Early coordination can simplify the design and construction of an Amvic™ ICF building. Wall thickness, concrete core size, elevations, reinforcement, openings, floor connections, service penetrations, waterproofing, and finishes should all be addressed before construction documents are finalized.
The information below is intended to support preliminary planning. Structural design, reinforcement, concrete specifications, connections, and project-specific details must comply with applicable building codes and the requirements of the licensed design professional. For product information, specifications, design guides, evaluation reports, and installation resources, visit the technical resources page.
Wall Thickness
Amvic™ ICF is available with several concrete core sizes to accommodate different structural and project requirements. Amvic™ ICF R22 is available with 4-inch, 6-inch, 8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch concrete cores. Amvic™ ICF R30 is available with 6-inch and 8-inch concrete cores.
Core selection can depend on wall height, structural loads, below-grade conditions, wind and seismic requirements, and other project-specific factors.
The EPS used in Amvic™ ICF is classified as Type II under ASTM C578 and Type 2 under CAN/ULC-S701.
Resources
- Amvic™ ICF R22 Product Data Sheet
- Amvic™ ICF R30 Product Data Sheet
- Amvic™ ICF Canadian Design Guide
- Amvic™ ICF U.S. Design Guide
Final wall thickness and reinforcement requirements should be determined by the appropriate design professional.
General Layout
When transitioning from conventional construction to Amvic™ ICF, account for the full thickness of the ICF wall during space planning.
Amvic™ ICF R22 uses 2.5-inch EPS panels on each side of the concrete core. Amvic™ ICF R30 uses 3.25-inch EPS panels. These dimensions affect exterior building dimensions, interior floor area, demising walls, openings, and transitions to other wall systems.
Radius Walls
Curved walls can also be constructed with Amvic™ ICF. Review the installation requirements before incorporating radius walls into the project.
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Wall Heights
Wall coursing should be considered when establishing project elevations.
Coordinate Amvic™ ICF courses with footing elevations, finished grade, masonry finishes, floor bearing elevations, floor-to-floor heights, roof bearing elevations, and parapets.
The Amvic™ ICF Installation Manual includes horizontal coursing information and guidance for height adjustments when project dimensions do not correspond to a full form height.
Brick ledges should also be coordinated with finished grade and wall coursing during design. Structural capacity and reinforcement must follow applicable engineering requirements.
Resources
- Amvic™ ICF Installation Manual
- Amvic™ ICF Canadian Design Guide
- Amvic™ ICF U.S. Design Guide
- Amvic™ ICF Product and Brick Ledge Information
Engineering Parameters
Amvic™ ICF forms create reinforced concrete walls, so structural requirements should be established as part of the project design.
The Amvic™ ICF Design Guides provide engineering information for above-grade walls, below-grade walls, reinforcement, lintels, masonry veneer support, and other structural conditions.
For Canadian projects, the Amvic™ ICF Canadian Design Guide references CSA A23.3 for the design of concrete structures. It also references PCA 100-2012, Prescriptive Design of Exterior Concrete Walls for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, for applicable prescriptive wall-design conditions.
Project drawings should identify the applicable Amvic™ ICF core size, wall heights, vertical and horizontal reinforcement, reinforcement position, and required lap splices.
Resources
- Amvic™ ICF Canadian Design Guide
- Amvic™ ICF U.S. Design Guide
- Amvic™ ICF Installation Manual
- Amvic™ ICF Rebar Sizes Reference
Wall Function
Amvic™ ICF combines reinforced concrete with continuous EPS insulation to provide structure, insulation, air and vapor control, sound attenuation, and attachment for finishes within the wall system.
The following performance requirements should be reviewed during pre-design.
Sound Transmission
Completed Amvic™ ICF walls have a published STC rating of 50+. Openings, penetrations, finishes, and other assembly conditions can affect acoustic performance.
The Amvic™ ICF acoustic documentation references ASTM E336 for airborne sound attenuation testing between rooms and ASTM E413 for classification of sound-insulation performance. The technical bulletin lists ASTC 47 for a tested Amvic™ ICF interior wall assembly and identifies it as equivalent to STC 50 for the cited building-code application.
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Fire Resistance
Amvic™ ICF documentation lists a Fire Resistance Rating of 3+ hours for applicable wall assemblies. Project requirements should be verified against the applicable fire-resistance documentation, code approvals, wall configuration, and finishes.
The documented Amvic™ ICF fire-resistance assembly is evaluated to ASTM E119 and CAN/ULC-S101. The product data also reports surface-burning characteristics tested to ASTM E84 and CAN/ULC-S102.
Resources
- Amvic™ ICF Fire Resistance Rating
- ICC-ES ESR-1269 Evaluation Report
- Alleguard QAI Listing
- CCMC 13043-L Evaluation
Vapor Control
The EPS used in Amvic™ ICF has published water vapor permeance data, and the wall system incorporates vapor-control functionality as part of the assembly. Requirements should be evaluated for the applicable jurisdiction, climate, occupancy, and wall condition.
Water vapor permeance for the EPS is reported using ASTM E96. The Amvic™ ICF R22 product data lists a water vapor permeance of 2.27 US perms for the EPS material tested.
Resources
- Amvic™ ICF R22 Product Data Sheet
- Amvic™ ICF R30 Product Data Sheet
- ICC-ES ESR-1269 Evaluation Report
- CCMC 13043-L Evaluation
Air Barrier Performance
Amvic™ ICF combines continuous EPS panels with a reinforced concrete core to create an airtight wall assembly. Connections at roofs, foundations, windows, doors, penetrations, and adjoining wall systems should be detailed to maintain building-envelope continuity.
The current Amvic™ ICF product data identifies air-barrier functionality as part of the wall system. Project teams should use the applicable code or project air-leakage standard when evaluating the completed wall and its transitions because the product data does not state a standalone air-leakage test standard for the complete assembly.
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Exterior Finishes
Amvic™ ICF can accommodate exterior finishes such as EIFS, stucco, brick and brick veneer, stone and stone veneer, and several types of siding.
For projects requiring non-combustible construction, review the applicable evaluation reports, fire documentation, and building-code requirements for foam-plastic insulation and exterior wall assemblies.
ICC-ES ESR-1269 evaluates applicable Amvic™ ICF products for structural performance, surface-burning characteristics, fire-resistance-rated construction, and use in Types I, II, III, and IV noncombustible construction, subject to the conditions identified in the report.
Surface-burning characteristics for the EPS are reported to ASTM E84 and CAN/ULC-S102.
Resources
- ICC-ES ESR-1269 Evaluation Report
- Amvic™ ICF Fire Resistance Rating
- Alleguard QAI Listing
- Amvic™ ICF Installation Manual
Firewall Construction
Projects incorporating Amvic™ ICF into a firewall should address the required fire-resistance rating, structural stability, continuity of the fire separation, connections, penetrations, and applicable construction requirements.
Where the documented Amvic™ ICF fire-resistance assembly is applicable, the supporting fire testing references ASTM E119 and CAN/ULC-S101. Firewall design must still satisfy the applicable building code because a fire-resistance rating alone does not establish all requirements for a firewall.
Design professionals should review the applicable fire-resistance and code documentation before selecting an assembly for a project.
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