 Hello,
My name is Paul Sarnstrom, director of the Ferrocement Educational Network.
Laminated Ferrocement [LFC]
There is ongoing interest in LFC or Laminated Ferrocement, the invention of the late Martin Iorns. To serve others in learning the LFC method the Ferrocement Educational Network is facilitating a basic and an intermediate course in LFC. For more information on Martin Iorns see the bottom of this page.
Traditional FC
Ferrocement or FC is composed of cement, sand and wire mesh. In traditional FC work the armature is constructed of steel reinforcing and layers of wire mesh that are tied [by hand] to each other as well as to the steel reinforcing. Once the armature is constructed mortar is applied to and squeezed through the layers of wire mesh to create the FC structure. The goal in the application of the mortar is to completely encapsulate the wire mesh however due to various inherent difficulties this goal is seldom realized in the traditional method.
LFC
In laminated ferrocement [LFC] a thin layer of mortar is applied to a flat surface or to the inside of a mold and wire mesh [in this case expanded metal mesh is primarily used] is pressed into the mortar. The process is repeated with more layers of mortar and more wire mesh until the desired number of layers of reinforcement is achieved. This method leads to virtually complete encapsulation of the mesh, eliminates almost all hand tying of mesh layers and yields a thinner, stronger and more reliable FC structure. The LFC method is very suited to accurate reproduction of mutiple units from a mold. Click here to read a short paper on LFC
The LFC Course
Paul Sarnstrom, director of the Ferrocement Educational Network is the instructor for these courses. Colin King is the advisor.
For more information on Colin King see the bottom of this page.
In JULY, 2010 there will be two LFC courses available, LFC Level 1 and LFC level 2.
LFC Level 1 Course - Course Outline
Students in the Level 1 course will learn the overall principles of the Laminated Ferrocement system by constructing practical objects such as a 3' diameter by 2' high, monolithic planter for outdoor use and a 5' by 2' box shaped planter assembled from precast LFC sections.
Day 1
History of FC and overview of the course, layout and cutting of mesh for test planks, layout and cut mesh for the box planter, begin lamination of box planter
Day 2
Discuss previous day, finish laminating sections for box planter
Day 3
Layout and cut mesh for cylinder, laminate cylinder
Day 4
De-mold box planter sections and assemble
Day 5
Demold cylinder, finish any projects, test LFC planks made on first day, discussion and Q and A session
LFC Level 2 Course - Course Outline
Students in the level 2 course will build on the skill-set gained in the Level 1 course by building a 5' diameter by 5' high water tank and a LFC wall section that emulates conventional construction. Course members will learn design, layout and construction through the completion of LFC projects. The LFC principles and techniques that you learn in these courses apply equally to small as well as large projects. Once learned, the LFC techniques can be expanded upon and upscaled to any size project you choose.
Day 1
Overview of Level 2 LFC course, description of Level 2 course projects, layout and cut mesh for water tank floor, lamination of tank floor
Day 2
Assemble water tank mold sections, layout and cut mesh for tank wall, lamimate tank wall, layout and cut mesh for tank cover, lamination of tank cover
Day 3
Layout and cut mesh for FC studs and top and bottom plates, laminate studs and plates, layout mesh for wall
Day 4
Insert studs and plates and laminate LFC wall section
Day 5
De-mold LFC water tank, de-mold LFC wall section, discussion of Level 2 projects, discussion of potential student projects, Q + A
Each student is required to bring the following
1 pair of well fitting and durable rubber gloves
1 pair of well fitting and durable leather gloves
Eye protection consisting of saftey glasses or safety goggles
A dust mask for protection from dust and particulates
Course Dates:
Laminated Ferrocement, Level 1 - July 12th - July 16th, 2010
Laminated Ferrocement, Level 2 July19th - July 23rd, 2010
The cost for etiher the Level 1 LFC course or the Level 2 LFC couse is $475 + $50 materials cost. Those who register for both the Level 1 and Level 2 courses will receive a discount of $100.
Registration for either the Level 1 LFC course or the Level 2 LFC course may be made by using the PayPal button to deposit $525 in the FEN account. If you are registering for both the Level 1 and Level 2 courses the total cost is $950, an overall savings of $100. Please indicate which course or courses you are registering for. You also may register by sending a check or money order for the required amount, made out and sent to:
Ferrocement Educational Network,
63345 Ida rd.
Montrose, Colorado 81401
REFUND POLICY
Faciliating classes requires a great deal of time and a substantial financial commitment by the Ferrocement Educational Network. Therefore the following refund policy is in effect:
$100 is non-refundable.
Students cancelling 90 days prior to the start of the course will receive a refund of 85%
Students cancelling 45-89 days prior to the start of the course will receive a refund of 45%
Students cancelling 44 days or less prior to the start of the course will receive no refund.
Inquiries may be directed to Paul Sarnstrom paul@ferrocement.net
LFC [Laminated Ferrocement] is a specialized system of ferrocement in which the mesh is placed in the mortar. This system ensures virtually complete encapsulation of the mesh and elimination of voids in the mortar. In my opinion the LFC process yields the highest quality FC possible.
I knew Martin Iorns, discoverer and patent holder of LFC during the last 4 years of his life. During that time I spent a total of 30 days with him including 4 days in 2001 at the FERRO-7 symposium in Singapore as well as 10 days later that year building a LFC houseboat. I was also with Martin for 8 days when he taught a LFC class here in 2002 plus a number of days spent with him in his home in Sacramento.
About Martin Iorns
I first communicated with Martin Iorns by telephone in March of 2000. Beginning with our physical meeting in 2001 at the FERRO-7 symposium I spent a total of 30 days with Martin Iorns learning about laminated ferrocement until his death in 2004. When Martin died at the age of 94 [almost 95] he was working on his book as well as two large FC projects. He serves as an example to me as well as others for his diligence in the promotion of ferrocement. I will be forever grateful for Martin’s kindness in helping me in my personal education about ferrocement and for his support of the Ferrocement Educational Network.
Martin was a tireless promoter of FC, traveling the world well into his late 80's promoting the use of FC and in particular LFC.
I shall always be grateful to Martin for being my mentor and my friend and for passing on this wonderful legacy of LFC.
Paul Sarnstrom - director, Ferrocement Educational Network
About Colin KIng
Colin worked for Martin Iorns and Martin’s former partner Lou Watson at the Fibersteel corporation for 5 years. Colin’s daily work consisted of spraying mortar, cutting, fitting and embedding mesh in the mortar, designing and building equipment and tools as needed and working from beginning to completion on many 55’ boats. At one point Martin took Colin to India where Colin spent 6 months working on FC floating platforms and houseboats being used at a resort there.
Some words from Colin: “ I can’t remember not knowing about 'cement'. That’s what sidewalks were made of and sidewalks were the best place to ride a tricycle. The garage that the car was parked in was made of concrete blocks. Foundations were made of concrete and so were curbs and gutters. So when I and my cousin Bruce were to build a septic tank at my grandmother’s house out in the country we dug the hole, built a form spaced off from the walls of the hole, installed the inlet and outlet pipes, mixed the concrete and poured it, all without even thinking about plans and mix formulas. We were thirteen and ten at the time. “
“During the mid-nineteen fifties I was living in Sausalito. Checking out what was happening in all boatyards in the Marin area and in San Francisco and the peninsula was part of life. There were many ferrocement projects happening at the time. A few years after that I was living in the Sacramento area when I read in the National Fisherman, a monthly publication, about a yard in the West Sacramento area [Fibersteel] that was building ferrocement boats. It wasn’t until years later when I was looking for work in the boating field that I remembered Fibersteel and went there to apply for work.” - Colin King
In 2006 I spent a total of 10 days with Colin King and another 12 days in 2007 during the first LFC course. I found Colin to be witty, kind, engaging and extremely knowledgeable about ferrocement in general and about laminated ferrocement in particular. During Colin’s time working for Fibersteel he learned all of the little details that make the LFC method successful. Colin will be teaching you not only the concept but also the details of construction that make LFC a unique and very efficient, in my opinion the most efficient method of ferrocement. Colin had a long career as a school teacher. His many years of experience in teaching give him along with his years at Fibersteel give him the highly unique skill-set necessary for teaching LFC.
Paul Sarnstrom - director, Ferrocement Educational Network
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