Performance of Bio-based Building Materials

Dennis Jones, Christian Brischke

• Publisher: Woodhead Publishing
• Year: 2017
• Print ISBN: 9780081009826
• eBook ISBN: 9780081009925
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Biomedical Science
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Performance of Bio-based Building Materials provides guidance on the use of bio-based building materials (BBBM) with respect to their performance. The book focuses on BBBM currently present on the European market. The state-of-the-art is presented regarding material properties, recommended uses, performance expectancies, testing methodology, and related standards.Chapters cover both 'old and traditional' BBBM since quite a few of them are experiencing a comeback on the market. Promising developments that could become commercial in the near future are presented as well.The book will be a valuable reference resource for those working in the bio-based materials research community, architects and agencies dealing with sustainable construction, and graduate students in civil engineering.- Takes a unique approach to bio-based materials and presents a broad overview of the topics on relevant areas necessary for application and promotion in construction- Contains a general description, notable properties related to performance, and applications- Presents standards that are structured according to performance types

1

Introduction to the performance of bio-based building materials

D. Jones*^{,†,‡ *} DJ Timber Consultancy plc, Neath, United Kingdom
^† University of Primorska, Koper, Slovenia
^‡ Luleå University of Technology, Skellefteå, Sweden

Abstract

The performance of bio-based materials represents a key area within the modern construction sector. How materials behave in service affect the way they perform, which in turn is linked to design, maintenance and protective treatments. The aim of this chapter is to provide a general introductions to some of the key areas that will be discussed in detail in the subsequent chapters and outline the current position of bio-based materials in construction, some of the benefits that can be gained from their use and the challenges and opportunities associated to their correct use.

Keywords

Bio-based materials; Introduction; Performance; Construction; Legislation; Challenges; Opportunities

1.1 Introduction

It is recognised that the construction market is one of the major employment sectors globally. It was estimated in 2016 that the sector provided direct employment to around 18 million jobs across the European Union (EU) alone (European Commission, 2016). This comprises approximately 75% construction enterprises (many of which were micro- to medium-sized enterprises), which combined a turnover of approximately 9% of the EU-27 GDP. Whilst the construction sector faced a significant downturn in activities and income due to the economic downturn between 2005 and 2014, there is a continued demand for new and/or improved housing. Current suggestions predict a significant upturn in construction activities, with some predictions indicating the global sector will grow by approximately 4.3% per year to 2025 (UK Govt, 2013). This is being further affected by increased awareness into resource efficiency and performance. This has led to a reconsideration of approaches to issues such as energy, climate change, impacts on natural resources (energy, water and materials) and public convenience and welfare (accessibility, safety, security, indoor air quality, etc.). This is relevant not only to new building programmes but also to the existing building stock (where the greatest levels of change may be achieved). Demands for improved building stock are greater in certain areas globally, as typified by suggestions for the needs in India, where the sector is expected to be worth US $0.6 trillion a year by 2020 and 170 million new homes built by 2030 (ITE Build and Interiors, 2015). These demands place ever-increasing demands on supplies of materials, which has helped fuel an increased demand for sustainable construction.

Sustainable construction as defined by the European Commission's (EC) ‘lead market initiative for Europe—midterm progress report’ (European Commission, 2009) is the dynamic for developing new solutions involving investors, construction industry, professional services, industry suppliers and other relevant parties towards achieving sustainable development, taking into consideration environmental, energy, socioeconomic and cultural issues. This initiative focussed on nonwood and pulp resources, though many of the concepts could easily be applied to what are perceived as traditional resources. It embraces a number of aspects such as design and management of buildings and constructed assets, choice of materials, energy use of the physical and functional performances of building and interaction with urban and economic development and management. A key means of achieving desired levels of increased sustainable construction is through a greater use of bio-based resources in innovative products, as demonstrated by the EU Commission's bioeconomy strategy of 2012 (European Commission, 2012). Within the context of this book, bio-based resources refer to plant-, tree- and animal-derived materials, either in their sourced format or resulting from modification or treatment or from incorporation into other materials (e.g., in the form of composites, though this has been the focus of a recent publication) (Fan and Fu, 2016).

The following sections will consider current and future demands for bio-based materials within construction, before subsequent chapters consider the range of bio-based materials and their performance in service.

1.2 Bio-based building materials and their role in the modern building sector

The use of bio-based materials has been of major importance throughout human history, mainly due to abundance, ease of use and adaptability, relative simplicity to use and sustainability. The advantages of these bio-based materials are that they are renewable, almost globally distributed in a variety of forms, easily sourced, readily adapted to the needs and use, hydroscopic, recyclable, versatile, porous and nonabrasive. Also, as a result of their nature, they are biodegradable, combustible, compostable and reactive. However, the properties that may be seen as detrimental can be controlled through correct use and detailing and help in the ultimate disposal through natural processes (i.e., no release of so-called toxic materials).

As indicated above, bio-based materials present us with the capability to mimic and exploit properties that have evolved in nature to provide certain performance characteristics. Bio-based materials have the potential to provide construction materials with the following benefits:

• The capture and storage of carbon extracted from atmospheric CO₂ through recent photosynthesis.

• Sustainable production as crops grown annually or as longer harvest-cycle foresting, including secondary products from food growth.

• Biodegradability at end of service life (controlled decay inside an anaerobic digester would produce both organic fertiliser and biomethane to supply energy).

• Exceptionally low or almost zero linear coefficients of thermal expansion, often comparable or better than many man-made products.

• The property of controlling temperature and humidity in enclosed spaces as a direct result of phase changes of water and moisture within cell walls...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• List of contributors
• Preface
• Acknowledgement
• 1: Introduction to the performance of bio-based building materials
• 2: Wood as bio-based building material
• 3: Nonwood bio-based materials
• 4: Protection of the bio-based material
• 5: Performance of the bio-based materials
• 6: Performance of buildings
• 7: Test methods for bio-based building materials
• 8: Modelling
• 9: Environmental assessment of bio-based building materials
• 10: Durability, efficacy and performance of bio-based construction materials: Standardisation background and systems of evaluation and authorisation for the European market
• Glossary
• Index