Flexibility

EBS is a construction system incorporating the efficiency of an assembly line in the building process. Our systems consist basically on a steel-reinforced concrete structure made out of custom-made concrete forms. This makes EBS a flexible system and compatible with all the other trades accepting all types of mix-construction connections.

Structural

Connections

 Electrical

 Plumbing

 Finishes

Veneers

Structural Connections

There are different ways to connect conventional construction methods of footings, slabs, floors and roofs systems to our walls and roofs.

Footing and Ground Slab

The design, sizing and reinforcement of the foundation to receive the EBS Structural Concrete Forms must be calculated by the site specific Engineer of Record.

A flat and preferable leveled surface is the main requirements to install EBS wall forms.

There is no need for a mechanical connection to transfer the gravity loads from the wall to the slab and foundations. A keyway on the slab is recommended to assure a better bond between the parts.

When the structural design requires a solid connection between walls and foundations, vertical dowels must be embedded into the footing, penetrating into the wall as well. The location, size, and spacing of the vertical dowels must be specified by the engineer designer.

This type of connection is to resist uplift or shear loads typically coming from high velocity winds or earthquakes zones.

For instance, our system on the State of Florida, US the above mentioned dowels shall be #5 (Ø16) bars, 24” (600mm) wall penetration and 4’ (100mm) o.c. spacing as typical.

Framing Construction

Most standard connectors between concrete and wood or lightweight steel frame are compatible with our System.

The use of tie-down connectors is common on high velocity winds zone construction and fit perfectly to EBS. 

Embedded truss strap connectors like “Simpson Strong-Tie” Meta or Heta type as shown on right figure are examples of the typical hurricane resistant construction connection.

Connectors fastened to the concrete are also common and attached to the wall like “Simpson Strong-Tie” MTSM or HTSM type (twist straps) when embedded straps are not practical.

Where the wood trusses or light weight steel joists require ledger boards, the connection could be done using “J” bolts embedded in the concrete wall, as standard concrete construction.

There is an alternative option which is using the ICFVL, ICFVL-W, & ICFVL-CW “Simpson Strong-Tie” Ledger connectors. It is a special design and mounted through the board to the concrete. They come in two parts, one is embedded into the concrete and the second attaches the ledger to the first part.

All connectors (“Simpson Strong-Tie” or similar) must be installed per manufacturer specifications.

Pre-Cast and Cast-in-Place

Conventional precast and Cast-in-Place floors and roofs integrate well with EBS Structural Concrete Forms. 

The walls incorporate the required steel reinforcements for the connection specified by the Engineer designer. When the slab connects on the side of the wall, the forms come prepared with slots (pre-made in factory) to assure continuity of concrete between the wall and the slab.

This detail is also extensive to other concrete systems as the lightweight concrete forms, composite steel deck, hollow-core planks, etc. 

Steel Structures

Steel structures are very common in commercial and large residential construction to carry the loads through long spans.

Steel joist and Steel I beams elements are the most used for this purpose.

The composite system made of steel joist, metal deck with concrete on top, is another option, typically used for upper levels floor.

Embed steel plates is the best option to connect the steel member to the concrete wall. It could be set horizontal, on top of the wall or vertical, on the side of the wall. After the concrete is set the joist or I beam is welded in-situ to the steel plates.

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Electrical

EBS Structural Concrete Forms are designed to facilitate the installation of electrical wiring.

The installation depends on the type of wall selected, interior or exterior walls.

Rigid Insulation Board

Full size electrical boxes are installed in site by cutting the polystyrene insulation with a hot knife, a router zip or just an utility knife. This process is much quicker for the electrical trade than chipping concrete like on concrete block walls.

On the interior insulation furred ready for gypsum board, the wiring is placed in the space between the polystyrene insulation and the gypsum board attached to the furring strips.

Where the insulation is exterior and ready to be finished with plaster (stucco), conduits or reinforced cables can be buried in the foam board by cutting a slot before finishing the wall.

Interior or exterior non-insulated board cladding

Require a conduit which together with the electrical boxes are installed before the form is filled with concrete. This process can be done either in plant or in the field.

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Plumbing

Plumbing can be embedded into the concrete by running pipes though the slab or floor and up the forms before pouring concrete.

It can also be run through the 2” (50mm) thick polystyrene insulation when size allows it. This process can be performed after the walls are filled with concrete.

Outside plumbing is installed before the EBS Structural Concrete Forms are filled with concrete.

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Finishes

Over rigid insulation board

Portland Cement Plaster (Stucco)

Metal or plastic lath has to be fastened to the wall according with local regulations and then apply a scratch coat followed by a smooth or texture finish as desired (figure A).

Synthetic Plaster (or regular Stucco)

Apply a base coat with a fiber mesh directly to the board and then a scratch coat (optional) followed by a smooth or texture finish as desired  (figure B).

                        Figure A                                                    Figure B

Over EBS (non-insulated) board

Portland Cement Plaster/Stucco

The following materials must be used:

- Fiberglass Joint Tape for all joints.

- Bonding agent like Link Lanco –  Professional Grade Concrete Bonder- CB-900 / CB-901 (non-diluted product) or similar quality, applied according to manufacturer’s specifications.

- Fiber Mesh- Harbourite Micro-reinforcement. Recommended length ¾”-1”.

- Stucco Cement.

Interior plaster

Tape and mud all joints with joint compound, apply a thin coat of plaster and sanded as needed to assure a smooth finish.

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Veneers

Gypsum Wallboard

The insulated or non-insulated form is already furred with pressure treated lumber or metal strips and ready to receive Gypsum Wallboard (right upper figure). This wallboard shall be installed in accordance with local regulations and manufacturer specifications.

Siding planks

EBS Structural Concrete Forms has a standard configuration for this purpose that

includes furring on the exterior of the form.  

Brick or Stone

These veneers can be easily installed on our walls using veneer anchors attached to the steel stud in plant, as shown on the figure, or directly to the concrete before or after the forms are poured.

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