Environmentally sustainable form-inclusion system

Abstract

An environmentally sustainable form-inclusion system that can be utilized in reinforced concrete structures. A goal of this invention is to provide structural systems that achieve the highest level of environmental sustainability by minimizing the structure's carbon footprint and embodied energy. This engineered form-inclusion system uses materials that might otherwise become waste in landfills. The system is designed to significantly reduce raw materials, labor for placement, and transportation of material for building construction. Materials used in this engineered system, that might otherwise be placed in landfills, include but are not limited to plastic bottles, bags, waste Styrofoam, packing materials, rubber tires, and other similar waste materials, preferably compressed or assembled into controlled shapes. The shapes of these forms can be spherical, square, rectangular, cylindrical, or any other, and are specifically engineered to provide form inclusions to significantly reduce the material (e.g., concrete and reinforcing steel) required for the structure, and to reduce the overall structural weight (seismic mass), thereby relieving demand on the structure's lateral and gravity systems. The inclusion system described herein allows for flat forming of horizontal framing throughout the structure, greatly reducing the material required for forming (limited beams/drops).