Environmental Council of Concrete Organizations (ECCO) Resource Library.  The ECCO Reference Library was developed as a resource for information on the environmental impacts of concrete and concrete construction. It includes literature from technical, trade, popular, and news sources. The Reference Library now stands as a collection of nearly 2000 bibliographic references.  Along with bibliographic citations, you will also find abstracts that describe the content of each item.

Insulating Concrete Form Systems (ICFs)--In-Depth Analysis.   A Research Report of the National Association of Home Builders.

Summary:  Insulating concrete forms (ICFs) are rigid plastic foam forms that are filled with reinforced concrete to create structural walls. They hold concrete in place during curing and remain in place afterwards to provide thermal insulation. ICFs are used to make structural concrete walls, and can be used to make either foundation or above-grade walls. The forms are typically made from pure foam-plastic insulation but may also be made from a composite of cement and foam insulation or a composite of cement and processed wood. The foam is typically either expanded polystyrene (EPS) or extruded polystyrene (XPS) and occasionally polyurethane.   As with any product, ICFs have their advantages and disadvantages.  Advantages over conventional construction include a reduction in the number of trade contractors required, strength, thermal efficiency, reduction in through-the-wall sound transmission, and the ease of construction. This report presents these issues and more in further detail, including comments from builders and homeowners familiar with ICFs. (34 pages) 

Insulating Concrete Forms for Residential Construction:  Demonstration Homes U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Policy Development and Research

 Summary:  With sponsorship provided by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Portland Cement Association (PCA), the NAHB Research Center coordinated four demonstration projects to evaluate the use of Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF) in residential construction. The demonstration homes are located in Virginia Beach, Virginia; Austin, Texas; Sioux City, Iowa and Chestertown, Maryland. This report presents observations and experiences from these sites. The Research Center staff and the demonstration homebuilders and/or general contractors were in communication throughout the home construction process. Research Center staff visited each site several times. Initial observations documented the construction details of the homes and recorded the construction via photographs. Site visits were made after construction to perform thermal testing and interview homeowners and builders concerning their satisfaction with the homes. Thermal testing consisted of collecting air infiltration data and thermographic imaging, which displays heat transfer through wall frame members in a color video format. Homeowners were interviewed concerning their impressions of the design, construction, thermal comfort, sound comfort, and overall satisfaction with their homes. Builders, or general contractors where appropriate, were interviewed concerning the construction process and construction costs. Insights about concrete handling (mix, pour); form placement and bracing; code requirements and other construction details were discussed. Costs of construction are compared to typical framing in the specific geographical location. (132pgs)