To validate how Nudura ICF walls perform under extreme conditions such as tornadoes and hurricanes, Debris Impact Testing was conducted at Texas Tech University. Under FEMA 320/361 and ICC 500 standards, a 15 lb. wooden 2” x 4” beam was propelled at the wall at 100 mph (161 kph) to replicate the forces of a 250 mph (402 kph) ground-speed tornado and wind-blown debris.
As the video below demonstrates, our Insulated Concrete Form wall assemblies are proven to withstand winds of up to 250 mph (402 kph) and impact from flying debris without losing their structural integrity. Compared to conventional wood-frame walls that offer only soft bat insulation, wood framing and exterior cladding, the strength and safety provided by ICF construction is far superior.
As part of the Insulating Concrete Forms Manufacturers Association (ICFMA), CLEB Laboratories conducted a series of whole wall thermal studies to compare a Nudura ICF wall assembly with a standard 6-inch (150mm) core to a 2” x 6” traditional insulated wood frame cavity wall.
Using ASTM C1363-11, the results show that the Nudura ICF wall had 58% greater R-value/RSI than the wood frame wall and generated up to 60% in annual energy savings.
Find all Nudura testing reports, including STC Rating Reports, Fire Resistance Listings, and more here.
Another test was conducted to determine how long it would take various wood, steel stud and ICF wall assemblies to return to an equilibrium temperature after heating. The 2” x 6” wood-frame wall dropped in temperature almost immediately and reached equilibrium after 60 hours. The Insulated Concrete Form wall took 324 hours.
The data further showed that if the wood wall test had continued for the same duration, it would have consumed 149% more energy than the ICF wall.
This data reinforces that in real world applications, ICF construction will result in far more consistent interior temperatures than other framing methods, even after removing a heating or cooling source.
Our building science initiatives include internal laboratory and research facilities where we test individual building materials and up to two-story wall mock-ups for air and water intrusion, thermal performance and structural durability. Project-specific testing is also available!
