IC2 Materials Assignment

SELF-HEALING ASPHALT

Self-healing is receiving an increasing amount of worldwide interest as a method to autonomously address damage in materials. This asphalt is basically a special type of ZOAB (very porous asphalt concrete) containing small steel wool fibers. A known but serious problem with ZOAB is raveling: stones at the surface coming off in time due to micro cracks in the binder.

The special ZOAB that is developed at Delft University can be heated with induction energy due to the fibers that are present, could close the micro cracks and with that, extends the service life of the road.

In the new asphalt that is developed in this project small steel wool fibers are mixed in the bitumen. After some time (probably a few years or after a strong winter like we have now) when small micro cracks occur in the bitumen and when the aggregates in the asphalt mix at the surface start to debond, the steel wool fibers are heated with induction energy. By heating up the fibers the bitumen will melt and close the cracks and repair the bond with the aggregates. It is important not to apply too much heating, because that would close all the pores in the porous asphalt.

SOURCE: www.selfhealingasphalt.blogspot.com

NATURAL INSULATION

HOMATHERM flexCL 040 is a very practical insulation material in flexible batt form, made from recycled newspaper and recycled jute sacking. The material is treated with borax to resist insects and to make the insulation fire-resistant. The material is very comfortable to work with, and can be readily cut to fit where necessary. Installation is safe and easy, protecting the health of both installers and building occupants.

Homatherm improves the climate in the building because of its thermal and vapor diffusion capacity – the ability both to regulate temperature and to absorb moisture and gently give it off again. It protects the structure and keeps it dry, prolonging the lifetime of the building fabric.

Homatherm can be used between rafters, joists and timber studs in breathing constructions. It can also be installed as a partial fill insulation for cavity wall construction with a ventilated air gap.

SOURCE: www.constructionresources.com

See the full document research here.

Posted in Alejandro Nuñez López, IC.2 Energy | Comments closed

Ecofriendly & Innovative Materials // Accoya

Created from sustainably sourced softwood, Accoya wood matches or exceeds the durability, stability and beauty of the very best tropical hardwoods.The Accoya wood production process takes sustainably-sourced, fast growing softwood and, in a non toxic process that ‘enables nature’, creates a new durable, stable and beautiful product – that has the very best environmental credentials.

Dimensional stability
Swelling and shrinkage reduced by 75% or more// Doors and windows open effortlessly year round//Paints and varnishes last 3 or 4 times longer, greatly reducing maintenance costs
Class 1 durability
The most durable wood possible// More durable than teak and the world’s other most durable woods//Perfect for outdoor use
Long lasting
Lasting at least 50 years above ground and 25 years in ground
Rot& insect barrier
Accoya wood is indigestible to insects and microorganisms and is therefore more resistant to decay// Barrier to wood-destroying fungi
// Accoya wood is virtually rot-proof
Perfect for Coating
Easier to coat: less preparation and sanding between coatings required//Improved dimensional stability and UV resistance improves the life of coatings//Perfect for transparent, translucent and opaque coatings
Naturally Insulating
Accoya wood offers improved thermal insulation in comparison with commonly used wood species//Accoya wood is ideal for applications where energy conservation is important
Non- Toxic
Accoya wood is non-toxic, protecting the environment from the harmful effects of poisons leaching out of typical wood treatment//Accoya wood may be safely reused and recycled
From sustainable sources
Sustainably sourced, including from FSC, PEFC and other regionally certified woods//Naturally renewable
100% recyclable
Fully reusable and recyclable // Reuse is recommended but Accoya wood may be
safely incinerated for bio-energy or composted

The technology behind Accoya® wood is based on acetylation. The physical properties of any material are determined by its chemical structure. Wood contains an abundance of chemical groups called “free hydroxyls” (represented as OH in the picture). Free hydroxyl groups adsorb and release water according to changes in the climatic conditions to which the wood is exposed. This is the main reason why wood swells and shrinks. It is also believed that the digestion of wood by enzymes initiates at the free hydroxyl sites – which is one of the principal reasons why wood is prone to decay. Acetylation effectively changes the free hydroxyls within the wood into acetyl groups. This is done by reacting the wood with acetic anhydride, which comes from acetic acid (known as vinegar when in its dilute form). When the free hydroxyl group is transformed to an acetyl group, the ability of the wood to absorb water is greatly reduced, rendering the wood more dimensionally stable and, because it is no longer digestible, extremely durable.

http://www.accoya.com/

Posted in Deniz Tumerdem, IC.2 Energy | Comments closed

Biomaterials : Reben and Arboform

REBEN

Reben is a natural paint that was created as a response to the harmful effects of paints on air-quality. Because Reben is made from 100% natural ingredients, its byproducts are extremely safe and edible and it emits no harmful compounds. The material is made from Japanese washi paper, seaweed glue, scallop-shell power, titanium dioxide, and natural pigments, all of which are safe and even help clean the air. Washi controls humidity naturally by absorbing and releasing moisture. Scallop-shell powder prevents mold and bacteria growth and titanium dioxide releases a scent to the air and absorbs pollution when the surface is lit. Reben is a durable alternative to wallpaper and comes in a variety of textures and colors.

ARBOFORM

Researches have developed a thermoplastic material called Arboform that is based on natural resources and responds to heat. Arbofrom is unusual because although it has properties similar to wood, it can be melted and formed like a plastic. One of the raw materials used in Arboform is lignin, which is the same substance that gives wood its rigidity. Lignin is a major by-product of the paper industry, but millions of tons of it are burned in order to produce energy. Instead of being burned, if lignin is mixed with natural fibers, it produces Arboform. This ‘liquid wood’ is a unique composition of both natural polymers and natural fibers.

Posted in IC.2 Energy, Lana Awad | Comments closed

Eco Friendly materials // Biochar bricks

Biochar has many advantages including those of construction materials such as bricks, panels, and blocks, by using this component in materials the building walls become lighter and more insulate. Bricks are made using, rice husk biochar (a byproduct from rice mills), cement and sand. The recommended usage for the material is, around paths and plants, inside walls and high walls, for insulation uses, for termite resistant issues, and when light weight materials are needed.

Biochar has many advantages including those of construction materials such as bricks, panels, and blocks, by using this component in materials the building walls become lighter and more insulate. Bricks are made using, rice husk biochar (a byproduct from rice mills), cement and sand. The recommended usage for the material is, around paths and plants, inside walls and high walls, for insulation uses, for termite resistant issues, and when light weight materials are needed.

Posted in IC.2 Energy, Maria Elena Amescua Dacasa | Comments closed

Energy Study of Iaac Building (Barcelona)

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Posted in Ahmad Derhalli, Akram Ahmed Salah, Alexandre Dubor, Chun-Yu Lin, Farshad Mehdizadeh, IC.2 Energy, Seyedahmad Bathaei, Theodoros Grousopoulos | Comments closed