Databases of 2D material-substrate interfaces and 2D charged building blocks

Discovery of materials using“bottom-up”or“top-down”approach is of great interest in materials science.Layered materials consisting of two-dimensional(2D)building blocks provide a good platform to explore new materials in this respect.In van der Waals(vdW)layered materials,these building blocks are charge neutral and can be isolated from their bulk phase(top-down),but usually grow on substrate.In ionic layered materials,they are charged and usually cannot exist independently but can serve as motifs to construct new materials(bottom-up).In this paper,we introduce our recently constructed databases for 2D material-substrate interface(2DMSI),and 2D charged building blocks.For 2DMSI database,we systematically build a workflow to predict appropriate substrates and their geometries at substrates,and construct the 2DMSI database.For the 2D charged building block database,1208 entries from bulk material database are identified.Information of crystal structure,valence state,source,dimension and so on is provided for each entry with a json format.We also show its application in designing and searching for new functional layered materials.The 2DMSI database,building block database,and designed layered materials are available in Science Data Bank at https://doi.org/10.57760/sciencedb.j00113.00188.

Progress in Resource Utilization of River Sediment in the Field of Building Materials

At present,there is a great demand for building materials in the market,and the market prospect of building materials is relatively considerable.Through studying the composition of river sediment and its resource utilization in the field of building materials,this paper expounds the current domestic scholars research on river sediment in building materials,and summarizes the current problems and challenges,so as to provide a reference for the sustainable development of river sediment in the field of building materials.

Experimental Assessment of the Effects of Building Materials on Wi-Fi Signal 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz

We are all witnesses to the widespread use of wireless LANs (WLAN) and their easy implementation in indoor environments. Wi-Fi is the most popular technology for the WLAN. However, interference caused by building materials is a common, yet often overlooked, contributor to poor Wi-Fi performance. This interference occurs due to the nature of radio wave propagation and the characteristics of the wireless communication system. Therefore, during the implementation of these networks, one must consider the quasi-static nature of the Wi-Fi signal and its dependence on the influence of various building materials on the propagation of these waves. This paper presents the effects of building materials and structures on indoor environments for Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. To establish the interdependencies between factors influencing electric field levels, measurements were conducted in an experimental Wi-Fi network at different distances from the access point (AP). The results obtained show that the electric field strength of the Wi-Fi signal decreases depending on the distance, the building materials, and the transmitted frequency. Concrete material had the most significant impact on the strength of the electric field in Wi-Fi, while glass had a relatively minor effect on reducing it. Wi-Fi operates within the radio frequency spectrum, typically utilizing frequencies in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Additionally, measurements revealed that Wi-Fi signal penetration is more pronounced at lower frequencies (2.4 GHz) as opposed to the Wi-Fi signal 5 GHz. The findings can be used to address the impact of building materials and structures on indoor radio wave propagation, ultimately ensuring seamless Wi-Fi signal coverage within buildings.

Comparative Study of Two Materials Combining a Standard Building Material with a PCM

Phase change materials(PCMs)have the ability to store thermal energy and make it available at a later stage to keep indoor temperature within a specific range and achieve better thermal comfort in buildings.This study focuses on the performances of materials obtained by combining a standard building material with a PCM.In particular,two different materials mixed with the same PCM are considered under the same climatic conditions.The related thermal behavior is assessed in the framework of numerical simulations conducted with ANSYS Fluent assuming parameters representative of a city located in Europe.The results show that the addition of PCM to concrete and bricks can improve the thermal inertia of the resulting material.

Analysis of the Performances of a New Type of Alumina Nanocomposite Structural Material Designed for the Thermal Insulation of High-Rise Buildings

The sol-gel method is used to prepare a new nano-alumina aerogel structure and the thermal properties of this nanomaterial are investigated comprehensively using electron microscope scanning,thermal analysis,X-ray and infrared spectrometer analysis methods.It is found that the composite aerogel alumina material has a multi-level porous nano-network structure.When employed for the thermal insulation of high-rise buildings,the alumina nanocomposite aerogel material can lead to effective energy savings in winter.However,it has almost no energy-saving effect on buildings where energy is consumed for cooling in summer.

Summary of Research on Use of Sediment in Building Materials

Based on the recent research at home and abroad,this paper summarizes the preparation of cement clinker,baking-free brick,subgrade filler and ceramsite from sediment,and puts forward relevant suggestions and prospects for the future research direction of sediment.

Thermomechanical and Hydrous Effect of Heavy Fuel Oil in a Building Material Based on Silty Clayey Soil

This study focuses on the use of heavy fuel oil in construction in Burkina Faso.Mixed with silty and/or clay soil,it is used as a coating to reinforce the walls of raw soil constructions which are very sensitive to water.The interest of this paper is to shed light on the thermomechanical and above all water effects of heavy fuel oil on a sample of silty clayey soil.To achieve this,we used heavy fuel oil added in different proportions to silty clayey soil,to make sample of bricks on which tests were carried out.At the end of the experimental tests carried out on materials made(bricks)with our soil sample,it appears that heavy fuel oil moderately reduces the mechanical resistance of bricks and slightly increases thermal diffusion through them.On the contrary,we note a very good water resistance of the bricks thanks to the heavy fuel oil,in particular their water absorption by capillarity.This confirms that the mixture of heavy fuel oil and a silty-clayey soil used as a coating makes it possible to prevent the infiltration of water into the walls of raw soil constructions.However,its use as a construction material does not guarantee very good mechanical resistance,and slightly increases thermal diffusion.

Study on Phase Change Material in Grooved Bricks for Energy Efficiency of the Buildings

Phase change materials(PCMs)are an interesting technology due to their high density and isothermal behavior during phase change.Phase change material plays a major role in the energy saving of the buildings,which is greatly aided by the incorporation of phase change material into building products such as bricks,cement,gypsum board,etc.In this study,an experiment has been conducted with three identical small chambers made up of normal,grooved and PCM-treated grooved bricks.Before the inclusion of PCM in grooved bricks,PCM material behavior has been studied by different techniques such as DSC,TG/DTA,SEM,and XRD.Thermal properties and thermal stability were investigated by differential scanning calorimeter(DSC)and thermogravimetric analyzer(TGA)respectively.Scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and X-ray diffraction(XRD)were used to determine the microstructure and crystalloid phase of the PCM before and after the accelerated thermal cycling test(0,60,120).These three identical model rooms built were exposed at a temperature just above 40°C with a heater.When the maximum outdoor temperature was 40-41°C,then the temperature of the PCM-treated grooved chamber was 32-33°C.The PCM-treated wall was tested and compared with a conventional and grooved wall.The difference between the PCM-treated grooved chamber and the untreated one was 8-9°C.PCM-treated bricks provided more efficient internal heat retention in summer when the outside temperature increased.

Application of Environment-Friendly Building Materials in the New Countryside

Due to the high cost of environment-friendly materials and limited funds for the new countryside construction,it is the principal contradiction in the application of environment-friendly materials to satisfy the demands of both environment protection and cost reduction.The authors proposed that the influence ranking of these materials on environment should be clarified first to settle this contradiction,that is,to choose energy-conserving and environment-friendly materials within the limit of expenditure.By comparing the energy consumption,shock resistance,economic efficiency and social acceptability of wall materials,the influence ranking was given as below:hollow concrete block < lime-sand brick < baked chamotte brick;by analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of floor and roof concrete materials,as well as attentions for reducing negative impacts,the order of their influence was given as below:precast concrete trough plate < precast hollow strength concrete plate < cast-in-place concrete plate < cast-in-place brick-concrete plate;suitable materials for door and window frameworks were concluded,the influence order of wall and floor decoration materials on environment was given as:bare walls without plastering < walls of stable soil plastering < walls of cement-water plastering < walls of lime plastering;concrete for the overall decoration < parquet floor < tile floor < terrazzo floor;and 7 heat retardation materials were suggested for the construction of new countryside.

The Application of Solid Waste in Thermal Insulation Materials: A Review

As socioeconomic development continues,the issue of building energy consumption has attracted significant attention,and improving the thermal insulation performance of buildings has become a crucial strategic measure.Simultaneously,the application of solid waste in insulation materials has also become a hot topic.This paper reviews the sources and classifications of solid waste,focusing on research progress in its application as insulation materials in the domains of daily life,agriculture,and industry.The research shows that incorporating household solid waste materials,such as waste glass,paper,and clothing scraps into cementitious thermal insulation can significantly reduce the thermal conductivity of the materials,leading to excellent thermal insulation properties.Insulation materials prepared from agricultural solid waste,such as barley straw,corn stalk,chicken feather,and date palm fibers,possess characteristics of lightweight and strong thermal insulation.Industrial solid waste,including waste tires,iron tailings,and coal bottom ash,can also be utilized in the preparation of insulation materials.These innovative applications not only have positive environmental significance by reducing waste emissions and resource consumption,but also provide efficient and sustainable insulation solutions for the construction industry.However,to further optimize the mix design and enhance the durability of insulation materials,continuous research is required to investigate the mechanisms through which solid waste impacts the performance of insulation materials.

Material Analysis of Traditional Folk Dwellings and Its Modern Inheritance:A Case Study of Traditional Folk Dwellings in Hunan Province

Traditional folk dwellings contain rich cultural connotations and plain architectural techniques.In architecture,material is the most fundamental thing,different materials can demonstrate different architectural forms,and reflect local characteristics and change of the time.Therefore,it is of great significance to explore the material selection of traditional Chinese folk dwellings.The paper took traditional folk dwellings in Hunan for example to analyze the regional materials and construction of these dwellings,discussed the application of traditional materials in modern architecture,used some cases to explore the innovative application of traditional materials,so as to figure out the new direction of applying traditional materials,and provide references for the construction of modern architecture.

Numerical Modelling of Coupled Heat and Mass Transfer in Porous Materials: Application to Cinder Block Bricks

In this work, we present numerical modelling of coupled heat and mass transfer within porous materials. Our study focuses on cinder block bricks generally used in building construction. The material is assumed to be placed in air. Moisture content and temperature have been chosen as the main transfer drivers and the equations governing these transfer drivers are based on the Luikov model. These equations are solved by an implicit finite difference scheme. A Fortran code associated with the Thomas algorithm was used to solve the equations. The results show that heat and mass transfer depend on the temperature of the air in contact with the material. As this air temperature rises, the temperature within the material increases, and more rapidly at the material surface. Also, thermal conductivity plays a very important role in the thermal conduction of building materials and influences heat and mass transfer in these materials. Materials with higher thermal conductivity diffuse more heat.

Preparation and Properties of Paraffin/PMMA Shape-stabilized Phase Change Material for Building Thermal Energy Storage

The composite phase change material(PCM) consisting of phase change paraffin(PCP) and polymethyl methacrylate(PMMA) was prepared as a novel type of shape-stabilized PCM for building energy conservation through the method of bulk polymerization. The chemical structure, morphology, phase change temperature and enthalpy, and mechanical properties of the composite PCM were studied to evaluate the encapsulation effect of PMMA on PCP and determine the optimal composition proportion. FTIR and SEM results revealed that PCP was physically immobilized in the PMMA so that its leakage from the composite was prevented. Based on the thermo-physical and mechanical properties investigations, the optimal mass fraction of PCP in the composite was determined as 70%. The phase change temperature of the composite was close to that of PCP, and its latent heat was equivalent to the calculated value according to the mass fraction of PCP in the composite. For estimating the usability in practical engineering, thermal stability, reliability and temperature regulation performance of the composite were also researched by TG analysis, thermal cycling treatments and heating-cooling test. The results indicated that PCP/PMMA composite PCM behaved good thermal stability depending on the PMMA protection and its latent heat degraded little after 500 thermal cycling. Temperature regulation performance of the composite before and after thermal cycling was both noticeable due to its latent heat absorption and release in the temperature variation processes. The PCP/PMMA phase change plate was fabricated and applied as thermal insulator in miniature concrete box to estimate its temperature regulation effect under the simulated environmental condition. It can be concluded that this kind of PCP/PMMA shape-stabilized PCM with the advantages of no leakage, suitable phase change temperature and enthalpy, good thermal stability and reliability, and effective temperature regulation performance have much potential for thermal energy storage in building energy conservation.

Industrial TiO2 based nacreous pigments as functional building materials:Photocatalytic removal of NO

In this paper,the photocatalytic activity of industrial titanium dioxide(TiO2)based nacreous pigments was researched as functional building materials for photocatalytic NO remove.Three industrial TiO2 based nacreous pigments were selected to estimate the photocatalytic activity for NO remove.This study is a good proof that pearlescent pigments can eliminate NO,and its performance is positively correlated with its titanium dioxide content.And this research will widen the application of nacreous pigments in functional building materials,and provide a new way to eliminate in door nitric oxide pollution.

Measurement and Monte Carlo simulation of γ-ray dose rate in high-exposure building materials

Natural radioactivity radionuclides in building materials, such as^(226)Ra,^(232)Th and^(40)K, cause indoor exposure due to their gamma-rays. In this research, in a standard dwelling room(5.0 m 9 4.0 m 9 2.8 m), with the floor covered by various granite stones, was set up to simulate the dose rates from the radionuclides using MCNP4 C code. Using samples of granite building products in Iran, activities of the^(226)Ra,^(232)Th and^(40)K were measured at 3.8–94.2, 6.5–172.2 and 556.9–1529.2 Bq kg^(-1),respectively. The simulated dose rates were26.31–184.36 n Gy h^(-1), while the measured dose rates were 27.70–204.17 n Gy h^(-1). With the results in good agreement, the simulation is suitable for any kind of dwelling places.

Natural Radioactivity Measurement and Assessment of Radiological Hazards in Some Building Materials Used in Bangladesh

The radioactivity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in 24 samples of natural and manufactured building materials commonly used in Bangladesh were measured using HPGe gamma ray spectrometer. The results in the present study were compared with the world average and also with the reported data available in literature. The radium equivalent activity, the absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose, external and internal hazard indices, gamma index, alpha index, annual gonadal dose equivalent and excess lifetime cancer risk were also evaluated to assess the potential radiation hazards associated with these building materials. All samples under investigation were found to be within the recommended safety limit and do not pose any significant radiation hazards. This study can be used as a reference for more extensive studies of the same subject in future.

A Multi-Criteria Decision Support System for the Selection of Low-Cost Green Building Materials and Components

The necessity of having an effective computer-aided decision support system in the housing construction industry is rapidly growing alongside the demand for green buildings and green building products. Identifying and defining financially viable low-cost green building materials and components, just like selecting them, is a crucial exercise in subjectivity. With so many variables to consider, the task of evaluating such products can be complex and discouraging. Moreover, the existing mode for selecting and managing, often very large information associated with their impacts constrains decision-makers to perform a trade-off analysis that does not necessarily guarantee the most environmentally preferable material. This paper introduces the development of a multi-criteria decision support system (DSS) aimed at improving the understanding of the principles of best practices associated with the impacts of low-cost green building materials and components. The DSS presented in this paper is to provide designers with useful and explicit information that will aid informed decision-making in their choice of materials for low-cost green residential housing projects. The prototype MSDSS is developed using macro-in-excel, which is a fairly recent database management technique used for integrating data from multiple, often very large databases and other information sources. This model consists of a database to store different types of low-cost green materials with their corresponding attributes and performance characteristics. The DSS design is illustrated with particular emphasis on the development of the material selection data schema, and application of the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) concept to a material selection problem. Details of the MSDSS model are also discussed including workflow of the data evaluation process. The prototype model has been developed with inputs elicited from domain experts and extensive literature review, and refined with feedback obtained from selected expert builder and developer companies. This paper further demonstrates the application of the prototype MSDSS for selecting the most appropriate low-cost green building material from among a list of several available options, and finally concludes the study with the associated potential benefits of the model to research and practice.

Carbon foams prepared from coal tar pitch for building thermal insulation material with low cost

A new approach is provided to resolve the large-scale applications of coal tar pitch. Carbon foams with uniform pore size are prepared at the foaming pressure of normal pressure using coal tar pitch as raw materials. The physical and chemical performance of high softening point pitch(HSPP) can be regulated by vacuumizing owing to the cooperation of vacuumizing and polycondensation. Results indicate that the optimum softening point and weight ratio of quinoline insoluble are about 292℃ and 65.7%, respectively. And the optimum viscosity of HSPP during the foaming process is distributed in the range of 1000-10000 Pa·s. The resultant carbon foam exhibits excellent performance, such as uniform pore structure, high compressive strength(4.7 MPa), low thermal conductivity(0.07 W·m^(-1) ·K^(-1)), specially, it cannot be fired under the high temperature of 1200 ℃.Thus, this kind of carbon foam is a potential candidate for thermal insulation material applied in energy saving building.

Enhanced Thermal Performance of Roofing Materials by Integrating Phase Change Materials to Reduce Energy Consumption in Buildings

This work focused on characterizing and improving the thermal behavior of metal sheet roofing.To decrease the heat transfer from the roof into a building,we investigated the efficiency of four types of phase change materials,with different melting points:PCMІ,PCM II,PCM III and PCM IV,when used in conjunction with a sheet metal roof.The exterior metal roofing surface temperature was held constant at 50℃,60℃,70℃and 80℃,using a thermal source(halogen lights)for 360 min to investigate and compare the thermal performance of the metal sheet roofing with and without phase change materials for each condition.The thermal behaviors of the phase change materials were analyzed by differential scanning calorimeter(DSC).The results showed the melting points of PCMІ,PCM II,PCM III and PCM IV were around 45℃,50℃,55℃and 59℃,respectively.The integration of PCM IV into the metal roofing sheet increased the thermal performance by reducing the room temperature up to 2.8%,1.4%,1.0%and 0.7%when compared with the normal metal roof sheet,at the controlled temperatures of 50℃,60℃,70℃and 80℃,respectively.The thermal absorption of the phase change materials also caused a time delay in the model room reaching a steady temperature.The integration of phase change materials with metal roofing sheets resulted in better thermal performance and conservation of electrical energy by reducing the demand for cooling.

Assessment of Exposure Due to Technologically Enhanced Natural Radioactivity in Various Samples of Moroccan Building Materials

The aim of our present work is to measure the specific activities of the radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and the exhalation rates in terms of area and mass of 222Rn in some samples of building materials commonly used in Morocco in order to evaluate the radiological risk caused by natural radioactivity. To this end, the analyses were carried out, using two nuclear techniques, namely high resolution gamma spectrometry and alpha dosimetry based on the use of LR115, on 50 samples collected from large commercial suppliers in Morocco. The results of these analyses show that the average specific activities of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in these materials vary from 9 to 52 Bq/kg, 3 to 63 Bq/kg and 68 to 705 Bq/kg respectively. These activities remain within the permissible limits of 35 Bq/kg, 30 Bq/kg and 370 Bq/kg respectively, with the exception of a few samples of red brick, gray cement, ceramic and granite. The activity of the radium equivalent (Raeq), the internal (Hin) and external (Hex) hazard indices, the absorbed dose rate, the total annual effective dose , the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) as well as volumic activities, exhalation rates in terms of area (ES) and mass (EM) are calculated for the samples analyzed in this work in order to assess the radiological risks resulting from the use of these materials in various construction activities. It seems that the values of these indices vary from 19 to 196 Bq/kg, 0.08 to 0.67, 0.05 to 0.53, 9 to 91 nGy/h, 0.05 to 0.56 mSv/y, 0.19 × 10&minus;3 to 1.96 × 10&minus;3, 72 to 350 Bq/m3, 56 to 273 mBq&sdot;m&minus;2&sdot;h&minus;1 and 3 to 15 mBq&sdot;kg&minus;1&sdot;h&minus;1 respectively. The lowest values are identified for gypsum, while the highest are attributed to granite. All of the obtained results of these indices respect the permissible limits except for the Raeq in some granite samples, the ELCR index in all samples except gypsum and the radon volumic activity in some gray cement samples, ceramic and granite. As a result, the different types of building materials analyzed in our work do not present a health risk to the public and can be used in various construction activities, with the exception of a few samples of red brick, gray cement, ceramic and granite. The choice of the use of red brick, gray cement and ceramic should be monitored and adapted according to the criteria of the limitation of the doses whereas the use of the granite must be moderate in order to limit over time the health risk which increases with the duration of exposure of humans to these building materials.