Webzine

Recent articles

Polymer action on the alkali-silica reaction

The alkali-silica reaction (ASR) in concrete progressively transforms silica minerals into an alkali-silica gel with hygroscopic properties, which can expand significantly due to hydration and crack both aggregate and surrounding cement paste. Due to the extent and severity of ASR-related durability problems in concrete structures, continuous improvement of existing preventive solutions and development of novel approaches are required.

A method for the Dynamic Characterisation of Daylighting in Mediterranean Climates

The traditional daylighting calculation methods and the metrics used for its quantification have some limitations. In view of that, an integrated method for characterization and realistic prediction of the dynamic performance of daylighting was developed.

Assessment of the performance of tuned liquid dampers for vibration mitigation in buildings

Over the years, protection and control systems have been developed to solve problems caused by dynamic action. In this context, a study of the behaviour of TLD and the structures in which they are placed for vibration mitigation was developed at LNEC.

BBRI/ENBRI Workshop "Acoustics"

The representatives of ENBRI Acoustic laboratories and other acoustic specialists were invited to attend a wokshop on Monday 27 May (pm) and Tuesday 28 May (am) in the offices of BBRI - www.bbri.be (Brussels and Limelette). The report will follow soon.

Boosting Energy Efficiency in Construction, Building Up workshop

Presentation of the “BUILDING – UP Research & Innovation Roadmap” addressing research priorities to improve the energy efficiency in the built environment by 2020 and beyond.

Polymer action on corrosion rates of steel in cement mortar

Polymer cement mortars (PCM) have been used within the scope of the repair of concrete structures, which has made it possible to obtain a good knowledge about the benefits of adding polymers to improve mortar performance.

Fire Workshop

Monday 1 & Tuesday 2 October 2012 ITB, Filtrowa 1, 00-611 Warsaw

Energy Efficiency & Sustainability in Construction workshop

At the workshop "Energy efficiency and sustainability-based building and civil engineering" the most recent achievements, as well as the present state, in Slovenia, of sustainability-based building and civil engineering were presented, together with an overview of the new directions of development and opportunities in this field.

Workshop - Smart Geothermal Heating & Cooling of Buildings

The workshop organized on ‘Smart Geothermal Heating & Cooling of Buildings’ in Hasselt on 22 &23 September was the third event in a series of workshops being organized by ENBRI members. The event was attended by 25 participants.

Coordinated actions for stretched structure

Structures made of stretched fabric are few and far between. They require very specific skills. Several CSTB teams have been asked to help evaluate the glass fabric structure used in the Montrouge "Evergreen" operation, including restructuring and construction of 78,000 m² of offices.

Evaluation of heat pumps

CSTB has developed an experimental geothermal platform within the ENR (Renewable Energies) cluster in Sophia Antipolis. More precisely, it has developed a semi-virtual laboratory through which manufacturers, industrialists and institutions (such as the French Environment and Energy Management Agency ADEME) can evaluate products, particularly heat pumps, under almost real conditions.

Perfection: Towards key performance indicators for the indoor environment

Perfection stands for a European Coordination Action on performance indicators for health, comfort and safety of the indoor environment. The goal of this FP7 coordination action is to help enable the application of new design and technologies that improve the impact of the indoor built environment on health, comfort, the feeling of safety, and positive stimulation. In order to monitor and report on the performance of the indoor environment a set of key performance indicators is a necessity.

Sustainability GreenPrint

It can often be difficult to distinguish genuine sustainability from green claims made for marketing purposes. The recently developed ‘GreenPrint’ approach aims to help developers and designers to improve and credibly demonstrate the sustainability of their developments.

Visit Cannes in an armchair

The Le Corbusier Immersion Room is unique in the construction sector. The room is designed to facilitate the design, consultation and communication process for plans made by owners and designers, in terms of architecture, town planning and regional development.

A User-Oriented Hospital Space

VTT, Stakes, Finpro, several companies and Tekes have jointly funded a two-year project to develop a 'User-Oriented Hospital Space'. The HospiTool project is a part of the Tekes FinnWell programme within the 'Development of the operational processes of healthcare' topic area.

Modeling of the City Port of Split

Since May 2007 the Civil Engineering Institute of Croatia (IGH) has been contracted by the City of Split to work on a project on the physical modeling of waves and circulation in the City Port of Split. Others working on this important and complex project are from the Civil Engineering Faculty of the University of Zagreb, the Civil Engineering and Architecture faculties of the University of Split, the Croatian Hydrographic Institute, the Institute of Oceanography and Fishing and the Shipping Institute.

Outdoor exhibits on the Innovation Park

The ORGANICS modular house is a Swedish home designed to make sustainable housing accessible to more people. The home offers an affordable, low-maintenance, well designed green housing alternative...

Offsite07 Innovation and sustainable modern methods of construction

In June BRE staged the 4-day Offsite07 at its Garston headquarters. The event was support by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) along with over 10 other commercial sponsors and attracted over 4,500 visitors from all parts of the construction sector...

Monitoring of the energy delivered to multifamily residential buildings

The actual use of energy for heating in residential buildings is usually different to that calculated using reference values. The reason for this is the influence of inhabitants on the energy use. They can overheat or underheat their dwellings, apply different ventilation strategies and install individual retrofit measures such as replacement windows...

Salt crystallisation in plastered or rendered walls

Soluble salt crystallisation causes aesthetical problems and the loss of historic material, degrades health conditions in rooms and often requires high-cost recurrent repairs. In extreme situations, it may endanger the structural safety of old buildings due to a progressive disagregation of the masonry...