M.S.

Waste from construction and demolition-building activities is increasing every day. Landfills have almost reached their capacity. When thinking about the negative impact of demolishing activities on the environment it becomes very necessary to think about reusing and recycling building materials in new construction or perhaps better recycling our thoughts on how to make use of waste materials. In Kevin Lynch's book, Wasting Away, he wrote: "Architects must begin to think about holes in the ground and about flows of materials." Studies show that construction and demolition activities are the primary source of solid waste worldwide. For example construction and demolition wastes constitute about 40% of the total solid waste stream in the United States. The growing interest in materials and resource conservation in the United States is inherent in the growth of green building practices. The USGBC identifies six categories in the Materials and Resources (MR) section of LEED. One of these six categories is Resource Reuse (RR). Interestingly enough, a recent study about the cost of green buildings indicated that RR was the category credits least often achieved in most LEED certified projects. Literature suggests that there are a number of constraints and barriers to resource reuse primarily due to the complexity of buildings but perhaps the most important barrier, according to many architects, is the lack of easily accessible information to the design team on resource reuse. Therefore, as we promote the idea of building material reuse to a wider audience of designers and architects, we mus not forget that in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry, both Reuse and Recycle terms are used interchangeably without yet a clear distinction between them. The use of arbitrary descriptions to distinguish reuse from recycle has caused nothing but more confusion to the public. This study argues that the real distinction between reuse and recycle exists in Knowledge and Information. This suggests that design with reuse requires a paradigm shift in the required knowledgebase and the way information flows within the design process. Unfortunately, the structure of this paradigm shift is not known and has not been well defined. Since knowledge forms the core of building a Decision Support Systems (DSS) for a design team in order to consider reuse, it is necessary to capture the required knowledge and information from the industry experts through a Knowledge Acquisition (KA) process. This knowledge can then be used to 1) identify the building material reuse criteria and 2) to build a prescriptive decision model and 3) to map the process design of the current traditional architectural design workflow and the proposed one. The overarching goal of this study is to use the building material reuse knowledgebase for 1) building a Unified Virtual Repository database to be connected to all available physical repositories and share a unified standard of information. 2) When the unified virtual repository is integrated with the Building Information Modeling (BIM) database, the DSS can work as a feedback and feed forward support for architects and designers as they consider building material reuse in new designs and constructions. / Ph. D.

The idea of tilt-up construction started in America in the early I900’s. In the beginning, this technique was mainly used on structures such as industrial warehouses and factories. However, recent developments and improvements in tilt-up construction technique and accessories have enabled this building method to be applied to many architecturally appealing offices and residential structures. There are many details the design-build team must consider to ensure the success of a tilt-up project. The floor slab must be designed for panel casting and to withstand the loading of the mobile crane which will be used to lift the panel. The crane capacity affects the panel size and weight. Proper curing and bondbreaker application are very important to reduce bonding and to ensure clear cleavage between concrete surfaces. Changing rigging configuration consumes expensive crane time and must be reduced to minimum possible. The availability of ground-release quick connect/disconnect tilt—up hardware improves workers safety and speeds up the erection process substantially. Although the stress analysis of simple wall panels during erection can be done by hand, panels with more complicated geometry or with openings, are more efficiently analysed with a computer. Many manufacturers have technical services to help in the design of insert layout so that the concrete will not be over stressed when the panel is tilted into position. After the panel is plumbed, it is braced temporarily before the final connection is made. For in-place loading there are now design aids available which ease the design process. When properly designed and built, tilt—up has proved to be a fast, efficient, and economical building construction technique. / Master of Science

For heat transfer through building insulations such as fiberglass, radiation and conduction are important modes of heat transfer. Moreover, materials like fiberglass scatter radiation in a highly anisotropic manner. The equations for heat transfer by simultaneous conduction and radiation are a coupled pair, one of which is of the nonlinear integrodifferential type. Exact solution for transient heat transfer in this case is not available, and the approximate solution available is the two-flux model. The two-flux model does not give good results for transient, combined mode heat transfer, through an absorbing, emitting, and anisotropically scattering medium. In this thesis a higher order approximate solution has been developed. It is found that this model gives appreciably better results than the two-flux model. / Master of Science

M.S.

Since the discovery of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the mid-20th century, their usage has increased significantly. Thanks to their unique properties, they have proven to be useful in many industries. Over the past decades, there has been a growing awareness of the adverse effects associated with the compounds. Exposure to PFAS has been linked to several health implications, prompting efforts to identify sources of exposure to these substances. Given that the construction industry heavily relies on materials with high durability and functionality, it is one of the sectors that uses PFAS extensively. The average human spends approximately 90% of their time indoors, underscoring the relevance of investigating how building materials contribute to PFAS exposure. This study aims to examine the extent of PFAS in building materials on the Swedish market. To relate PFAS exposure from building materials to potential environmental and health impacts, a compilation of available research was conducted. To investigate the occurrence of PFAS in building materials, a systematic search of 4,730 PFAS was conducted on SundaHus assessment system. A total of 15 different PFAS were found in products 628 times. The most prevalent product categories included valves, lighting fixtures, and paints. While these findings offer insights into the prevalence of PFAS in building materials on the Swedish market, further research could enhance the understanding through broader searches in terms of including more databases and substances. To understand the risks associated with PFAS in building materials, greater knowledge about PFAS emissions is needed. / Sedan upptäckten av per- och polyfluorerade alkylsubstanser (PFAS) under mitten av 1900-talet har deras användning ständigt ökat. Detta beror på deras unika egenskaper som har visat sig vara användbara inom många branscher. Under de senaste årtiondena har medvetenheten om de negativa effekterna av ämnena också ökat och exponering har kopplats till flera olika hälsoeffekter. Forskning har därför utförts för att kartlägga källorna till exponering. Byggindustrin är beroende av material med hög hållbarhet och funktionalitet och är därför en av de branscher som har använt PFAS i stor utsträckning. Eftersom vi människor spenderar i genomsnitt 90% av vår tid inomhus är det viktigt att undersöka hur byggmaterial påverkar människors exponering för PFAS. Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka förekomsten av PFAS i byggmaterial på den svenska marknaden. För att koppla förekomsten av PFAS i byggmaterial till möjliga miljö- och hälsoeffekter har tillgänglig forskning sammanställts. Förekomsten av PFAS i byggmaterial undersöktes genom en systematisk sökning av 4730 PFAS i SundaHus materialbedömningssystem. Denna sökning identifierade 15 olika PFAS, vilka förekom totalt 628 gånger i de registrerade produkterna. De främsta produktkategorierna var ventiler, belysningsarmaturer och färg. Resultatet påvisar förekomsten av PFAS i byggmaterial på svenska markanden men belyser även behovet av ytterligare forskning. För att fördjupa förståelsen skulle studien kunna utvecklas med en bredare sökning som inkluderar fler produktregister och ämnen. Mer forskning krävs för att fullständigt bedöma hälsoriskerna relaterade till PFAS i byggmaterial, särskilt gällande deras förmåga att emittera.

This thesis explores the concept of thermal comfort in residential architecture, emphasizing a climatic approach that balances the physical needs of the human body with subjective well-being. It investigates the integration of air and heat as building materials in Swedish residential architecture. The study critiques traditional energy-intensive heating and cooling methods, proposing a design ethos that aligns with principles of sustainability and the adaptive thermal comfort model. Through a thermodynamic lens, the thesis follows the paradigm shift in architectural practice, emphasizing performance over form and the unseen meteorological influences within the built environment

The purpose of this study is to make an investigation of the most common new building materials and to determine how their uses are changing the design of modern small home architecture.

Materiais cerâmicos provenientes de blocos e telhas presentes nos resíduos da construção civil são considerados contaminantes na produção de agregados reciclados, pois apresentam reduzida resistência mecânica à compressão e ao impacto, além de elevada porosidade. Estas características fazem com que argamassas e concretos produzidos com agregados reciclados mistos tenham baixa resistência à compressão e elevada absorção de água, devido a porosidade intrínseca desses agregados. Como uma alternativa para o aproveitamento tecnológico deste tipo de material, a cerâmica passou a ser estudada como matéria prima da álcali-ativação, seja por meio da combinação direta com a cal hidratada ou como adição ao cimento Portland (reação pozolânica). O objetivo deste trabalho é estudar a álcali-ativação de pó de blocos cerâmicos com cal hidratada, visando propriedades aglomerantes, para estudar o potencial pozolânico do agregado reciclado misto. Para isso, o estudo foi realizado em três etapas: avaliação da reatividade do pó de blocos cerâmicos em função da temperatura de sinterização; avaliação da reatividade do pó de blocos cerâmicos em função do tamanho das partículas e do tipo de ativador básico utilizado e, avaliação da cinética da reação de álcali-ativação em função da relação molar SiO2/CaO, além do método de cura. A partir dos resultados obtidos, observou-se que a reatividade do pó de blocos cerâmicos sofre influência da temperatura de sinterização da argila e do tamanho das partículas. O bloco cerâmico comercial não atingiu os requisitos físicos para ser classificado como pozolana, obtendo no ensaio Chapelle o valor de 305 mg de Ca(OH)2 fixadas por grama de pozolana e 5,5 MPa de resistência mecânica com a cal no ensaio IAP. A adição de Ca(OH)2 no pó de blocos cerâmicos, com relação molar SiO2/CaO igual a 2,75, proporcionou a maior resistência mecânica à compressão, quando curada a 77 ºC e 90% de umidade relativa, atingindo 8,5 MPa aos 28 dias. No decorrer da reação de álcali-ativação do pó de blocos cerâmicos, observou-se baixo calor de hidratação e acelerado consumo de Portlandita. Ao final da reação, foi possível a determinação de fases de silicato de cálcio e silicato de alumínio hidratados por meio de difratometria de raios X e morfologias reticulares pelo ensaio de microscopia eletrônica de varredura. / Ceramic materials from bricks and tiles present in construction waste are considered contaminants in the production of recycled aggregates, as they have a low compressive and impact strength, as well as high porosity. These characteristics make mortars and concretes produced with mixed recycled aggregates have low compressive strength and high water absorption due to the porosity of the recycled aggregates. As an alternative to the technological use of this type of material, the ceramic has been studied as an alkali-activation raw material, either by direct combination with hydrated lime or as an addition to Portland cement (pozzolan reaction). The aim of this work is to study the alkali-activation of ceramic bricks powder with hydrated lime, aiming binding properties. For this, the study was carried out in three stages: evaluation of the reactivity of the ceramic bricks powder as a function of the burning temperature; evaluation of the reactivity of the ceramic bricks powder as a function of the particle distribution; and the evaluation of the alkaliactivation reaction kinetics as a function of the SiO2/CaO molar ratio, as well as the cure method. From the results obtained, it was observed that the reactivity of the ceramic bricks powder is influenced by the burning temperature of the clay and the size of the particles. The commercial ceramic bricks did not meet the physical requirements to be classified as pozzolan, obtaining in the Chapelle test the value of 305 mg of Ca(OH)2 fixed by gram of pozzolan and 5.5 MPa of compressive strength with lime in the IAP test. The addition of Ca(OH)2 in the ceramic bricks powder whose SiO2/CaO molar ratio was 2.75 gave the highest compressive strength when cured at 77 °C and 90% of relative humidity, reaching 8.5 MPa at 28 days. In the course of the alkali-activation reaction of the ceramic bricks powder, it was observed low hydration heat and accelerated portlandite consumption. At the end of the reaction it was possible to determine calcium silicate and aluminum silicate hydrated phases by X-ray diffraction and reticular morphologies by the scanning electron microscopy.

Foi realizado na Região Metropolitana do Recife nos municípios de Abreu e lima, Araçoiaba, Cabo de Santo Agostinho, Camaragibe, Igarassu, Ipojuca, Itamaracá, Itapissuma, Moreno, Olinda, Recife, Jaboatão dos Guararapes e São Lourenço da Mata a coleta de materiais que servem como Saibro, em jazidas já exploradas comercialmente, com o objetivo de avaliar a melhor característica desse Saibro e a aplicação em argamassas na construção civil, bem como o seu uso de modo não mais empírico. Para isso se fez jus os ensaios de caracterização física através da análise granulométrica com sedimentação de acordo com a ABNT-NBR 7181/1984, a consistência (limite de liquidez conforme ABNT-NBR 6459/1984 e limite de plasticidade conforme ABNT-NBR 7180/1984). A determinação da massa específica dos grãos do solo de acordo com a ABNT-NBR 6508/1984, limite de contração de acordo com a ABNT-NBR 7183/1982. Os resultados obtidos indicam que existe influência significativa na quantidade de argila e no grau de contração. / It was accomplished in the Metropolitan Area of Recife in the municipal districts of Abreu e Lima, Araçoiaba, Cabo de Santo Agostinho, Camaragibe, Igarassu, Ipojuca, Itamaracá, Itapissuma, Moreno, Olinda, Recife, Jaboatão dos Guararapes and São Lourenço da Mata the collection of materials that they serve as Clay-Shale, in lied explored already commercially, with the objective of evaluating the best characteristic of that Clay-Shale and the application in mortars in the building site, as well as his/her way use no more empiric. For that it was made right the rehearsals of physical characterization through the analysis granulométrica with sedimentation in agreement with ABNT-NBR 7181/1984, the consistence (liquidity limit according to ABNT-NBR 6459/1984 and plasticity limit according to ABNT-NBR 7180/1984). The determination of the specific mass of the grains of the soil in agreement with ABNT-NBR 6508/1984, contraction limit in agreement with ABNT-NBR 7183/1982. The obtained results indicate that significant influence exists in the amount of clay and in the contraction degree.