Digital Support
Common Questions
What is the Logix Brands Toolbox?
The Toolbox is your personal workspace for accessing tools, documents, training resources, and support across the Logix Brands product lines.
How is the Toolbox organized?
Your Toolbox is organized into three product shelves: Element ICF, Halo, and Heat-Sheet. Each shelf contains tools and resources specific to that product line.
What tools are available on the Element ICF shelf?
The Element ICF shelf includes tools such as the Project Estimator, Project Engineer, 1-Minute Estimator, Technical Library, Training Resources, and ProLink by Element ICF.
What are the Project Estimator and Project Engineer used for?
The Project Estimator and Project Engineer are designed to simplify estimating, project planning, and technical decision-making for Element ICF projects.
What is the Favorites section?
The Favorites section lets you save and quickly access important documents from technical libraries and resource centers. Saved files stay connected to the latest available versions, so your key resources remain easy to access and up to date.
What is the My Folder section?
The My Folder section lets you create project-specific folders and store related documents in one place, keeping your workflow organized from start to finish.
How can I get help inside the Toolbox?
You can use Ask Anything for AI-assisted technical support, contact your territory manager by email or phone, book a one-on-one session with a technical specialist, or watch instructional videos on demand.
Understanding Seismic Design Category (SDC)
What is the Seismic Design Category (SDC)?
The Seismic Design Category is a building code classification that establishes the level of earthquake-resistant design required for a structure. Categories range from A (very low seismic risk) to F (very high seismic risk).
How is the Seismic Design Category determined?
The final SDC is determined by project location, site soil conditions, building occupancy or risk category, the applicable building code, and ASCE 7 requirements. The project's structural engineer is responsible for confirming the final category.
What are typical Seismic Design Categories for common U.S. cities?
For a standard building on average soil conditions, typical preliminary estimates include:
| City | Typical SDC |
|---|---|
| Minneapolis, MN | A or B |
| Chicago, IL | B |
| Dallas, TX | B |
| New York City, NY | B or C |
| Salt Lake City, UT | D |
| Seattle, WA | D |
| Los Angeles, CA | D or E |
| San Francisco, CA | D, E, or F |
These examples are for preliminary planning only. The final SDC must be confirmed by the project's structural engineer.
Who is responsible for confirming the Seismic Design Category?
The project's structural engineer is responsible for determining and confirming the applicable SDC based on the governing building code, ASCE 7, site conditions, and project-specific information.
What if the Seismic Design Category is unknown during preliminary design or quoting?
If the project-specific SDC is not known, the building code requires the design to assume a minimum of Seismic Design Category D until the project's structural engineer provides the confirmed SDC.
Choosing Between 40 ksi and 60 ksi Reinforcing Steel
Why does the Project Engineer allow me to select either 40 ksi or 60 ksi reinforcing steel?
The application provides both options because reinforcing steel availability varies by region and supply source. Select the grade specified for your project or the material that will actually be supplied.
Which reinforcing steel grade is most commonly used?
In most commercial construction, 60 ksi reinforcing steel is the standard and the most commonly available grade. Grade 60 is normally supplied by reinforcing steel fabricators, concrete supply companies, and reinforcing steel distributors unless Grade 40 is specifically requested.
When would I choose 40 ksi?
Select 40 ksi only when the project specifications require it or when you know Grade 40 reinforcing steel will be used. It is most commonly found at residential retail suppliers in shorter lengths and smaller bar sizes intended for residential and light construction.
Does reinforcing steel availability vary by region?
Yes. Typical regional availability includes:
| Region | Typical Reinforcing Steel |
|---|---|
| U.S. Midwest | Grade 60 |
| Ontario, Quebec, Prairies | Grade 60 (400 MPa metric equivalent) |
| Southern U.S. residential/light construction | Grade 40 may be available at retail in small quantities |
| California and other high-seismic regions | Grade 60, often ASTM A706 weldable reinforcing steel |
What is typically used in high-seismic regions?
In high-seismic regions such as California and British Columbia, engineers commonly specify ASTM A706 Grade 60 reinforcing steel because it provides the ductility and weldability often required for seismic applications.
Which option should I select if I'm unsure?
If the reinforcing steel has not yet been specified or purchased, 60 ksi is generally the most appropriate default. Select 40 ksi only when the project documents call for it or you know Grade 40 steel will be used.
Wind Exposure Categories
What is the Wind Exposure Category?
The Wind Exposure Category describes the terrain surrounding a building and is used to determine the wind loads considered during design. Exposure B covers built-up or wooded terrain, Exposure C covers open terrain, and Exposure D covers unobstructed wind over open water.
Why is the Wind Exposure Category important?
Wind exposure directly affects the design wind pressures on a building. Selecting the correct category helps ensure that walls, roofs, connections, and other structural components are designed for the wind loads required by the building code.
What are the different Wind Exposure Categories?
Exposure B applies to urban areas, suburban neighborhoods, wooded areas, and residential developments with numerous closely spaced obstructions.
Exposure C applies to open terrain with scattered obstructions, including farmland, grasslands, airports, large open fields, and qualifying shorelines.
Exposure D applies where a building is exposed to unobstructed wind flowing over open water for a significant distance, such as oceanfront properties, Great Lakes shorelines, and large coastal bays.
How is the Wind Exposure Category determined?
The category is determined by evaluating nearby buildings, trees and vegetation, open fields, water bodies, and topography for the distance specified in Section R301.2.1.4 of the applicable building code.
Which Wind Exposure Category should I select in the Project Engineer?
Select the exposure category that matches the site conditions in accordance with Section R301.2.1.4. If the site has not been evaluated, consult the project's designer, engineer, or local building official before finalizing the design.
Can the Wind Exposure Category affect the structural design?
Yes. A higher exposure category results in higher design wind pressures, which may increase the required wall reinforcement, fastening requirements, and other structural design elements.
Understanding NBCC Spectral Acceleration vs. Sa,ICF in the Element ICF Canadian Prescriptive Engineering Design Manual
What is Sa,ICF?
Sa,ICF is an equivalent seismic design parameter created specifically for the prescriptive design of ICF walls. It is the ratio of seismic base shear to building weight for a Site Class D: Sa,ICF = Vseismic / W.
Can the NBCC Sa(0.2) be compared directly to the Sa,ICF value?
No. The NBCC Sa(0.2) value and Sa,ICF represent different seismic design parameters developed for different purposes. They should not be used interchangeably when determining the applicability of Element ICF prescriptive reinforcement tables.
Why Does Project Engineer Sometimes Recommend Consulting a Structural Engineer?
What design standard is Project Engineer based on?
Project Engineer is based on the ICFMA Prescriptive ICF Design for Part 9 Structures in Canada, Second Edition. The application uses the guide's prescriptive requirements and limitations to generate code-compliant designs for qualifying projects.
Why doesn't Project Engineer provide an answer for every project?
Project Engineer is a prescriptive design tool and can provide solutions only for projects within the scope of the ICFMA guide. If a project is outside those limits, the application may not provide a result or may direct the user to a structural engineer.
Why does the application sometimes instruct me to consult a structural engineer?
This occurs when one or more project parameters fall outside the prescriptive design limits established by the ICFMA guide. In these cases, an engineered design is required to address conditions that are not covered by the prescriptive provisions.
What types of projects are covered by the ICFMA Prescriptive Design Guide?
The guide covers buildings within stated limits for above- and below-grade stories, building size and geometry, seismic conditions, wind loading, structural spans, deflection, and wall aspect ratios. Projects exceeding those limits require project-specific structural engineering.
Does the guide apply everywhere in Canada?
The guide has broad applicability throughout Canada, but every project remains subject to its applicability limits. Higher seismic demands, higher wind loads, larger or more complex buildings, and conditions beyond the guide may require project-specific engineering.
Does “Consult a Structural Engineer” mean an ICF wall cannot be used?
No. It means the project is outside the scope of the prescriptive design guide. An ICF wall system may still be suitable, but a qualified structural engineer must complete and verify the project-specific design.
Why are there limitations in the application?
Project Engineer follows the limits of the ICFMA guide so its designs remain within a validated, code-recognized prescriptive method. Projects that exceed those limits require engineering judgment and project-specific analysis beyond the scope of a prescriptive application.
Openings Within 4 ft (1.2 m) of a Corner and Shear Wall Requirements
Does the 4 ft (1.2 m) corner-opening requirement apply to all ICF walls?
No. The requirement applies only to above-grade walls and is based on Section 9.20 of the National Building Code of Canada 2020.
Do fully backfilled basement walls have to comply with the corner-opening requirement?
No. Fully backfilled basement walls are below-grade walls governed by Section 9.15 of the NBCC 2020, which does not include the requirement for openings to be at least 4 ft (1.2 m) from a corner.
How are walkout basement walls treated?
A walkout basement wall is considered an above-grade wall on the side that is not backfilled. The 4 ft (1.2 m) corner-opening requirement therefore applies to that exposed wall.
Why is there a difference between above-grade and below-grade walls?
Above-grade walls must resist wind and seismic lateral loads differently than below-grade walls, which are primarily designed to resist soil pressure. The NBCC therefore includes different provisions for each condition.
When should I consider shear-wall requirements related to corner openings?
If an above-grade wall contains an opening less than 4 ft (1.2 m) from a building corner, the wall may not meet the prescriptive requirements and may require additional engineering or an alternative design approach.
Does the estimator account for openings?
Yes. Block quantities are reduced for the window and door openings you enter, and bucks are also estimated for those openings.
How much waste factor is included?
Contingencies can be set to any amount and applied to individual estimated items. You can set contingencies by clicking the Contingencies button while working on an estimate.
Are corner and 45° blocks calculated automatically?
Yes. Estimates for 90-degree corner blocks are calculated automatically. Straight blocks are used to create 45-degree corners and are accounted for in the estimate.
Does the estimate include rebar, concrete, and accessories?
Rebar, concrete, and other ICF accessories are included. In addition, the Project Estimator provides estimates for waterproofing, parging, bracing, form lock, bucks, zip ties and hooks, and labor hours. Custom items can also be included in the estimate.
Is this a price quote or a material takeoff?
The Project Estimator can provide either a price quote or a material takeoff.
Can I save, edit, or share my project?
Yes. Project Estimator files can be shared with other users. They can also be saved and edited as needed.
What limitations does the estimator have?
The Project Estimator was designed to ensure all aspects of an estimate are included with the greatest flexibility. You can add as many buildings or wall sections as needed and generate customizable reports. The Project Estimator is cloud-based, so it does not take up room on your computer. All you need is a good Wi-Fi connection.
Who do I contact to convert an estimate into an order?
After generating a report, use the link to request a quote. An Element ICF representative will receive your report and contact you.
Can I estimate multiple buildings or wall types in one estimate?
Yes. You can add as many buildings and wall types as needed in one estimate. High-rise and large commercial projects can easily be handled by the Project Estimator.
Can someone review my estimate before I order?
Yes. When you generate a report, use the link to request a quote. A team will receive your report and plans for review and make recommendations where needed.
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