2 - Introduction to nonconventional materials and an historic retrospective of the field

Abstract

The understanding of sustainability in building construction has undergone changes over the years. First, attention of specialists was directed toward the topic of limited resources, especially energy and its impact on the natural environment. Now, emphasis is placed on technical issues such as materials, building components, construction technologies and energy-related design concepts, as well as on nontechnical issues such as economic and social sustainability. The pursuit of sustainable development as defined by Brundtland et al. in 1987 as ‘development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’ has become a major issue when trying to meet the challenge of providing proper housing for an increasing world population. To increase understanding of sustainable materials, also known as nonconventional materials and technologies using organic materials, which are used either alone or as reinforcement in different types of matrices such as soil, cement and polymers, many research programmes summarized in this book have been carried out all over the globe. Indigenously available local materials such as bamboo, vegetables fibers, soil, quick lime and nonconventional cement mortar materials are used in the production of new structural elements. Bamboo is applied in space structures, corrugated sheets made of cement mortar composites, soil–fibre composites for load-bearing walls and concrete elements are reinforced with organic fibers such as sisal, jute, curauá, pupunia, piassava and coconut fibers.