Standard for Residential Concrete Walls Being Developed
At a time when concrete exterior walls are being increasingly used in residential construction, the Portland Cement Association (PCA) is developing a “Prescriptive Method for Design and Construction of Residential Walls,” using a process that is accredited by the American National Standards Institute. The standard provides prescriptive design and construction requirements for concrete walls of one- and two-family dwellings, and it would eliminate the need for engineering in most applications. The draft standard, which is currently open for comment, is intended for concrete wall systems that are used in combination with wood light-frame floor and roof systems meeting the provisions of the International Residential Code. The market share of concrete for above grade walls has grown steadily from just under 4% of the homes built in 1994 to 16.1% in 2003, according to PCA. Home owners are becoming increasingly aware of concrete home building systems, the association says, with awareness climbing from 55% in 2000 to 68% in 2002. Concrete homes took another step forward at the start of last year with the creation of the NAHB Concrete Home Building Council, which is a division of NAHB’s Building Systems Councils. The ballot for the standard closes on May 7. For a copy, e-mail Karalin Derencius at PCA, or call her at 847-972-9024. | 
