Vacuum insulated glass (VIG) is an insulated glass with a vacuum layer between two rigidly held panes of glass to maximize thermal efficiency and sound insulation. VIG is a thermally insulating window technology that outperforms existing insulating glass (IG) technologies. VIG technology aims at meeting the thermal performance requirements of net-zero energy windows. This article […]
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An insulated glass unit (IGU) consists of multiple glass panes separated by air or a noble gas-filled cavity that reduces heat transfer and provides building insulation. Insulated glass significantly regulates the indoor temperature and acts as a barrier to unwanted heat and noise. This article discusses the components, working, and features of insulated glass in […]
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K, R, U, and C are the different insulation ratings provided for building insulation materials. Understanding the insulation ratings helps to choose the appropriate insulation products for building facilities. R-value is used prominently in building construction to specify how high or low the insulation is. It is dependent on K and C-values. This article discusses the […]
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The world’s longest suspension bridge, called Sky Bridge 721, opened in the Czech Republic on 13 May 2022. The 721 m-long bridge will provide spectacular views of the cloud-shredded Jeseniky mountains as well as an exciting experience for its visitors. Located in the Dolni Morava mountain resort, the footbridge is about a 2.5-hour drive from […]
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Structural composite lumber (SCL) describes the family of engineered wood products manufactured using small, fast-growing, and underutilized trees. SCL includes laminated veneer lumber (LCL), parallel strand lumber (PSL), laminated strand lumber (LSL), and oriented strand lumber (OSL). Structural composite lumber is popular due to its product strength, reliability, availability, and consistency. This article explains the […]
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Weathering steels, also known by the trade name COR-TEN steels, are high-strength, low alloy steel with a carbon content of less than 0.2 percent by weight. It was originally developed in the 1930s by the United States Steel to prevent corrosion and abrasion in their ore wagons. Weathering steel has a unique composition that imparts […]
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The geometry of a section of a shear wall and a column can be similar to the extent that the question of when a rectangular column becomes a wall often arises. ACI 318-19, section 18.7.2.1, defines a column, for special moment frames, as having a minimum aspect ratio of 0.4. However, this condition is not […]
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German architecture firm, Bulo Ole Scheeren, unveiled its plans for the supertall skyscraper ‘Nanjing Nexus’ in China. Illustrating the fusion of history and tradition with contemporary architecture, Nanjing Nexus will be located in a burgeoning new district near the Yangtze River in the financial district of China’s Nanjing city. Standing tall at a height of […]
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The test method for slump of sealants covers a laboratory procedure for determining the degree of the slump of a sealant when used in a vertical joint in a structure. This method of testing is as per the ASTM standards. Significance and Use for Slump Test of Sealant Excessive sealant slump or sag in a […]
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Asphaltic plug joint (APJ) is a type of bridge expansion joint that is a simple general-purpose expansion device for bridges having a total motion of less than 50 mm (2 in). These joints are used in joint expansion sealing on asphalt concrete overlay and portland cement concrete decks. It should not be used for movement […]
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Phase-change materials (PCMs) possess high storage density in a narrow temperature interval. They release or absorb sufficient energy at phase transition (solid to liquid or vice versa) to provide useful heat or cooling. PCMs are used to enhance the thermal storage capacity of traditional building materials. They are prominently used for heating and cooling application […]
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A net-zero energy building (NZEB) can be defined as a building that produces as much energy as it consumes when measured at the site. These buildings provide high performance by taking a significant amount of energy from renewable sources produced on-site or off-site. Several design tools and applications are available in the market to help […]
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Combined Heat and Power (CHP) is a technology that produces electricity and thermal energy at high efficiencies using a heat engine or power system. CHP, also referred to as cogeneration, is a process in which the heat produced as a by-product of power generation is reused efficiently. CHP is used for individual facilities, buildings, microgrids, […]
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Waste heat to power (WHP) is a combined heat and power (CHP) system that converts heat from an existing thermal process into electric power. These are used in energy-intensive facilities like steel mills, glass furnaces, refineries, and cement kilns. As per the U.S Department of Energy, CHP Installation Database lists the installed WHP capacity of […]
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A high-performance building envelope constitutes all the elements of a building’s outer shell that allows high-level control over different variables within the structure, such as the temperature, humidity, air, noise, and energy expenditure. A high-performance building envelope system is one of the elements integrated into Net Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) design, where the main objective […]
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H-beams and I-beams are beams made of structural steel extensively used in construction applications. They are commonly used in building homes, bridges, large trailers, etc., due to the high strength imparted by them and the ease of construction. H-beams and I-beams primarily differ in their cross-sections. Both have a common horizontal part called the “flange,” […]
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A bituminous surface treatment (BST) is a chip seal or seal coat. It’s a liquid asphalt surface treatment with a thin layer of aggregate placed at a thickness of around 0.5 inches or less. BSTs are normally used on pavements with lower traffic volumes. Types of Bituminous Surface Treatments 1. Single Surface Treatment The bituminous […]
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Cladding is the process of layering one material over the other to protect a building from natural elements like wind and rain. It also provides insulation and noise control and boosts the aesthetic appeal of a building. Cladding can be carried out on exterior walls as well as on interior walls. Criteria for Design of […]
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Aquacrete is a decorative cement coating that provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance to a concrete surface. It is produced from cement, quartz, and color. Aquacrete can be used to coat swimming pools, bodies of water and basins, and fountains. The thickness of aquacrete lining ranges from 2 to 3 mm. It can be mixed with […]
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Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) is a high-strength engineered timber formed by bonding multiple thin wood veneers layer by layer using adhesives. LVL was developed to use new species and smaller trees that cannot be used to make solid sawn lumber. LVL is a cost-effective and sustainable building material that provides high structural strength and reliability […]
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