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Older clay masonry can be more earthquake-resistant than calcium-silicate masonry for light damage
Published in Jan Kubica, Arkadiusz Kwiecień, Łukasz Bednarz, Brick and Block Masonry - From Historical to Sustainable Masonry, 2020
The north of the Netherlands is exposed to frequent, light earthquakes induced by the extraction of natural gas (NAM 2016). These seismic events lead to vibrations in the order of 2 to 10 mm/s, with 32 mm/s being the maximum peak ground velocity (PGV) recorded to date (den Bezemer & van Elk 2018). The vibrations, in turn, have the potential to cause light damage, or damage corresponding to state 1 (DS1), to the ubiquitous, unreinforced masonry structures in the region. Masonry structures built before 1970 were commonly constructed with baked-clay bricks, with double wythe walls or cavity walls. Post-1970 structures, however, most often present cavity walls with an inner, load-bearing leaf of calcium-silicate bricks, and an outer clay-brick veneer. This trend continued until the 90’s when calcium-silicate bricks were replaced with larger blocks or elements.
External Walls
Published in Roy Chudley, Roger Greeno, Karl Kovac, Chudley and Greeno’s Building Construction Handbook, 2020
Roy Chudley, Roger Greeno, Karl Kovac
This has been the standard form of wall construction in the UK from the 1920s onwards. Cavity walls consist of an outer brick or block leaf or skin separated from an inner brick or block leaf or skin by an air space called a cavity. Over time, to improve the thermal performance of cavity walls, insulation was installed in the cavity. For structural stability the two leaves of a cavity wall are tied together with wall ties. Cavity walls have better weather-resistance properties than a comparable solid brick or block walls. Cavities are not normally ventilated and are closed by roof insulation at eaves level.
Building movement: walls
Published in Duncan Marshall, Derek Worthing, Roger Heath, Nigel Dann, Understanding Housing Defects, 2013
Duncan Marshall, Derek Worthing, Roger Heath, Nigel Dann
Walls distort for a number of reasons. Some are poorly built which results in distortion from the start; some acquire distortion due to failure of the wall and/or adjoining elements; others have distortion thrust upon them when unforeseen loads are imposed. It is a problem that can affect any solid masonry or cavity wall and may occur for a number of reasons. In approximate terms, it is only when a solid wall is more than one-sixth of its thickness out of plumb in any storey height, or its overall height, that distortion needs serious consideration. For a cavity wall, the relevant thickness is that of the thinner leaf.
Performance evaluation for energy efficiency attainment in buildings based on orientation, temperature, and humidity parameters
Published in Intelligent Buildings International, 2022
Wasim Khaliq, Umaid Bin Mansoor
Analysis of results reveals that the inside temperature and humidity of buildings can be controlled and differences with outside uncomfortable conditions can be enhanced with the utilization of better orientation, materials, and techniques. This leads to less burden on electrical/mechanical means of controlling the temperature and humidity conditions for the thermal comfort of the occupants. Therefore, energy efficiency in the built infrastructure can be attained using modern insulation materials, architecture and orientation, and modified construction methodology that can conserve energy significantly. Extruded polystyrene board, thermopore insulation, and alpolic cladding are known to be energy-efficient construction materials. The use of these materials during the construction, application of architectural techniques, setting the orientation of the buildings, and the most important sustainable operation and maintenance of the system are the basic demands of the construction industry in modern times. Building construction with the provision of the cavity wall is being widely practiced for its important contribution towards energy saving. Also, the SCIP technique is considered to be safe as well as energy efficient that enhances the performance of the buildings significantly. As far as the architectural techniques are concerned, setting the orientation of the buildings keeping in view the direction of movement of the sun and wind in the region is of key importance. Hence it can be stated that it is the collective provisions of the architectural, construction, and environmental factors that not only conserve and save energy but also promise the sustainable operation of a building. The combination of both energy efficiency and sustainability concept in buildings would result in tenable societies for future generations.