|
|
Overview
Soofi a T. Elias-Özkan and Françoise Summers
Research supported by METU's Scientific Research Projects Fund (BAP) focused on the study of environmentally friendly materials. Temperature and humidity data, collected in Eco-Center buildings, are analyzed to determine the environmental performance of building materials and construction techniques. Previous studies demonstrated that mudbrick and strawbale construction is as energy effi cient, if not more so, than that of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC). However, mudbrick has drawbacks from the point of view of maintenance and durability because of its vulnerability to rain and ground water. Stabilised mudbrick was produced and tested for its physical, mechanical and thermal properties. Ten different mixes with various proportions of additives, such as: sand, lime, cement, straw and sawdust were prepared for brick production with a manual press. The stabilized brick samples were brought to Ankara and tested at the METU Civil Engineering Department Materials Laboratory in order to ascertain their compressive and fl exural strength. Comparison of the thermal performance of some of these bricks with that of AAC and straw was achieved through the construction of a miniature structure from each material. Data loggers placed inside record temperature and humidity. Results will help in selecting the best energy efficient materials and designs.
|
|
