Example Output
Example output preview is not yet available in this build.
Gable Wall Design & Optimization
For efficient gable construction, both knee height and wall width are critical. Getting these right minimizes waste and labor.
1. Knee Height (Vertical)
The knee height (where the gable triangle starts) must align with a course line. The system will automatically optimize your input to the nearest course line and choose the best starter block (228.5mm or 469mm) to achieve this.
2. Wall Width (Horizontal) - CRITICAL
Design your gable wall width so that a module line (203.2mm/8" increment) occurs at the absolute center of the wall. This creates perfect symmetry where offcuts from one side fit precisely on the other side.
What is a Rebate?
A rebate is a small step (typically 45mm / 2") in the concrete foundation or slab, commonly used on retaining walls to help prevent water from tracking inside the building.
With Full Block Starter (469mm)
A 22.5mm strip (half the rebate depth) is cut from the inside portion of the block and fixed to the outside. This uses the 12mm bottom interlock to create the full 45mm step.
With Half Block Starter (228.5mm)
The full 45mm rebate is cut from the inside portion, as half blocks have no bottom interlock to utilize.
Leave at zero if rebate detailing is not required for your project.
ICF Starter Block Systems
The system automatically chooses the optimal starter block to minimize waste and align your wall heights with modular course lines.
228.5mm Half Block Starter
A half-height ICF block used as the first course. Total height: 228.5mm.
469mm Full Block Starter
A full-height ICF block with a protruding bottom interlock. Total height: 469mm (457mm block + 12mm interlock projection).
How it works: The system calculates which starter will get your wall height closest to your desired height using standard 457mm courses. This minimizes cutting and waste.
How to Count Walls
Proper wall numbering ensures accurate measurements and simplifies the layout process.
Counting Guidelines:
- Start at the top-left of your floor plan
- Wall 1 should ideally run horizontally (left to right) across the top
- Count clockwise around the building perimeter
- Include all exterior walls in your count
📋 Help & Information — Complete Guide
Purpose: Start a new building layout quickly (one required input), with optional project and design settings available below.
1. Start (Required)
- Number of External Walls: Count exterior loadbearing walls clockwise around the perimeter.
- Create Initial ICF Layout: Creates placeholder walls and takes you to Wall Input to start defining geometry.
Enter the wall count and click Create Initial ICF Layout. You can skip everything else for now.
2. What happens next
- Wall Input: Define each external wall (lengths + corners) and close the building shape.
- Openings: Add doors/windows and set heads/sills.
- Elevations: Heights, gables, and detailing follow after openings.
3. Optional — Site Specific Details
For documentation and context. These do not block starting the project.
- Address / Client Name: Useful for exports and records.
- Wind Zone / EQ Zone / Snow Loading: Capture site constraints for later engineering and reporting.
4. Optional — ICF Requirements
- Units: Metric or Imperial display. (Calculations remain consistent.)
- Brand: Nudura is fully supported; other brands map to compatible dimensions.
- Core Thickness: Structural capacity and concrete volume driver.
- EPS Type: Standard vs XR35 for insulation thickness.
5. Optional — Building Design Requirements
- Rebate Depth: Any non-zero value enables rebate logic across the project.
- Gable Walls: Enable if you have triangular gable ends. Knee height will be optimized to course lines.
- Number of Levels: Used for schedules and reporting.
- Claddings: Used to determine opening treatment assumptions.
6. Outputs
Outputs are included by default. You can toggle them if needed.
Once your wall count is set, click Create Initial ICF Layout to start building.