Biobased composites are widely used for building insulation because of their hygrothermal performance, and their economic and environmental benefits. Among the different types of organic fibers for ...these materials, hemp shives are interesting because of their high availability in France and their low price. Nevertheless, the wide application of the hemp-based insulation mortars is hampered by the lack of data on its durability and behavior over the long term. The objective of this study, in a first part, consists in providing an original accelerated aging protocol inspired by the standardized one used for External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS). In a second part, the selected aging weathering cycles were applied to investigate the hygrothermal stresses on the morphology, chemical composition and properties of hemp mortar samples. Experimentally, microstructural characteristics (as total porosity, SEM observation) and hygrothermal properties (as thermal conductivity, Moisture Buffer Value (MBV) and water vapor permeability) were measured and evaluated for both the reference state (after 28 days of conditioning) and after aging (after 28 days of conditioning and the aging cycles).
Furthermore, X-ray diffraction and PH analysis were performed to investigate the chemical composition, especially the effect of carbonation. The obtained results reveal the presence of two processes in the aged hemp mortars: the carbonatation of the mineral matrix and the cracking of the interface between the hemp shives and the cement matrix. This later was quantified too. Despite the microstructural degradation, small deteriorations were recognized concerning the hygrothermal properties and behavior of hemp mortar, that is essential for an insulation material. These results provide data for better forecast on the degradation of the hemp mortars.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The extensive use of external thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS) using expanded polystyrene (EPS) for building insulation in Germany has resulted in accumulating end-of-life EPS-ETICS. To ...address limited waste management options and enhance EPS circularity, alternative recycling options like pyrolysis or solvent-based recycling need to be implemented. However, efficient recycling requires ex-ante analyses of the corresponding reverse logistics networks, including all necessary pre-treatment and transport processes. This study aims to develop a decision support system to determine optimal EPS-ETICS waste management by minimising the net present value of the corresponding network design. Our mixed-integer linear optimisation model considers decisions on technology, capacity, and location for pre-processing and recycling facilities as well as on material flow allocation. Applied to a German case study, our model finds pyrolysis and solvent-based recycling economically superior to current waste treatment in waste incineration plants. We present an optimal network design combining central pyrolysis with decentral pre-processing. A scenario analysis shows fluctuating styrene and polystyrene prices might favour solvent-based recycling over the optimal choice in pyrolysis, with minor overall cost differences. Further, legal recycling quotas of at least 40% would be necessary to promote solvent-based recycling and enhance EPS circularity beyond what is achievable through pyrolysis.
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BFBNIB, GIS, IJS, KISLJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM, UPUK
•External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) suffer from a reduced sound reduction index in the low frequency range.•This reduced sound reduction index is caused by a mass-spring-mass ...resonance effect.•Dynamic vibration absorbers are proposed to counter the decrease of the sound reduction index.•Experimental results are given to prove the proposed solution.•Both ISO 10140-2 and laser Doppler vibrometry measurements are presented.
One of the common ways to increase the energy performance of existing buildings is to add a thermal insulation layer to their façade elements, which in turn is covered by a thin protecting cement plaster. Such an arrangement is commonly known as External Thermal Insulation Composite System (ETICS). This article studies the effect of an ETICS implementation induced mechanical resonance mechanism, which results in a loss of performance in the sound insulation spectrum. A mitigating approach is proposed, which is based on an array of dynamic vibration absorbers that were designed to counteract the decrease of the sound reduction index. Using a wavenumber domain approach combined with unit cell FEM-modelling employing Bloch-Floquet boundary conditions, numerical predictions are presented for the sound reduction index. A number of different dynamic vibration absorber designs were tested on a silicate cement brick wall in a transmission loss facility. The predictions are in good agreement with experimental data obtained by classical, microphone based acoustic isolation measurements and laser Doppler vibrometry.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
•Comparison of two types of facade insulation methods in a test building environment under real weather conditions.•Thermal performance improvements of buildings erected in Madrid from 1940 to 1980 ...are analysed.•Use of monitoring data collected for over a year to establish seasonal variations.
This article identifies the façade construction systems used on social housing in Madrid in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939). A large percentage of the city’s present housing was built in that period, often under precarious circumstances, to accommodate rural migration to the city.
The study described, inspired by the urgent need to improve the thermal performance of these enclosures to adapt them to today’s energy efficiency standards, consisted in monitoring innovative refurbishment solutions under controlled conditions.
Three construction systems for façades were explored. One was the standard housing enclosure built in Madrid in the time frame mentioned, while the other two were solutions proposed for its energy refurbishment. The second system was a tile-based ventilated façade with national technical approval credentials and the third an ETIS (external thermal insulation system) with European technical approvals (ETA) credentials.
The findings are analysed in terms of the energy consumption calculated for the three solutions. One of the most prominent conclusions of the study is that on south façades in climates where winter prevails (such as in Madrid), ETIS solutions are more effective than ventilated façades. In warmer climates and for other orientations, however, ventilated façades may be more efficient.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
•Pore structure of the ETICS materials was analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance.•The pore distribution of each layer was investigated through the NMR SE-SPI sequence.•Vapor adsorption mainly occurs ...in pores of size smaller than 0.1 μm.•The water absorption index Dw was proposed to describe the water absorption capacity.
In order to study the pore structure characteristics of the deteriorated structural layer of an external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS), the overall and stratified T2 spectrum signals of the system made of thin-layer inorganic insulation mortar are tested by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique under different moisture transport conditions. The variation in moisture transport with pore size in the structural layer of the ETICS is studied under three conditions, namely, vacuum-saturation, free water absorption and vapor adsorption process, and indices are proposed to evaluate the vapor adsorption and free water absorption capacity of ETICS. The results indicate that the total pore volume is predominated by the pores in the insulation layer as revealed by the peaks of T2 spectrum, which exhibit a bi-modal distribution with some larger pores. The pores in the finishing coat, protective layer and bonding layer have negligibly smaller size and smaller volume as revealed by a lower T2 peak and an indistinct second peak. The moisture transport patterns of pores with different sizes are quite different. Vapor adsorption mainly occurs in pores of size smaller than 0.1 μm and free water absorption mainly occurs in pores of size smaller than 10 μm.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Neste texto discuto alguns aspectos éticos nas pesquisas no cotidiano, abordando especificamente ética enquanto posturas e posicionamentos que atravessam as práticas de pesquisadores/as. Trata-se de ...um texto construído a partir da minha experiência como pesquisadora e dos diálogos que tenho travado com as/os pesquisadores/as com que convivo nos grupos de pesquisa e na universidade. Não tenho nenhuma pretensão de abordar todas as dimensões da ética em pesquisa tampouco de estabelecer normativas. Ao contrário, ao explicitar algumas perspectivas espero colocar novas questões para o diálogo sobre esse tema.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
•Expert-knowledge system on pathology, diagnosis and rehabilitation of ETICS.•Inference rules concerning the diagnosis of ETICS’ pathology.•Innovative planning of inspection of building ...façades.•Validation of the system through a wide field campaign.
This paper describes an expert knowledge-based system for ETICS (External Thermal Insulation Composite System) on walls, which enables facilitating and standardising inspection, diagnosis and repair of ETICS. The system includes specific tools that provide information to aid in the analysis of degraded ETICS and lead to the preparation of solid and reliable reports.
Types of anomalies, their related causes, auxiliary tests to be performed in situ and repair techniques applicable to ETICS systems are listed and classified. The relation between these parametres is expressed through correlation matrices, validated and adjusted through data obtained from inspections carried out on a sample of 146 façades with ETICS cladding.
The relevant descriptive information is gathered in individual files for every anomaly, plus diagnosis-aiding method, and maintenance and repair techniques.
Additional statistical analysis was performed, leading to conclusions on the most sensitive aspects of this system.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Foam ceramic insulation and decoration integrated boards have attracted considerable attention from researchers. In order to evaluate the impact resistance and aging performance of the ceramic boards ...under hail weather conditions, natural frequency tests, coefficient-of-restitution trials, free falling ball experiments and artificial aging measurements were carried out in this work. The experimental results revealed that impact-induced pits easily occurred at the foamed ceramic board, but without proceeding to fracture. In turn, the ceramic plates under impact exhibited four different failure modes which varied with the area of debonding. The impact resistance of the thin board fixed to the base wall by the adhesive layer has greatly increased, even surpassing that of the thick board, which was caused by the synergistic effect between the base wall and the insulation board. The insulation system was broken as the ratio of the diameter of the impact crater to the thickness of the board approached 77%. In addition, the aging degree of the impact resistance of the ceramic board could be measured in terms of the coefficient of restitution or the diameter of the impact crater, and the hygrothermal cycles had a significant negative effect on the impact resistance of ceramic boards.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
External thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS) are widely used all over the world for building envelope insulation. This paper lists the representative standards for ETICS in Chinese, European ...and ISO technical assessment documents, and it describes the results of a comparative study on standardization, technology and engineering. First, the standards are related to the project organization mode. The Chinese and ISO standards tend to be normative and different from the standards of the European certification system. Second, the problems of leakage and degradation occur frequently in ETICS in China. It is worthwhile to learn from successful experiences in waterproofing, drainage and other measures. Third, China has made some useful technical breakthroughs in wind load resistance design and quality acceptance by means of considerable amounts research, and has an advantage in engineering practice. Lastly, the types of external insulation systems are diversified in development, in order to meet multiple requirements; it is worthwhile to learn from the European certification system. This research and the conclusions can be used as a reference for the technology, engineering and standardization of ETICS, and for understanding the essential national standards to facilitate trade between countries.
•The specific details of representative ETICS or EIFS standards are compared, including standardization, technology and engineering.•The differences in standard functions and the reasons for special technical roads in different regions are revealed from the micro perspective.•The emphasis on standard systems in different regions is discussed.•Adaptability improvement suggestions for future development are given.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
A key factor for achieving nearly-zero energy buildings is to reduce their energy demand using highly efficient thermal insulation materials, such as vacuum insulation panels (VIPs). Currently, the ...high investment cost of VIPs is hindering the technology penetrating the building market. However, their high thermal performance coupled with reduced thicknesses can lead to economic benefits associated with space savings, significantly changing the economic standing of VIPs. This study presents a comprehensive life cycle cost (LCC) analysis of the application of VIPs in external thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS) in office building façades performed from the landlord perspective. The proposed LCC methodology, based on the EU cost-optimal regulation, allows for comparing the cost-effectiveness of VIPs with conventional insulation materials, taking full account of the additional rental income due to space savings. Energy calculations are performed based on transient heat transfer. The study takes into account varying parameters, such as location, cost of materials, insulation thickness, and rental prices, among others. The results demonstrate that VIPs can be economically viable, in particular in cities where office full-leasing rental prices are high. The range of VIP and rental prices that make their use in buildings cost-effective are identified. For example, it is shown that for rental costs higher than 350 €/(m2.y) VIP can be cost-effective for a current market price of 3000 €/m3, when local climate demands for thermal transmittance bellow 0.19 W/(m2.K). This analysis is useful for VIP manufacturers, project owners and landlords that may be looking for competitive insulation products.
•Global costs for a vacuum panel system are compared with conventional insulation.•A methodology for life cycle cost analysis, including rental costs, is used.•Energy balance is determined with transient calculations for a unit area of wall.•The influence of changing several technical and economic parameters is discussed.•VIPs can be found to be cost-effective for buildings in high rent locations.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
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