Sustainable Solutions 

SmartWall technology incorporates cost-effective materials/designs, high strength-to-weight ratios, high thermal envelope performance, green low-impact materials, and superior structural strength/resistance. The SmartWall building system is expected to satisfy the market demand for protection from natural disasters and lowered energy consumption while preserving natural resources. 

  Environmental Benefits:

• Composed of recycled steel  
• ACI green concrete formula is magnesium based = No mercury or PCB's.
• Engineered, Reduces construction waste to less than 1%.
• The resources for our ACI Smartwall  building systems can be found locally cutting importation costs and pollution.
• The proprietary insulated clip connection isolates the steel stud from the precast concrete creating a true thermal break as well as noise reduction.
• Better indoor air quality.

Energy Conservation (GHG Cutt Backs)

• The thermal  sound properties of the ACI building systems allow for up to 70% reductions in costs associated with heating and cooling the structure.
• Reduction in concrete and water are used on projects.
• Slim City Light weight structural energy efficient building system.
• The nature of the slim building systems save on structural, steel and concrete  
• Transportation: due to light weight, thin-shell precast allows for two to three times as many. panels per truckload dramatically cutting back on fuels needed for the project.

Green Innovations

Historical Evolution of the SmartWall System

The evolution of the SmartWall within the sturctural composite industry began with the initial development of structural insulated panels (SIPs) in 1947. Research and development for SIPs was initially conducted by Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin as part of an attempt by the U.S. Forest Service to conserve forest resources. The development was characterized by the use of corrugated paperboard cores which were tested with various skin materials of plywood, tempered hardboard and treated paperboard.

The foam core of SIP panels are most often made of expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS), or rigid polystyrene foam. Other materials can be used, such as plywood, pressure-treated plywood for below-grade foundation walls, steel, aluminum, cement board, stainless steel, fiber-reinforced plastic, and magnesium oxide, fiber-cement, plywood sheets for the panels, agricultural fiber (wheat straw). SIP panel systems were used by Woods Constructor os Santa Paula, CA in their homes and apartments from 1965-1984.

From a structural engineering perspective, composite construction involves binding two or more different materials together so strogly that they act together as a structural unit. The structural composite industry is the newest emerging trend in terms of structural innovation. There are several reasons to use alternative composite building technologies including increased stregth, aesthetics, and environmental sustainability.

ACI affirms our core pillar of technological innovation by striving to create composite building systems that are cost effective and sustainable. ACI initiative is to incorporate the notion of self sufficiency. 

Our creative partnerships allow us the ability to promote innovative  building systems that are not only structurally superior but also energy efficient.  As we continue to invent in-house prototypes and forge technological networks, we look forward to contributing to the progress of an environmentally sustainable future.