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Blocks and blockwork
Published in Arthur Lyons, Materials for Architects and Builders, 2019
Insulating concrete form blocks are hollow units, partially filled with mineral wool or foam insulation, but with vertical voids for steel reinforcement and poured concrete (Fig. 2.12). Blocks made of cement-bound wood chip can be stacked in staggered dry bond to create the formwork, which is then filled with reinforced concrete. Alternative ICF systems based on blocks or panels of expanded polystyrene are described in Chapter 3 (p. 90).
Role of materials selection in the resilience of the built environment
Published in Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure, 2018
Stephanie S. Watson, Chiara F. Ferraris, Jason D. Averill
As a second example, consider the role that private residences play in providing shelter for people in U.S. communities. Most residential construction in the U.S. is made of wood (Cheng & Grant, 2004), with 175 million cubic meters of lumber bought for construction in 2011 (Howard & Westby, 2013). The quality of the selected wood and the construction design determines the resilience of the structure. In addition, the design industry has been increasingly looking at timber as a building material for the construction of tall buildings, 10 to 30 stories in height (Barber & Gerard, 2014). This interest is partly due to the development of new engineered timber products and the benefits of prefabricated timber elements and composite building systems, but also due to the importance of green and sustainable architecture (Barber & Gerard, 2014). A common hazard event for a residential house and new tall timber buildings is a severe wind event. Design and construction practices focus on limiting the wind damage, especially protecting the roof from separating from the walls and framing. A secondary, though costly, effect of wind damage is often moisture intrusion (e.g. wind-driven rain soaking insulation, wood members, and interior finishes). Careful selection of fastenings, building envelope materials, and third-party ratings for wind resistance of materials can significantly limit these primary and secondary effects. In addition, the life cycle cost of the material should be considered, which is dependent upon the environment and location of a house. It is understandable that including a life cycle analysis would increase the project planning time and cost, but the benefit could outweigh the cost, as it may reduce maintenance costs and/or recovery time after a disaster. For example, a residence might be built using an alternative material such as insulating concrete form (ICF), instead of the traditional wood material. The initial cost might be higher for the innovative material but the life cycle cost of the structure might be lower due to improved wind resistance, moisture tolerance, and/or improved energy efficiency.