Anyone familiar with the Solid Pool system?

[RubiconValley]

Hi, I'm building an 82 x 12 pool in Portola Valley, CA 94028 and just came across the Solid Pool system: http://solidpoolus.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Solid-Pool-Assembly-Instructions.pdf
It reads very similar to how concrete is poured using wooden forms, only instead of wood forms, they use a "construction block system" that serves as both scaffolding and form, and remains embedded in the concrete once poured. They bill it as a cheaper and faster way to build a concrete pool. I wasn't able to find anything in the TFP archives about this system. Can anyone speak to it? It almost sounds too good to be true--build a pool in 3 days?!
UK site (a bit easier to skim): systems
US site: Product Info - Solid Pool US

 

[cowboycasey]

Welcome to TFP

So my neighbors house is built with a system almost exactly like this.. The concrete is poured in between the blocks and it is VERY energy efficient... I could not find a price on any of the sites I looked at this morning, have you talked to them and asked for prices? It is basically using forms that stay there instead of removing them.. Another member this summer built a form pool and it turned out great but he used 2x4's and plywood and then removed it all afterwards..

I have thought about doing exactly the same thing as it would be easy and not require a gunite or shotcrete trained team just a couple guys with a boom truck and concrete being delivered... just pour the base and then build the walls and pour the walls, skimcoat it and apply plaster or tile the complete pool and fill with water..

 

[RubiconValley]

Thank you, I am thrilled to have stumbled on TFP--I have much to learn from everyone.
I just spoke with Bob at All Island Group--it appears they are the only ones to carry this particular system in the US. Approximate price for the "building blocks" for an 82x12 foot pool up to 6 foot depth is $12,000+freight.
The benefit, according to him, is that you can use traditional concrete instead of shotcrete--so there is a savings in materials, and labor. Do you have a sense of how this compares to the price of shotcrete?

Welcome to TFP

So my neighbors house is built with a system almost exactly like this.. The concrete is poured in between the blocks and it is VERY energy efficient... I could not find a price on any of the sites I looked at this morning, have you talked to them and asked for prices? It is basically using forms that stay there instead of removing them.. Another member this summer built a form pool and it turned out great but he used 2x4's and plywood and then removed it all afterwards..

I have thought about doing exactly the same thing as it would be easy and not require a gunite or shotcrete trained team just a couple guys with a boom truck and concrete being delivered... just pour the base and then build the walls and pour the walls, skimcoat it and apply plaster or tile the complete pool and fill with water..

 

[Neto]

Thank you, I am thrilled to have stumbled on TFP--I have much to learn from everyone.
I just spoke with Bob at All Island Group--it appears they are the only ones to carry this particular system in the US. Approximate price for the "building blocks" for an 82x12 foot pool up to 6 foot depth is $12,000+freight.
The benefit, according to him, is that you can use traditional concrete instead of shotcrete--so there is a savings in materials, and labor. Do you have a sense of how this compares to the price of shotcrete?

Where I live traditional concrete (3000 psi) is about $86 / yard... Shotcrete material starts at $160 / yard but its a lot stronger, I was told in the 5000-6000psi range.. My pool took 28 yards to pour and its 12x30 and a 3.5-6' deep. The difference in cost is about $2000 and this is not counting the rental of the pump for shotcrete, it is different than the one for regular concrete since it needs air pressure.

 

[Dave Z]

I’ve seen this done with ICF’s, insulated concrete forms, Fox Blocks is one brand, I used them to build my house.
Super eco. Super light and easy to stack.
Lay in rebar as you go.
Brace as necessary, depending on height.
Then pump 3-4,000 psi concrete in the middle.

 

[RubiconValley]

Very useful info, thank you--particularly the difference in strength between traditional concrete and shotcrete. Bob did emphasize that he would not go beyond a max of 7.5 foot deep with the building blocks (and at that depth, 2 pours would be required). Apparently, there's a max of 6 foot depth for a single pour.

Where I live traditional concrete (3000 psi) is about $86 / yard... Shotcrete material starts at $160 / yard but its a lot stronger, I was told in the 5000-6000psi range.. My pool took 28 yards to pour and its 12x30 and a 3.5-6' deep. The difference in cost is about $2000 and this is not counting the rental of the pump for shotcrete, it is different than the one for regular concrete since it needs air pressure.

 

[RubiconValley]

Fascinating. I wonder why this is not a more common building means for pools? Especially in parts of the country where labor costs are sky high. Thank you for sharing!

I’ve seen this done with ICF’s, insulated concrete forms, Fox Blocks is one brand, I used them to build my house.
Super eco. Super light and easy to stack.
Lay in rebar as you go.
Brace as necessary, depending on height.
Then pump 3-4,000 psi concrete in the middle.