Concrete foundation wall with a low density core and carbon fiber and steel reinforcement

Abstract

A fabricated concrete foundation wall is provided with a plurality of insulation panels and reinforcing ribs to improve strength and reduce the density of the wall panel. The foundation wall panels are easily placed and interconnected together to quickly provide a foundation adapted to support the main walls of a home, for example. The foundation panels in one embodiment generally include a facewall that may have at least one carbon fiber band positioned horizontally therethrough to provide additional stiffness.

1 . An insulative wall panel comprising: 
 a concrete exterior face wall having an upper edge, a lower edge, and lateral edges therebetween, said face wall having at least one carbon fiber strip extending between said lateral edges;    a plurality of ribs extending from said concrete exterior face wall, wherein said plurality of ribs are reinforced with a reinforcing rod and are interconnected to said concrete exterior face wall with a carbon fiber stirrup; and    a plurality of insulation panels placed adjacent to a plurality of ribs, thereby providing a lightweight, strong and highly insulative foundation wall panel.    
   
   
       2 . The insulative wall panel of  claim 1 , further comprising a footer on said lower edge; and 
 a bearing pad for engagement with a building foundation interconnected adjacent to said lower edge of said face wall.    
   
   
       3 . The insulative wall panel of  claim 1 , wherein said carbon fiber strip is tensioned during concrete placement so that the exterior facewall is in compression after fabrication.