Video Transcript

In this video, we’re going to cover how to form pilasters in ICF construction. pilasters or pilasters are rectangular columns that project from within a wall. They are typically present where a structural load must be carried that exceeds the capabilities of the wall. The wall thickens to accommodate the structural requirements of the pilaster. In our example, we’re building an 8-foot basement with BuildLock KD blocks. The yellow bridges are 8 inches and the red bridges are 12 inches. We are building a 12 by 20-inch pilaster.

For our first course, we’ll need to cut two 4 inch sections from a foam panel. A web slot should be in the middle of each of these sections. Next, we’ll add an eight-inch web to one of the panels and a 12-inch web to the other. After that, we’ll use a bridge clip connector to connect these two panels together forming one 20-inch core. Next, we’ll cut two and one-half inches from the bottom of each of our pieces. This is going to be important in allowing the webs to fit inside of our pilaster. Inside you can see that the webs of our shortened piece will fit underneath the 12-inch webs. Next, we’ll cut one of our panels into three pieces; two at 12 inches and one at 24. We’ll use 8-inch webs for each of the 12-inch pieces and a 12-inch web for the 24-inch piece. The shortened 24-inch piece is meant to butt up against both 24 and 12-inch pieces. It provides enough bracing so that no additional strapping is required.

For the backside, we will use a single full-sized panel. On the interior of our pilaster, we place a total of nine vertical dowels. Four are placed along both the front and back of the pilaster, and in the middle, we’ve placed our standard centerpiece. The 24-inch piece that we shortened should fit snugly underneath the 12-inch webs. We placed our horizontal rebar on the tension side of the wall. It will alternate placement for each course. We also placed a box stirrup. It will line up with the horizontal rebar of each course and alternate diagonally. For the second course, we’ll replicate the 24-inch piece we used for the first course, except this time we won’t cut the two and a half inches from the bottom. This will ensure the webs continue to fit and allow the teeth to interlock with the previous shortened block. In order to create a 12-inch offset, we also won’t use our two smaller 12-inch panels for the second course. Instead, we’ll use two 24-inch panels on one side and a full-size panel on the other. The horizontal rebar is alternated each course as you would do normally to create a chase for your vertical rebar. The box stirrup is also alternated diagonally. This process can then be repeated for the remainder of your wall, alternating each course.

When you’re finished stacking, take the two and one-half inch pieces you cut from the bottom on the first course and place them at the top. Use spray foam to attach them. This is our recommended way of constructing pilasters for ICFs. Thanks for watching and please contact us if you have any further questions.

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