scholarly journals Development of methods to measure the potential of a plaster to regulate indoor humidity

Author(s):  
Kiyomi D Lim ◽  
Daniel Maskell

Moisture buffering utilises hygroscopic construction materials as a more sustainable approach to passively moderate indoor humidity. This study seeks to develop a reproducible test method to obtain a moisture buffering value of common building materials under conditions that reflect typical indoor environmental conditions. Temperature and humidity variations in sinusoidal profiles for two different materials, typically used to finish internal surfaces, have been studied to identify their potential moisture regulation behaviour. Outcomes were then combined and ranked indicating the potential of materials to passively regulate the indoor humidity and the need for robust methods of investigation. Practical application: In response to current practice and materials’ testing procedures, a reproducible test method is considered to enable comprehensive understanding of a hydroscopic materials’ behaviour, where subsequent interpretation of their performance can be quantified. The practicality to consider the use of passive regulation using hygroscopic materials can then be justified to bring indoor RH closer to the optimal range without heavy reliance on mechanical solutions, achieving a more effective passive indoor climate monitoring. It is expected that the outcome of this investigation can potentially form the basis of further improvement on a standardised test method to obtain moisture buffering value of hygroscopic non-structural elements for pragmatic application during design integration process.

2020 ◽  
Vol 172 ◽  
pp. 07009
Author(s):  
Yumeng Cui ◽  
Yufeng Zhang ◽  
Huihui Zhao ◽  
Xue Lin

Moisture excess or lack in buildings has many adverse effects on human health, structural durability and building energy consumption, and moisture design for building materials is an important and efficient measurement for creating a stable indoor climate. However, the current quick test method (e.g., moisture buffer value test) can only evaluate the materials' moisture buffering abilities roughly, and the advanced numerical prediction method (e.g., using HAM models) is hardly applicable in practices due to insufficient materials’ hygrothermal properties and its long computing time. EMPD model can calculate with less input parameters and short time without sacrificing accuracy. While this paper found existing EMPD has limited application conditions, and further proposed modified multilayer EMPD model. A new approach can be applied to identify and predict the moisture performances of building materials. In this paper, two typical building materials with diverse hygric properties were simulated. Their key parameters of the modified model was easily inversed by a 24h standard box test instead of several months of material hygrothermal properties tests, based on which, the materials' actual performances under various conditions can be predicted. The presented approach was validated by comparing the numerical predictions with HAM results in the corresponding conditions. This study provides an easy and fast way to test and predict the moisture performances of building materials and indoor moisture in practices.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subandi

This is the standard method of tensile strength test for split concrete cylindrical specimens issued by the Indonesian National Standard Board (SNI) of the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) on "The tensile strength test method of cylindrical concrete specimens" is a revision of SNI 03-2491-2002, Testing methods the tensile strength of concrete. This standard is the result of identical adoption of ASTM C496 / C496M-04, Standard Test Method for Splitting Tensile Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens. This standard was prepared by the 91-01 Technical Committee on Building Construction Materials and Civil Engineering through the Building Materials Working Group on the 91-01-S4 Technical Sub-Committee on Building Materials, Science and Construction. The writing procedures are compiled following the BSN Guideline Number 8 of 2007 and have been discussed in a consensus meeting on June 3, 2013, in Bandung, by a Technical Sub-Committee involving speakers, experts, and related institutions.


2018 ◽  
Vol 149 ◽  
pp. 02001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan Vyncke ◽  
Laura Kupers ◽  
Nicolas Denies

This paper presents an overview of the different earth building techniques, the latest innovations and the normative aspects. The oldest man made earth constructions known to exist date back to 10 000 BC. Since then, earth has remained a popular building material throughout history. With time, different techniques evolved, starting from sundried adobe blocks to cob constructions, rammed earth walls and compressed earth bricks. Today these techniques are still being optimized and alternative binders, specifically adapted admixtures and surface treatments are being developed. Even though nearly one third of the world’s population lives in an earth construction, few specific building standards and testing methods exist. Many of the tests used today are based on tests for concrete and thus do not take into account the complex nature of earth constructions, such as their sensitivity to water. RILEM, the union of Laboratories and Experts in Construction Materials, Systems and Structures, set up a new Technical Committee in 2016: TC TCE (Testing and Characterisation of Earth-based building materials and elements). This committee, consisting of an international group of experts on the topic, aim to define testing procedures for earth as a building construction material. To end with, this paper also gives a short introduction to “Deep soil mixing”, an “earth” building technique dedicated to geotechnical engineering.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 2756
Author(s):  
Federica Vitale ◽  
Maurizio Nicolella

Because the production of aggregates for mortar and concrete is no longer sustainable, many attempts have been made to replace natural aggregates (NA) with recycled aggregates (RA) sourced from factories, recycling centers, and human activities such as construction and demolition works (C&D). This article reviews papers concerning mortars with fine RA from C&D debris, and from the by-products of the manufacturing and recycling processes of building materials. A four-step methodology based on searching, screening, clustering, and summarizing was proposed. The clustering variables were the type of aggregate, mix design parameters, tested properties, patents, and availability on the market. The number and the type of the clustering variables of each paper were analysed and compared. The results showed that the mortars were mainly characterized through their physical and mechanical properties, whereas few durability and thermal analyses were carried out. Moreover, few fine RA were sourced from the production waste of construction materials. Finally, there were no patents or products available on the market. The outcomes presented in this paper underlined the research trends that are useful to improve the knowledge on the suitability of fine RA from building-related processes in mortars.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (13) ◽  
pp. 3549
Author(s):  
Tulane Rodrigues da Silva ◽  
Afonso Rangel Garcez de Azevedo ◽  
Daiane Cecchin ◽  
Markssuel Teixeira Marvila ◽  
Mugahed Amran ◽  
...  

The urbanization process contributes to the growth of solid waste generation and causes an increase in environmental impacts and failures in the management of solid waste. The number of dumps is a concern due to the limited implementation and safe disposal of this waste. The interest in sustainable techniques has been growing in relation to waste management, which is largely absorbed by the civil construction sector. This work aimed to review plastic waste, especially polyethylene terephthalate (PET), that can be incorporated with construction materials, such as concrete, mortars, asphalt mixtures, and paving. The use of life-cycle assessment (LCA) is related, as a tool that allows the sustainability of products and processes to be enhanced in the long term. After analyzing the recent literature, it was identified that studies related to plastic wastes in construction materials concentrate sustainability around the alternative destination of waste. Since the plastic waste from different production chains are obtained, it was possible to affirm the need for a broader assessment, such as the LCA, providing greater quantification of data making the alternative processes and products more sustainable. The study contributes to enhance sustainability in alternative building materials through LCA.


Buildings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 82
Author(s):  
Salmabanu Luhar ◽  
Demetris Nicolaides ◽  
Ismail Luhar

Even though, an innovative inorganic family of geopolymer concretes are eye-catching potential building materials, it is quite essential to comprehend the fire and thermal resistance of these structural materials at a very high temperature and also when experiencing fire with a view to make certain not only the safety and security of lives and properties but also to establish them as more sustainable edifice materials for future. The experimental and field observations of degree of cracking, spalling and loss of strength within the geopolymer concretes subsequent to exposure at elevated temperature and incidences of occurrences of disastrous fires extend an indication of their resistance against such severely catastrophic conditions. The impact of heat and fire on mechanical attributes viz., mechanical-compressive strength, flexural behavior, elastic modulus; durability—thermal shrinkage; chemical stability; the impact of thermal creep on compressive strength; and microstructure properties—XRD, FTIR, NMR, SEM as well as physico-chemical modifications of geopolymer composites subsequent to their exposures at elevated temperatures is reviewed in depth. The present scientific state-of-the-art review manuscript aimed to assess the fire and thermal resistance of geopolymer concrete along with its thermo-chemistry at a towering temperature in order to introduce this novel, most modern, user and eco-benign construction materials as potentially promising, sustainable, durable, thermal and fire-resistant building materials promoting their optimal and apposite applications for construction and infrastructure industries.


2019 ◽  
Vol 289 ◽  
pp. 05004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana-Maria Mircea

Negative effects of environmental pollution pose a significant risk to agriculture, water resources and human health. This can however be reduced by selecting appropriate materials in construction and landscape architecture. It is well-known that strong sunlight or ultraviolet light decomposes many organic materials in a slow natural process. Photocatalytic substances accelerate this process and when used in concrete (which is one of the most widely used construction materials), permit the treatment of pollutants close to their source by applying a self-cleaning principle: decomposing organic materials, biological materials and pollutants into molecules like oxygen, water, carbon dioxide, nitrates, and sulphates. Catalytic material activation will start due to energy that is received from sunlight (it also can be activated using artificial lights), and self-cleaning begins when this material is activated. Beside other properties, this innovative self-cleaning concrete also keeps its colour for far longer than other traditional building materials, making it a desirable solution for landscaping applications.


1993 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
John F. Swigart ◽  
Arthur G. Erdman ◽  
Patrick J. Cain

A new method for quantifying shoe cushioning durability was developed. This method used a computer-controlled, closed-loop materials testing system to subject the shoes to force-time profiles that were indicative of running. The change in the magnitude of the maximum energy absorbed by a shoe and the change in the magnitude of the energy balance of the shoe were quantified after the shoe had been worn running for a given distance. A shoe that changed very little in these quantities had a small energy wear factor and was deemed to have durable cushioning. The test method was roughly validated through comparison of three shoes of different midsole constructions with known relative durabilities. The shoes were tested at four simulated running speeds for energy properties when they were new and after they were run in for 161 km. The relative durabilities of the tested shoes were consistent with expectations based on the shoes' materials and constructions, showing that the new method has promise in predicting shoe cushioning durability, and thus more complete studies of the method may prove useful.


Author(s):  
N.I. Konstantinova ◽  
◽  
N.V. Smirnov ◽  
O.V. Krivoshapkina ◽  
O.I. Molchadskiy ◽  
...  

Fiber cement finishing materials are widely used in the construction of industrial buildings and structures due to the complex of valuable operational properties. In the Russian market there are fiber-cement panels with a variety of design solutions for their coloring and application of protective coatings. Fiber cement board is a strong and moisture-resistant composite material made from a cement-sand mixture, reinforcing cellulose fibers and special additives. Not being a non-combustible material, the fiber cement boards in accordance with the current mandatory requirements, as a decorative, finishing and facing material for walls and ceilings have restrictions on their use. Existing domestic requirements regarding the methodology for assessing the combustibility of fiber cement products largely narrow the field of using these materials. Therefore, it is advisable to develop the proposals for amending the test methods and the regulatory framework governing their fire-safe extended scope. In the course of this work execution, the main provisions of the regulatory and methodological framework that establish the requirements for the fire-safe use of fiber cement materials are analyzed. Experimental complex studies of fire hazard properties of various types of samples of the fiber cement finishing panels and slabs were carried out. It is established that fiber-cement materials belong to the class of the least fire-hazardous materials. Advisability is determined concerning the introduction to the national regulatory practice of GOST R «Building materials. Test method for fire hazard under thermal exposure with a single burner (SBI)». Classification parameters of the group of non-combustible materials NG2 were established to amend GOST R 57270—2016 (method 1). Classification parameters of the group of non-combustible materials NG2 for making changes in GOST R 57270—2016 (method 1) are established. Proposals were developed to expand the scope of application of the materials and products made of fiber cement as enclosing structures, partitions, and decorative finishes (cladding) in the buildings and structures.


2019 ◽  
Vol 964 ◽  
pp. 115-123
Author(s):  
Sigit Tri Wicaksono ◽  
Hosta Ardhyananta ◽  
Amaliya Rasyida ◽  
Feisha Fadila Rifki

Plastic waste is majority an organic material that cannot easily decomposed by bacteria, so it needs to be recycled. One of the utilization of plastic waste recycling is become a mixture in the manufacture of building materials such as concrete, paving block, tiles, roof. This experiment purpose to find out the effect of addition of variation of LDPE and PP thermoplastic binder to physical and mechanical properties of LDPE/PP/Sand composite for construction material application. In this experiment are using many tests, such are SEM, FTIR, compression strength, density, water absorbability, and hardness. the result after the test are the best composition of composite PP/LDPE/sand is 70/0/30 because its have compression strength 14,2 MPa, while density value was 1.30 g/cm3, for the water absorbability is 0.073%, and for the highest hardness is 62.3 hardness of shore D. From the results obtained, composite material can be classified into construction materials for mortar application S type with average compression strength is 12.4 MPa.


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