Advanced Materials Research Vol. 649

Abstract: Interaction - society, ecology and energy. Technology and its three principal areas in society represented by industry, transportation and human settlements. Human settlements and architecture as a symbiosis of function, aesthetics, technology and economics. The criterion of the art in architecture expressed by system link Building - Climate - Energy. New value relationships in the human economy. Transformation of the material sector, energy sector and the entire economy. Low-energy building of today. Green building as an important transitional phase to the target program of sustainable future building.

Abstract: Natural physical cavity. Quantification of annual temperature regime of natural physical cavity by in-situ experiment. Annual course of temperature of outdoor climate. Annual course of maximum temperature of natural physical cavity of optimal south-west orientation. Concept of new possibilities for energy utilization of air from natural physical cavities. Two-stage system for utilization of renewable energy sources.

Abstract: The main factor that governs the shrink-swell behavior of expansive soils is the change in water content and the amount and type of clay size in the soil. In this paper, the research made are focused in reducing the swell potential of the studied clay by improvement in two ways: first by stabilization with a combination of eco-cement and Portland cement (1:1 ratio), and second by synthetic fiber reinforcement. A series of laboratory tests were performed on synthetic fiber reinforced expansive soil to determine the potential for using synthetic fiber reinforcement to reduce swell potential of soils. Specimens tested were prepared at two different synthetic fiber dosages 0.2% and 0.4%. The treatment of expansive clay with 5% eco-cement and 5% Portland cement revealed a better improvement of the swelling potential. The synthetic fiber reinforcement of the expansive soil doesn’t lead to a significant improvement of the soil.

Abstract: Due to tightening requirements for thermal protection of buildings, the development of new materials with good thermal insulation properties is supported. Correct design of structural details leads to the elimination of thermal bridges and to the improvement of the indoor environment. Thermal conductivity of materials is not constant, is influenced by many factors. In addition to density and bulk density, structure and composition of material, it depends mainly on the humidity and temperature of the material. In the framework of sustainable construction, emphasis is placed on reduction of natural resources consumption, saving of energy and minimization of the harmful effects resulting from the processing of primary raw materials. Also one of the greatest problems of today is waste disposal. The simplest option in terms of technology and economic costs is a landfill. Many materials - in particular waste polymers - subjects to chemical changes very slowly. Therefore there is a support of the efforts to extend the product life cycle through recycling. Thermal insulating blocks made from secondary raw materials, described in this paper, are one of the solutions to this problem.

Abstract: The article deals with the description of structural system Superadobe and possibilities of its application in building construction for an individual living in the present as system environmentally friendly. The article deals also with analysis of further possibilities of use of clay plaster in the construction.

Abstract: Article tries to highlight the advantages of using in construction area of composites materials obtained from recycled polyethylene and wood dust in the presence of compatibilizing agents. The composite materials have been evaluated in terms of dielectric properties and mechanical characteristics to take into account for the optimum materials structure. The advantage of composite materials made of plastic is that those can be designed in accordance with the formulas of composite plastic and technology to achieve high performance properties in a wide variety of commercial and residential construction applications.

Abstract: This paper deals with the environmental assessment of production of structural elements made of secondary raw materials developed by the Brno University of Technology, Faculty of Civil Engineering, with use of LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) methodology. Structural elements made of this material can be used in the building constructions as thermal insulating elements resisting high mechanical loads which could be used for minimizing the thermal bridges in structural details of buildings, such as the substructure below doors and windows, thermal insulation of the base of the wall, etc. This paper presents the identified environmental impacts of the prototype production of this structural element.

Abstract: The evaluation of energy savings in the area of transport infrastructure entails a complex characterization of factors, attitudes and consequences. In the frame of energy saving approach, must be identified sustainable alternatives and solutions for road asphalt pavements production and exploitation. Finding innovative materials is one major objective in this process. In the present paper has been carried out an evaluation of the energetically and environmental benefits of warm mix asphalt (WMA) compositions that incorporate reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and their contribution to roads sustainable development. For a proper analysis and reliable results, have been used the Life Cycle Assessment methodology and asPECT software. WMA integrating RAP are known as energy – saving and environmentally friendly asphalt roads pavements. Analyzed in a comparative perspective with hot mix asphalt (HMA) incorporating RAP, WMA would gain in results due to the decrease in mixing and compaction temperature, energy consumption and emissions but also to the increase in durability, quality and performance. The results of this comparison intended to point out an alternative that would provide an increase in the sustainability of the transport infrastructure sector.

Abstract: The paper presents some preliminary results on using a new supplementary Cementitious material based on industrial by-products most of them unrecyclable until recently. The opportunity for using such industrial unrecyclable wastes in construction industry has recently been recognized by researchers as having net benefits for the environment. This strategy has the potential to reduce costs, conserve energy and minimize waste. The concept very much fits into the era of sustainable development. In view of this fact, the effect of curing conditions on the self weight and strength characteristics of an eco-mortar is studied and preliminary encouraging results are presented. The eco-cement, in the form of anhydrous calcium sulphate, is set to replace the ordinary Portland cement in the mix proportion. It is made from industrial wastes and can be entirely recycled after its expiration date. The curing conditions consisted in air curing for 28 days or various time intervals for curing in water until the day of testing. The strength properties at the age of 28 days are investigated in terms of bending tensile strength and compressive strength. The obtained results show that the curing conditions play an important role both on the self weight and on the strength characteristics.

Abstract: Straw bales can be used as a relatively cheap and ecological building material for buildings. Design of straw buildings is currently based on empirical knowledge although it would be very helpful to have more information about material properties for designing and realization of straw bales houses. Article discuses load - deformation behavior of straw bales in laboratory conditions and evaluate the modulus of elasticity of local straw bales. Deformation characteristics of straw bales can be very useful for the design of straw buildings.