Building Construction Materials Research Articles

Building Energy Management Using Building Information Modeling: Evaluation of Building Components and Construction Materials

Building Energy Management Using Building Information Modeling: Evaluation of Building Components and Construction Materials

Characterization of Coal Combustion Products from Malaysian Power Plant for Building Materials Applications

Coal combustion by Products (CCPs) are produced during coal combustion in the process of electric generation. Without proper handling system, this will cause serious problems towards human and environmental. Nevertheless, with proper treatment, these ashes are applicable in many areas specially building construction materials. Coal Bottom Ash, Coal Fly Ash and Cenosphere are three main wastes produced from power plant. The aim of this study is to determine the characteristics of samples collected from different parts of Malaysia Power Plant. Characterization testing involved included surface morphology, chemical composition (oxides), chemical components, amorphousness, and particle size distribution testing. From this study, CBA have more angular-shaped particles compared to CFA which is smoother surface morphology. However, Cenosphere shown the most uniform and spherical shaped particles. EDS testing shown Existing CBA have highest Carbon content (46%) while Cenosphere is lowest (11.38%). The percentage oxides contents for all samples demonstrate more than 70% of Total SiO2 + Al2O3 + Fe2O3. Hence, all ashes considered as Class F (pozzolanic). CBA, SFA, CFA and cenosphere has significantly more amorphous phases of silica and alumina, and this will increase the concrete strength. Due to agglomeration of ashes on ash pond, the cumulative PSDs results shown that the particle size of the existing sample obtained larger than the new sample. Minimum particles size of SFA (New Dry) is 2 µm while SFA (Existing 2) is 20 µm. From characteristic determination above, it shown that each type of ashes has its own uniqueness and capability to be applied wide range of applications.

Consciousness and Prospects of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) Blocks for Wall Construction: Comparative Study Nigeria and South Africa

Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Block (AACB) is a viable, sustainable walling material for building projects but has not been given the attention it deserves in developing countries. To increase the usage of AACB on building projects, this study examines the consciousness and prospects for its use in Nigeria and South Africa. The objectives are (i) to evaluate the degree of knowledge about AACB, (ii) the variants in Nigeria and South Africa, and to assess the likelihood of adopting AACB in Nigeria—the study centres on Lagos and five provinces in South Africa. Lagos was chosen in Nigeria because the State is the only place in Nigeria where AAC blocks have been used. A total of 145 questionnaires were administered to professionals who had been involved in AAC projects. In contrast, 17 South African respondents familiar with AACB in construction projects were polled online using Google Forms. Convenience and snowball sampling procedures were used for construction professionals in both countries. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. Statistics such as percentages and mean scores were explored using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Mann-Whitney U test. Findings indicate that construction professionals in Nigeria know very little about 19 of the 20 documented AACBs. However, the South African professionals are very knowledgeable about AACB grade 42.5 OPC and AACB of AP/RHA and fully aware of AACB with grade 52.5 OPC, though they know nothing about the Bamboo Leaf Ash (BLA) AACB. This means that Nigerian professionals have a moderate stance on using AACB. The study concludes that South African Builders are more aware of AACB and its variants than Nigeria. This implies that AACB manufacturing in Nigeria would not thrive in the construction market due to poor patronage since patronage is directly related to product awareness. The study, therefore, suggests that building construction professionals should increase their understanding of AACB through continuous development training, workshops, and seminars on environmentally friendly building materials. Another suggestion is for consultants, clients, developers, contractors, governments, and research institutions to continuously conduct research and embrace findings on the AACB and new building construction materials regarding usage, wear, tears and durability.

Architectural Characterization of Hongjialou Catholic Church in Jinan

This paper focuses on the Hongjialou Catholic Church in Jinan, China. Hongjialou Catholic Church was designed by Italian Brother Poncieri. It is one of the larger Catholic churches in Jinan. It occupies an important position in modern Chinese religious architecture. This paper will use the field research method, literature analysis method, comparative analysis method, and chart enumeration method to analyze the Hongjialou Catholic Church in terms of its construction background, plan layout, facade style, decorative decoration and building materials, structure, etc. in terms of culture, art, and other aspects. To further demonstrate the rules of decorative construction of typical Western Gothic church buildings, compare Hongjialou Catholic Church with Western churches, and study the influence of localization on the facade and interior space decoration and ornamentation of Western churches. And through the comparison with other Chinese modern Catholic churches, it is concluded that the localization influence of Hongjialou Catholic Church is not significant, which will help the subsequent in-depth study of Hongjialou Catholic Church in terms of artistic achievement and historical and cultural value.

The impacts of future sectoral change on the greenhouse gas emissions of construction materials for Swiss residential buildings

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a comprehensive method for evaluating building sustainability. However, most studies have relied on generic or national LCA databases, overlooking the systematic consideration of future scenarios and sectoral developments due to data and tool constraints. Moreover, there's a gap in providing a standardized workflow for such evaluations and understanding their impact on the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of buildings on a national level. Addressing these gaps, our study incorporates scenarios from two Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs), considering the future developments of the electricity, cement, and steel sectors, to assess embodied GHG emissions of Swiss residential buildings from 2015 to 2055. Our findings reveal that incorporating these future considerations can lead up to a 25% GHG emissions reduction by 2055 compared to 2015, primarily due to GHG emission reductions in concrete and brick as a result of these considerations. This is much less than the emissions reduction potential of some specific construction materials and far from the goal of net zero. It also underscores the importance of exploring alternative strategies for net-zero GHG emissions at the building stock level. Consequently, we present reproducible workflows using open-source tools and future versions of the Swiss national building LCA databases, offering a blueprint for similar future studies in other countries.

RADON RISK ASSESSMENT IN THE SOUTH DAYI DISTRICT OF THE VOLTA REGION, GHANA: A COMPREHENSIVE INVESTIGATION

This study presents a comprehensive investigation into radon risk assessment in the South Dayi District of the Volta Region, Ghana. Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, poses potential health risks when present in high concentrations, particularly in indoor environments. The research methodology involves measuring radon levels in various residential and commercial buildings across the district using state-of-the-art detection techniques. Additionally, factors such as geological characteristics, building construction materials, and indoor ventilation systems are analyzed to assess their influence on radon concentrations. The findings provide valuable insights into the extent of radon exposure in the South Dayi District and contribute to the development of mitigation strategies to safeguard public health. This study underscores the importance of proactive measures to mitigate radon risks and protect residents in radon-prone regions such as the Volta Region of Ghana.

Flexural strength evaluation of Persian clay brick masonry with gypsum mortar

This paper addresses the imperative need for understanding the mechanical properties of clay brick masonry with gypsum mortar, the primary construction material in Persian historical buildings, to facilitate accurate restoration efforts. Given the constraints of heritage preservation, destructive tests on large-scale specimens are unfeasible. As a viable alternative, this research employs scaled-down specimens to investigate the flexural strength. For the first time, Persian clay brick masonry with gypsum mortar assemblages have been tested at three scales of 1:2, 1:4 and 1:6 to determine the flexural strength. The paper introduces new relationships between the flexural strength of brick masonry and brick size. Furthermore, it establishes a correlation between the flexural strength of the brick masonry specimens and the flexural strengths of both the brick and the gypsum mortar. Additionally, some specimens incorporate cement mortar instead of gypsum mortar for result comparison. The obtained results reveal the profound influence of mortar type and thickness, along with brick dimensions, on flexural strength. The flexural strength of brick masonry increases with decreasing brick size. By reducing the size of bricks, the ratio of compressive strength to flexural strength decreases, offering key insights for restoration efforts.

Thermal Imaging Used in Building Thermal Evaluation

Abstract Constructors have always tried to use optimal building construction materials to have an energetically efficient building. It was determined that by insulating a building, the energy efficiency increases, but what about the efficiency of the used materials? Of course, every material comes with specific characteristics, but those characteristics are determined in a controlled environment. In our research we tried to determine that those material characteristics are the same when the material is used in a real environment. In this regard, we approached thermal imaging and data was processed using the flir-image-extractor-cli module in Python and FLIR Thermal Studio. Both image and data processing were grouped in specific scenarios, indoor and outdoor, for each insulation material. So, when comparing the temperature difference, we found that the contrast was influenced by the shooting angle and the reflections from the window. Furthermore, we can conclude that imaging, in terms of quantitative and qualitative temperature assessment for energy evaluation of a building, clearly demonstrates the value of the procedure as an aid to research investigations.

Identification Morphology of Bamboo, and Traditional Use in Gorontalo

Bamboo is a versatile plant that has many benefits in the lives of the people of Gorontalo. This research aims to provide taxonomic information on bamboo species in Gorontalo Province, including variations in morphological characters and phenetic relationships of bamboo, as well as information on the traditional use of bamboo. The method used in this research is exploration and interviews. Exploration was carried out to collect information on bamboo taxonomy, while interviews were conducted to find out the use of bamboo by the Gorontalo Community. The research data obtained was then analyzed descriptively to describe and interpret data on morphological variations, phenetic relationships and traditional benefits of the various types of bamboo obtained. Based on the research results, it was obtained that 13 types of bamboo are distributed in Gorontalo which show the unique morphological variations of the varieties which are divided into four genera, namely the genus Gigantochloa has distinctive morphological characteristics on the waxy surface of the stem, the Bambusa genus with characteristic shiny, smooth stems, the Dendrocalamus genus has the largest diameter and stem wall thickness, the genus Schizostachyum has the same morphological characteristics of stem segments and branch lengths. Based on the analysis of phenetic relationships, two main clusters were formed with a similarity value of 61.2%. In terms of traditional uses, it was recorded in this research that most bamboo is used as building construction materials, food sources, traditional medicine, materials for traditional ceremonies, handicrafts, and ornamental plants, as a tool designedto help people's livelihoods and ecological functions. This research also provides the first record of the morphological characteristics and use of each type of bamboo in Gorontalo which can be used for future bamboo breeding and conservation projects.

Dynamic Cost Consideration of Local Materials for Mass Housing Construction in Nigeria

There are lots of building materials that can be sourced locally for building construction purpose. Material is a major component of construction cost and a reduction in the cost of material can also result to reduction in overall construction cost. The cost of building materials poses a significant threat to both the construction industry and people aspiring to own houses. One major way to bring down the cost of materials for affordable housing is a shift toward the usage of local materials. This study therefore investigates the dynamic cost consideration of local materials for mass housing construction in Nigeria. The objectives are to ascertain the available local materials used in housing construction in Nigeria, the factors affecting the use of local building materials for housing construction in Nigeria, and examine the benefits of using local materials for housing construction in Nigeria. The study utilized a literature and field survey research design. The population of the study was the construction professionals that are involved in the usage of local materials. Purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample of 46 from the frame. Frequency and percentage were used to analyze the data. The study reveals 11 local materials in Nigeria but most of the materials are either “rarely used” or “seldom used” with the exception of just eight of them that are “often used”. The literature survey also reveals that earth or soil local materials are largely used for housing construction floor finishing. Durability and cost of production contribute most among 14 factors that contribute to the usage of local materials with 57% while air quality properties have least contribution. The result equally showed that provision of affordable housing and reduced construction cost stand top among the eight benefits of local materials highlighted in this study from 65% of the responses. The study recommends that government should formulate policy that should play down the agitations on the use of imported building materials by encouraging research in the production of local building materials. Producers of local materials should also take cognizance of the factors that contribute to the usage of local materials and ensure that they are incorporated in the materials to enhance their usage. The study will contribute significantly to the usage of local materials and improvement of their qualities. Keywords: Building Materials, Cost, Benefits, Housing Construction, Local Materials.

Energy simulation and heat absorption of 3R cement in multivariable resource optimization to reduce temperature calefaction

In recent years, most developing countries, the construction sector has been aware of sustainable building combinations of thermal comfort, low energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in the environment. About 90% of CO2 is released in construction building materials, in that cement plays an important role in releasing the large amount of carbon dioxide in the manufacturing process. Many researchers have focused on alternative materials in cement to reduce the raw material demand and sustainable building materials. A 3RC was developed by (aquamarine + industrial) waste materials introduced in cement to identify the performance. The study describes the thermal behavior of newly invented 3RC in concrete with different elements in the physical models to observe the temperature, sensible heat and relative humidity at 12-months using thermal sensors. The validated results are computationally evaluated using Design Builder software to prove that less than 2°C error from the observed data is similar. The results of the analysis showed that the thermal comfort, energy consumption and greenhouse gas satisfy the manufacturing of cement and had good adaptability in the overall performance of the building. The simulation models were observed for 12 months, and the energy consumption in future developing building sites was predicted.

Utilization of Graphene as a Construction Material for Sustainable Buildings

Sustainability in construction has been an everlasting global goal to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases that have had detrimental effects on the environment and negatively impacted human life in general. Graphene, a two-dimensional material exhibiting exceptionally desirable properties, has shown great potential to impact the building and construction sectors significantly. Graphene and its derivatives can easily be used as an additive in concrete-based composites (CBC) to improve their mechanical and durability properties and their safety, with prospects of fostering sustainability. This paper uses a scoping and compressive thorough mixed review approach, and this research aims to assess the endeavors in utilizing Graphene and Its derivatives in cementitious composites and to chart the perspectives found in the existing literature. The paper selected 64 articles from a pool of 576 publications based on their relevance. The comprehensive review concludes that the benefit of using Graphene and its derivatives as a reinforcement in cement composites lies in its superior ability to improve mechanical properties, including tensile strength and compressive strength, and improves durability by restricting crack initiation and expansion at the nanoscale, and enhances resistance to chloride and sulphate attacks as well as improving the safety of concrete based composites, setting it apart from traditional reinforcement methods.

Recent Research Advances in High-Performance Steel Tubular Members: Material Properties, Stub Columns, and Beams

This paper presents recent advances in research on high-performance steel tubular members, including beams and columns. The term high-performance steel has been used for steels that have unparalleled characteristics such as high strength, cold formability, corrosion resistance, and ductility. Stainless steel (SS) and high-strength steel (HSS) are classified as high-performance steel. In the context of this paper, high-performance steel refers to SS and HSS, where HSS is with a nominal yield strength equal to or higher than 690 MPa. This paper initially illustrates the applications of high-performance steel as a construction material for buildings and infrastructures. Subsequently, the material properties of high-performance steel with constitutive models in response to the stress–strain curves are summarized. Furthermore, this paper reviews research on the structural performance of high-performance steel stub columns and beams and presents the associated design equations. Finally, insights into future work on the structural behavior of high-performance steel to promote its widespread use for building and infrastructure construction are provided.

Hygrothermal Performance of Bio-Based Exterior Wall Constructions and Their Resilience under Air Leakage and Moisture Load

The use of renewable building materials in construction is crucial to minimising the environmental impact of new buildings. Bio-based building materials have a wide range of positive properties, many of which are due to their hygroscopic behaviour. The purpose of this study is to investigate the hygrothermal performance of chopped straw, sheep’s wool, and cellulose insulated timber frame external wall assemblies in the presence of air leakage and high indoor relative humidity. For this purpose, tests with different moisture contents, overpressures, and defects in the airtight layer were carried out in an outdoor test stand over a period of 18 months. The results were compared with a conventional mineral wool insulated construction. Both sheep’s wool and cellulose are particularly fault-tolerant insulation materials in combination with timber frame constructions. All three bio-based insulations, despite defects in the airtight layer, showed no mould-prone moisture content. An installation level insulated with sheep’s wool can increase the fault tolerance of constructions with insulation made of hygric and more sensitive building materials. For chopped straw and cellulose, the measured U-value was lower than expected. Further in situ measurements of bio-based structures are important to gain confidence in their hygrothermal behaviour and to increase their use in multi-storey construction.

Experimental Studies on Concrete Using the Partial Replacement of Cement by Red Mud

In today’s construction scenario, next to steel, wood, and aluminum, concrete is one of the most often utilized building materials in modern construction. The researchers have modified the characteristics of concrete as a result of its widespread use. Numerous waste products are employed with concrete, either as a full substitute for cement or as a partial replacement. One such byproduct of Bayer's technique for preparing alumina from bauxite refining is red mud. This research performs a series of tests by replacing 10%, 15%, and 20% of cement by weight with red mud to examine the effects of red mud on the strength and durability of concrete. Based on the findings, red mud may be used to replace 15% of the cement weight in concrete to boost its strength qualities. In order to make different grades of concrete, different amounts of red mud were added to cement in comparative research. In this investigation, fine aggregate was used to partially replace cement in concrete at a dosage of 0–24% by weight of cement while red mud was changed from 0–24% in the presence of 8% fine aggregate. The findings demonstrate that optimum fine aggregate usage results in increased strength, with the impact being more obvious in the context of optimum red mud dose. As a result, the use of red mud as a strength modifier in the presence of fine aggregate can reduce the need for cement and promote environmentally friendly building methods.

Embodied Carbon in Australian Residential Houses: A Preliminary Study

Embodied carbon is a buzzword in the construction industry. Australia is committed to achieving Net Zero 2050 targets, and minimizing embodied carbon (EC) is inevitable. Owing to the population growth, there will be a significant demand for residential construction. Therefore, the material consumption in residential construction should be evaluated and proper strategies should be in place to minimize EC. The aim of this research is to undertake a preliminary study of EC in the Australian residential sector, with an emphasis on new residential home construction. This research presents a preliminary study on EC in residential buildings in Australia. Three case study residential buildings were used in this study. All three case studies are single -story residential units, with a gross floor area between 200 and 240 m2. One Click LCA software was used to calculate the EC. The EC of three case study residential homes is between 193 and 233 kgCO2e/m2. Based on the findings of this study, ‘other structures and materials’ contribute to a large amount of EC in residential construction. Concrete and aluminum are considered significant contributors to EC. Therefore, it is vital to either introduce low-EC material to replace aluminum windows or introduce various design options to minimize the use of aluminum in windows. There are various sustainable concretes available with low EC. It is essential to explore these low-EC concretes in residential homes as well. This research identifies the importance of adopting strategies to reduce the carbon impact from other sources, including concrete. It is also essential to consider the EC through transportation related to construction and promote locally sourced building materials in residential construction. Therefore, the results of this research indicate the necessity of reducing raw material consumption in Australian residential construction by implementing approaches such as a circular economy in order to circulate building materials throughout the construction supply chain and reduce raw material extraction.

Fabrication of calcium carbonate coating on magnesium-neodymium alloy for mitigation of corrosion in simulated concrete pore solution

Coating is frequently regarded as one of the most important ways to improve the corrosion behavior of magnesium alloys, and this study proposes a simple strategy for corrosion protection of Mg alloys by chemical solution deposition. A magnesium-neodymium (Mg-Nd) alloy is treated in an aqueous solution prepared with sodium bicarbonate and calcium chloride. After being soaked at 50 °C for 4 h, a layer of uniform calcium carbonate coating with a thickness of about 20 μm has been successfully deposited on the Mg-Nd alloy. Both the electrochemical test and immersion test confirm that this coating significantly improves the corrosion resistance of the Mg-Nd alloy in simulated concrete pore solution containing Cl−. The wetting behavior of the coated sample can be further changed by chemical surface modification with perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane (PFDS), which is confirmed by contact angle test, sliding angle test and self-cleaning test. The hydrophobic nature of the modified surface is thought to be responsible for the self-cleaning ability. In summary, it implies that the Mg alloy with a protective calcium carbonate coating has the potential to be used as a type of new civil and building material for lightweight construction.

Phase Changing Materials

Building envelope is a key element in providing adequate energy and thermal comfort performance to buildings. The main techniques adopted in this context are discussed to identify modern and effective methods with a particular focus on phase change materials (PCMs). Incorporating PCMs with building construction materials is a booming technology, owing to their enhancement potential of storing and releasing heat during phase transition. This work highlights the importance of PCMs in building envelope, focusing on roof and external wall applications. PCM types, general and desired properties and application area are presented and discussed. Incorporation techniques and methods, main numerical tools, and modelling equations are used to describe the thermal behaviour of PCM. A comprehensive assessment on the basis of recent studies has been conducted to point out the potential of PCM with the most appropriate techniques under different locations. The main findings of PCM thermal performance have been described, considering the cooling/heating load reduction, energy-saving and thermal comfort gained. Keywords: PCMs, PCM-integrated buildings, Building envelope, Thermal comfort, Energy saving, Heating/cooling load reduction.

Utilization of nanoparticles and waste materials in cement mortars

Abstract Cement has shaped the modern built environment, but its production generates substantial carbon dioxide emissions. Consequently, there is an urgent need to identify alternative cementitious building materials for sustainable construction. In this study, cement mortars (CMs) were produced by partially replacing cement with nanoclay (NC) and granite dust (GD). The replacement proportions (% by weight of cement) of these materials were 1.5, 3, and 4.5% for NC and 10, 20, and 30% for GD. For mortars containing NC but not GD, the strength was maximized when the NC replacement proportion was 3%. To evaluate the combined effect of partially replacing cement with both NC and GD on the fresh and hardening properties of cement-blended mortars, ternary binder mixtures containing 3% NC together with 10, 20, or 30% GD were prepared, and their workability, bulk density, compressive strength (at 7, 28, and 90 days), and flexural strength were measured. Increasing the content of NC and/or GD reduced the flowability of these mortars relative to that of the reference mortar mix because it increased the content of fine materials. CM containing 3% NC and 10% GD had the highest compressive strength at 7, 28, and 90 days while also having the greatest flexural strength when compared to the control mix. This is most likely due to the high silica and alumina content of NC and GD, as well as their high specific surface area, which would improve the maturity and density of the matrix when compared to cement alone.

Transforming tree topping waste into flooring: a study on the production and evaluation of oriented strand board finish using urban and garden residues.

Oriented strand board (OSB) has become a popular building material for residential construction, but little research has been conducted on its use as a finish floor material. The study investigated the quality and performance of OSB as an alternative to traditional engineered wood products for finish floors. Four types of OSB finish floors using a mixture of garden and urban tree toppings were produced and evaluated, along with different types and levels of resin and mat moisture content. The finish floor panels were subjected to a battery of tests, including concentrated loading, indentation, falling ball impact resistance, abrasion resistance, and surface wettability. The findings showed that urea formaldehyde resin with garden tree toppings performed best in floor surface indentation, abrasion resistance, and falling ball indentation. The phenol formaldehyde resin with garden tree toppings, on the other hand, showed less moisture absorption and swelling during surface wetting tests and better resistance to force application in the concentrated loading test. Our qualitative comparison revealed that OSB finish floor production using 100% garden tree topping strands and 12% urea formaldehyde resin, along with 14% mat moisture content, produced the best results. The study provides valuable insights into the potential use of OSB as a sustainable and cost-effective finish floor material, using waste materials from urban and garden tree toppings.