PARACRETE- EPS-Cement Building on CD by Swami Tapasananda CONTENTS * CD contains the complete "how to" by Tapas, in PDF format readable by any computer with free to d/l Adobe Reader software. *Hundreds of files, resources, web links, URLS on cement and constuction use. *All images of his building method are contained in a separate folder for viewing in large size. Introduction from Tapas: It is very sad to see thousands of homes burning in California, and elsewhere, every dry summer and this prompts me to publish a method for building what is a very fire resistant and most probably a fire proof residential structure. The essential ingredient in this structure is Paracrete which is a name I have given to a composite of Portland cement, waste polystyrene dust, polypropylene fiber, expanded perlite and various optional admixtures such as high range water reducers and polymers . Paracrete can be poured into removable molds, more easily than papercrete, for slabs or panels or permanently poured into permanent frames made of off the shelf galvanized steel studs. I have built two small buildings of Paracrete. I live in one of them and use the other as a guest cottage. My cottage is built entirely of Paracrete except for headers, windows and doors. The walls are double membrane units made by pouring Paracrete into rectangular frames of 1.75" steel studs. The ceiling and roof deck is made of two inch thick by 24” x 6’ Paracrete panels poured into removable forms, and reinforced with heavy polypropylene mesh on both top and bottom surfaces [a ‘two way slab’] . The floor is a five inch thick Paracrete slab reinforced with polypropylene carpet backing [known in the carpet trade as "action back"] One cottage floor is slab on grade and the other is poured over 'action back' mesh stretched tightly over a treated 4x6 frame. The photo shows my cottage being towed to its permanent location. Both floor systems have skid-sled endings so that the cottages can be pulled around with a tractor or four wheel drive truck. I love my little home for several reasons, aside from its fireproof qualities. The building, with walls, floor, structural beams and roof-ceiling components of Paracrete, is warm. Because Paracrete, having the density of soft wood, has insulating properties similar to wood. And, unlike concrete, it is warm to the touch. The Paracrete material is cool in summer for the same reason, as it insulates against heat gain. However, unlike soft woods, OSB, plywood, and sheet rock, pests such as mice, racoons, rats, and other rodents do not like to chew their way into it. So it is pest resistant. It also has sufficient mass to slow thermal fluxing, yet, because its density is about one third that of concrete and due to thousands of mini air pockets, it has a decent insulation R value. from the Opening chapter of the Paracrete Building Book on CD. About the Author-Inventor Tapas (as he likes to be called) suffered a home burned to the ground during a raging fire...he determined to find a way to build without fear of fire again. His method using both waste materials, salvaged materials and low cost components. Beside walls, roofs and floors made of paracrete..many other useful items can be constructed. Lightweight outdoor furniture, a firepit to contain campfires, retaining walls, garden floors, walk ways, step stones and many other items where lighter weight is needed. Paracrete can be applied over existing surfaces, and have tiles, slate or other objects embedded for decorative use. There are pricey commercial products sold which are premixed and contain similar components, but Tapas's method shows how to create your own at very low cost. Even large garden art, birdbaths, pond shapes, water features, faux rocks and stones, or sculptures can be created by using wire and poly mesh for the framework. This very lightweight formula is a boon to the DIY builder and artist! Cement use is small, proportionate to other components, and provides the strength of the finished project. Creative use of lime and clay plasters over top can really open up artistic expression for experiments. CONTENTS * CD contains the complete "how to" by Tapas, in PDF format readable by any computer with free to d/l Adobe Reader software. *Hundreds of files, resources, web links, URLS on Cement , Papercrete, Concrete and constuction use. *All images of his building method are contained in a separate folder for viewing in large size. *The US GOV book-"Prescriptive Method for Insulating Concrete Forms in Residential Construction"- 200 pages, is also included on the CD. *US ARMY Cement Manual-CONCRETE AND MASONRY-a Field Manual -352 pages, illustrated. * Also included are hundreds of pages of resources and links from the Dirtcheapbuilder CD. The CD is packaged in durable plastic CD/DVD casing with information insert. A printed, full color copy of the Paracrete EPS+ Cement Building Booklet is also included for easy, off-the computer-screen reading. Funds from the sale of this CD support the onging work and research of Tapas to create low cost, fire safe housing. |