Features: 12"x6"x24" block designed to weigh 45-60 lbs. With an R-factor up to 1.6 per inch of thickness and considerable thermal mass resistance. It is stackable, interlocking, mortarless, self-insulating (up to R-19), sawable, nailable, shock-resistant, incombustible, & weather-resistant. Foundation-to-top-plate bolted, with roof-truss-to-foundation tie-down feature. Sawable, nailable, screwable for ease of working with interior lumber components. Utility chases premolded. Reinforceable with concrete fill. Compression loads of 400-500 psi across footprint of 144 square inches. Takes paint, stucco, plaster, paneling, siding or drywall as finish. For rural outbuildings, can be used as is.

Replaces or eliminates: Stud walls, block walls, adobe walls, exterior sheating & siding, painting, in-wall-insulation, interior gypsum drywall. Also, eliminates several separate labor steps in construction. Net effect is reduced construction cost, faster completion.

Other features: Results in far lower heating bills. Stronger walls than any other type construction except poured concrete. But less brittle and more shock-proof.

Environment: Made entirely from non-hazardous waste materials. Saves trees, reduces need for mining and making energy-intensive materials such as cement and insulation. Less impact on air, water, ground pollution.

Colors: Tan or gray, depending upon ash type availability.

Other sizes: Available upon special order. Example: 221/2" x 12" or notched block allowing for installation of beams and joists. This type permits automatic 2' spacing and bridging at the ends of the joists which are carried directly on the foundation or structural wall below (in the case of a second story).

Technical Data (for Cast Blocks)

Tests at independent certified laboratories on WoodBrik^TM samples have qualified it as a safe building product. Labs used include CTL-Thompson, Denver, and Tutco Scientific, Grand Junction.

ASTM C-666 (weathering) Test: Passed. Immersion in water and 300 freeze-thaw cycles caused no loss of internal structural integrity readings, and only minor surface damage. Soaking in water causes no visible swelling, flaking or spalling.

ASTM C-518 (insulation value) Test: R-value of 1.2 to 1.6 per inch, depending upon density of cast material. This means a 12-inch-thick wall of WoodBrik^TM will have an R-value up to R-19, important in both hot and cold climates.

ASTM C-140 (compression load) Test: Ratings cluster mainly in the 500 psi range, with some cast samples rating above 700 psi. (250-300 psi is the acceptable minimum for adobe block.)

ASTM C-67 (strength and absorbency) Test: WoodBrik^TM cast samples will absorb water and also lose it through wicking. However, this causes no swelling or weakness. Samples with water-repellent additives seemed to double in strength after soaking and drying, when compared to compression load capacity of specimens never soaked after the initial hydration. And even when wetted, samples with repellent maintained their strength. Such samples scored from 713 psi to 999. The point is, water repellents are not really needed for longevity, strength and weather resistance.

ASTM E-136 (combustibility) Test: This test introduces small cube samples to temperatures of 750º C. Since this is well above the combustion temperature of wood, the samples began to pyrolyze, emitting off-gas from embedded sawdust which burned. However, because of the cementitious fly ash, the samples held their basic structure and did not collapse. This indicates that full-size WoodBrik^TM material would have to be sujbected to a prolonged period of instense heat to induce combustion and total failure.

Fireproof by torch test: Application of a direct flame from a propane torch to a WoodBrik^TM surface cannot induce flame spread. When removed, even after minutes, the sample will not support combustion, showing only surface charring where the flame was applied. It will not even smoulder like charcoal.

Shock tests: Direct blows with a hammer cause dents and surface damage to WoodBrik^TM, but not shattering. Repeated blows can induce localized hairline fractures and cause eventual fragmentation. Shock absorbency is further illustrated by the block's ability to absorb bullets from high-powered rifles at point-blank range. This suggests possible usefulness in earthquake prone areas.

 

© 1998 Midway Environmental Associates, Inc. 5998 Routt Court, Arvada, CO 80004 E-mail: Info@MidwayEnvironmental.com Phone: (303) 456-0844 or Fax: (303) 456-0939