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Will Helix II that is used to replace most re-bar hold the concrete together if the concrete cracks like all concrete does?

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All reinforced concrete design (ACI) is based on a cracked concrete section called post-dominant crack.  It is all about yielding as a crack opens, Re-bar yields by stretching and Helix yields partially by stretching and the rest by untwisting  The Helix design method follows ACI in this regard and is 3 times more than the maximum allowed under the ACI 318 design code . So Helix is as good as re-bar in a post crack or “reactive” situation.  

With the above ...
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30
APR
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Does the concrete used need to have a waterproof admix?

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This is something that your local engineer will specify.  A lot of this depends on the amount of precipitation your area gets as well as the quality of your cement and aggregate.

An excellent article on water & concrete was published in 2006  by K Howes & J McDonald and is reprinted below.  Keep in mind that shotcrete has a very low slump and thus a low water to cement ratio which helps naturally waterproof concrete.

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WATERPROOF CONCRETE

WHAT IS WATERPROOF CONCRETE?

Isn’t normal, ...

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27
DEC
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How is insulation applied to a MAS™ structure?

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About 60% of the MAS structure is “Flat” and about 40% is “Arched”.  When constructing a MAS unit, if insulation is going to be used, then solid panel open cell insulation is applied at 1″, 2″ or 3″ thickness to the exterior of the forms.  This represents the backing (or substrate) that the shotcrete is applied to.  Re-bar is then placed over these solid foam panels using re-bar chairs to achieve the required “stand off”.  The foam is attached to ...
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23
SEP
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When is it appropriate to use a plumbing trough vs. standard “rough in plumbing” when constructing a MAS™ unit?

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The plumbing trough is designed for homes that will be built without plumbing initially.  I.e.certain regions do not typically provide electrical or plumbing connections as the bathrooms and kitchens are located outside.

However, at some point in the future, it is likely that plumbing and electrical will be required.  Thus the plumbing trough is installed to allow a bathroom, kitchen etc. to be installed at a future point in time without a major ordeal.

All MAS™ structures are built with embedded electrical raceways ...

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21
SEP
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What is the ratio of Sand, Aggregare and Cement Powder to achieve the 4000 PSI requirement?

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There are four basic materials you need to make concrete: portland cement, sand, aggregate (stone), and water. The ratio of aggregate to sand to cement is a critical factor in determining the compressive strength of the concrete mixture as is the amount of water added.  Generally the less water the higher the compressive strength.
The MAS™ construction procedures call out for a very low slump concrete.  I.e. only enough water is used to allow the concrete mixture to flow through the pumps to ...
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21
SEP
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On the floor plan for the MAS-1300™ DUPLEX the wall of the LOFT says “Open to Below”. It is clear that the front wall is open to below. However, is the left and top (left side of the DUPLEX) or right and top (right side of the DUPLEX) open to below also or are there walls to the ceiling?

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There are walls to the ceiling separating the two duplex units.

There is a dividing wall between the two duplex units.  Therefore the loft of one unit is ONLY open to this same unit.  One unit can NOT see into the other unit.  The dividing wall is a two piece wall that meets in the middle and overlaps.  This allows for thermal expansion and contraction.  I.e. it is staggered.  This is a detail that is probably unimportant to you at this ...

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3
AUG
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Is it possible to have the MAS™ Forming and SPiFolding™ Systems manufactured in my country?

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YES – ABSOLUTELY!

The entire MAS™ concept is based upon 3rd party vendors coming forward to offer solutions that are complementary to the MAS™ system.  MAS™ has patents or pending patents on the MAS™ Forming and SPiFolding™ systems which are an integral part of the MAS™ construction process.  However, MAS™ will license 3rd party vendors to manufacture such equipment for ZERO royalty or licensing fees so long as such equipment is ONLY sold to MAS™ certified users, and such equipment is ...

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12
JUL
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Does MAS™ provide a KIT which includes all materials to build a MAS™ structure?

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NO

Other than the License and engineering, MAS™ only supplies the forms and SPiFolding as these are specialty items that are used over and over.  The raw material to build should be purchased locally.  Thus MAS™ does NOT provide material.   MAS™ can help coordinate the procurement of shotcrete pumps etc. from 3rd party vendors if they are not available locally.  The MAS™ logistics and support division will help the contractor with engineering coordination as well as material specification and material procurement from local suppliers.

MAS™ ...

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6
JUN
0

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I have NO construction experience, can I attend the training classes and build a MAS™ structure myself?

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NO, that is NOT the purpose of the MAS™ training classes.

Other than the T1 Orientation class, the MAS™ training classes are designed to educate an experienced contractor on how to apply their existing trade to the MAS™ construction process.

MAS™ suggests that you employ a local contractor who has construction experience and knows how to work with local engineers, pull permits and build in your locality.  MAS offers Proficiency Training Courses if your contractor wants to achieve an optional Proficiency Certification.  Most contractors have ...

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6
JUN
0

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Why couldn’t the same engineering drawings be used to build multiple MAS™ structures?

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There appears to be a complete misunderstanding of how difficult it would be to copy the MAS™ system without having access to the MAS™ engineering analytical models.

MAS™ has developed a sophisticated engineering model based around its own mathematical algorithms using finite element analysis.  MAS™ has been designed using “thin shell structural” analysis and there are just a handful of engineers in the world that understand and can operate with the advanced constraints involved with thin shell structures.

Even that handful of engineers could NOT reverse ...

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10
MAY
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