Laminated Ferrocement Class Schedule for 2019

LFC - June 24th - June 28th, 2019. Location Montrose, Colorado

LFC - July 24th - August 2nd. Location Bellingham Washington

LFC - August 26th - August 30th. Location Montrose, Colorado

LFC - September 23rd - 27th Location Montrose Colorado

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 discovery and patented invention of the late Martin Iorns. To serve others in learning the LFC method the Ferrocement Educational Network is facilitating basic and intermediate courses 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. In FC the goal diring mortar application is to completely encapsulate the wire mesh. Due to the various inherent difficulties in traditional FC this goal is seldom realized and incomplete encapsulation of the wire mesh generally occurs.



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 Courses

Paul Sarnstrom, director of the Ferrocement Educational Network is the instructor for these courses and has been the director of the Ferrocement Educational Network since 1998.



Please note: In order to better meet the needs of students, some of the projects listed in the LFC class may be changed where appropriate.

LFC Courses -

June 24th - 28th Montrose, Colorado

July 24th - August 2nd [*Bellingham, Washington*]

August 26th - 30th Montrose, Colorado

September 23rd-27th Montrose, Colorado

Course Outline

*Please note: The actual projects may vary depending on the students needs, desires and goals.

Students in the LFC 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. Once the basic principles and techniques of LFC are learned the student will have the experience and ability to design and construct even larger LFC projects.



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

De-mold cylinder, finish any projects, test LFC planks made on first day, discussion and Q and A session









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, June 24th - June 28th. Location Montrose, Colorado

Laminated Ferrocement, July 29th - August 2nd. Location Bellingham, Washington

Laminated Ferrocement August 26th - August 30th. Location Montrose, Colorado

Laminated Ferrocement September 23rd - September 27th. Location Montrose, Colorado





Cost and Registration

The cost for the LFC course is $725 plus $40 materials cost.



Registration for the course may be made by using the PayPal button to deposit $765 in the FEN account. You also may register for this course by sending a check or money order for the required amount, made out and addressed to:



Ferrocement Educational Network,

63345 Ida rd.

Montrose, Colorado 81401





REFUND POLICY



The facilitation and teaching these classes require a great deal of time and preparation and represent a substantial financial commitment by the Ferrocement Educational Network. Therefore the following refund policy is in effect:



Students cancelling 31 - 60 days prior to the start of the course will receive a refund of 90%

Students cancelling 30 days or less prior to the start of the course will receive a refund of 75%

To provide the highest quality of learning these classes are limited to 10 participants. To cover the cost of these classes a minimum number of students is needed. Should the minimum number not be reached for a particular class, that class may be canceled by the FEN. If this is the case students have the option of transferring to another class or, if they so choose, the affected students will receive a refund of 100% of any moneys they have paid for that particular class.



Inquiries may be directed to Paul Sarnstrom

paul@ferrocement.net



About Martin Iorns, my mentor and the inventor of LFC:

"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." Martin Iorns. In my opinion the LFC process yields the highest quality and most consistently repeatable FC possible.

I first met Martin Iorns by telephone in 2000 after learning that he had been a member of the FC Forum, hosted by the Ferrocement Educational Network at www.ferrocement.net/flist for some years. Martin was the discoverer and patent holder of LFC and I knew him until his passing in 2004. During the time we spent together we attended the FERRO-7 symposium in Singapore in July of 2001. Later that same year of 2001 I visited Martin in Sacramento and spent 10 days with him building a LFC houseboat. In 2002 I assisted Martin for 8 days when he taught a LFC class for the Ferrocement Educational Network. On many occasions during my years of knowing Martin, I also spent a number of days with him at his home in Sacramento. I got to know the man and his passion for LFC. He taught me the techniques, methods and value of laminated ferrocement [LFC].

Just before his death at the age of 94 [almost 95] Martin was writing a book outlining the methods and various applications of LFC and was working on proposals for two, very large LFC projects.

At the time of his Martin's unfinished book on LFC, his various papers and his entire library were bequeathed to me for use by the Ferrocement Educational Network. After many hours of initial editing Martin's book is available at www.ferrocement.net



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 LFC and traveled the world well into his late 80's promoting the use of LFC.



Martin, my eternal thanks for being my mentor, my friend and for passing on your wonderful legacy of LFC.



Paul Sarnstrom - director, Ferrocement Educational Network









