Modern construction projects often require the use of innovative materials. These solutions can help reduce project costs, improve energy efficiency, and ensure safety.
From the Bio-based Park in Berlin to wooden skyscrapers in Vancouver to green roofs in Singapore, these new construction materials can shape resilient cities using renewable resources.
Insulated Concrete Forms
Insulated Concrete Forms, or ICF, combine one of the best insulating materials – Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) – with one of the strongest structural building materials – steel reinforced concrete. During construction, ICF units are stacked in the shape of the walls of the house or commercial structure, and then filled with concrete. The concrete bonds with the foam, creating a strong, energy efficient building.
ICF blocks lock together, similar to Lego bricks, and then are filled with concrete. They stay in place as the concrete cures, providing additional insulation and a backing for drywall on the inside and stucco or lap siding on the outside.
The ICF system provides benefits for builders and homeowners alike. ICF walls are stronger than wood framed walls and can withstand a variety of climate conditions, including high winds and extreme winter temperatures. They also reduce the need for air conditioning and provide a sound barrier. ICF buildings are resistant to rot, mold, mildew and vermin, making them low maintenance and safe for families.
A typical ICF home saves about 20 percent in energy costs. Over its life, the savings more than make up for the initial investment in ICF construction. ICF buildings are also more sustainable, with lower operating costs, reduced CO2 emissions and increased resistance to natural disasters. They can qualify for green ratings and LEED credits.
Transparent Building Materials
Transparent building materials allow natural light to flood into buildings, reducing the need for artificial lighting and creating a sustainable and eco-friendly living or working environment. These innovative materials can be used in furniture design, solar panels, and even security applications.
Researchers have discovered that wood can be made transparent by removing its light-absorbing compound, lignin, and infusing it with a transparent polymer. The result is a material that allows about 90% of light to pass through, comparable to traditional glass. The material also possesses excellent strength, making it suitable for load-bearing applications.
The team believes that the material could be a viable alternative to concrete or stone, and is particularly attractive because it uses a renewable resource. The process also reduces the need for oil-based materials and associated carbon emissions.
Currently, the researchers are developing an automated system to produce the material at a commercial scale. The system will use a 3D printer to shape the polymer into small cones, which can then be assembled into larger structures such as walls and roofs.
The team’s research is in early stages, but the technology offers significant potential. If successfully developed, it could significantly reduce the need for fossil fuels in building construction and help curb climate change. It would be especially effective in countries where energy efficiency is a priority, such as Japan, where buildings must withstand earthquakes.
Biodegradable Building Materials
Using biodegradable materials in construction helps reduce the amount of non-biodegradable waste that ends up in landfills. These materials can be sourced from a variety of sources, including agricultural waste, recycled paper, and even mushrooms! They are often used to create insulation and roofing structures. They can also be woven together to create stronger structures, such as walls and floors.
Wood is a very common and renewable building material. However, it can be a problem for the environment if not sourced sustainably. When used in construction, timber must be treated to prevent it from rotting or becoming home to insects. This treatment requires additional energy and wastes the material. Fortunately, new technology is being developed that can help prevent timber from rotting and make it a more sustainable option for those who want to build sustainably.
Other sustainable options for builders include hemp, which is being explored as an alternative to concrete and can be used in a variety of ways. Hemp is also being used in the production of modular building units, reducing the amount of labor needed to assemble a structure. Additionally, cross-laminated timber (CLT) is being produced to use more of the resource and create stronger and lighter buildings.
Another sustainable building material is mycelium, which can be molded into bricks that can be used to construct buildings. It has half the carbon footprint of concrete and can be remoulded for multiple uses. It was recently used in an organic brick building in Queens, NY.
Biocomposites
Using biocomposites as building materials has the potential to be an eco-friendly alternative to non-renewable synthetic materials. They can be made from renewable natural resources like wood and grass and are biodegradable. They also have a lower carbon footprint and can be recycled. Bio-composites can be used in a variety of ways, including making cross-laminated timber (CLT), which is a prefabricated wood panel that saves energy during production and is structurally sound.
A growing interest in sustainable construction has led to research into biocomposites. However, limited data is available on their performance and life cycle sustainability. Most published research on biocomposites focuses on mechanical properties, which may not be indicative of their overall quality as building material.
While biocomposites do offer many advantages, they are not without their challenges. For example, they can be unstable in the long term and have a low moisture resistance, as they have a tendency to absorb water molecules due to their high cellulose content.
Furthermore, the production process can have a significant impact on their mechanical properties. For instance, a study showed that elongation of lignocellulosic material-filled polypropylene biocomposites decreases with increasing processing conditions. Surface roughness, agglomeration, and nonuniformity also increase with increased fiber loading. These findings can be used to improve manufacturing processes in order to achieve better mechanical properties of biocomposites.