I really like the roof system!

Do you extend the insulated panels over the walls for the eaves? 

Can you show a connection detail (or picture) of how the roof to ICF wall connection works?  I assume there must be "concrete to concrete" bearing.  Is a section of styrofoam removed between the channels?

On the flat roof picture (which is what I am interested in) was there a parapet or an overhang?  How would you do a parapet wall with a flat roof on an ICF wall system?  A separate operation after the slab pour?

Bruce

Raul,

Please send me the WRCS detail for a flat roof that you posted.  Attach the file and send to:

alton at auburn dot edu            Be sure to use the @ symbol and period instead of "at" and "dot".

I can read files in various formats:  Chief Architect, AutoCAD and Adobe - jpg, pdf, pcx ...

Alton C. Keown
Residential Designer and Construction Technology Consultant
334 329-0957

Bruce,

   Those Pics are a second floor. The walls above are the second floor walls that will support the WRCS concrete roof on top. 

   The space between the top of the insulation and the leg is about 1 1/2", and yes, it is all filled with concrete to prevent any kind of falling due to interior ceiling installation. For the roof the channel is not considered as a structural component of the assembly (WRCS provides de engineering for the roof in tridimensional finite element analysis, and the shoring calculations and drawings), although provides additional moment resistance between walls and ridges.

   For the floors and flat roof you can be considered or not depend of the span, varying the gage of the channel and of course adding special devices to transfer the shear to the channel and increase the composite action, but basically the channel is for hold the insulation and act as a formwork system during the pour and later stay in place to provide a rigid surface ready to install anything you want.

Regards,

Raul

Alton,

   I sent you an information package already.

Regards,

Raul

Raul,

Thank you.  I received the info.

Concrete roofs certainly complete the ICF structure.

Great advancements with the systems that were not available just a few years ago.

The downside of the system showcased is the lack of insulation on the top side of the concrete. In the end this may be a minor issue. A cold roof in Th North or hot roof in the South just is not the best we can do.

The system we use is simply a composite floor joist ( you pick the Manufacture) used as a rafter. We then insert  a standard Knock down ICF form ( you pick the manufacture).

The main advantage to this system is
1. no shoring is required at all.
2. insulation on the top and bottom side of the roof
3. the roof is poured in one day with only one certified technician and a couple labors
4. sheathing or tile can be attached to the plastic ICF studs and over hangs are easily attached conventionally
5. One pump truck with the use of 1.5" to 2" internal viberaters.

I cant seem to load up my large photos.
So I can e-mail them to you or you could the slideshow directly from Integraspec
Eldon Howe

That sound like a good system. But, how about pitched roof, certainly will use beams along ridge and valleys to support that system if you want to use it in a pitched mode. Down here in sound florida some one tried to do pitched roof that way (using Hambro or another kind of composite joist system) and was very expensive because he have to use beams along ridges and valleys and columns to support it in the middle because is not a system that can be self supported due to the one way load carrier nature.

About the insulation, remember that EPS perform better in cold climates. If you may need more just increase the foam density up to 3 pounds per cubic foot, I am sure that this will exceed you expectation.

Regards,

Raul,

I'm sure most concrete roofs will be more expensive, that's all relative to what you purchase.

As far as support. Support is support, whether it is red steel , shoring, ICF center beam or a cast in place monolithic concrete beam poured at the same time as the roof.

The latter is how we poured a 3 story community center here in Michigan, main floor, Mezzene and roof beams and floors/roof all monolithic.

We have a freeze thaw cycle that is very hard on concrete so it is best to keep the crete sandwiched between the foam.

I actually like the your system, I just wish it was covered in foam.

All things being equal, I prefer to keep the structure warm (especially in a flat roof situation), but as long as it is dry, thermal expansion/contraction should not be a structural issue.  Thermal expansion/contraction consideration may be needed in interior finishes that are directly attached to the roof in order to avoid cracking.

Having interior roof insulation is probably a bit better for minimizing thermal bridging. 

This is really not much different than spraying foam on the underside of your roof trusses.

Raul's system offers a lot of flexibility and does things that other systems do not do.  Every design involves compromises!

Bruce