K.S.R.

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
TIRUCHENGODE

Presenting paper
On
APEX BLOCKS

R.SANJEEVKUMAR
Third yr-CIVIL
sanjeevsb914@gmail.com
Mob no: 8883661455

APEX BLOCKS
Abstract: The new innovation in the civil
engineering is the construction of homes by
using Apex Blocks. These are generally a
bricks like structure used as the construction
material. The main aim of this paper is to have
an idea about the manufacture and use of apex
blocks in the construction fields. The apex
blocks are created from the recycled
polystyrene. These blocks are one of the
materials that gets the LEED certification and
also economical when compared to the
conventional bricks. The faster construction
can be possible with help of apex blocks. It is
the material that has the energy efficiency, Fire
resistance, Wind resistance, Insect resistance,
Sound resistance. APEX Block is a
revolutionary, recycled building product
proudly manufactured in the United States that
is being called The Greenest Wall System in
the World. APEX Block is a revolutionary
energy saving building product that provides
protection against flood, fire, high winds,
earthquakes and infestation.
DEFINITION:
APEX Block is a revolutionary energy saving
building product that provides protection
against flood, fire, high winds, earthquakes
and infestation. Unlike other Insulated
Concrete Forms (ICFs), APEX Block fits
together in a Keystone Interlocking System
and eliminates the time and cost of expensive
bracing and connection methods. By
simplifying the construction process one is
able to Build Smart, Build Faster and Build
Greener. APEX Block can be utilized in
consumer
DIY projects,
rehabilitation
construction, residential construction and
commercial construction.
Construction with APEX Block enables
Contractors, Engineers and Architects to
implement real solutions in a cost effective
time and manner at an affordable economic
price point. Giving the consumer real

measurable value in comfort, quality, and

sustainability.
STRENGTH OF APEX BLOCKS:
APEX Block is the leading ICF (insulated
concrete form) building product and system
which is quickly replacing the failed exterior
wall systems of the past, yet keeping with the
same finishes that make for a comfortable and
radiant home.
Plastic explosives, hurricane-force winds, fire
and extreme projectiles are just some of the
abuse the team at APEX Block Corporation
has subjected their building block to prove
strength and durability. APEX Block is a
revolutionary, recycled building product
proudly manufactured in the United States that
is being called The Greenest Wall System In
The World.
ADVANTAGES OF APEX BLOCKS
Apex Block is a lightweight, highly energy
efficient block, and a green alternative to stick
frame. Listed below are just a few of the
qualities that the APEX Block offers:

It is energy efficient with a lab test

thermal value of R52 and uses up to
60% less energy to heat and cool.
In sound conductive test, the APEX
walls were 65% quieter than insulated
framed
walls.
It is environmentally correct and
sustainable.
30% quicker to build than similar
monolithic
blocks
Block outside dimensions are 48 x
16 x 10.
Each block is made with recycled
EPS.
The building system is fire
resistant tested to 4 hours at 2000
degrees.

BUILD
CHART

METHOD

AP
EX
Blo
ck

%
Recycle
d
Content

Foa
m
For
ms
(IC
F)

5010
0%

0%

Energy
Efficien
cy

Hig
h

Med
Hig
h

Constru
ction
Material
s Waste

Les
s
tha
n
5%

Fire
Resista
nce

Yes
(3+
hou
rs)

Wind
Resista
nce

Hig
h
(up
to
25
0
mp
h)

Les
s
tha
n
5%

Yes

Hig
h

COMPARISON

Concr
ete
Block
(8x8
x16)

0%

Low

Up to
30%

Yes

Mediu
m

Wo
od
Fra
me
(2
x
6)

0%

Low

Up
to
50
%

No

Low

Termite/
Insect
Resista
nce

Yes

Yes/
No

Yes

No

Sound
Resista
nce

Hig
h

Hig
h

Mediu
m

Low

Stucco
Ready

Yes

No
$

Yes

No

Masonr

Yes

No

Yes

No

y Ready

Drywall
Ready

Yes

No
$

No

No

Exterior
Mesh/W
ire
Require
d

No

Yes
$

No

Yes
$

Special
Tools
Require
d

No

Yes
$

No

No

Special
Bracing
Require
d

No

Yes
$

No

No

Special
Scaffold
ing
Require
d

No

Yes
$

No

No

Labour
Require
d

Lo
w

Hig
h$

Low

Low

Grout
Require
d
for
100 sq.
wall

0.8
8
(cu
yds
.)

3.1
1
(cu
yds.
)

1.2 (cu
yds.)

NA

Potenti
al LEED
Points

22

10
25

Low

Low

Recycled Content:
Every APEX Block is made utilizing 100%
recycled (post-industrial/pre-consumer) EPS
#6. Each APEX Block contains 100% recycled
EPS #6 by volume. An average home (3,300
sq. ft.) built with APEX Block keeps 2,477 lbs.
of polystyrene out of our landfills.
Energy Efficiency:
APEX Block structures are proven to save up
to 50% on heating and cooling bills. The EPS

used to create APEX Block provides the

magnitude of our energy-efficiency properties.
Our 10-inch thick block walls provide a
substantial envelope of insulation resulting in a
superior thermal and sound efficient barrier to
all outside elements. When compared to other
foam plastic insulation materials, our
insulation performance is proven to remain
stable during its entire life, while other foam
insulators can lose up to 30 percent of their
original insulating ability. This loss of
insulating value is referred to as Thermal Drift.
Construction Waste:
APEX Block and ICFs provide builders with a
more efficient material to reduce construction
waste. Both products can be cut and reused
during all phases of the wall construction. This
reduction in job site waste is welcomed by
builders and their owners.
Fire Resistance:
APEX Block walls are one of the safest, fire
resistant walls on the market today. Our blocks
and wall structures have been tested by thirdparty laboratories using the most stringent fire
resistance criteria in the industry today (ASTM
E84-05). Our 4 hour (3hrs 52 min to be exact!)
fire resistance rating is one of the safest ratings
you will witness in the market today. Inclusive
in this fire resistance testing was our Smoke
Development rating of only 50. The maximum
allowable amount for Smoke Development is
450. Since smoke inhalation is the leading
cause of death in fires, this extremely low
rating is most comforting to us AND our
clients.
Wind Resistance:
APEX walls incorporate a screen-grid design
that allows for steel rebar every 16 inches and
is then filled with reinforced cement. This
cement and rebar give APEX walls their
strength and superior resistance to high winds
caused by tornadoes and hurricanes.
Termite/Insect Resistance:
Another inherent advantage of APEX Block
versus stick frame structures is our greater

resistance to termites and other insects. By

mixing cement with our recycled EPS, the EPS
granules become encapsulated by cement,
making our blocks much less susceptible to
infestation from termites, insects and all other
vermin. This can be especially critical if you
plan on constructing below-grade (basement)
walls.

Sound Resistance:
APEX Block and most ICFs are ideal for
creating a quieter and more comfortable home.
APEX Block has a -55.5 db. sound
transmission rating using the industry standard
ASTM E90 testing criteria. This excellent
sound attenuation rating provides our owners
and occupants with a more peaceful and
enjoyable environment.
Stucco/Drywall/Masonry Ready:
A labour-saving advantage of incorporating
recycled EPS and cement to make APEX
Blocks is that our blocks inherently yield a
coarse and pliant surface that allows finishes
to be applied directly to the block without
having to require mesh and/or chicken wire.
Drywall, plaster, stucco, rock or brick veneer
and other similar applications become a twostep process vs. a four-step process.
Labour Required:
Perhaps the greatest cost-saving benefit from
building with APEX Block versus an ICF
system is the amount time that will be saved
from building with APEX Block. A case that
was conducted by the ICFA (Insulating
Concrete Forms Association), compared the
labor hours for constructing a 1,100 square
foot home. The findings in this study showed
that a home built using a waffle design ICF
took 96 hours to construct while a home using
a screen-grid design form that is nearly
identical to the design of our APEX Block,
required only 68 hours. This difference of
almost 30 hours is quite substantial and would
certainly be much greater if building an

average 3,300 square foot home. Simply put,

APEX Blocks provide builders with an easier
and faster way to build.
Grout Required:
Another cost-saving advantage of using APEX
Block to build your next home or commercial
project is that you will need significantly less
concrete. When compared to a same-sized ICF
(48 x 16 x 10) as shown in the above
comparison chart, the ICF requires over 3
times more concrete. With the ever-increasing
costs and shortages of concrete supplies, the
savings from building with APEX Block vs.
ICF systems can quickly and significantly add
up.
Potential LEED Points:
Incorporating APEX Block into your
residential, commercial, and/or school projects
can help you earn valuable LEED points. Per
the LEED New Construction version 2.2
checklist, building and design professionals
can potentially earn up to 22 points. We
encourage you to check out our LEED
Contribution Points webpage that identifies the
specific contribution points that APEX Block
can help contribute towards.
Construction Basics:
Building with APEX Block can be a job for
unskilled labour, volunteers and homeowners
alike. However, we recommend first
consulting with a building professional to
ensure the design and assembly of the
structure meets or exceeds local building code.

2. Stack, level, and plumb APEX Blocks

3. Construct your corners

4. Buck out window and door openings

5. Create radius walls

1. Pour foundation with rebar coming up every
16 inches

9. Cut grooves for electrical and plumbing

6. Place horizontal rebar

7. Attach roof ledgers

8. Pour your wall:

10. Smooth surfaces with metal rasp for

desired finishes
Reference:
http://www.apexblock.com/blog/2012/
05/02/strength-apex-block
http://www.apexgulf.com/thermo.html
http://www.apexblock.com/specificati
ons
http://www.apexblock.com/buildwitht
heblock
http://www.apexblock.com/resources