Papers by Keyword: Building Materials

Abstract: The increasing need for eco-friendly building materials has led to research into using natural fibres as reinforcement in concrete structures. This study investigates the flexural strength of kenaf fibre-reinforced concrete (KFRC) beams using both experimental and numerical analysis. Kenaf fibres are known for their excellent tensile strength and environmental friendliness. Four beam samples (A, B, C, and D) were tested. The samples had 100mm (control), 125 mm, 150 mm, and 175 mm shear spacing, respectively. Kenaf fibre was added to samples B, C, and D to determine its effect on flexural performance at an optimal content and length. The three-point bending test was conducted to evaluate key parameters such as flexural strength and deflection. Additionally, the imaging characterisation of kenaf fibre reinforced concrete and plain concrete using micro-and nanoparticles was examined and analysed using scanning electron microscopy. A finite element model was developed using Abaqus software to simulate the flexural behaviour of KFRC beams and validate the experimental results. The beam Samples A, B, C, and D have the flexural strength of 62 MPa, 72 MPa, 68 MPa, and 55 MPa, respectively and deflection values of 23.08 mm, 19.03 mm, 21.85 mm, and 31.25 mm, respectively. When comparing the flexural strength of samples B and C to that of the control sample, the results showed that the flexural strength rose by 10% and 4.6%, respectively. The flexural strength and deflection numerical models are 94% and 90%, respectively. The efficiency of the suggested model was confirmed by the numerical simulations, which demonstrated good agreement with experimental results. The potential of kenaf fibre as a workable substitute for shear reinforcement in environmentally friendly concrete constructions is highlighted by this study.

Abstract: Buton Island is one of the largest Islamic Sultanate territories in Indonesia. One of the remains of the Buton Sultanate is the Grand Mosque of the Buton Sultanate (TGMOTSOB). TGMOTSOB was founded in 1537 and 1929 and renovated by the 37th Sultan of Buton. Over time TGMOTSOB has experienced changes in the appearance of the building. Changes in form in architecture fall within the scope of synchronic and diachronic. Changes in architecture and morphology correlate synchronically and diachronically. This correlation is important to explore to explain changes in ideas and meanings in the history of the building. This systematic review aims to: 1) gain a deeper understanding of the architectural morphology at TGMOTSOB; and 2) This systematic review can identify the instruments used to measure TGMOTSOB architectural morphology. This research concludes that TGMOTSOB can be studied by architectural morphology with building materials, building color, and changes in building shape based on factors of need and demand, technology, and political needs. Keywords: Changes in building shape, building materials, building colour.

Abstract: One of the promising directions for ensuring the fire resistance of wooden building materials is the development of silicon phosphate compositions, thanks to which the formation of a protective layer is possible, which effectively prevents the spread of fire. The paper examines the possibility of using orthophosphate acid as a modifying additive for silicic acid sols. The influence of H₃PO₄ concentration on the rheological characteristics of the studied sols was determined. Sols with small amounts of orthophosphate acid (1–2%) lost their fluidity in the interval of 45–70 minutes. Increase of the additive content to 8% led to a sharp increase in optical density values and extended the survivability interval of the sol to 24 hours. Coatings based on gels with 1–2% orthophosphate acid were elastic, but increasing the content of the additive led to the formation of hard, inelastic coatings.According to the results of infrared (IR) spectroscopy, the effect of orthophosphate acid on the nature of polycondensation was confirmed. The degree of polycondensation was estimated by the ratio of intensity (I) and band width (d) at 1050 cm^–1, which corresponds to the vibrations of Si-O-Si bonds. Based on the comparison of I/d indicator values, the formation of linear siloxane chains was confirmed in the case of the use of small H₃PO₄ additions. Linear polycondensation ensures greater homogeneity of the gel, which was confirmed by IR spectroscopy of gels heat-treated at 800 °C and by microscopic observations. The coating on the wood surface, based on a fire-resistant silica-containing composition with small additions of orthophosphate acid, had the most uniform and continuous structure.

Abstract: Increasing the fire resistance of wooden building structures is quite effectively ensured thanks to the development of fire-fighting compositions with aromatic components that contribute to the formation of a carbonized layer on the surface of the material during combustion. It is also known about the mutual positive influence of benzene fragments and phosphate-containing compounds on the fire-resistant characteristics of wood. The paper considers the possibility of complex use of phenol and orthophosphate acid to improve the flame retardant properties of SiO₂-based coatings. The effect of modifying additives on the rheological properties of silicic acid sols was determined. Based on the results of IR spectroscopy, the influence of components on the nature of polycondensation in experimental SiO₂ sols was evaluated. It is shown that the use of orthophosphate acid as a modifier leads to the initiation of predominantly linear polycondensation in experimental sols. It was established that small additions of phenol practically do not affect the course of polycondensation in experimental sols. Increasing the phenol content to 0.5% showed an effect on gel formation due to the possible addition of phenol to the skeletal silanol groups by the donor-acceptor mechanism, which makes it possible to have a synergistic effect of the complex additive of orthophosphate acid and phenol on the properties of the silica-containing flame retardant composition.

Abstract: In this paper, the effect of two additives on the plasticity properties and drying sensitivity of a Hungarian clay were investigated. Two different sodium tripolyphosphate-based commercially available plasticizers (Fabutit 734, Budit 8H) were applied for experiments. The amount of the additives in the clay mass was changed between 0 and 0.5wt% relative to the weight of the dry clay and the plasticity was measured with two different methods. In addition to the plasticity of the clay mixes, the effect of the additives on the drying sensitivity was also analyzed with the Macey method. Results showed that the moisture content required to shape the clay body can be reduced by 1-1.5% with the mixing 0.1 and 0.2 wt% of Budit 8H additive.

Abstract: In the presented article, numerous oil refining wastes removed from the Dashkesan Ore Processing Plant are taken as an example. The composition of waste samples was studied using various instruments. The chemical composition of waste allows it to be used as an additional raw material in the production of building materials.

Abstract: Nowadays, our society has the responsibility of reducing the energy consumed in the building sector. A promising technology to achieve this goal is the implementation of thermal energy storage (TES) solutions in buildings envelopes. Phase change materials (PCM) which act as a thermal buffer, take advantage of the melting temperature of the material to change its state, improving building energy efficiency. This work explores and investigates how with a cheap PCM material, such as surf wax, high impact thermal results are obtained. To check and verify this condition, two concrete specimens were prepared with treated PCM aggregate and two without the PCM. The four test cubes were placed in an oven and using thermal sensors, the data about the temperature evolution during the process of heating and cooling was collected for further analysis. The results between the PCM concrete samples and the samples without PCM were compared, verifying the promising performance in terms of energy impact.

Abstract: The valorization of available agricultural by-products is important for the development of bio-aggregate based concretes as eco-friendly solutions for building materials. However, their diversity requires to assess their potential of use in vegetal concretes. This study aims to propose simple and relevant multi-physical characterization methods for plant aggregates. Basic and complementary characterizations were carried out on hemp shiv as a reference plant aggregate, and nine by-products available in the South-West part of France, i.e., oleaginous flax shiv, sunflower pith and bark, coriander straw, wheat straw, wheat chaff, corn shuck, miscanthus stem and vine shoot. The basic characterizations performed were those recommended by the TC-RILEM 236 BBM, i.e., particle size distribution, bulk density, water absorption and thermal conductivity. Complementary characterizations have also been proposed, taking into account the possible environment of the binder and the vegetal concrete manufacturing method. The additional tests developed or adapted from previous research assess the following properties: the content of water-soluble compounds at pH 7 and 12, the dry density of plant aggregates compacted in wet state, the real water absorption after compaction and the compression behavior of these compacted aggregates. This complete characterization highlights the distinct behavior of the different agroresources and allows to correlate these characteristics to the use properties of hardened composites.

Abstract: This paper explores how the application of nanotechnology can enhance the efficacy of construction materials, decrease consumption and cost of materials, whilst further increasing sustainability in the South African construction industry. Nanotechnology controls matter at an atomic level. At this level the properties of matter are manipulated and severely affected with potentially significant benefits to the construction industry. This exploratory desktop study examined relevant scientific literature through thematic content analysis and the uses of NanoSilica, Carbon Nanotubes, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Nanosilver, and Copper Nanoparticles were extracted and discussed.

Abstract: The structure of filled cementitious composite materials is formed as a result of hardening with the formation of a crystalline framework. The filler is involved in the building material crystal system structure formation. Chemically active fillers promote intensive release of hydration products that bind into insoluble compounds and increase the system stability. When developing the formulations for dry building mixtures, it is effective to use several fillers with different properties that complement each other, and biocidal additives increasing the materials resistance to environment effects formed by mold fungi. To create modified dry building mixtures based on cement binder, materials such as filler made of quartz sand of various fractions, fillers chrysotile and clinoptilolite and biocidal additives of the Teflex series were used. The composition with sand grains of 0.16–0.315 mm in size showed high strength properties in bending and compression. The introduction of chrysotile in an amount of 3% by weight of cement and quartz sand with a particle size of 0.16–0.315 mm increases the compressive and flexural strength by 7 and 13%, respectively, compared with the control composition. Clinoptilolite, introduced in an amount of 20% of the cement mass instead of one of the quartz sand fractions, increases the compressive strength of the composites up to 5%. The introduction of the Teflex series additives in the amount of at least 1% by weight of the binder ensures the composites’ fungal resistance. The additive “Teflex disinfectant” in an amount of at least 3% of the cement mass gives the composites fungicidal properties, the zone of no fungal growth on the nutrient solution near the infected samples is 4 mm.