Materials

Question 1

What makes up the building envelope?

Answer 1

foundation 
floor
walls
ceiling
windows
door
corridor
stair
toilet,ramp,fireplace etc

Question 2

What is the life cycle assessment of materials?

Answer 2

extraction
processing
use/maintenance
eventual disposal

Question 3

How does the use of materials effect the environment?

Answer 3

1. depletion of non-renewable resources
2. effect upon bio-diversity- ruining habitats
3. visual impacts
4. effect on co2 emissions to atmosphere (as with large scale deforestation)
5. effect on soul stability (as with large scale deforestation)
6. energy use and co2 emissions in transport
7. energy use and co2 emissions in conversion

Question 4

What are the impacts on the environment of using materials?

Answer 4

1. toxicity
2. production of toxic wastes
3. effect on health
4. life span
5. waste during the construction process
6. destination at the end of its life
7. potential for re use

Question 5

What is the process of using materials and the direct impact?

Answer 5

process:
exploration, mining, pre processing transport, processing, transport, fabrication, discarding

impact:
energy resource depletion, air pollution, water pollution, land disturbance (mining, and solid waste generation)

Question 6

How is cement made and what does it produce?

Answer 6

Cement in concrete is produced in an energy intensive process, and the chemical reaction produces co2

Question 7

How is aluminum produced?

Answer 7

In a highly energy intensive way, but eminently recyclable.

If systems are set up for this to happen,, it is a good material.

It is possible to obtain recycled aluminum products

Question 8

What are the basic principles of material use?

Answer 8

Reduce

Reuse- use the material in its state and function

Recycle- innovative way to use material in different function

Question 9

Name 5 basic materials?

Answer 9

wood
glass
concrete
bricks 
steel

Question 10

What are the parts of a ‘full fill built in’ brick wall?

Answer 10

External brick outer leaf
Cavity slab
Blockwork inner leaf
Internal plaster finish

Question 11

What are the parts of a ‘partial fill built in’ brick wall?

Answer 11

External brick outer leaf
Clear cavity
Cavity slab
Blockwork inner leaf
Wall tie and retaining disk
internal plaster finish

Question 12

What are the parts of a ‘full fill injected’ brick wall?

Answer 12

External brick outer leaf
Brown bead
Blockwork inner leaf
Internal plaster finish

Question 13

What is the most commonly used material to construct external walls?

Answer 13

bricks

Question 14

What are bricks generally made from and how can their size be described?

Answer 14

Clay

Modular in size and manufactured all to the same dimensions

Question 15

What are the dimensions of a standard block?

Answer 15

215x100x440

Question 16

What are the dimensions of a standard brick?

Answer 16

65x102x215

Question 17

How long and high is a standard block measured in bricks?

Answer 17

2 bricks long and 3 bricks high

Question 18

What is tension?

Answer 18

Stretching a material

Question 19

What is compression?

Answer 19

compressing a material

Question 20

What is the rule of thumb for determining the depth of a steel beam?

Answer 20

1/20th of the span

Question 21

How can you tell when a beam is under tension and compression?

Answer 21

An element that is capable of withstanding load by resisting against bending

Question 22

What materials are better under tension that compression?

Answer 22

glass fiber epoxy matrix composite

Question 23

What is an element entirely dependent on when undergoing tension or compression?

Answer 23

material and thickness

Question 24

Name 7 points on the material selection criteria?

Answer 24

renewable source
recyclable, reduced
low embodied energy
locally available 
energy efficient 
minimum pollution
biodegradable

Question 25

What 4 things should be considered in order to reduce?

Answer 25

1. lower embodied materials 2. travel distance 3. use materials efficiently 4. use renewable resources

Question 26

What impact has transportation had on materials?

Answer 26

Until the development of mass transport systems, different areas produced different buildings types, using materials that were available in the vicinity. Only small quantities of expensive imported materials were used, and these would be for ‘high status buildings’

Question 27

Pros and cons of stone?

Answer 27

+ abundant if used locally, you need comparatively little energy to make usable - can damage the surroundings with quarrying

Question 28

Pros and cons of clay for bricks?

Answer 28

+ local clays - use energy to produce transporting large quantities of bricks long distances is not a sustainable approach

Question 29

How is timber used as a material in buildings?

Answer 29

the frame is made out of timber then infilled with “wattle and daub”

Question 30

What are the features of the Makepeace House by Edward Cullinan?

Answer 30

Used locally available forest thinnings Developed a form from “green” wood bending Decked in timber, insulation and turf

Question 31

Examples of efficient use of timber?

Answer 31

Earth centre Doncaster- untreated roundwood Woodland enterprise centre- local coppiced chestnut Olivier theatre Bedales school- green oak frame with stainless steel joints, roof cladding larch, wall cladding douglas fir

Question 32

How can timber be sourced responsibly?

Answer 32

Ensure that any timber felled is replaced by new planting A number of bodies exist which can track the source of materials, and certify it as coming from properly managed sources Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC)- the mark of responsible forestry B&Q have a policy of only buying timber from approved sources

Question 33

Pros and cons of straw?

Answer 33

``` + roofing material good insulator cheap environmentally friendly walling ``` - fire risk not long lasting

Question 34

What are the modern uses of straw?

Answer 34

Straw bales were place between timber trusses to insulate the facade The inexpensive, readily available material with minimum environmental impact The combination between high insulation quantities of materials used in wall system and orientation allowed the majority of the building to heat using passive heating

Question 35

What are the uses of hemp?

Answer 35

Insistu wall construction (mixed with lime) Pre-cast wall construction (mixed with lime) Blocks (mixed with lime) insitu

Question 36

What are the features of a hemp brick?

Answer 36

``` Strong Lightweight Breathable Energy efficient Incredible insulation Lasts 100s years flame, water and pest resistant natural sourced ```

Question 37

How can mud and clay be used to build up walls and made durable?

Answer 37

Mud and clay can be used to build up walls with straw to strengthen it and a stone base to protect it from damp Of rendered it can be durable

Question 38

What are the features of sheep wool?

Answer 38

Renewable source | Can be used economically to make non toxic insulation

Question 39

How are 20% of materials used on building sites in the Uk wasted?

Answer 39

bad design poor storage theft damage during insulation

Question 40

What is special about the Earthship community Taos new Mexico?

Answer 40

earth construction with recycled glass bottles inserted for light transmission aluminum cans placed in walls showing re-use of recycled material

Question 41

What happens at the end of a buildings life?

Answer 41

Most buildings are just demolished, with the majority of waste going to land full sites Land fill tax is reducing this as an economic option Demolition waste needs to be sorted on site, and reused wherever possible There are specialist reclamation business that do this, and many materials from bricks through to sanitary fittings can be economically saved for reuse

Question 42

5 things to think about when deciding on materials?

Answer 42

Use materials that are locally produced Use materials with low environmental costs Consider cradle to grave energy costs involved Avoid using tropical hardwoods Think about loading and associated impacts on structured, and type of material