Materials Flashcards
What makes up the building envelope?
foundation floor walls ceiling windows door corridor stair toilet,ramp,fireplace etc
What is the life cycle assessment of materials?
extraction
processing
use/maintenance
eventual disposal
How does the use of materials effect the environment?
- depletion of non-renewable resources
- effect upon bio-diversity- ruining habitats
- visual impacts
- effect on co2 emissions to atmosphere (as with large scale deforestation)
- effect on soul stability (as with large scale deforestation)
- energy use and co2 emissions in transport
- energy use and co2 emissions in conversion
What are the impacts on the environment of using materials?
- toxicity
- production of toxic wastes
- effect on health
- life span
- waste during the construction process
- destination at the end of its life
- potential for re use
What is the process of using materials and the direct impact?
process:
exploration, mining, pre processing transport, processing, transport, fabrication, discarding
impact:
energy resource depletion, air pollution, water pollution, land disturbance (mining, and solid waste generation)
How is cement made and what does it produce?
Cement in concrete is produced in an energy intensive process, and the chemical reaction produces co2
How is aluminum produced?
In a highly energy intensive way, but eminently recyclable.
If systems are set up for this to happen,, it is a good material.
It is possible to obtain recycled aluminum products
What are the basic principles of material use?
Reduce
Reuse- use the material in its state and function
Recycle- innovative way to use material in different function
Name 5 basic materials?
wood glass concrete bricks steel
What are the parts of a ‘full fill built in’ brick wall?
External brick outer leaf
Cavity slab
Blockwork inner leaf
Internal plaster finish
What are the parts of a ‘partial fill built in’ brick wall?
External brick outer leaf Clear cavity Cavity slab Blockwork inner leaf Wall tie and retaining disk internal plaster finish
What are the parts of a ‘full fill injected’ brick wall?
External brick outer leaf
Brown bead
Blockwork inner leaf
Internal plaster finish
What is the most commonly used material to construct external walls?
bricks
What are bricks generally made from and how can their size be described?
Clay
Modular in size and manufactured all to the same dimensions
What are the dimensions of a standard block?
215x100x440
What are the dimensions of a standard brick?
65x102x215
How long and high is a standard block measured in bricks?
2 bricks long and 3 bricks high
What is tension?
Stretching a material
What is compression?
compressing a material
What is the rule of thumb for determining the depth of a steel beam?
1/20th of the span
How can you tell when a beam is under tension and compression?
An element that is capable of withstanding load by resisting against bending
What materials are better under tension that compression?
glass fiber epoxy matrix composite
What is an element entirely dependent on when undergoing tension or compression?
material and thickness
Name 7 points on the material selection criteria?
renewable source recyclable, reduced low embodied energy locally available energy efficient minimum pollution biodegradable
What 4 things should be considered in order to reduce?
- lower embodied materials
- travel distance
- use materials efficiently
- use renewable resources
What impact has transportation had on materials?
Until the development of mass transport systems, different areas produced different buildings types, using materials that were available in the vicinity.
Only small quantities of expensive imported materials were used, and these would be for ‘high status buildings’
Pros and cons of stone?
+
abundant
if used locally, you need comparatively little energy to make usable
-
can damage the surroundings with quarrying
Pros and cons of clay for bricks?
+
local clays
-
use energy to produce
transporting large quantities of bricks long distances is not a sustainable approach
How is timber used as a material in buildings?
the frame is made out of timber then infilled with “wattle and daub”
What are the features of the Makepeace House by Edward Cullinan?
Used locally available forest thinnings
Developed a form from “green” wood bending
Decked in timber, insulation and turf
Examples of efficient use of timber?
Earth centre Doncaster- untreated roundwood
Woodland enterprise centre- local coppiced chestnut
Olivier theatre Bedales school- green oak frame with stainless steel joints, roof cladding larch, wall cladding douglas fir
How can timber be sourced responsibly?
Ensure that any timber felled is replaced by new planting
A number of bodies exist which can track the source of materials, and certify it as coming from properly managed sources
Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC)- the mark of responsible forestry
B&Q have a policy of only buying timber from approved sources
Pros and cons of straw?
\+ roofing material good insulator cheap environmentally friendly walling
-
fire risk
not long lasting
What are the modern uses of straw?
Straw bales were place between timber trusses to insulate the facade
The inexpensive, readily available material with minimum environmental impact
The combination between high insulation quantities of materials used in wall system and orientation allowed the majority of the building to heat using passive heating
What are the uses of hemp?
Insistu wall construction (mixed with lime)
Pre-cast wall construction (mixed with lime)
Blocks (mixed with lime) insitu
What are the features of a hemp brick?
Strong Lightweight Breathable Energy efficient Incredible insulation Lasts 100s years flame, water and pest resistant natural sourced
How can mud and clay be used to build up walls and made durable?
Mud and clay can be used to build up walls with straw to strengthen it and a stone base to protect it from damp
Of rendered it can be durable
What are the features of sheep wool?
Renewable source
Can be used economically to make non toxic insulation
How are 20% of materials used on building sites in the Uk wasted?
bad design
poor storage
theft
damage during insulation
What is special about the Earthship community Taos new Mexico?
earth construction with recycled glass bottles inserted for light transmission
aluminum cans placed in walls showing re-use of recycled material
What happens at the end of a buildings life?
Most buildings are just demolished, with the majority of waste going to land full sites
Land fill tax is reducing this as an economic option
Demolition waste needs to be sorted on site, and reused wherever possible
There are specialist reclamation business that do this, and many materials from bricks through to sanitary fittings can be economically saved for reuse
5 things to think about when deciding on materials?
Use materials that are locally produced
Use materials with low environmental costs
Consider cradle to grave energy costs involved
Avoid using tropical hardwoods
Think about loading and associated impacts on structured, and type of material
