SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING STEM WALLS AND INTEGRATED FORMS THEREFOR

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to structural components, and more particularly to systems and methods for providing stem walls and forms therefor

BACKGROUND

Many structures (such as buildings, homes, walls, barriers, fountains, and other structures) have foundations and corresponding walls and pieces. In this regard, the process of forming a suitable foundation (with its corresponding walls and pieces) can be time intensive, can be relatively difficult to carry out, and can be expensive to implement.

Thus, while there are known techniques for creating foundations and accompanying structures, challenges still exist, including those listed above. Accordingly, it would be an improvement in the art to augment or even replace current techniques with other techniques.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods for providing footings, stem walls, insulating footings, and insulating stem walls are disclosed herein. Some implementations of the systems and methods include one or more stem wall assemblies, which can be used to form stem walls. In some cases, the stem wall assembly has one or more: first panels, second panels, and couplers. In some cases, the first panel is configured to be joined to the second panel by one or more couplers such that the first panel is separated from the second panel by a core cavity, which, in some cases, is configured to be filled with a filler material (e.g., concrete) to form a core that becomes integral with the stem wall assembly.

While the stem wall assembly can have any dimensions suitable for forming a stem wall, the stem wall assembly of some implementations has a height that is approximately equal to the desired height of the completed stem wall. Additionally, in some implementations, one or more panels of the stem wall assembly are configured to couple to one or more other panels in a modular fashion (e.g., one first panel can couple to another first panel, side by side or end to end, to form a longer panel; a first panel can couple to another first panel, one on top of the other, to form a taller panel; or various panels can be coupled together in any other suitable manner or configuration). In this manner, a stem wall assembly of any desired length or size can be formed. In some cases, the stem wall assembly can be assembled to form a perimeter or a partial perimeter of a building or another structure.

Although the panels can have any suitable dimensions, in some implementations, the first panel and the second panel are the same height. In some implementations, however, the first panel is taller than the second panel (or vice versa). In some cases, the filler material is filled to a height of the first panel. In some implementations, the filler material is filled to a height of the second panel. For instance, in some cases, the filler material is filled to the shorter of the two panels, with the longer of the two panels being disposed at an outside face of a building. In some such cases, a floor (e.g., joists or other flooring) can be coupled to the top of the filler material, with the outside panel providing an insulative barrier to a perimeter of the flooring. In any case, various implementations of the stem wall assembly have a relatively high degree of versatility-allowing the stem wall assembly to be used in connection with multiple different types of stem walls and structures.

In some implementations, one or more couplers (which are configured to couple the first panel to the second panel) include one or more rods, elongated couplers, couplers, elongated members with a first retainer and a second retainer, or rails. Indeed, some implementations of the coupler comprise one or more rails, such as a first rail that corresponds with the first panel and a second rail that corresponds with the second panel, with one or more connectors extending between the rails. In some cases, the rails are configured to attach to the panels. Although the rails may attach to the panels in any suitable manner (e.g., through one or more adhesives, fasteners, welds, interference fits, mating couplings, or other attachment mechanisms), some iterations of the rails or other couplers are configured to be inserted into receptacles formed in the panels. Thus, in some cases, one or more couplers can slide into the panels, thereby locking the panels into their proper positions for filling of the core cavity. Because the coupler is (in some cases) selectively attachable to the panels, this allows the panels to be directly stacked on one another (e.g., face to face, end to end, back to back side to side, or in any other suitable manner) during storage and transportation, thereby saving room, and further allow the panels to be separated from one another (and held part and together by the couplers) to form the core cavity when the stem wall assembly is assembled.

In some instances, the couplers include one or more retainers. Although the retainers can have any suitable form for retaining the rails within the panels (as discussed in detail below), some implementations of the retainers include one or more hooks, such as a J-hook, cupped portions, or other engagements to form a stronger connection to the panels. In some cases, the receptacles are formed in a corresponding hook shape or J-shape, allowing the retainers to easily slide into the receptacles along with the rails.

While the described systems and methods are discussed with stem walls, they can also be used with footings, foundations, or any other suitable structure.

Due to these and other features, some implementations of the described stem wall assembly are easy to transport and set up, and they remove the necessity of taking down a wooden (or other) form after a stem wall (or footing) is poured, thereby greatly expediting the stem wall (or footing) formation process and reducing waste.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the systems and methods will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A shows a plan view of a stem wall assembly, in accordance with some embodiments

of the systems and methods disclosed herein;

FIG. 1B shows a front elevation view of the stem wall assembly, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 1C shows a back elevation view of the stem wall assembly, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 1D shows a side elevation view of the stem wall assembly, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 2A shows a front elevation view of a coupler of the stem wall assembly, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 2B shows a back elevation view of the coupler of the stem wall assembly, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 2C shows a plan view of the coupler of the stem wall assembly, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the stem wall assembly, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 4 shows a side perspective view of the stem wall assembly, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 5 shows a top perspective view of the stem wall assembly, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 6 shows a rear perspective view of a stem wall incorporating the stem wall assembly, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 7 shows a front perspective view of the stem wall incorporating the stem wall assembly, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 8 shows a top perspective view of the stem wall incorporating the stem wall assembly, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 9 shows a top perspective view of a partial structure incorporating the stem wall, which itself incorporates the stem wall assembly, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a footing assembly, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIGS. 11-12 show perspective views of the footing assembly and stem wall assembly, at various stages of assembly and in accordance with some embodiments; and

FIG. 13 shows a plan view of a screed in accordance with some embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A description of embodiments will now be given with reference to the FIGS. It is expected that the present systems and methods may take many other forms and shapes. Hence, the following disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not limiting, and the scope of the disclosure should be determined by reference to the appended claims.

Many structures (including buildings, walls, barriers, fountains, pools, statues, installations, fireplaces, and other structures) have foundations. Some such structures particularly buildings-include a footing or a stem wall as part of the foundation or to help anchor the structure to the foundation. Stem walls can help transmit the load of the structure to the foundation (e.g., to one or more footings of the foundation). Stem walls can also raise or lower all or part of a base of the structure, which can protect the structure from flooding or other environmental hazards, help the structure be level when built on uneven ground, and increase the aesthetic value of the structure.

Although stem walls and footings can have many advantages, some existing stem walls and footings can also have disadvantages. For example, many stem walls and footings require a large amount of concrete (or other materials) for their construction. Some known stem walls and footings also often require a large amount of time and effort to create. For example, to create many stem walls, a footing is poured and allowed to cure, then a wooden or other mold or form for the stem wall is built on the footing, then concrete is poured into the form and allowed to cure, then the form is removed (which can be difficult, as some parts of the form might adhere to or become embedded within the concrete), and (in some cases, then additional structures (e.g., walls) can be added to the stem wall. In many cases, this process requires costly time and labor, wastes materials (e.g., lumber to construct the form), and delays construction on other parts of the structure.

Moreover, many stem walls and footings have or can develop structural weaknesses, which can cause them to fail and put the entire structure at jeopardy. Exposed concrete can weather away, and the lack of additional materials can lead to the structural integrity of the stem walls and footings being compromised. Many stem walls and footings are even sites of undesirable heat transfer (e.g., due to inadequate insulation), which can raise utility costs and decrease the comfort of the structure.

Systems and methods for providing reinforced insulating stem walls, footings, and other structures are disclosed herein. As shown in FIGS. 1A-5, some embodiments of the described systems and methods include one or more stem wall assemblies 20 and footing assemblies 56. For the sake of simplicity, aspects of the stem wall assembly are discussed first. In this regard, the stem wall assembly can include any component configured to assist in the construction of a stem wall, as well as any component for increasing the quality, durability, insulation, aesthetic appeal, or any other beneficial property of the stem wall. Although some embodiments of the stem wall assembly are configured to be removed after the stem wall is constructed, some embodiments of the stem wall assembly are configured to become a part of the stem wall and to remain with the stem wall for all or some of the stem wall's lifespan (e.g., providing insulation, giving additional structural support, providing a substrate for a covering material (e.g., a tar, stucco, or any other suitable covering), removing the necessity of disassembling the form after formation of the stem wall, or performing any other suitable purpose).

Generally speaking, some embodiments of the stem wall assembly 20 are configured to be convenient to transport, set up, implement, and otherwise use in constructing stem walls. For example, some embodiments of the stem wall assembly include one or more first panels 22, one or more second panels 24, and one or more couplers 26. In some cases, the first panel is configured to be joined to the second panel by one or more couplers such that the first panel is separated from the second panel by a core cavity 28. As shown in FIGS. 1D and 4-5, the core cavity 28 of some embodiments is configured to be filled with a filler material (e.g., concrete) to form a core 30 that becomes integral with the stem wall assembly, thereby forming the stem wall.

With reference to FIGS. 1A-D, the stem wall assembly 20 is generally described herein as having a height H, a length L, and a width W (though it can have any other suitable dimension). That said, although the stem wall assembly is generally referred to herein as being useful for forming a standard, substantially vertical stem wall, the stem wall assembly can also be used to form a ceiling, a floor, a barrier, a pillar, a pool, a support, a bridge, an aesthetic feature, or any other suitable structure or portion thereof. Accordingly, the stem wall assembly can be rotated, bent, curved, jogged, shifted, skewed, offset, tailored for a specific application, or otherwise adapted in any suitable manner to form any suitable structure or any suitable portion thereof. Thus, the height H is not necessarily limited to a vertical direction, the length L is not necessarily limited to a horizontal direction, and the width W is not necessarily limited to a thickness direction. This notwithstanding, these terms may nonetheless be useful in describing the dimensions and other characteristics of some embodiments of the stem wall assembly.

While one or more of the components of the stem wall assembly 20 can be permanently or semi-permanently coupled to one or more other components, in some cases one or more of the components are configured to be provided and assembled in modular fashion (e.g., such that they can be selectively coupled together to form the stem wall assembly after the individual components have been transported, thereby saving room during transportation). The individual components used in various embodiments of the stem wall assembly, as well as additional components used in the formation of the stem wall, are discussed in more detail below.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-9, some embodiments of the stem wall assembly 20 include one or more panels. Although many embodiments are depicted generally herein as having a first panel 22 and a second panel 24, some embodiments have only a single panel, and some embodiments have any suitable number of panels more than two. The panels can include any suitable component configured to aid in the construction of a stem wall, and particularly any component that helps facilitate use of the panels as a form for creation of the stem wall (e.g., as a form into which concrete or any other suitable filler material can be poured, as discussed in more detail below). By way of non-limiting illustration, some embodiments of the panels include one or more fasteners 32 (e.g., for fastening or otherwise coupling one stem wall assembly panel to one or more additional stem wall assembly panels), tracks 42 (e.g., for coupling one or more panels to one or more other construction components (such as a footing, foundation, or any other suitable object), receptacles 46 (e.g., for receiving one or more couplers), wall assembly mounts 48 (e.g., for receiving one or more joists, frames, tracks, or any other suitable portion of a wall assembly, floor assembly, or any other suitable object), surfacing materials 52 (e.g., stucco, concrete, tar, tape, rock, or any other suitable material for providing a functional or aesthetic finish to the stem wall), or any other suitable components useful for forming or using a stem wall. Additional details regarding the various characteristics and components of the panels are provided below.

Although the panel (e.g., panel 22 or 24) need not be limited to any particular size, shape, or configuration, in some embodiments, the panel has a height that is approximately equal to the desired height (or other dimension) of the completed stem wall (e.g., for a one-meter stem wall, a one-meter panel may be used). However, the panel may have a height anywhere between 0.1 meters and 100 meters (or any subrange thereof). Similarly, the length of the panel can be any length desirable for a stem wall or a segment thereof (e.g., between 0.1 and 100 meters, or any subrange thereof). That said, in some cases, the panel is provided in a convenient length for assembly, such as between 1 meter and 10 meters (or any subrange thereof), and multiple panels can be used together (e.g., in modular fashion) to form a stem wall of any length. Additionally, the panel can be any width, but in some cases the width is between 0.1 centimeters and 1 meter thick, or any subrange thereof. For example, some embodiments of the panel have a width that is useful for insulation, but not overly cumbersome, such as approximately 10 centimeters±5 centimeters. It is worth noting that the stem wall assembly 20 of some embodiments has a width W that is thicker than the width of any individual panel, as the width of the stem wall assembly can comprise multiple panels, a core cavity, and other components that contribute to the width.

The panel (e.g., panel 22 or 24) can be any shape suitable for forming a portion of a stem wall. Indeed, although some embodiments of the panel are straight or substantially straight, some embodiments of the panel include one or more curves, contours, edges, angles, jogs, bends, deformations, artistic molds, molds, or other shape features. Where the panels include one or more corners, the corner can be any suitable corner, such as a corner having one or more turns of 90 degrees (as is common in many homes), or of any other angle (e.g., 15 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 120 degrees, 160 degrees, 200 degrees, 270 degrees, 285 degrees, 315 degrees, 345 degrees, or any other angle practicable for use with a structure, such as any angle between 1 and 359 degrees, or any subrange thereof). By way of non-limiting illustration, FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which the panels include a 90 degree angle to form a right-angle corner shape.

Although the panel (e.g., panel 22 or 24) can be formed of or otherwise comprise any material suitable for use in construction (e.g., wood, metal, glass, fiberglass, fiberboard, plastic, rubber, polymer material, ceramic, cardboard, synthetic material, natural material, stone, concrete, or any other suitable construction material), in some embodiments the panel includes insulating materials.

Where the panel (e.g., panel 22 or 24) includes one or more insulating materials, the panel can have any suitable type of insulating material, including one or more types of foam, mineral wool, fiberglass, glass wool, cellulose, polymer, plastic, ceramic, cardboard, or any other suitable insulation. By way of non-limiting illustration, some embodiments of the panel include one or more types of foam insulating material, such as expanded polystyrene (“EPS”) or another polystyrene or similar foam material. Although in some embodiments of the panel, the insulative material is included within an interior (e.g., EPS or another type of insulation embedded within a casing made of a different material), in some embodiments the panel body is itself substantially formed of the insulative material. For example, in some cases, a majority of the panel body (e.g., greater than 50%, greater than 75%, greater than 90%, greater than 95%, greater than 99%, or another majority of the panel body) is made of insulative material. Indeed, in some embodiments, the panel is or comprises EPS.

Where the panel includes one or more insulative materials, the panel (e.g., panel 22 or 24) can be configured to provide a certain level of insulation. For example, in some embodiments the panel has an R-value of between 0.5 and 60, or any subrange thereof (e.g., between 2 and 30). Correlatively, some embodiments of the stem wall assembly 20 as a whole are configured to provide a certain level of insulation. In some embodiments, the stem wall assembly 20 has an R-value of between 3 and 100, or within any subrange thereof (e.g., greater than 20 and less than 60). Indeed, in some embodiments, the stem wall assembly has an R-value of approximately 20-50 (or any subrange thereof).

Where multiple panels are used (such as the first panel 22, the second panel 24, or any number of additional panels), the panels can have the same characteristics as each other (e.g., dimensions, materials, insulative properties, and other characteristics), or the panels can have one or more characteristics that make one panel different from one another. For example, in some cases, one of the panels (e.g., either the first panel, the second panel, or another panel) is taller than the other (e.g., having a height that is greater than the height of the other panel by anywhere between 1 centimeter and 5 meters, or any subrange thereof). By way of non-limiting illustration, in some embodiments the first panel is approximately 0.8 meters±0.5 meters taller than the second panel. Similarly, in some cases, one of the panels (or has a portion that) is thicker than the other or than another portion of the panel (e.g., by anywhere between 1 millimeter and 1 meter, or any subrange thereof). Moreover, in some cases one panel includes a certain material composition, and another panel includes a different material composition. The panels can include any other similarities or differences.

Some embodiments of the panel (e.g., panel 22 or 24) include one or more fasteners 32. The fastener can include any component configured to couple one panel to another panel. In this regard, as mentioned above, the panels of some embodiments are configured to be coupled together laterally (e.g., two panels can be joined together side-by-side or end-to-end to form a construct that has a length approximately equal to the length of both panels combined). Accordingly, the fastener can include any suitable fastener capable of coupling multiple panels together in this manner. Some embodiments of the fastener include one or more nails, screws, bolts, staples, eyelets, retainers, clasps, magnets, retainer-and-loop fasteners, hook-and-loop fasteners, fasteners, adhesives, welds, interference fits, friction fits, tongue-and-groove connections, dovetail couplers, butt couplings, blind dovetail couplers, half-blind dovetail couplers, sliding dovetail couplers, half-lap dovetails, mitered dovetails, mitered butt couplers, half-lap couplers, mortise and tenon couplers, rabbet joints, biscuit joints, snaps, ties, rivets, processes, recesses, catches, mechanical engagements, frames, or any other fasteners. While some embodiments include only one type of fastener, some embodiments include multiple types of fasteners. Indeed, some embodiments include a fastener 32 (e.g., on one end of the panel) and a complementary fastener 34 (e.g., on the other end of the panel) configured to interface with the fastener, which can simplify the process of coupling panels together. By way of non-limiting illustration, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 3, and 4, some embodiments of the stem wall assembly include a fastener in the form of a “tongue” process and a complementary fastener in the form of a “groove” recess to form, together, a tongue-and-groove fastener connection. Although some such embodiments of the tongue-and-groove fastener connection are held together via friction, one or more stakes or structural supports, staples, pins, or in any other suitable manner, in some embodiments, such a connection is future strengthened with one or more adhesives.

As shown in FIGS. 1D, 4-5, and 8-9, some embodiments of the panel (e.g., panel 22 or 24) include or are otherwise used with one or more tracks 42. In some embodiments, the track is useful for providing a portion of the stem wall assembly to which another component can be coupled or mounted to the stem wall assembly without needing to interface directly with the panel. For example, in some embodiments, the track may provide a better surface than the panel body for attaching a wall, anchoring the stem wall assembly to a footing, or otherwise coupling or mounting the stem wall assembly to another component. By way of non-limiting illustration, FIG. 1D shows a stem wall assembly 20 with tracks 42 on the bottoms of the first panel 22 and the second panel 24 (which can provide a better surface for anchoring the panels to footings), as well as a track 42 on the top of the first panel 22 (which can provide a better surface for anchoring walls or other structural components to the stem wall assembly). Indeed, in some embodiments, once a footing, foundation, floor, or any other suitable support structure is formed, a track can be placed on and coupled to the support structure (e.g., via one or more nails, bolts, adhesives, or in any other suitable manner) and one or more panels can then be coupled to the track (e.g., by being set in the track; being adhered to the track; being coupled to the track via one or more nails, pins, bolts, barbs, catches, frictional engagements, mechanical engagements, or other fasteners; or in any other suitable manner). In some embodiments, the track helps to hold the panels in place, even when concrete or another filler is added between two panels.

While the track 42 can include any component configured to act as a base or coupling for another component, some embodiments of the track include one or more brackets or strips of material, such as metal, wood, glass, plastic, carbon fiber, polymer material, ceramic, cardboard, paper, nylon, fabric, or any other suitable type of material. Indeed, in some embodiments, the track includes a strip of material (e.g., steel, or any other metal or metal alloy).

The track 42 can have any suitable characteristic that allows it to function as described herein. For instance, the track can have any suitable shape. As an example, some embodiments of the track have a cross sectional shape or end profile that is substantially C-shaped, L-shaped, J-shaped, U-shaped, I-shaped, bracket shaped, or that has any other suitable shape. By way of non-limiting illustration, FIG. 1D shows an embodiment in which the tracks have an end profile that is substantially C-shaped or U-shaped (or bracket shaped, like half a perimeter of a rectangle). While such a profile can perform any suitable function, in some embodiments, the C-shape or bracket-shape of the track allows it to fit over (or receive) an edge of the panel.

The track 42 can be disposed on the stem wall assembly 20 in any suitable manner, such as by having one or more feet that are received in one or more recesses in the stem wall assembly; being coupled to the stem wall assembly through the use of one or more adhesives, fasteners, interference fits, or in any other suitable manner; being integrally formed with the stem wall assembly; being placed over one or more edges of the stem wall assembly (e.g., like end caps); or in any other suitable manner. By way of non-limiting illustration, FIG. 1D shows an embodiment in which tracks 42 are receive a bottom portion the panels (e.g., 22 or 24), with one or more feet or flanges of the track extending over the edges to run substantially parallel with the faces of the panels 22 and 24. In some such embodiments, the track is configured to be coupled to a support surface (such as a footing) and the panel is configured to be placed in the track.

One or more of the panels 22 and 24 can include any contour, shape, texture, finish, mold, protrusion, recess, or other aesthetic feature that might be desirable in a stem wall (or any other suitable object, such as a footing assembly 56). For example, some embodiments of the panel include one or more surfacing materials applied to one or more surfaces of the panel. In this regard, the surfacing material can include any material for protecting the panel or changing its appearance, such as concrete (including ashcrete, limecrete, and other cementitious materials), stucco, mortar, paint, varnish, sealant, tar, wallpaper, façade materials, brick, rock, stonework, wood, paneling, fiber cement, siding, engineered wood, veneer, tile, plaster, drywall, adobe, mud, and any other surfacing material desirable for use in construction. By way of non-limiting illustration, FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the panel 22 that includes a partial layer of surfacing material 52 that includes concrete, which can protect the panel 22 body from sun, rain, and other elements. While this is useful in many embodiments, some embodiments that use an insulating foam material (e.g., EPS) for the panel body may benefit from a layer of surfacing material to protect the insulating material from weathering, degrading through exposure to sunlight, or other wear.

As shown in FIGS. 4-5, in some embodiments, one or more of the panels (e.g., panels 22 and 24) include one or more wall assembly mounts 48 for interfacing with a wall assembly, a floor assembly, a frame, or any other suitable object or objects. For clarity, the wall assembly can include any wall assembly configured to form (or assist in the formation of) a wall (such as an ordinary wall of a structure, as opposed to a stem wall). For example, the wall assembly can include a first wall panel, a second wall panel, a wall coupler (which may include any of the characteristics of the panels and couplers described herein, as modified for the formation of a wall instead of a stem wall), a joist, a plate, or any other suitable object.

Where the stem wall assembly 20 includes a wall assembly mount 48, the wall assembly mount can include any suitable feature or component configured to receive, support, or otherwise interface with a wall assembly. For example, in some cases the wall assembly mount includes one or more processes, recesses, notches, grooves, slots, tracks, fasteners, plates, or other components configured to interface with a wall assembly. By way of non-liming illustration, FIGS. 4-5 show a wall assembly mount 48 that includes a recess configured to receive a portion of a wall assembly, thereby coupling the wall assembly to the stem wall assembly (and consequently allowing for the construction of a stem wall having an integrated wall). In some embodiments, when a joist, frame or other type of wall mount assembly is placed on a shorter panel (see panel 24 in FIG. 4) and on concrete received between the panels, an end or other portion of the wall assembly is at least partially covered by apportion of the assembly mount 48 (e.g., as shown in the taller panel 22 in FIG. 4). While such a system can be used for any suitable purpose, in some cases, the system 20 of FIG. 4 is well suited for a crawl space where joists, a plate, or any other suitable component rests on the shorter panel 24 and filler and are covered (at least partially) by the assembly mount (or another portion) of the taller panel 22.

As mentioned above, and as best seen in FIGS. 1A, 1D, and 3-5, some embodiments of the stem wall assembly 20 include at least a first panel 22 and a second panel 24 configured to be coupled together (e.g., by one or more couplers 26) in such a manner as to leave a space between the first panel and the second panel. In some embodiments, the space forms a core cavity 28, in which a core 30 can be included or formed.

The core cavity 28 can have any dimensions, components, or other features suitable for forming a core 30 with desirable characteristics. In some embodiments, the core cavity has a width of between 1 centimeter and 3 meters, or any subrange thereof (e.g., 50 centimeters±30 centimeters, 30 centimeters±10 centimeters, or any other range between 1 centimeter and 3 meters). (Of course, where the described systems and methods are used to form footings (as discussed below), some embodiments of the core cavity can be larger than some of the core cavity that are used to form stem wall). In some embodiments, the width is uniform, whereas in some embodiments, at least part of the width is non-uniform.

In some embodiments, the core cavity 28 is defined by one or more first panel inner surfaces and one or more second panel inner surfaces. Although the inner surfaces can have any configuration or texture (e.g., smooth, contoured, textured, shaped, or otherwise configured), in some embodiments the inner surfaces are substantially smooth. In some embodiments, one or more of the first panel inner surface and the second panel inner surface include one or more indentations, protrusions, molds, or other features that give the core cavity 28 contours or shapes, which can in turn lead to a contoured or shaped core 30. Indeed, in some embodiments, the core cavity includes one or more processes or recesses that allow the panels to form a stronger fit with the core. In this regard, the core cavity can contain one or more indentations (or protrusions) of any suitable size or shape (e.g., with each panel having grooves or other indentations in the shape of a segment of a cylinder, a portion of an elongated prismatic polygon, an asymmetrical shape, a symmetrical shape, or any other suitable shape).

Although the core 30 can be formed of any material (such as concrete, wood, metal, glass, plastic, carbon fiber, polymer material, sand, or any other material that could be used to fill the core cavity 28), in some embodiments, the core is formed of a structural material that is configured to be poured into (or otherwise applied to) the core cavity and is then allowed to set up, harden, dry, polymerize, or otherwise cure. For example, some embodiments of the core include concrete, plaster, ferrock, timbercrete, hempcrete, greencrete, ashcrete, recycled material, fiber cement, bamboo concrete, molding plastic, metal, or another structural material that can be applied in a liquid or semi-liquid form and later provide structural support in a solid or semi-solid form. Indeed, in some embodiments, the core comprises concrete.

Although the panels 22 and 24 can be coupled together in any suitable manner, in some embodiments they are coupled by one or more couplers 26. Where the stem wall assembly 20 includes one or more couplers 26, the couplers can include any components for coupling the panels together; providing a framework; stabilizing the stem wall assembly; serving as a structural scaffold; increasing the strength, flexibility, or other desirable characteristics of the stem wall assembly, the core, 30, or any other component; holding the panels in place while a core material is poured and allowed to cure; providing a scaffold for tying or holding rebar or a rebar assembly or incorporating another reinforcement member (e.g., rebar, stainless steel concrete reinforcement, engineered bamboo reinforcement, glass fiber reinforced polymer rebar, plastic fiber, helix micro rebar concrete reinforcement, metal fibers, or any other suitable reinforcement member; or otherwise providing features for unifying the various components into the stem wall assembly.

While the couplers 26 can comprise one or more bars, elongated members (or connectors) with anchors at each ends, elongated members (or connectors) with retainers at each end, elongated members (or connectors) with rails at each end, elongated members (or connectors) coupled with one or more rails or retainers, FIGS. 2A-C show some embodiments in which one or more couplers 26 are provided substantially in the form of a bracket. As illustrated in the aforementioned FIGS., some embodiments of the coupler 26 include one or more rails 36, one or more retainers 38, or one or more connectors 40. Each of these components, as well as other features of some embodiments of the coupler, are discussed in more detail below.

In some embodiments, the coupler 26 includes one or more rails 36. Although the coupler can include any number of rails, some embodiments of the coupler include a first rail (e.g., corresponding with the first panel) and a second rail (e.g., corresponding with the second panel). Although the rails can include any component configured to interface with a panel (e.g., by abutting, coupling to, being disposed on, being disposed within, having one or more anchoring components, or otherwise interfacing with the panel), some embodiments of the rail include a component configured to be disposed within a receptacle (e.g., the receptacle 46 of FIGS. 4-5) of the panel (e.g., the first panel 22 or the second panel 24 of FIGS. 4-5).

Where the coupler 26 includes one or more rails 36, the rails can have any suitable dimensions (e.g., they can be long, short, wide, thin, angled, straight, or otherwise configured) and any suitable shape (e.g., generally linear, contoured, polygonal, twisted, straight, broken, continuous, or any other shape). As a non-limiting example, FIGS. 2A-C show elongate rails having a height approximately equal to the height of a corresponding panel (e.g., a short rail can correspond to a short panel and a long rail can correspond to a long panel). This notwithstanding, in some embodiments, the rail is longer or shorter than the corresponding panel.

Some embodiments include one or more retainers 38. In such embodiments, the retainers can include any components or characteristics that are suitable for holding the panels 22 and 24 in place. For example, when a filler material is poured into the core cavity, the weight of the filler material could bias the panels further apart from one another, but some embodiments of the retainers are configured to prevent the panels from moving (or to reduce such movement). In some embodiments, one or more of the retainers include one or more J-shaped portions, L-shaped portions, T-shaped portions, barbs, anchors, angled portions, catches, double-J-shaped portions hooks, arrows, or any other suitable catches.

In some embodiments, the retainers 38 have a stalk portion and a protrusion, wherein at least part of the protrusion further curves or extends in a direction different from-and in some cases, at least somewhat parallel to-the stalk portion. In this regard, J-shaped retainers may be particularly useful for ensuring that the first panel 22 does not shift with respect to the second panel 24 (either laterally or away from/toward each other) when the filler material is poured into the core cavity 28. Indeed, in some cases, where retainers are used that do not have a protrusion extending backward with respect the stalk portion (e.g., some T-shaped or L-shaped retainers, as opposed to some J-shaped or double-J-shaped retainers), such retainers can sometimes bend (e.g., a T-shaped retainer could bend to somewhat resemble a Y-shaped retainer), which can cause the retainers to pull out of the panels in which they are anchored when there is an outward force on the panels (such as a force caused by the filler material in the core cavity). Accordingly, in some embodiments, it is advantageous to use a J-shaped, double-J-shaped, fish-retainer shaped, barbed, or otherwise configured retainer having a portion that extends back with respect to the stalk portion.

In some embodiments, the retainers 38 are configured to correspond with receptacles 46 formed in the panels 22 and 24 (e.g., a cross-sectional or end view of the retainers matches a cross-sectional or end view of the receptacles). By way of non-limiting illustration, FIG. 2C shows a coupler 26 having J-shaped retainers 38 configured to correspond to J-shaped receptacles, as shown in FIG. 5. That said, the retainers can couple to the panels 22 and 24 in any suitable manner, including through the use of one more adhesives, catches, pins, fasteners, mechanical engagements, or in any other suitable manner. Indeed, in some embodiments, before, while, or after the panels are properly positioned with respect to each other and to the coupler (e.g., the retainers are positioned within the receptacles or otherwise aligned with the panels), the retainers are more securely attached to the panels. For example, in some embodiments, the retainers are glued or otherwise secured with an adhesive to one or more of the panels. In some embodiments, adhesive is applied to the receptacles before the retainers are disposed within the receptacles. That said, in some embodiments, the retainers are nailed, screwed, welded, fused, tied, bonded, bolted, or otherwise connected to the panels.

Furthermore, the retainers 38 can be attached to the rails 36 in any suitable manner (e.g., by being integrally formed together; being bent or formed form the same material; or through one or more adhesives, fasteners, friction fits, welds, or any other attachment means). In some embodiments, the retainers are integrally formed with the rails as a single piece. By way of non-limiting illustration, FIG. 2C shows an embodiment in which the retainers and the rails are integrally formed together as J-shaped pieces.

In some embodiments of the coupler 26, the rails 36 are attached together via one or more connectors 40. The connectors can include any component configured to connect the rails together, such as one or more bars, rods, cables, boards, posts, cords, chains, rods, studs, elongated members, or any other connecting components. The connectors can have any suitable configuration and shape conducive to connecting the rails together (e.g., straight, hooked, bent, slanted, or otherwise configured to connect two or more rails). By way of non-limiting illustration, FIG. 2C shows a connector 40 with bent ends configured to catch on the rails 36 to form a stronger connection.

In some embodiments, the connectors 40 are integrally formed with the rails 36 as a single piece, whereas in some embodiments, the connectors are configured to attach (permanently, semi-permanently, or selectively) to the rails (in any suitable manner, such as through one or more adhesives, fasteners, friction fits, mechanical engagements, welds, or any other attachment means). By way of non-limiting illustration, FIGS. 2A-2C show an embodiment in which the rails 36 and retainers 38 are integrally formed together, and where the connectors 40 comprise separate pieces that connect the two rails (and their respective retainers) together. In some embodiments, however, the couplers 26 are integrally formed as monolithic components.

Where a coupler 26 includes multiple connectors 40, the connectors can be spaced in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, the connectors are touching or overlapping, whereas in some embodiments the connectors are spread out. In some cases, two or more of the connectors are separated by a gap of between 0.1 mm and 10 m (or any subrange thereof). For example, some embodiments of the coupler include connectors spaced between 0.15 m and 1.5 m apart.

In some embodiments, two or more connectors 40 run parallel to each other. That said, the connectors can be arranged in any suitable manner, including running at one or more intersecting angles, being slanted, running at a diagonal angle, crossing each other, or in any other suitable manner.

Additionally, where a stem wall assembly 20 includes multiple couplers 26, the couplers can be spaced in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, the couplers are touching or overlapping, whereas in some embodiments the couplers are spread out. In some cases, two or more of the couplers are separated by a gap of between 0.1 mm and 10 m (or any subrange thereof). For example, some embodiments of the wall assembly 20 include couplers spaced between 0.15 m and 1.5 m apart.

While the couplers 26 (and any part or parts thereof) can be formed of any construction material (e.g., wood, metal, glass, plastic, carbon fiber, polymer material, or any other suitable material), in some cases the couplers include metal (or one or more metal alloys), such as steel. Where metal couplers are used, some embodiments require less rebar to be used to comply with building code or to provide a satisfactorily durable and flexible wall assembly.

As shown in FIGS. 6-9, some embodiments of the stem wall assembly 20 include one or more reinforcement members 44. The reinforcement members can include any component for increasing the strength, durability, flexibility, structural integrity, or other desirable attributes of the stem wall (or footing). For example, some embodiments of the reinforcement members include one or more pieces of rebar, rebar assemblies, rods, bars, flat bars, posts, girders, beams, trusses, wires, cables, sheets, plates, or any other structural components. The reinforcement members can be used in any suitable manner, but in some embodiments, the reinforcement members are coupled to or rest on the couplers (e.g., by being connected to, resting on, abutting, or otherwise interfacing with the connectors or any other portion of the couplers), the panels, or any other portion of the stem wall assembly. By way of non-limiting illustration, FIGS. 6-9 show some embodiments in which rebar, flat bar, and other reinforcement members 44 are each used in connection with a stem wall assembly in the construction of a stem wall.

As mentioned, in addition to, or in place of forming stem walls, the described systems and methods can be used to form any other suitable structure, including footings. Indeed, as shown in FIGS. 10-12, some embodiments of the described systems and methods include a footing assembly 56. Similar to how some embodiments of the stem wall assembly 20 are used to form a stem wall, some embodiments of the footing assembly are configured to be used as a form to create footings (or other foundational elements). Accordingly, some embodiments of the footing assembly include one or more components that are analogous to one or more components of the stem wall assembly. For example, some embodiments of the footing assembly include one or more first footing panels 58. Some embodiments include one or more second footing panels 60. Such footing panels can have any of the characteristics or attributes of the first panel 22 or the second panel 24 of the stem wall assembly 20. For example, the footing panels can have any suitable dimensions to be used as a form for a footing (which can vary in size from one structure to another). In some cases, they optionally have a length approximately equivalent to a length of the stem wall assembly, whereas in some cases the length of the footing panels is longer or shorter than the panels of the stem wall assembly. While the footing panels can have any suitable height for forming a footing, in some cases they have a height between 10 cm and 1.5 m (or any subrange thereof).

The footing panels (e.g., panels 58 and 60) can be formed of any material suitable for use in a form for a footing, including any material that can be used in the panels 22 and 24 of the stem wall assembly 20, as discussed above. In some embodiments, the material includes an insulating foam material, such as EPS.

In some embodiments, the footing assembly 56 includes one or more features for receiving or otherwise mounting a stem wall assembly 20. While such features can include any attributes or characteristics of the wall assembly mount 48 of the stem wall assembly 20 as discussed above, some embodiments of such features optionally include one or more lips 62. While the lips can be disposed on the footing assembly at any position or orientation, in some embodiments the lips are positioned proximate (e.g., at or near) the top of one or more of the footing assembly panels (e.g., panels 58 and 60). In some embodiments, the lips of complementary panels (the first footing panel and the second footing panel) are configured to face each other, such that the stem wall assembly can be positioned between the footing assembly panels and held in place by the lips, as shown in FIG. 12. It also bears noting that the lips can have any suitable dimensions. Indeed, by varying the size of the lips, different sized footings or stem wall assemblies can be used. As one non-limiting example, some embodiments of the lips have a width (i.e., the distance between the wall of the panel and the end of the lip) of between 1 cm and 0.5 m, or any subrange thereof). Additionally, while FIG. 12 shows an embodiment in which the stem wall assembly 20 is configured to be placed along a central axis of the footing assembly 56, in some embodiments, the stem wall assembly is offset from a center of the footing assembly (e.g., one panel lacks a lip, the stem wall is closer to an outside edge of the footing assembly than it is to an inside edge, the stem wall is closer to an inside edge of the footing assembly than it is to an outside edge, etc.).

While the lips 62 or the upper edge of the panels (e.g., 22, 24, 58, or 60) can serve any additional function, in some embodiments, they function as a guide that allows a screed (or an object that is configured to smooth out, flatten, or true a surface) to slide and thereby flatten, level, cut, smooth, or otherwise finish or form the filler material. By way of non-limiting illustration, FIG. 13 shows that in some embodiments, a screed 100 can have one or more guides 102 that are configured to slide across a top portion of the panels (e.g., 22, 24, 58, or 60) and a blade or cutter 104 that is configured to fit in between the lips 62 or the upper edge of the panels to allow the cutter to provide the footing, stem wall, or other object with a desired shape or other suitable characteristic.

Again similar to the stem wall assembly 20, some embodiments of the footing assembly 56 include one or more footing couplers 64 configured to be disposed in one or more footing receptacles 66. Again, the footing couplers can have any of the features or characteristics of the couplers 26 of the stem wall assembly. For example, the footing couplers can have any suitable dimensions (including by being approximately the same length, shorter, or longer than the couplers). That said, in some embodiments the footing couplers are wider than the couplers in order to form a footing assembly that is wider than the stem wall assembly (and subsequently a footing that is wider than the stem wall). As with the couplers, the footing couplers can be coupled to the footing panels in any suitable manner, and insertion into the footing receptacles is a non-limiting example of how they can be coupled. Additionally, like the receptacles, the footing receptacles can be disposed at any orientation or angle (e.g., substantially vertical, substantially horizontal, tilted, angled, or otherwise disposed). Although the footing receptacles and footing couplers can be positioned substantially parallel to the receptacles and couplers (or at any other orientation with respect to the receptacles and couplers), in some embodiments the footing receptacles and footing couplers are positioned substantially perpendicular to receptacles and couplers.

The footing assembly 56 can be anchored to the ground (or any other suitable object) in any manner. For example, the footing assembly can be anchored via one or more stakes, weights, beams, adhesives, rebar assemblies, tracks 42, or any other anchoring mechanism. By way of non-limiting illustration, FIGS. 11-12 show some embodiments of the footing assembly 56 that include one or more stake receptacles 68. In some embodiments, stakes (or other anchors of any kind) can be driven into the ground (or another surface) and disposed within the stake receptacles. In some cases, the stakes are further coupled to the footing assembly (e.g., through use of one or more nails, screws, bolts, staples, eyelets, magnets, hook-and-loop fasteners, adhesives, welds, interference fits, friction fits, tongue-and-groove connections, snaps, ties, rivets, stakes, wire ties, or any other couplers). For example, in some embodiments anchors are driven through the stakes into the side of the footing assembly. Thus, in some embodiments, the panels (e.g., 58 and 60) of the footing assembly can be raised or lowered (e.g., to level the panels) by raising or lowering the stakes, by repositioning the panels with respect to one or more corresponding stakes, or in any other suitable manner.

Some embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods include one or more methods for forming a stem wall or footing. In this regard, any portion or portions of the methods described herein can be reordered, omitted, substituted with any other suitable action, performed in series, performed in parallel, or otherwise modified in any suitable manner. Moreover, some embodiments of the method include obtaining, forming, manufacturing, modifying, assembling, or otherwise providing or utilizing any of the components discussed herein (e.g., stem wall assemblies 20, footing assemblies 56, panels (e.g., 22, 24, 58, or 60), couplers 26, rails 36, retainers 38, connectors 40, core cavities 28, cores 30, fasteners 32, complementary fasteners 34, tracks 42, reinforcement members 44, receptacles 68, wall assembly mounts 48, footings, surfacing materials 52, supported structures, and any other suitable components for forming a stem wall or footing). That said, some embodiments of the method may include taking specific actions in specific manners or specific orders. Representative explanations of the methods are provided below, with reference generally to FIGS. 4-9 for illustrative purposes.

In some embodiments, the method includes preparing a site. In some embodiments, preparing the site includes one or more of clearing vegetation, leveling the ground, excavating, preparing footings, or otherwise preparing the site for construction of the stem wall. Indeed, in some embodiments, once the footing assembly is formed (e.g., the EPS is molded, cut, or otherwise formed), and the ground has been prepared, the method includes preparing footings. In some embodiments, this includes assembling a footing assembly 56. In some embodiments, assembling the footing assembly includes anchoring the footing assembly to a ground surface or another surface. In some cases, this includes driving stakes or other anchors into the ground surface, disposing the stakes within stake receptacles of the footing assembly panels, and anchoring the stakes to the footing assembly panels.

Some embodiments of assembling the footing assembly include disposing one or more couplers 26 within receptacles 46 of a first footing panel 58 and a second footing panel 60 (e.g., before, during, or after anchoring the stakes to the footing assembly panels).

In some embodiments, preparing the footing includes pouring the footing. In some cases, once one or more reinforcement members are optionally placed in the core cavity 28, this includes pouring concrete (or another cementitious material) into the cavity formed by the footing assembly. In some cases, after the concrete is poured, the concrete is screeded or otherwise levelled. While the concrete can be screeded to any suitable level, in some cases it is leveled to just below (or flush with a portion of) the lips of the footing assembly. Thus, the stem wall assembly can be placed on top of the concrete and disposed between the lips. In some embodiments, one or more J-bolts, hurricane straps, or any other suitable objects are also added to the filler before the filler hardens to form the footing. In some embodiments,

In this regard, some embodiments of the method include forming or otherwise obtaining one or more stem wall assemblies 20. Some embodiments of the stem wall assembly include one or more first panels 22, one or more second panels 24, and one or more couplers 26. In some embodiments, forming the stem wall assembly includes coupling multiple first panels together and multiple second panels together, such that the stem wall assembly has a length approximately equal to a desired length of the stem wall. In some cases, the stem wall assembly is formed along an open perimeter or a closed perimeter (e.g., of a building or another structure). In some cases, the first panel is positioned to become a part of an exterior-facing wall (although in some cases, it is positioned to become a part of an interior-facing wall, or even a part of a wall that is not divided into exterior-facing and interior-facing sides, such as a garden wall).

In some embodiments, the method includes coupling the stem wall assembly 20 to one or more footings or footing assemblies 56. This coupling can be accomplished in any suitable manner, such as by attaching the stem wall assembly to the footings via one or more tracks 42, adhesives, fasteners, friction fits, welds, cementitious materials, or in any other suitable manner. In some embodiments, the stem wall assembly is simply placed on top of the footings and later joined to the footings through the addition of a filler material (such as concrete) in the core cavity, which can adhere to the footings and to the stem wall assembly. In some embodiments, the stem wall assembly is coupled to a footing assembly (before, during, or after pouring the footings using the footing assembly). In some embodiments, however, one or more tracks are coupled to the footing (e.g., via one or more nails, bolts, anchors disposed in the footings, or in any other manner), and the panels 22 and 24 are placed in or otherwise coupled to the tracks.

In some embodiments, forming the stem wall assembly 20 includes joining the first panel 22 to the second panel 24 using one or more couplers 26 such that the first panel is separated from the second panel by a core cavity 28 (or, where multiple first panels and multiple second panels are used, such that each first panel is separated from a corresponding second panel by the core cavity). As discussed above, some embodiments of the coupler include one or more first rails 36 (in some cases having one or more first retainers 38), one or more second rails (in some cases having one or more second retainers), and one or more connectors coupling the first rail to the second rail. Additionally, some embodiments of the panels include one or more receptacles 46 for receiving the rails. Accordingly, some embodiments of the method include joining the first panel to the second panel using the coupler by slidingly inserting the first rail into a receptacle of the first panel and inserting the second rail into a receptacle of the second panel. Some embodiments include applying an adhesive (e.g., to the receptacle before inserting the corresponding rail) to further strengthen the connection between the coupler and the panels.

In some embodiments, the method includes filling the core cavity 28 with a filler material. Some embodiments further include allowing the filler material to cure, thereby forming a core 30 integral with the stem wall assembly 20. In some embodiments, a height of the first panel is greater than a height of the second panel. In some such embodiments, filling the core cavity with the filler material includes filling the core cavity at least to the height of the second panel. In some embodiments, filling the core cavity includes filling it at least to the height of the first panel. That said, some embodiments include filling it at least to the height of the second panel, but not to the height of the first panel (e.g., the height of the core is at least as great as the height of the second panel but less than the height of the first panel). By way of non-limiting illustration, FIG. 6 shows an embodiment in which a part of the stem wall assembly's core cavity is filled to the height of the first panel 22 and a part is filled to the height of the second panel 24. FIG. 8 shows an embodiment in which the core extends to the height of the second panel 24.

In some embodiments, the method includes coupling a wall assembly to the stem wall assembly such that a core cavity 28 of the wall assembly 20 is in fluid communication with the core cavity of the stem wall assembly 56 (e.g., so that the wall assembly can be joined to the stem wall assembly by filling the joint core cavity with a filler material and allowing the filler material to cure). For clarity, the wall assembly may be coupled to the stem wall assembly at any time (e.g., before, during, or after the filler material in the core cavity of the stem wall assembly has been poured or has cured).

As shown generally by FIG. 7, some embodiments of the method include applying a surfacing material 52 to the stem wall assembly. Although the surfacing material can be applied to any portion of the stem wall assembly, some embodiments include applying the surfacing material to a surface of at least one of the first panel 22 and the second panel 24. As stated above, the surfacing material can be any surfacing material, but in some cases, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 7, the surfacing material includes concrete. In some embodiments, the surfacing material is applied to the entire surface of the panel, whereas in some embodiments, it is only applied to part of the surface.

As shown generally by FIG. 9, some embodiments of the method include forming a supported structure 54. While the supported structure can include any structure supported at least in part by the stem wall (e.g., a floor, a wall, a ceiling, a driveway, a garage, or any other structure or surface that could be supported by a stem wall), in some embodiments the supported structure includes a floor. While the supported structure can be supported by or otherwise associated with the stem wall in any suitable manner (e.g., by resting on or being anchored to all of or any part of the stem wall), in some cases the supported structure rests on the second panel and the concrete core while abutting the first panel (e.g., forming a configuration like the one shown in FIG. 9).

The described systems and methods can be modified in any suitable manner. To illustrate, while many of the components herein are described as being able to be formed of any suitable material, it is worth noting that the components can also comprise any suitable gauge of material. For example, in embodiments where the coupler is formed of steel, the steel can be any suitable gauge of steel (e.g., between 7 and 28, or any other suitable gauge). Another possible modification is to use panel components to form a portion of a stem wall assembly in a T-shape, a plus-shape, or another type of branching assembly in order to form a branching stem wall.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the stem wall assembly 20 or the footing assembly is formed in a ring, such that filler is not able to leak out of an end of the respective assembly. In some embodiments, however, the stem wall assembly or the footing assembly comprise one or more end caps that prevent the filler from leaking out the assembly before the filler hardens.

In addition to the aforementioned features, the described systems and methods can include any other suitable feature. For example, in some cases, use of the stem wall assembly results in a stem wall that has better insulation than traditional stem walls. Additionally, in some embodiments, the resulting stem wall is lighter and stronger than traditional stem walls. In some embodiments, the stem wall withstands forces better than or differently than other stem walls. In some embodiments, the stem wall assembly can be moved more easily than other structural components having similar characteristics. Indeed, as the couplers can, in accordance with some embodiments, be selectively coupled to or removed from the panels for transport, the assemblies can be transported without the core cavities being formed. Thus, panels can be placed face-to-face, or back-to-back and more panels can be packed in a desired location (e.g., trailer) than would be possible if the core cavities were formed. Moreover, some embodiments of the stem wall assembly and footing assembly are easier to assemble than are other assemblies (e.g., due to the lightness of some of the materials that can be used in some embodiments, the modular nature of the components of some embodiments, the limited amount of filler material used in some embodiments, and other features relating to the characteristics and assembly of the stem wall assembly). In some cases, the stem wall can be placed on the footing while the footing is still “green” or hardening.

Any and all of the components in the FIGS., embodiments, implementations, instances, cases, methods, applications, iterations, and other parts of this disclosure can be combined in any suitable manner. Additionally, any component can be removed, separated from other components, modified with or without modification of like components, or otherwise altered together or separately from anything else disclosed herein. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, “the” and other singular references include plural referents, and plural references include the singular, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, reference to a panel includes reference to one or more panels, and reference to studs includes reference to one or more studs. In addition, where reference is made to a list of elements (e.g., elements a, b, and c), such reference is intended to include any one of the listed elements by itself, any combination of less than all of the listed elements, and/or a combination of all of the listed elements. Moreover, the term “or” by itself is not exclusive (and therefore may be interpreted to mean “and/or”) unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Furthermore, the terms “including”, “having”, “such as”, “for example”, “e.g.”, and any similar terms are not intended to limit the disclosure, and may be interpreted as being followed by the words “without limitation”.

In addition, as the terms “on”, “disposed on”, “attached to”, “connected to”, “coupled to”, etc. are used herein, one object (e.g., a material, element, structure, member, etc.) can be on, disposed on, attached to, connected to, or otherwise coupled to another object-regardless of whether the one object is directly on, attached, connected, or coupled to the other object, or whether there are one or more intervening objects between the one object and the other object. Also, directions (e.g., “front”, “back”, “on top of”, “below”, “above”, “top”, “bottom”, “side”, “up”, “down”, “under”, “over”, “upper”, “lower”, “lateral”, “right-side”, “left-side”, “base”, etc.), if provided, are relative and provided solely by way of example and for ease of illustration and discussion and not by way of limitation.

The described systems and methods may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from their spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments, examples, and illustrations are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the described systems and methods is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. Moreover, any component and characteristic from any embodiments, examples, and illustrations set forth herein can be combined in any suitable manner with any other components or characteristics from one or more other embodiments, examples, and illustrations described herein.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING STEM WALLS AND INTEGRATED FORMS THEREFOR

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