Performance Statement: A Pinkform Xtra^TM concrete wall, 4" thick, using 3000 PSI concrete and #4 reinforcing steel at 32 inches on center has more than four times the bending strength and more than three times the axial strength (ability to support roof and floor loads) of a typical wood-framed wall using 2x4 studs at 16 inches on center.

What Does This Mean For You? A home constructed with Pinkform Xtra^TM exterior walls is significantly stronger than a wood-framed home. This is described by existing ICF homeowners as a more "solid feel" in their home. This "solid feel" stems from the rigidity and mass of the concrete and is demonstrated by the lack of vibration and rattles when closing an exterior door, and reduced shifting and vibration during high winds. Obviously, a monolithic and continuous wall of concrete provides significantly more protection from unwanted intrusions through the wall.

Explanation: In general, exterior walls of a house must be designed to resist a combination of axial and bending forces. Axial forces are large vertical loads, such as the weight of the floors and roof. In a multi-story home, the axial load on the first floor exterior wall is often greater than in a single-story home. Bending forces are horizontal loads such as strong winds generated by tornadoes and hurricanes, or seismic vibrations generated by earthquakes. Exterior walls made of concrete, due to their mass and rigidity, have more strength to resist these forces than do exterior walls made of wood framing.

Source: PCA Unpublished Calculations

These two forces are also related to each other. Axial load strength varies as bending forces vary. For a wood wall, the bending strength decreases as the axial load increases. Conversely, the bending strength of a concrete wall increases as the axial load increases for the range of loading in residential construction.

PCA, "Residential Technology Brief-Building A Better Home With Concrete", No.2, IS301

PCA Unpublished Calculations

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