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Our patented
(pending) PolySteel steel tie
provides the strength,
durability, fire resistance, and
dimensional stability that
are the hallmark of the
PolySteel name.
The open web
design of both our steel tied
forms and our
NEW
PolyPro composite tied form
provides superior concrete flow
and consolidation ensuring the
strength and performance
of the entire wall system.
PolySteel forms simply produce
stronger concrete. PolySteel
is the only ICF Manufacturer to
offer you a
choice
of
steel or composite ties
and
flat wall or waffle
grid forms.
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With PolySteel, you can
be assured, you have selected the right
form for your project, a form
manufactured to the highest standards
and backed by proven performance.
PolySteel Produces Stronger Concrete
Withstands Tornados and Hurricanes
Blast and Ballistics Tested
Ideal For Seismic Zones
PolySteel forms provide the ideal
conditions for curing concrete. These conditions
allow the concrete to achieve the greatest
strength possible, creating a wall that
outperforms traditional construction methods.
Concrete is created by the chemical reaction of
cement combined with water. This reaction, called
hydration, requires time and favorable
conditions of temperature and moisture. Water is
required initially to begin the process by making a
cement paste. Once the compound is formed, hydration
starts and continues as long as moisture remains.
The process stops when moisture is removed by heat
and evaporation, but can be restarted by adding
moisture, even though this is undesirable.
This chart shows the compressive
strength that is formed under various conditions of
hydration. When the hydration process is controlled
for the first 28 days, that is, when moisture is
continually available in the mass, 100 percent
strength is obtained. If hydration is continued
beyond that point, strength continues to increase,
exceeding 125 percent after 180 days. However,
notice that various degrees of strength are obtained
if improper methods of curing are used.
Chemical action in the concrete mix
can be sustained by:
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Keeping the concrete wet 24 hours
a day, using water and hoses.
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Applying a plastic cover over the
concrete, trapping the moisture within.
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Covering the concrete with
burlap, which is kept wet.
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Covering the concrete with fresh
hay, which is kept wet. This method also aids
against freezing.
As you can see, the self-contained
environment created by the PolySteel form
provides ideal conditions for hydration to
continue up to, and beyond, 180 days. This creates a
compressive strength in the concrete that exceeds
125 percent of the strength provided by
conventional concrete curing methods.
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PolySteel structures have proven their resistance to
tornados and hurricanes. During the
series of hurricanes that ravaged Florida in 2004 we
investigated dozens of PolySteel structures, all
withstood the hurricane force winds and many served
as safe havens for their occupants.
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The Punta
Gorda Airport Office in Punta Gorda,
Florida was built with PolySteel and
sustained minimal damage to exterior
finish only. |
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Metal and
block buildings adjacent to the Airport
Office were completely demolished. |
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Severe Weather Protection |
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PolySteel walls are
2 to 4 times stronger than
the maximum design wind load
required by the Uniform Building
Code.
PolySteel walls have
been independently tested to
withstand flying debris driven by a
250 mph
wind. |
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PolySteel walls are bullet resistant and have been
tested
during blast demonstrations performed at Quantico
Marine Corps Base during the Force Protection
Equipment Demonstrations in 2003 and 2005.
PolySteel withstood the force of 50 pounds of TNT
exploded at a distance of 6 feet with no structural
damage.
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PolySteel walls are 4 to 9 times
stronger than the maximum design earthquake load
required by the Uniform Building Code.
Any PolySteel structure built with
our insulating concrete forms can be engineered to
be resistant to seismic conditions.
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Architects & Engineers Benefits Main Page
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