Production Of Building Materials Research Articles

Wood–Cement Composites: A Sustainable Approach for Mitigating Environmental Impact in Construction

The construction industry’s environmental impact has become a growing concern, largely due to the energy-intensive production of conventional building materials. This paper explores the potential of wood–cement composites as a more sustainable alternative through a comprehensive literature review, including a bibliometric and scientometric analysis of research trends. Our analysis traces the evolution of wood–cement composites from early studies focused on mechanical properties, to recent investigations into their environmental benefits and practical applications. Key findings suggest that optimal performance can be achieved by treating wood with tetraethyl orthosilicate, incorporating additives like cellulose nanocrystals or wollastonite, and using wood from species such as Pinus. While partial cement replacement with wood waste and ash offers significant environmental advantages, precise formulations are needed to maintain structural integrity. This study also acknowledges certain methodological limitations, such as the reliance on keyword-based filtering, which may have excluded some relevant studies. Future research should address long-term durability, economic feasibility, and standardized testing methodologies to facilitate the adoption of wood–cement composites in the construction industry. These materials, particularly suitable for non-structural applications and insulation, hold promise as viable, eco-friendly building solutions capable of reducing the construction industry’s carbon footprint.

Corrugated veneer panel thermophysical properties

The article substantiates the need to develop new mechanisms for the hardwood use in modern conditions of Republic of Karelia timber industry. One of the potential uses of birch wood in wooden house construction is building materials production from veneer and slab materials based on it. A large amount of associated waste from processing birch wood into veneer stands out as one of the key problems. A new slab joinery and construction material made of corrugated birch veneer is considered. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the thermophysical properties of a corrugated board made of birch wood. To achieve this goal, the tasks and methods of research are defined. An experimental device has been developed to conduct an experiment to determine the values of thermophysical characteristics. DS18B20 temperature sensors were used to measure the surface temperature, as well as to monitor device operation and the room air temperature. The sensors are connected to the Arduino microcontroller platform, which was used to record and transmit sensor readings. Additionally, the course of the experiment was monitored using a thermal imager Testo 875-1i. During the experiment, more than 1000 measurements were carried out. As a result of data processing, a diagram of the dependence of the density of the heat flux passing through the sample on time, as well as diagrams of the dependence of thermal conductivity and thermal resistance on the temperature difference on the sample surfaces, was obtained. The diagrams show the regression dependences of changes in heat flux density, thermal conductivity and thermal resistance during measurements. The values of the heat flux density, thermal conductivity coefficient and thermal resistance calculated on the basis of regression equations and the values obtained experimentally are determined. The directions of further research of the material under consideration are determined.

Evolution of CO2 Uptake Degree of Ordinary Portland Cement During Accelerated Aqueous Mineralisation

The utilisation of carbonation treatments to produce building materials is emerging as a valuable strategy to reduce CO2 emissions in the construction sector. It is of great importance to regulate the degree of carbonation when the mineralisation process is combined with hydration, as a high CO2 uptake may impede the development of adequate strength. A significant number of studies focus on attaining the maximum carbonation degree, with minimal attention paid to the examination of the evolution of CO2 uptake over the initial stages of the process. In this context, the present study aims to investigate the evolution of CO2 uptake over time during carbonation. Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) is employed as material, with aqueous carbonation selected as the mineralisation process. This investigation encompasses a range of carbonation durations, spanning from 5 to 40 min. The analysis of the evolution of the mineral composition with time demonstrated that the rate of the carbonation reaction accelerates in the initial minutes, resulting in the conversion of all the portlandite produced during the hydration process in the initial 10 min. Quantitative analysis of the carbonation degree indicated that the CO2 uptake at 40 min is equal to 19.1%, which is estimated to be approximately 70% of the maximum achievable value. By contributing to the understanding of the early carbonation mechanisms in aqueous conditions of OPC, this study provides valuable support for further investigation focused on the use of cement mineralisation processes to produce building materials.

Performance and mechanism of the structure formation and physical-mechanical properties of concrete by modification with nanodiamonds

Nanomodifying additives in the building materials production is a relevant and widely studied topic in current building materials science. Nanodiamonds are used in various fields of science and technology. However, they were not used as a modifying additive in the production of building composite materials. The purpose of this study is to investigate the mechanism of interaction of chemically pure cavitation synthesis nanodiamonds (КНА-НС) with cement concrete on the structure formation and mechanical properties of fresh and hardened concrete. These KHA-HC nanodiamonds are carbon sp3 hybridized nanoparticles with a diamond-like structure and a particle size in a cross section of not more than 3nm, shaped close to spherical and a clear mono modal distribution throughout the entire fractional composition, with a maximum of 1nm to 3nm. During the research, the initial components were selected, the compatibility of these components was checked, including the formation of test samples, the properties of fresh concrete, the density of hardened concrete, compressive and flexural strength at various ages of hardening (2, 7, 14 and 28 days) were studied using standard methods, and X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy of concrete were also carried out. It has been established that the addition of KHA-HC accelerates the process of concrete strength gain. The greatest effect was recorded for concrete aged 2 days. With an optimal KHA-HC content of 0.4%, the increases in compressive and flexural strength were 28.6% and 26.1%, respectively. The addition of KHA-HC in all considered ranges from 0.1% to 1.0% has a positive effect on the strength properties of concrete. The most effective dosage is 0.4%. The increases in compressive and flexural strength of concrete at an age of 28 days were 15.1% and 15.7%, respectively. Nanomodification of concrete with the KHA-HC additive does not affect the phase composition of concrete. The effect of “self-reinforcement of cement matrix” put forward in this study is confirmed by images of the microstructure of the cement matrix with a large accumulation of calcium hydrosilicate zones.

Recycling of environmental harmful industrial wastes in eco-friendly building materials production suitable for specific applications

Sustainable building materials are one of the main principles to achieve sustainable construction. It refers to the potential of utilizing environmentally harmful industrial wastes to reduce the consumption of raw materials/energy used in producing ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Ground-granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS), lead-bearing sludge (LBS), metakaolin (MK) and fly ash (FA) were used in this work to develop eco-green binding materials with several advanced applications. Five specimens were prepared, including a control specimen (100 % GGBFS, S0) and four ternary-blended geopolymers (TBGs; GGBFS/LBS/FA and GGBFS/LBS/MK) with different proportions. The experimental work examined the mix-design's influence of the TBGs on the fresh/hardened characteristics and resistance against elevated-temperature (200–900 °C), high-dose gamma-radiation (1000–3000 kG y) and mico-organisms (Salmonella-typhi, Bacillus-Cereus, Aspergillus-oryzae and Aspergillus-fumigatus). Also, the XRD, TGA/DTG (phase composition analysis) and SEM/EDX (microstructure analysis) were studied. The findings revealed that LBS significantly reduces workability compared to MK and FA. Although the LBS, MK, and FA mixture elongated the setting time, its values are still within acceptable limits. The strength values obtained by TBGs after 28 days ranged from 51.0 to 66.7 MPa, revealing that these wastes are good alternatives to OPC. TBGs proved effective in resisting elevated-temperatures and high-dose gamma-radiation compared to S0 by forming highly-stable zeolitic compounds. The S0 specimen cannot hinder Salmonella typhi's growth; unlike TBGs, the existence of PbO2, Fe2O3, and TiO2 in the matrix inhibits all microorganisms' growth.

Sustainable and mechanical properties of Engineered Cementitious Composites with biochar: Integrating micro- and macro-mechanical insight

Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) are ductile, strain-hardening cementitious composites with a tightly controlled crack opening profile. A significant concern in the development and application of ECC is its high carbon emissions associated with high cement content consumption. As an emerging green additive, biochar can significantly cut down on the carbon emission of concrete products. However, research that integrates micro- and macro-mechanical insights with biochar incorporation is limited. In this study, micro-mechanical tools indicated that a certain amount of substitution biochar could enhance the tensile properties of ECC. The study assessed various properties including compressive strength, porosity, density, tensile performance, crack pattern, sustainability and cost of ECC with different biochar proportions. The findings showed that incorporating 10 %–20 % biochar effectively increased the tensile strain capacity and decreased the crack opening width in ECC materials. This improvement can be attributed to the introduction of finer biochar particles (≤75 μm) at the fiber/matrix interfacial transition zone, which alters the fiber-bridging force by reducing the chemical and frictional bond strength between the fiber and matrix, as revealed by micro-mechanical tests and microstructural inspection. Moreover, the utilization of biochar contributes to reducing the carbon emission of ECC, enhancing sustainability while maintaining a ∼10 % minimal reduction in compressive strength. Overall, this study introduces a novel approach for reusing low-carbon biomass waste in the production of building materials, offering potential advantages in micro- and macro-mechanical performance, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability.

Natural fiber reinforced cementitious composites; materials, compatibility issues and future perspectives

ABSTRACT Research on the sustainable production of building materials has been increasing from time to time. The construction industry is one of the sectors that leads to the depletion of significant amounts of nonrenewable resources, such as minerals. The ecosystem is deteriorated, and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are enormous in the environment due to the use of fossil fuel-based materials. The purpose of this paper is to review the use of plant fibers (hereafter NF) for reinforcement in cementitious concrete. Concrete, plant fibers, their chemical nature, and characteristics are highlighted in an overview. The most important issues in NF-concrete compatibility were discussed, which could provide research opportunities. Modification of NFs and the cement matrix are examined as methods for improving compatibility and degradation. Moreover, the properties and longevity of cementitious materials that are reinforced with natural fibers are also examined. Finally, the review emphasizes the significant research gaps and future research prospects identified in the reviewed papers.

Study on prediction model of nitrogen emission in the production stage of residential building materials—A case study of Guangdong province

This study aims to reduce nitrogen emissions from residential buildings and establishes a prediction model for nitrogen emissions during the production of building materials. The calculation boundary, content, and method of nitrogen emission in the production stage of residential building materials are accurately analyzed. Based on the nitrogen emission data of 20 residential buildings in Guangdong, the composition and distribution characteristics of nitrogen emission in the production stage of building materials are analyzed. The coupling relationship between building design parameters and building materials’ nitrogen emissions is established using linear regression and ridge regression. 10 kinds of nitrogen emission prediction models based on the design parameters of residential buildings in the production stage of building materials were established and verified. The results show that the linear model M3, based on the number of floors above and below ground, the area width and depth, and the ridge regression model M5, based on the number of floors above and below ground, the area width and depth, and the total number of main functional rooms, have good fitting and prediction performance, respectively. The linear regression model M6, based on the number of floors above and below ground, the area width and depth, and the total number of rooms, has the best fitting and prediction performance. M3, M5, and M6 can accurately predict the nitrogen emission composition and distribution characteristics of building materials in residential building design and lay a foundation for future research on nitrogen emission evaluation and calculation methods and nitrogen emission reduction technology strategies.

ПРОЦЕСНО-ОРІЄНТОВАНИЙ ПІДХІД ДО ОБЛІКУ ВИТРАТ Й КАЛЬКУЛЮВАННЯ СОБІВАРТОСТІ ПРОДУКЦІЇ ПІДПРИЄМСТВ З ВИРОБНИЦТВА ЗБІРНИХ ЗАЛІЗОБЕТОННИХ КОНСТРУКЦІЙ

Costs are one of the most important economic categories, and production costs are the main indicator of construction materials industry enterprises activity. In today's difficult business conditions for Ukrainian enterprises, taking into account the specifics of the production process of companies producing prefabricated reinforced concrete structures, constant monitoring of production costs helps to maintain the profitability and competitiveness of these business entities. Therefore, the development of management tools and cost accounting using a process-oriented approach for enterprises producing building materials allows taking into account all the features of production processes influencing the size and behavior of costs. The purpose of the article is to reveal and improve the features of cost accounting and costing of products according to production processes at enterprises producing precast reinforced concrete structures. The article analyzes the main directions of classification of production processes at enterprises of the production of prefabricated reinforced concrete structures and its influence on the organization of accounting. The directions for grouping costs in production processes are detailed and attention is focused on its impact on accounting and control of the costs. This will affect the quality of management decisions and the main performance indicators of the enterprises under study. In the process of research, the main foreign methods of accounting for costs and calculating the cost of products in production processes, which are possible for use at enterprises of the production of precast reinforced concrete structures, were determined. It was found that the ABC-costing method is the most acceptable from the point of view of the technological process of manufacturing products of the studied enterprises. Its combination with the regulatory method of cost accounting and product costing will provide significant opportunities for strategic planning of production costs, will contribute to the accuracy of product costing, and will improve the process of management decision-making.

Identification of transformer overload and new energy planning for enterprises based on load forecasting.

The new energy system constructed by energy storage and photovoltaic power generation system can effectively solve the problem of transformer overload operation in some enterprises. It can not only reduce the cost of electricity, but also realize low-carbon emission reduction. However, due to its low return on investment, the willingness of enterprises to install new energy is not high. In this paper, we first establish a load forecasting model to users whose transformers are overloaded or about to be overloaded, which are potential customers with new energy installation needs. Then, Optimal configuration models of PV and energy storage systems based on nonlinear programming are developed for these potential customers. The optimal installed capacity of the PV energy storage and the optimal charging and discharging strategy for the energy storage system can be obtained. This optimization strategy ensures that the electricity consumption of the enterprise does not exceed the rated capacity, and effectively reduces the enterprise's basic tariff and electricity price to achieve cost reduction and efficiency. Finally, taking a building materials production factory as an example, we obtain the optimal plan for the new energy capacity, as well as the economic benefits of the plan and the specific strategy of energy storage charging and discharging for this factory.

Evaluating the environmental impacts of brick production from waste plastic

The building and construction sector accounts for nearly 40% of the total process-related greenhouse gas emissions, out of which 11% of emissions are related to the production of building materials. To achieve environmental sustainability, it is imperative that these emissions be minimized through a novel approach. We propose that instead of using conventional building techniques of wood-based construction for interior walls of a house, bricks manufactured from waste plastic be used. In this paper, a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) is carried out for the building materials used in the construction of interior walls for a standard 2450 sq. ft. home, and the results are compared to the bricks manufactured from waste plastic. Plastic bricks are manufactured by sorting and shredding the waste plastic and then bailing it in a superheated steam environment. The LCA is modeled in SimaPro 9.5.0.1, using the Ecoinvent v3 database and the ReCiPe Midpoint (H) 2016 impact assessment method. The results indicate that the use of waste plastics in construction leads to reduction in the water consumption by 26%, terrestrial ecotoxicity by 59%, mineral resource scarcity by 81%, and the land use by 99% when compared to conventional construction activities. Our research work provides a novel pathway towards sustainable construction practices through this life cycle assessment study, and the results can be further improved by using eco-friendly energy sources and natural resource-based adhesives. Future work needs to be carried out to explore the mechanical and structural properties of the bricks and their use in large-scale commercial applications, as well as innovative brick designs that eliminate the need for adhesives.

Analysis of technologies of disposal and use fibrous paper skopje

The article examines the current state and trends in the development of waste management technologies in the pulp and paper industry, with the aim of analyzing the reasons that hinder, and sometimes make impossible, the effective utilization of fibrous waste paper to obtain environmentally safe materials and raw products. The production of paper products is one of the most capital-intensive and energy-intensive industries, second only to the metallurgical and chemical industries, with a correspondingly large amount of waste and a negative impact on the environment. The technological processes of scum formation as a result of waste paper recycling and paper production wastewater treatment are considered and analyzed. Skopje is the final waste of the pulp and paper industry, which is formed at various stages of the paper and cardboard manufacturing process, therefore it is deposited in landfills. Multiton volumes of skopje require significant areas for its storage. Despite the low IV hazard class, this leads to serious environmental problems, as the leachate from the skopje landfill pollutes surface and ground water. Technologies of possible disposal and reuse of skopje, known in domestic and foreign literature, are described and analyzed. The technology of reusing scoop is determined by its relatively environmentally safe physicochemical composition. The indicated fibrous, mineral, extractive constituents and lignin determine the possibility of reusing skopje, mainly for the construction industry. The perspective of the complex use of multi-tonnage waste – slag, sludge, ash and slag of thermal power plants as plasticizers, fillers, binders and binding components in the production of building structural and heat-insulating materials is named. Technologies for using scapula as a filler in the production of building materials require a high content of inorganic compounds and a minimum amount of organic compounds. A high content of fibrous particles and a low content of mineral substances is necessary when using scapula in the production of composite wood composite materials. The specified technological limitations ensure only small amounts of skopje use in the production of building materials. The effectiveness of using skopje as an additive to the asphalt mixture for road construction and production of fuel materials is determined by the economic costs of transportation and dewatering. It is noted that the high humidity, ash content and low calorific value of scum are the main reason for the lack of effective technologies for its utilization. The solution to the problem is the use of low-energy technologies through the direct use of osprey as a component of the soil mixture for biological reclamation of man-made landscapes. The article substantiates an environmentally safe and socially favourable option for using a soil substrate based on osprey. It is emphasised that the humidity and organic viscosity of the plant origin of osprey form the agrotechnical properties of soil substrates of prolonged action, which ensure optimal technological efficiency of phytomelioration of degraded lands. The reclaimed areas will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the soil, prevent wind and water erosion, and ensure the environmental safety of natural and man-made ecosystems.

RESEARCH OF THE POSSIBILITY OF USING CHP ASH IN THE PRODUCTION OF FIRED ASH GRAVEL

The article presents a comparative analysis of the characteristics of the dump ash of the Kyzylorda CHP hydraulic removal. A huge amount of ash, slag waste is collected in the dumps of the CHP, their accumulation in the dumps leads to a violation of the ecology of the environment. The issue of ash, slag waste disposal is an urgent problem. The use of ash and slag not only solves the issue of availability of raw materials, but also allows to improve the quality of products while reducing their cost. One of the valuable components of ash and slag waste is hydraulic removal ash. Hydraulic removal ash as a raw material can be used for the manufacture of artificial concrete aggregates (ash, agglomerate gravel, etc.). Studies were conducted to study the physico-chemical composition, determine the specific effective activity of natural radionuclides, loss during calcination of two types of hydraulic removal ash samples from Kyzylorda CHP (black and gray), which differ in sampling sites from ash dump. When studying the properties of the ash, X-Ray phase analysis was carried out, with the help of which the phase composition of the ash was determined. Work was carried out on the X-Ray phase analysis of ash, determination of the specific effective activity of natural radionuclides, calcination losses, which showed the possibility of using ash for the production of building materials. The conducted studies have confirmed the expediency of using the ash of the Kyzylorda thermal power plant in the production of fired ash gravel.

Coal-derived char as new sand replacement material in cement mortars: A comprehensive experimental study

Coal char is a coal-derived product produced by pyrolysis of char, which has valuable applications in the production of building materials. This paper presents the use of coal char in developing coal char-based cement mortar. Coal char is used to replace the sand, partially, at different proportions in cement mortar, and the change in properties is studied. Four cement types are used in the initial study, and one is selected for a detailed study based on the water retention, density, and compressive strength of the mortar. The properties of coal char-based mortar for the selected cement are comprehensively evaluated in terms of flow, water retention, air content, density, compressive strength, flexural strength, porosity, water absorption, drying shrinkage, thermal conductivity, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The addition of coal char at an optimum sand replacement content of 5 % increases the compressive strength of mortar by 17.55 % and the flexural strength by 17.57 %, compared to conventional cement mortar. The thermal conductivity reduces by a maximum of 20 %, compared to traditional cement mortar. This paper also presents a study to compare the addition of coal char and commercial biochar on the properties of masonry cement mortar. The compressive strength of mortar with coal char is 44.39 % greater than that of mortar with the same content of biochar. The addition of coal char as a new sand replacement material shows good potential in improving the engineering properties of mortar.

Цементное производство в России: заинтересованные стороны и эффективность регионального бизнеса в конце XIX века

The activities of “Petersburg Company for the production of Glukhoozersky Portland cement and other building materials” between 1879 and 1899, although only a initial period segment in its history, provides a holistic overview of phase that enterprise underwent on their path to becoming a large industrial firm. This study aims to improve and expand knowledge about the capacity and difficulties of industrial company to adapt to market changes and maintain their competitiveness, interregional coherence and organizational flexibility. This article explores changes in ownership and management structure and application of new technological practices during this period, which in turn led this enterprise to the status of the leader in the cement industry in capital. A case study of key group of shareholders (military engineers) tests the effectiveness of model of reconciliation of interests on results of twenty years of work of the company.

An overview of the constructions of conveyors for moving bulk materials, comparison and study of their parameters

The production of concrete mixes, along with their use in the production of building materials and structures, is one of the key processes in the construction industry during the construction, restoration and repair of buildings and structures. Because of this, the need to create modern concrete mixing plants that will meet the requirements of minimum energy consumption and maximum productivity of concrete mixture production is an urgent task. Not only the main operations, which include the dosing of the components of the mixture and their mixing, but also the maintenance operations, namely operations that ensure the timely movement of the components of the concrete mixture from warehouses to the main technological equipment, affect the set rhythm of the concrete mixture production. Conveyors of various types and designs are used to move bulk materials, such as crushed stone and sand. For the rational selection of such equipment in accordance with the characteristics of the cargo to be transported, knowledge of the types of conveyors, their structures and parameters, understanding of operation issues and methods of parameter calculation are required. In addition, it is worth paying attention to the following parameters: maximum cargo transportation productivity, low energy consumption per unit of moved products, low metal content of the structure. The work reviewed the most common designs of conveyors used to move bulk materials in concrete mixing plants, analyzed the disadvantages and advantages of conveyors, as well as technical parameters. As a result, the predominant directions for the use of belt and plate conveyors at construction enterprises were determined. The advantages of belt conveyors, which contribute to their widespread distribution, are high productivity, simplicity of design, reliability, quiet operation, low specific power consumption. When choosing a conveyor, it is recommended to choose the equipment with the highest productivity and the lowest power of the drive motors, however, the performance should be clearly related to other technological equipment.

STATE AND PROSPECTS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF UKRAINE'S BUILDING INDUSTRY IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE ECONOMIC CRISIS CAUSED BY THE FULL-SCALE AGGRESSION OF THE RUSSIA, FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF ECONOMIC CYCLICITY

The article is dedicated to examining the specific manifestations of economic cyclicality in Ukraine's building materials industry under martial law conditions. The analysis reveals that the full-scale war has led to the destruction of approximately 20% of enterprises, while others have experienced significant declines in production volumes, market access, raw material sources, and human resources. The features of war-induced economic crises are compared with cyclical overproduction crises, showing that military actions immediately push the economy into a recession phase. However, recovery may commence even before the end of hostilities due to the economy reaching the trough of the economic cycle.The article explores various approaches to defining and understanding the concept of "economic crisis," highlighting the importance of identifying its causes and characteristics. Key factors influencing the transition between different phases of economic cycles—recession, depression, recovery, and expansion—are identified. It is noted that the moments of phase transition are critical to economic development, as they represent the shift from quantitative changes in one phase to qualitative changes in the next.The dynamics of real estate prices are analyzed as one of the key indicators signaling the onset of the recovery phase. Additionally, the article formulates the components of a development strategy for Ukraine’s construction sector during the recovery period, taking into account the consequences of the war. These components include the localization of building materials production, improving housing comfort, ensuring the environmental sustainability of building materials, conserving resources in their production (particularly energy), involving foreign aid in the reconstruction process, and recycling demolition waste into building materials. It is determined that the future development of the construction industry must also address the issue of effectively insulating protective structures and bomb shelters with eco-friendly materials, necessitating further development of domestic building materials that meet the urgent demands of wartime. The article concludes with the prospect of utilizing hemp-lime building materials in the reconstruction process, as they fully align with the proposed development strategy

Сharacteristics of demolition waste management in the regions of Ukraine

The volume of waste left from war-related destruction amounts to 10-12 million tons per year. Such volume is comparable to the annual volume of municipal solid waste generated in Ukraine. This situation led to formation of unauthorized landfills and complicated the existing problem of industrial, consumer, construction and demolition waste management. Consequently, the issue of destruction waste management became a pressing environmental and socio-economic problem. The objective of this research is to assess the characteristics of destruction waste management in the regions of Ukraine. Destruction waste is generated during construction of new buildings and public structures, as well as during renovation or demolition of existing buildings and structures; including general-use facilities. It is estimated that, before the war, nearly 7 million tons of construction and demolition waste was generated annually, with more than 50% being transported to municipal solid waste landfills. Specialized landfills for its disposal were virtually non-existent in the regions of Ukraine, so this waste, despite its resource value, was taken to municipal solid waste landfills or unauthorized dumps. Some components of construction and demolition waste are toxic. Destruction waste includes parts (fragments) of damaged (destroyed) objects, as well as materials and items that were inside or next to such objects at the time of damage (destruction) and/or during disassembly activities, including those that fully or partially lost their consumer properties and cannot be reused at the place of their origin or discovery. Destruction waste pollutes the environment, so one of the ways to reduce environmental risks is to develop an effective waste management system to stop chaotic processes during disassembly activities. Destruction waste differs from construction and demolition waste by the presence of accompanying hazardous components, complicating the development of a waste management system. The main components of destruction waste should be used as secondary raw materials for construction, production of building materials and other purposes. Provided that appropriate physical-geographic, engineering-geological, hydrogeological, technical, and socio-economic conditions are available, it is advisable to create temporary waste storage sites, with their subsequent use as secondary raw materials in the post-war period for restoration of civil, industrial, and transport infrastructure in the regions of Ukraine.

Reaction mechanism of Ca(OH)2-based carbon storage suitable for the production of building materials

The development of CaCO3 oxyfuel combustion and calcium looping techniques offers opportunities for Ca(OH)2 production with near-zero CO2 emissions. This study investigated the viability of Ca(OH)2-based CO2 storage for use in the production of building materials. To resolve the deficient strength gain of Ca(OH)2 carbonation, siliceous materials, using fly ash as a model compound, were introduced into the raw mixture, and hydrothermal curing was applied to promote the pozzolanic reaction. Two microstructural features, i.e., inner and outer CaCO3 formations, were identified during Ca(OH)2 carbonation via backscattered electron imaging. Inner CaCO3 formation is characterized by Ca(OH)2–CaCO3 conversion within the edge of Ca(OH)2 particles. Outer CaCO3 formation is characterized by the dissolution of Ca(OH)2 and the precipitation of CaCO3 in capillary pores, which generates hollow microstructures. The hollow space can be further filled by Al-tobermorite during hydrothermal curing. The prepared materials are capable of storing up to 16 % CO2 by the mass of the raw mixture. Furthermore, the pore structure influenced by inner and outer CaCO3 formation demonstrates the feasibility of adjusting the material's mechanical and CO2 storing properties by controlling the carbonation and hydrothermal curing schemes.

The Inflation Rate and the Prices of Building Materials in Benin City

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the inflation rate and the price of building materials in Benin City to aid in mitigating the adverse effects of the inflation rate on the construction industry. The trend in the variables from 2017 to 2023 was investigated, and their relationship was assessed and determined using Spearman’s correlation and Regression analysis. Data on the inflation rate was collated from the Central Bank of Nigeria, while prices of the selected building materials were obtained from market surveys. Findings revealed that the inflation rate had the highest value in 2023, and the prices of the chosen building materials had an upward trend from 2017 to 2023. The yearly change in the variables revealed that a percentage increase in the inflation rate produced the highest increase of 3.34% in the price of 1.5mm single-coil cable and the lowest increase of 0.93% in the price of Granite. Correlation analysis indicated that the prices of the building materials had a direct relationship and an inverse relationship with the inflation rate. Regression analysis showed that for every unit increase in the inflation rate, the price of Granite would experience the highest increase by ₦5693. In contrast, the price of Sandcrete block would experience the lowest increase by ₦10. It was recommended that the Government provide an enabling environment that will promote the local production of building materials to reduce dependency on imports and the effect of inflation rate fluctuations.