[greenbuild] RASTRA: opinions, experiences?
- From: Molly Brewton <mb105@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: greenbuild@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, NaturalBuilding@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx,permaculture@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 26 May 2004 12:45:59 -0400
Dear Folks,
Does anyone have any opinions/experience building with Rastra? It sounds
really great. I've copied/excerpted some text below from various websites.
Molly
RASTRA is a concrete form system made of a lightweight material Thastyron
which provides a permanent formwork for a grid of reinforced concrete to
form load-bearing walls, shear walls, stem walls, lintels, retaining walls,
foundations, and other components of a building. 85% of its volume is
recycled material - postconsumer polystyrene waste.
Beneficial properities include:
No toxic outgassing; non-toxic or low-toxic additives.
breathes like a house made of natural materials
Makes thick, adobe-like walls. Can be easily molded or cut into desired
shapes. Easy to make curved walls.
Construction does not require high skill level (similar process to
strawbales).
Basement walls and Stem Walls can be built in less than half the time it
takes to form, reinforce, brace, pour, strip, and insulate a conventional
concrete block wall.
Does not require wood framing (wood is enormously expensive these days)
Very strong--superior wind, earthquake resistance; load capacity can be
adapted to any requirement.
strong pest resistance
mold-unfriendly
good soundproofing and acoustics
4 hour class A fire rating
good insulation value (I think, due to thick walls. It might need to be
lightly supplemented for Ithaca; not sure)
Can be quickly finished with a single coat of stucco - no mesh or lathing
is required.
OK with building codes; local examples of large buidings exist if needed.
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