01. September 6, 2005.
RASTRA insulated concrete forms arrive from Arizona.
Rastra insulating concrete forms are a stay-in-place system
made of a lightweight composite material called THASTYRON,
produced with 85% recycled expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam)
and 15% cement.
www.rastra.com
02. October 16, 2005.
Footings are ready to be poured. Product used: Form-A-Drain
03. October 18, 2005
Begin laying first row of Rastra.
04.
Second row of Rastra placed.
05. October 20, 2005
Third and fourth rows of Rastra placed.
06. October 21, 2005
Fourth and fifth rows of Rastra placed.
07. October 21, 2005.
Fifth (top foundation) row of Rastra placed.
Jack (builder's father-in-law) checks level.
08. October 22, 2005
Bruce (owner/builder) places vertical rebar into Rastra
cavities in preparation for first cement core fill.
Horizontal rebar was inserted as each row was placed.
09. October 24, 2005
First core fill -- foundation levels.
10. October 24, 2005
Styrofoam insulation placed on top of Rastra to
help retain moisture/heat as cement cures.
With RASTRA, additional bracing was probably not
necessary but we did it as a precaution.
11. October 31, 2005
General Waterproofing, Inc. waterproofs the foundation levels.
12. November 8, 2005
Backfilling with clay (exterior) and sand (interior).
13. November 12, 2005
Backfilling/compacting completed to level of 3rd Rastra block.
14. November 18, 2005
Placed scaffolding (recycled pallet racking) inside walls.
Placed 6th and 7th Rastra row corners.
15. November 19, 2005
First window bucks are installed. Bucks are made out of treated 2x6 lumber.
All window and door bucks were cut and assembled ahead of time.
16. November 23, 2005
More window and door bucks in place. Bracing holds them vertical.
17. December 2, 2005
Rows 6-9 have been core-filled and are curing.
18. December 23, 2005
Rows 10 thru 12 (final row!) have been placed.
19. December 23, 2005
Lintels (areas over doors, windows) require larger cement cores, extra horizontal rebar,
and S-shaped hooks (welded in place) for structural support of the roof system.
20. December 23, 2005
Lintel area showing double horizontal rebar & S-hooks.
(This whole area above the door will be filled with cement.)