WoodCentral’s Post

"By reinforcing concrete with textiles instead of steel, it is possible to use less material and create slender, lightweight structures with a significantly lower environmental impact. The technology to utilize carbon fiber textiles already exists, but it has been challenging, among other things, to produce a basis for reliable calculations for complex and vaulted structures. Researchers from Chalmers University of Technology, in Sweden, present a method that makes it easier to scale up analyses and thus facilitate the construction of more environmentally friendly bridges, tunnels and buildings. "A great deal of the concrete we use today has the function to act as a protective layer to prevent the steel reinforcement from corroding. If we can use textile reinforcement instead, we can reduce cement consumption and also use less concrete and thus reduce the climate impact," says Karin Lundgren, who is Professor in Concrete Structures at the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering at Chalmers." #structures #textiles

Building people-facing energy projects does not have to be "boring". #hydrogenfueling #zahahadid #H2 #decarbonization #3dprinting Architecture is one way to get the local community engaged or even excited. https://lnkd.in/gJ_2JkHe

🌍What's new in material science that could revolutionize construction? 🔨 The construction industry is on the brink of a revolution, driven by groundbreaking materials that promise to transform how we build and live. Here’s a peek into what’s emerging according to LetsBuild: ✖ Translucent wood - Windows and solar panels from wood! 🧊 Cooling bricks - Bricks that cool your space naturally. 🚬 Cigarette butt bricks - Turning waste into eco-friendly resources. 🪐 Martian concrete - Yes, building on Mars! 💡 Light-generating cement - Illuminate with cement! 🛠️ CABKOMA strand rods - Seismic reinforcements that are light yet strong. 🌱 Biologically produced furniture - Gorgeous and sustainable. 🌊 Floating piers - Artistic walkways on water. 🧱 Pollution-absorbing bricks - Bricks that clean the air! 🔄 Self-healing concrete - Concrete that repairs itself. Interested in more about these innovations? 🔗 Check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gdyEqxH At FP Construction, we are pioneering the use of eco-friendly and innovative construction materials. 🏗️ With our unique additives and method statements, we enhance product performance while supporting a greener industry. Soon, you'll see FP Construction on lists like this. 😉 #innovationinconstruction #sustainablebuilding #FPConstruction

https://lnkd.in/gxbkrfU4 Article Title: Sustainability based on indigenous materials of building construction Author(s): Vandna Sharma* Journal: Journal of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences Journal ISSN: 2455-488X Construction of shelter is one of the basic and prime needs of human civilization. With the passage of time, the basic of construction of this shelter have evolved from simple caves to magnificent houses, palaces and like. Similar is the case with building materials and construction industry that has evolved from the use of simple straw, mud, thatch, and slates to modern day conventional building material like bricks, reinforced cement concrete, tiles, glass, steel, prefabricated materials and many more. As per research studies by the Shukla et al. [1] and Morel et al,. [2], building industry todays accounts for majority of energy usage for different building construction purposes. However, same research studies have also shown that if in place of conventional building materials indigenous or vernacular natural building materials are used for construction purposes, then a lot of energy can be saved which is often involved in manufacturing and transportation process of building materials. For this reason many researcher round the globe like Henri and Houben [3], Sharma et al. [4] and Kafodya et al. [5], are looking for sustainable building materials which can be advantageously propagated for minimizing the energy involved in building construction processes and have least negative impacts on the environment. In this succession vernacular and natural material like earth or soil is of high importance and very useful in terms of easy availability and workability, low cost of construction and maintainece, easy repair and maintenance, high energy efficiency, better acoustical advantages and like as discussed by Sharma et al. [6]. Other vernacular materials like bamboo, wood have been studied in this regard by Quiteria et al. [7]. It also reflects that vernacular architecture is increasingly gaining international research interest for revival and is looked upon as better alternative for partly or completely replacing modern conventional building construction materials. #Engineering #MechanicalEngineering #ElectricalEngineering #CivilEngineering #ChemicalEngineering #ComputerEngineering #SoftwareEngineering #AerospaceEngineering #BiomedicalEngineering #EnvironmentalEngineering #StructuralEngineering #IndustrialEngineering #MaterialsEngineering #SystemsEngineering #Robotics #Peertechz #PeertechzPublications #Nanotechnology #RenewableEnergy #EngineeringDesign #EngineeringManagement #ManufacturingEngineering #AutomotiveEngineering #TelecommunicationsEngineering #Mechatronics #EngineeringMechanics #ControlSystems

Mass timber construction is an interesting technology. Could we see more of it moving forward? https://lnkd.in/gBHMPPr3

Recently, building tall and large with mass timber has been gaining momentum worldwide due to the low carbon footprint of timber products. Floor systems can contribute nearly three-quarters of the environmental impact of a tall building. To demonstrate the potential for mass timber across a range of building types and scales, DIALOG and EllisDon developed a Hybrid Timber Floor System (HTFS), an innovative approach to existing floor systems, with greener construction options and meaningful use of local natural resources. The current proposed design prototype suggests it is possible to reduce structural embodied carbon by 46%. Now still in the testing phase, the novel Hybrid Timber Floor System has received patents in Canada and China. DIALOG, FPInnovations, and EllisDon have a written a paper for the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Journal of Structural Engineering on the fire testing performance of the HTFS.   Read the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/gV5YNjjA #DIALOG #design #innovation #sustainability #masstimber

Support Statement: The Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) building materials distribution system represents a compelling business opportunity in Canada and the North American market. This opportunity is particularly significant in light of the increasing frequency of forest fires, which have devastated entire communities such as Jasper, Slave Lake, and Fort McMurray in Canada, and Paradise Valley in California. The AAC building materials industry can offer a resilient, sustainable, and cost-effective alternative to traditional construction materials, addressing the urgent need for fire-resistant building solutions. Market Demand: Rising Awareness of Fire-Resistant Materials: The catastrophic forest fires have heightened awareness and demand for fire-resistant building materials. AAC, known for its excellent fire resistance properties, can withstand temperatures up to 1,200°C and has a fire rating of up to 6 hours, making it a safer choice for construction in fire-prone areas. Rebuilding Efforts: Communities affected by forest fires are in dire need of rebuilding. The demand for construction materials that can ensure safety and durability has never been higher. AAC materials provide an ideal solution for these rebuilding efforts, promising enhanced safety and resilience.

I can't say I'm not biased at all, but I do really appreciate the reuse/salvaging efforts happening at the Frank Erwin Center (RIP). "The facility will act as a blueprint for reusing building materials beyond the core ingredients like concrete and steel. An innovative partnership between Texas Engineers, The University of Texas at Austin's Office of Sustainability and the construction team on the $25 million Erwin Center demolition project has led to the mapping and cataloging of reusable materials in the building, such as doors, chairs, tile, carpet, electronics and more. This partnership will result in a set of policy recommendations that the University will apply to future capital projects, creating a more sustainable construction process. It will allow future project teams to improve methods for salvaging materials." https://lnkd.in/gXeETd8K #sustainability The University of Texas at Austin

Imagine a world where the buildings we inhabit are not only aesthetically pleasing but also constructed in a manner that's both environmentally friendly and efficient. This vision is gradually becoming a reality, thanks in part to the burgeoning field of mass timber construction. Yet, as with any emerging industry, there are hurdles to overcome, one of the most significant being the knowledge gap among the key players responsible for bringing these structures to life. At the heart of the solution is an approach known as Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA), which is making strides in overcoming these obstacles by fostering early collaboration among architects, engineers, manufacturers, and builders. A recent workshop at the University of British Columbia's Centre for Advanced Wood Processing (CAWP) showcases the potential of DFMA to revolutionize the way we build with wood. https://lnkd.in/g_SRM3Fs

Yes, DfMA (Design for Manufacture and Assembly), but critically projects require procurement methods that enable DfMA already DURING design, e.g. Design&Build, collaborative alliances, or at a minimum Early Contractor/Supplier Involvement (ECI/ESI). These procurement models enable manufacturing informed design from the start. The benefits of DfMA are clear: reduced waste, lower costs, and shorter construction times, all of which contribute to the sustainability and viability of mass timber as a construction material. Without DfMA a gap of inefficiencies between design and construction opens up. Information stops flowing freely back and forth between disciplines. DfMA is the answer, but it relies on the client to choose a procurement model enabling a collaborative DfMA process DURING design. Great to see the mass timber design and build community in BC, Canada actively training for DfMA. #DfMA #offsitedesign #masstimber