flat screen monitors, XM radio running almost 24/7, hairdryers, hotcurlers, electric toothbrush, rechargable stuff like dustbuster, weed wacker, razor, flashlight, phones, ans. machine, etc...and tons of light at night as I do artwork and don't scrimp on light. My porch lights have 12 bulbs so I have 12 opportunities to replace bulbs B4 I am in total darkness.
The inside of my house is so quiet that I cannot hear anyone approach on my gravel drive unless I open a window to listen for their arrival (If I know they're comin' ) There is only one bird who's call I can hear thru the walls. That is the awesone Osprey....a little smaller than the American Bald Eagle. I have one that hangs out in a dead tree near me. We are sorta frinds now. I go out and whistle to him and he lets me come really close and photo him.
linkIf any other Osprey stops there on that tree to eat a fish, etc... and I hear them and go out to greet him (her) they fly off immediately, so I know it was not 'MY' Osprey, since my Osprey is not afraid of me....but I digress. Point is, Ospreys are *very* loud.
I know that soundproofness does not equate to temp insulation, but just thought I'd mention it.
I just came back from a dinner out, so I have forgotten the other questions since I stared typing a couple hours ago. Will have to post this and then go back and re-read the comments. Not trying to dodge questions :o)
PS--I dont know what that SnapShots code is below, it doesnt show up in the edit view.
<script src="http://shots.snap.com//client/inject.js?site_name=0" type=text/javascript></script>
<script src="http://shots.snap.com//client/inject.js?site_name=0" type=text/javascript></script>
<script src="http://shots.snap.com//client/inject.js?site_name=0" type=text/javascript></script>