Housing Materials Research Articles

The Impact of Environmental and Housing Factors on the Distribution of Triatominae (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) in an Endemic Area of Chagas Disease in Puebla, Mexico.

Chagas disease (CD), a Neglected Tropical Disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, affects millions of people in Latin America and the southern US and spreads worldwide. CD results from close interactions between humans, animals, and vectors, influenced by sociodemographic factors and housing materials. This study aimed to evaluate how these factors, along with seasonal changes, affect the distribution of CD vectors in an endemic community near Puebla, Mexico, using a cross-sectional survey. A total of 383 people from this area, known for the presence of major vectors such as Triatoma barberi and Triatoma pallidipennis, were surveyed. As a result of the survey, it was found that only 27.4% of respondents knew about CD, and 83.3% owned potential reservoir pets; additionally, the quality of the wall, roof, and floor significantly influenced vector sightings, while the seasonal pattern showed less of an association. Chi-square tests confirmed these associations between vector sightings and housing materials (p < 0.001); vector sightings versus seasonal patterns showed less of an association (p = 0.04), and land use changes did not show an association (p = 0.27). Construction materials play an important role in the sighting of triatomines in homes, so important actions should be taken to improve homes. However, further experimental or longitudinal studies are needed to establish causality.

Multifunctional characterization of cement-Sargassum composites for application as bioconstruction materials

Utilizing solid waste biomass developing of construction materials presents an environmental mitigation opportunity by gradually replacing conventional materials that generate diverse ecological impacts. This approach aligns with circular economy and green chemistry principles, promoting the creation of sustainable materials. This research analyzes the use of brown algae from the Sargassum genus for bioconstruction applications through its mix with Portland cement. The mass influx of pelagic Sargassum species onto Caribbean beaches since 2011 has significantly impacted the environment, economy, and human health. The valorization of Sargassum is crucial for effective management and impact reduction. The study encompasses four key stages: (a) collection and processing of the algae, (b) development of a construction material composed of Portland cement and Sargassum at concentrations of 5 wt.% and 7.5 wt.%, (c) multifunctional characterization of the composite material, encompassing physical chemistry and thermal, optical and mechanical properties, and (d) an economic-environmental evaluation of using the construction material for housing in the Mexican Caribbean to enhance thermal insulation and reduce electric energy consumption associated with air conditioning. Test specimens of the composite material reveal compressive strength ranging between 78 and 347 kg/cm2, solar spectrum absorbance between 54% and 70%, and thermal conductivity between 0.65 and 1 W/mK. The economic-environmental analysis indicates that employing the construction material in 5% of households in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico, could lead to annual reductions in energy consumption of approximately 67 GWh, with savings exceeding US$33,000, and environmental yearly mitigation equivalent to 4.1 TnNOx, 5.2 TnCH4, and 33,262 TnCO2. These results suggest promising prospects for incorporating Sargassum into construction materials, offering potential environmental and economic benefits. The composite material demonstrates optical, thermal, and mechanical functionality.

Detection of gasoline residues on household materials up to 60 days: Comparison of two extinguishing methods

Detection of ignitable liquid residues in a fire scene is essential for determining the origin. Although studies are focused on the detection of residues of accelerants depending on time or matrices, the time-dependent effect of the water extinguishing method in a fire has not yet been investigated. Experimental studies are needed to determine how long ignitable liquid residues can be detected in water-extinguished evidence compared to the smothering method. In this study, the effects of both extinguishing methods on gasoline residues were investigated after burning of carpet, sofa fabric, tablecloth, and towel by Solid Phase Micro Extraction- Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS) technique. Four mandatory and 14 additional compounds were considered to prove the gasoline residue after the monitoring of possible interferences. Results showed that gasoline residues on the burned carpet and sofa fabric samples were successfully detected in both extinguishing methods up to 60 and 30 days after fire exposure, respectively due to multi-layered structures of related substrates. Additionally, the prolonged detection time of the water-extinguishing method made it particularly beneficial for single-layered products like tablecloths, where gasoline residues were found after an hour in this substrate. This is the first study investigating the effects of the extinguishing methods depending on time for textile products, which are the most used materials in houses. In addition, the fact that acrylamide-containing sofa fabric was investigated for the first time and that gasoline residues in carpet samples can be detected up to 60 days makes this study stand out.

Environmental Risk Factors for Visceral Leishmaniasis: An Analysis of Housing Types and Behavioral Factors in Baringo County, Kenya.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is endemic in Baringo County, Kenya, and contributes significantly to the burden of disease in the region. Housing structures and other environmental risk factors contribute to transmission dynamics, but these have not been specifically studied in Baringo. The aim of this study was to increase understanding of VL transmission in the region through determining relationships between VL infection, housing, and other environmental factors. Data collection occurred from February 1 to May 31, 2023 at Chemolingot Sub-County Hospital and patients' homesteads via questionnaires of primary VL patients being treated and VL follow-up patients who were still residing in the same house as when the infection occurred. Factors assessed were housing structures, proximity to vector breeding and resting sites, and prevention and control measure practices. A baseline assessment of housing types was conducted through direct ethnographic observation and used in the analysis. Forty-one patients were included in the study. A χ2 analysis and Fisher's test were used to determine association between VL infection and housing materials, where VL patient housing data were compared with the regional baseline assessment. Significant associations with VL infection were found between mud and stick walls (P <0.001); mud walls (P <0.001); mud, stick, and grass combination walls (P = 0.02); and stick and grass walls (P <0.001). Behavior comparison showed that most VL-protective behaviors were practiced by follow-up patients after infection. Results showed an increased need for VL prevention focusing on environmental factors.

A Model for Determining the Thermal Comfort of Fishermen’s Houses on Coasts with Humid Tropical Climate

Fishermen’s houses on the coastal area of Dusun Karama Tengah, located at coordinates 119° 23’ 0” with 119° 23’ 9” BT, and 5° 13’ 28” LS with 5° 13’ 36” LS, with a humid tropical climate, has poor thermal comfort, and is not in the 22,8°C-27,1°C comfort category. Residents and house occupants feel stifled, hot, and uncomfortable during the day. Environmental factors, use of materials, construction, and the architecture of the fishing houses greatly contribute to the thermal comfort, apart from weather and climate factors. The aim of this research is to develop an innovative model for determining the thermal comfort of the fishermen’s homes. This research uses survey methods and observations of several factors that contribute to the thermal comfort during the day. It also uses expert system analysis techniques, certainty factors, based on Geographic Information System (GIS). A total of 107 fishermen’s housing units studied had poor thermal comfort, especially at 11:00-13:00 WITA or at 03:00-05.00 GMT. The poor thermal comfort of the fishermen’s houses is because they do not apply the principles of eco-building, green-architecture, and the lack of: facade, overhang, insulation, trees and parks, as well as the large use of low-density building projects in the form of zinc and triplex ceilings. This research has not taken into account the level of heat reduction of the house materials and the environment, so it is expected to be done in the upcoming research.

Typology of Traditional Domestic Architecture based on Social Stratifications: The Case of Mamasa Tribe, Indonesia

Typologies of traditional domestic architecture across the world are based on numerous criteria. Certainly, social stratification is one among them. Mamasa tribe located in the West Sulawesi Province, which is one of the Indonesian ethnic groups with traditional architecture do so based on the social and economic levels of the community and the caste divisions. Their traditional architectural heritage still maintained to this day is the Mamasa traditional house called banua. The Mamasa community introduced caste divisions based on the social and economic levels of the community which physically influenced the form and typology of the Mamasa traditional house. This study examines the architectural aspects influenced by the social stratification of the Mamasa community: the function, form, space, material, appearance and decorative variety of the Mamasa traditional house. The research employed exploratory qualitative methods. Data collection techniques included direct observations, interviews and literature studies. In-depth interviews were conducted with several traditional leaders related to the Mamasa traditional house. The field data was correlated with data from the literature studies: journals, books, or website sources related to the research study. The findings indicate a strong correlation between the architecture of the traditional Mamasa house and the social stratification that exists in the Mamasa community. The typology based on the social stratification of the Mamasa society is: the first type, Banua Sura' is intended for the tana' bulawan or high nobility class. The second type, Banua Bolong is intended for the tana' bassi or the ordinary nobility class. The third type, Banua Rapa is intended for the tana' karurung or free-people class. The fourth type, Banua Longkarrin is intended for the tana' kua-kua or the slave class. These four types of banua each reflect the social and economic status of the homeowners through their architecture.

Bamboo as a Building Material

Abstract: Bamboo is a versatile and remarkable plant; it is famous for its rapid growth, strength and sustainability, making it one of the most valuable and widely used natural resources. Bamboo has been utilized by humans for thousands of years. Its application ranges from construction to furniture and textile industries. In many Asian countries, bamboo is used as a primary building material for houses, bridges and scaffoldings. In recent years, bamboo has gained global recognition as a sustainable alternative to traditional materials. Its versatility, strength and eco-friendliness make it an ideal choice for a wide range of products. As the world becomes increasingly aware of the need for sustainable practices, bamboo stands out as a plant that can contribute to a more environmentally conscious future. The aim of the following study undertaken is to determine the physical and mechanical properties of bamboo for its use in construction industries. For this study, the bamboo samples were collected. Compression test, Water absorption test and Compressive Strength Test on Concrete Cube using stone aggregate and bamboo aggregate were performed. The material (Bamboo) used for these tests are neat, clean and free from any defects

The method of choosing a coolant based on a numerical experiment

Formulation of the problem. When designing modern liquid cooling systems, the problem arises of optimizing the choice of the type of immersion liquid used for cooling at the same time as solving the problems of optimizing the position of fuel elements and the choice of housing material. Purpose. Creation of a methodology for the reasonable choice of the type of immersion fluid in the process of computer-aided design of cooling systems of thermal power plants based on the results of a numerical experiment in a software environment based on a quantitative assessment of the effect of topological optimization (optimization of the location of a heat-loaded element). Results. The possibility of increasing the efficiency of a liquid cooling system by using the proposed method for selecting the type of immersion liquid based on the results of a numerical experiment in a software environment based on a quantitative assessment of the effect of topological optimization (optimization of the location of a heat-loaded element) is shown. This estimate represents the temperature difference of the fuel element in its standard (central) and optimized (angular) position in the housing of the device under study. The use of a laboratory bench as an example ensured the successful verification of the results of the numerical experiment and the reliability of the conclusions based on it. Of particular interest is the setting and adjustment of the parameters used in the cooling system of liquids due to the lack of complete information about them in the literature and databases, as well as insufficient experience in the use of liquid cooling systems. As a result of the study, it was concluded that it is advisable to use various types of liquids. The results of computer modeling are presented, confirming the high efficiency of the presented technique. Practical significance. The obtained results can be used to improve the performance of liquid cooling systems by making an informed choice and optimizing the design parameters of a liquid cooling system.

Exploring electroacoustic conversion in a standing-wave thermo-acoustic generator: An experimental study

Thermoacoustic generators (TAGs) present an attractive solution for converting low-grade thermal energy into useable electrical power. Despite their relatively modest fabrication, TAGs face significant efficiency challenges that impede their broader adoption. Current research efforts in thermoacoustics are primarily focused on overcoming these limitations. A critical factor influencing TAG efficiency is the design of the acoustic-to-electric (ATE) device. This component plays a vital role in converting the acoustic energy generated within the thermoacoustic engine (TAE) into electricity. Despite its importance, the impact of ATE design on overall TAG performance has often been overlooked in previous studies. This research aims to address this gap by investigating how different ATE configurations influence the efficiency of power conversion within thermoacoustic systems. Specifically, this study delves into the potential of electromagnetic devices: linear alternators and loudspeakers, as ATE converters in a Standing Wave Thermoacoustic Generator (SWTAG) framework using air at atmospheric conditions. Firstly, a comparative analysis was conducted between two types of linear alternators—moving magnet and moving coil and tested with different magnet types (rare earth and ferrie anisotropic) to evaluate their impact on voltage generation. Secondly, the influence of various factors on energy conversion using loudspeakers was investigated, including loudspeaker type (paper cone vs. polypropylene cone), housing geometry (diameter and length), housing material (galvanized steel vs. PVC), open versus closed ATE housing design and utilizing dual loudspeakers. The generated electricity was utilized to power a light bulb. Linear alternators resultsMoving coil configuration outperformed the moving magnet design due to its lighter weight. Rare earth disc magnets generated higher voltage outputs compared to ferrie anisotropic magnets. The moving coil configuration achieved a maximum voltage output of 454 mV, while the moving magnet design reached a maximum of 312 mV. Both linear alternator configurations displayed low overall efficiencies. This is likely due to a mismatch between the magnet and coil diameters, leading to inefficiencies in capturing the generated magnetic field. Loudspeakers resultsPaper cone loudspeakers demonstrated superior performance due to their greater displacement capability. The Saknyo-Paper cone loudspeaker configuration achieved a voltage output of 4.11 V. Optimal voltage generation was achieved when the loudspeaker diameter matched the ATE device housing diameter. Galvanized steel housing offered better performance than PVC housing due to reduced vibration losses. The voltage outputs for the galvanized steel and PVC configurations were 4.11 V and 2.21 V, respectively. Closing the loudspeaker housing resulted in decreased voltage output due to wave interference. The voltage outputs for the galvanized steel and PVC configurations were 3.33 V and 1.62 V, respectively. Dual loudspeakers significantly enhanced voltage generation compared to a single loudspeaker. The maximum voltage recorded for the dual loudspeaker configuration was 6.5 V.The developed thermoacoustic generator achieved an output voltage exceeding the target of 6 V and thermal-to-electric efficiency of 3.42 % with an output electric power of 10.56 W, surpassing previous air-powered TAGs operating at atmospheric conditions. The generator successfully illuminated a light bulb, demonstrating its ability to generate useable electricity. This study provides valuable insights into optimizing the design of acoustic-to-electric conversion devices in TAGs. The findings highlight the importance of factors such as material selection, housing geometry, and magnet type for maximizing energy conversion efficiency.

Effect Of Air-Abrasion And Er:Yag Laser On The Bond Strength Between The Metal Housing Of An Overdenture Attachment System And The Hard Relining Material

Objective. This study investigated the effect of air-abrasion and erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser treatments on push-out bond strength (PBS) between hard relining material and metal housing of an overdenture attachment system. Material and Methods. A total of 36 metal housings were randomly divided into 3 subgroups according to surface pretreatments (n=12): Control (no surface treatment; C), air-abrasion (A), and Er:YAG laser (L). Surface roughness (Ra) of specimens was determined using a profilometer. One additional specimen per group was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The hard relining material was bonded to metal housings, and a PBS test was performed using a universal testing machine. Data were statistically analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey’s honestly significant difference (HSD), and Tamhane’s T2 tests (α=.05). Results. C and L groups showed the lowest and highest Ra values, respectively. The mean Ra of the A group was statistically different from the mean values of the C and L groups (P&amp;lt;.001). The L group showed higher PBS values than the C group (P&amp;lt;.05), whereas the A group exhibited statistically similar PBS values to both C and L groups (P&amp;gt;.05). Conclusions. Air-abrasion did not significantly increase the bond strength between the metal housing and hard relining material. Er:YAG laser irradiation noticeably improved the PBS but caused surface microcracks.

Effect of Micro Economic Factors on Residential Property Value in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria

The research aims to assess the microeconomic factors affecting residential property values in Birnin Kebbi. Property serves as an asset for any individual, as real estate is one of life's primary goals. Besides the need to eat and drink, property also plays a crucial role in daily life. Property values are influenced by various factors, which can be either microeconomic or macroeconomic in nature, or both. Many microeconomic variables are related to property attributes and buyer demographic profiles. To achieve this aim, two objectives were formulated: (i) to examine the types of property and microeconomic factors affecting property values in the study area, and (ii) to assess the effect of microeconomic factors on residential property values. Both primary and secondary sources of data were used for data collection. Out of 377 questionnaires administered, 321 were retrieved. Simple random sampling and stratified random sampling methods were employed. Quantitative methods were used for data analysis, and all data gathered were analysed using descriptive statistics and the Likert scale. The study found that physical characteristics of residential properties, such as types of materials used, building design, room sizes, parking spaces, building age, and landscape, significantly influence property values. Additionally, the types of finishes (roofs, walls, ceilings, and floors), infrastructural facilities, and social amenities (number of toilets, electricity fittings, waste disposal and sewage, potable water supply, and various sanitation facilities) also play a role. The effects of microeconomic variables on property values in the study area include insecurity, increased traffic, property price changes, nuisances, environmental quality, property demand, and time consumption. The study recommends that prospective property developers ensure the use of standard building finishes to maximize returns on their investment in property value. Additionally, the government should introduce policies to ease difficulties in importing housing materials and promote the manufacture of local ones.

표암 강세황의 『표암유고』 미수록 시문 고찰

This paper examines materials not included in the Pyoam Yugo related to Pyoam Kang Se-hwang (1713~1791) among the materials held by the head house of Hak-am Kang Seok-gu (1726~1810) enshrined in Jadong Seowon in Gimcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Pyo-am and Hak-am were relatives of the same Jinju Kang Family, but Pyo-am was a descendant of Jukchang-gong Kang Ju (1566~1650) and Hak-am was a descendant of Chalbang-gong Kang Bu (1536~1606), making them very distant relatives. In addition, Hak-Am's predecessor had a friendly relationship with the Namin of Yeongnam by having a residence in Gimcheon, Gyeongbuk since the time of Namwa Kangseol (1583~1651), and Pyoam mainly lived in Ansan and Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, so he was close to the Namin near Seoul-Gyeonggi. However, Pyo-am and Hak-am interacted with each other based on a close relationship that had been established since their ancestors. In particular, Pyo-am, who was based near Seoul Gyeonggi, was in charge of supporting Hak-am's life in Seoul and other literary activities. Perhaps that is why there are ancient documents and books existing in Hak-am’s head house that tell us about his interactions with Pyo-am and his descendants. In this paper, first of all, three types of materials directly or indirectly related to Pyoam and other materials from the head house collection were presented by decoding and translating them. And then, I intensively reviewed a scroll of poems written by Pyoam and Hakam shared in 1771 at Buan, Jeolla Province, the place of appointment of Samdangjae Kang Wan (1739~1775), a commentary on King Yeongjo's handwriting written by Pyoam to Hakam in 1776, &lt;Songjeong&gt; which was mistaken for Pyoam's work in 1788, and three types of &lt;Song Jeongeonjongsiguiyeongnamseo&gt; that were mistaken for Pyoam’s work in 1788. Through this, the nature and significance of the materials were revealed, including Pyo-am and Hak-am's companionship and poetic aspects, Pyo-am's travels to Buan in Jeollanam-do and his relatives in Jinju, and Hak-am's human side and academic orientation, also, four poems, one epilogue, and one congratulatory message (祝文) were unearthed. Above all, the author of &lt;Jeongeonjongsiguiyeon- gnamseo&gt;, which had been mistaken for Pyoam's work, was corrected as Jungam Kang Icheon (1768~1801), Pyoam's grandson. The reason why it was misunderstood is because the name of Kang I-cheon (executed as a Seohak in 1801) was erased from the document due to Hak-am's agony in trying to establish Neo-Confucianism, Yeongnam Namin's identity, and Jadong Seowon. As discussed above, thanks to the existing Hak-am head house materials, it became an important opportunity to understand the chronology, literature, and political stance of the Jinju Kang family in the late 18th century, as well as the handwritten manuscripts of Hak-am and Pyo-am, Kang Wan, and Kang I-cheon.

The application for innovative methods and materials for greater sustainability in residential buildings in the UK: “a bibliometric review”

The provision of sustainable housing should factor energy efficiency, the use of sustainable building methods and materials and address the current associated barriers. This consideration triggered an ongoing study in UK which has so far conducted a bibliometric analysis of 275 papers using the VOSviewer software. More papers have been published in the last 5 years compared to the previous 15, and the UK is less engaged in successful collaborations in comparison to other economically developed nations. The lesser use of innovation in the UK has been identified. Also, the uses of sustainable methods and materials in residential housing are not fully exploited for achieving energy efficiency. A future research direction emerging is the potential to study the combined impact of using innovative materials and methods to achieve greater energy efficiency in UK housing provision. Through technological innovations and the need to move from fossil fuels (for example, through the use of heat pumps) a new approach can move the UK closer to achieving net-zero in housing provision and operations.

Sound absorption and thermal insulation materials from waste palm oil for housing application: Green polyurethane/water hyacinth fiber sheet composite

This research presents an eco-friendly method for producing polyurethane foam (PUF) and water hyacinth fiber (WHF) sheets. The objectives were to engineer wall materials with sound-absorption and thermal insulation capabilities while also improving the mechanical properties of pure PUF. Waste palm oil (WPO) was successfully utilized as a polyol substrate, playing a substantially role in PUF generation, acting as a PU binder, and serving as a PU adhesive. The productions of PUF (NCO index of 100) combined with WHF sheets (WHF/PU binder ratio of 60/40) using four distinct fabrication methods (sheet-foam-sheet (SFS), foam-sheet-foam (FSF), foam-foam-foam (FFF), and sheet-sheet-sheet (SSS)) were investigated with a fabrication thickness of 150 mm. The findings indicate that the SFS configuration demonstrates remarkable sound absorption properties, with an average sound absorption (SAA) of 0.59, noise reduction coefficient (NRC) of 0.39, and the highest sound absorption coefficient (SAC) of 0.93 at 1900 Hz, alongside a thermal conductivity of 0.0301 W/mK. Importantly, all four methodologies produce SAC values greater than 0.4, outperforming commercial counterparts while demonstrating low thermal conductivity indicative of effective thermal insulation. The result noted that WHF sheet exhibited self-extinguishing properties, making them suitable for use in construction materials. As a result, SFS emerges as the best method for constructing superior sound absorption and thermal insulation materials. This study emphasizes the potential of waste derived WPO and WHF as advantageous eco-friendly substrates for industrial wall and housing materials.

Identification of Physics Concepts in Tanjung Batu Knock Down House

This research aims to identify the physics concepts present in various components of knock-down houses. Data collection was conducted through interviews, observations, and documentation. The research took place in the village of Tanjung Batu, Ogan Ilir Regency, South Sumatra. The method employed in this study was qualitative research with a descriptive explanatory form. The findings indicate that there are physics principles in several components of knock-down houses. These include the equilibrium of rigid bodies, evident in the stairs and supporting pillars of the house, the concept of torque that occurs when opening and closing windows, the concept of the center of gravity acting on the roof of the house, electrical concepts present in house lights, and the concepts of temperature and heat influenced by the house's materials. Additionally, the concept of measurement is evident in the lengths of the wooden beams used in the construction of the knock-down house. Based on the results of this research, it can be concluded that knock-down houses represent local wisdom that incorporates physics concepts suitable for educational purposes.

An experimental investigation on the effects of the vortex tube material, swirl generator material and the tube length to diameter ratio on vortex tube performance

The current research investigates the effects of the swirl generator material, the tube length to diameter (L/D) ratio, and the vortex tube housing material on its performance. Two vortex tube were designed and constructed using either stainless or brass. In addition to testing different materials for the housing, 5 different materials were examined as potential options for the swirl generator, including stainless steel, brass, polyamide, acrylic and wood. All were having nozzle number of 6. The study encompassed three main areas: examining the impact of various L/D ratios on an entirely stainless vortex tube (ESVT) and an entirely brass vortex tube (EBVT), exploring various swirl generator materials at an optimal L/D ratio for the stainless vortex tube and the brass vortex tube, and investigating the influence of an optimal swirl generator material with varying L/D ratios for the stainless and brass vortex tubes. Operating conditions were controlled for all tests, the natural refrigerant, compressed air was used, the inlet pressure was set to 3.0 bar and the cold mass fraction was varied from 0.40 to 0.90. The results revealed that the performance of the ESVT was greater than the EBVT. The best combination was the polyamide swirl generator and brass vortex tube with an L/D ratio of 19.0. This resulted in the maximum isentropic efficiency of 0.27 at a cold mass fraction of about 0.47.

The Impact of Bamboo Cavities on Thermal Comfort in Building Construction

In tropical countries like Indonesia, bamboo stands out as a sturdy and readily available building material due to its rapid growth. It's widely utilized in forming structural and architectural elements of buildings. However, due to the complexity of connections, bamboo has seen some replacement by newer materials like brick, steel, and concrete. Yet, the resurgence of bamboo usage aligns with the emergence of the green building concept, prioritizing environmentally friendly materials sourced from the local environment. Bamboo finds extensive application in tropical housing, serving as columns, roofs, and walls, often woven. This material effectively reduces indoor temperatures, providing occupants with thermal comfort. However, there's a gap in understanding regarding the use of bamboo as log-shaped walls or the role of cavities in bamboo stems in enhancing thermal comfort. This study adopts a quantitative approach, primarily through literature review, employing a descriptive presentation method. Bamboo plays a significant role in lowering room temperatures, particularly due to its cavity structure, which facilitates heat dissipation. This makes it suitable for use in tropical areas as a material for residential houses and other buildings.

Sustainable construction materials for low-cost housing: Thermal insulation potential of expanded SBR composites with leather waste

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in improving energy efficiency and thermal comfort in low-income housing, especially in regions prone to extreme climatic conditions. Conventional construction materials such as bricks and concrete exhibit shortcomings in energy efficiency, resulting in high indoor temperatures. This scenario not only impacts residents' well-being but also increases energy consumption, especially for air conditioning systems, potentially straining the electrical infrastructure in hot climate areas, leading to power outages and adverse consequences for the community and local industry. This study proposes an innovative and sustainable solution: the use of expanded styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) with micronized leather shavings, possessing thermal insulation properties. The thermal insulation capacity of the composites was evaluated using heat flow methods, hot/cold plate heat flow analysis, and impedance tube acoustic method. The SBR/Leather waste composite at 20 phr emerges as a viable, promising, and sustainable alternative, exhibiting significant thermal insulation capacity with a thermal conductivity of 0.073 Wm-1.K−1 and temperature attenuation close to 15 °C, potentially enhancing comfort and quality of life in urban areas. The thermal insulation results of the other composites also surpassed traditional construction materials such as building boards, plywood, fiberglass, asphalt roofing, and cement tiles. The study demonstrates the feasibility of reusing leather as a reinforcing filler in rubber-based foams to produce thermal insulation materials, offering a sustainable solution to mitigate urban heating and improve quality of life in cities.

Strength and Erosion Resistance of Spinifex Fibre Reinforced Mudbrick

This study assesses the usability of natural materials available in Australia’s remote communities for making fibre-reinforced mudbricks. The present construction cost for housing in remote areas is too high to maintain the level of housing required for the remote Australian population. As this includes mostly First Nations communities, more culturally appropriate housing materials and construction methods are being considered. This study looks at mudbricks made from laterite soil reinforced by spinifex fibre, both available in abundance in remote communities. Hence, this material is more acceptable to communities as it is more sustainable, and the construction methods are more suited for First Nations engagement. Various mixes were tested for compressive strength and erosion resistance. Results suggest that spinifex can significantly improve compressive strength and reduce erosion effects; however, spinifex showed adverse effects at the early stage of the spray test. The results satisfy the minimum strength and erosion resistance requirements for construction and suggest that spinifex-reinforced mudbricks could potentially be considered as an alternative material in remote housing.

A Study of Consumer Behavior: Preferences for Vernacular and Modern Architecture in Hot and Dry Indian Regions

Global warming and energy shortages have become major global problems, with the building industry being a major energy consumer. Vernacular architecture, which has been developed over generations, is more adaptable to changing environments, including building orientation, form, spacing, layout orientation, and climatic features. This approach considers the home's aesthetics, physical characteristics, and social purposes, resulting in unique designs in hot, arid climate locations. Examples include Rajasthan and Gujarat, which use locally produced sandstone and lime, Jaali screens, and courtyard designs. Modern architecture in these areas integrates advanced materials, shading technologies, passive cooling techniques, and sustainable energy systems. This study aims to examine vernacularism's climatic adaptation, focusing on climatic adaptive technology and its potential in house shape, construction method, building components, and materials. The findings have implications for architects, urban planners, and policymakers seeking to create resilient and sustainable built environments that respect cultural identity while embracing innovation and local knowledge. The essay will examine 23 previous studies and the work of architects who have adapted traditional and vernacular architecture to create a new identity in architecture, showcasing the blending of traditional and vernacular architectural knowledge with contemporary technology and materials.