BUILDING DESIGN MODULE Iii: MASONRY

MAGNAYE, KIMBERLY WEALTH M.

BSCE 4-1

Activity/Assessment:
1. Research at least three (3) innovated material for masonry aside from
what has been discussed in this lesson. Focus on their advantages
and disadvantages.

BIOMASON BRICKS
Concrete is the second most
consumed substance in the world. It
is a mixture of cement, sand, and
gravel. Cement, which is a core
ingredient in the production of
concrete, accounts approximately
8% of global carbon dioxide
emissions according to study. In
order to protect the environment,
researchers developed different
materials that can help in eliminating the need to emit carbon in the
process of building materials. Biomason brick is a combination of sand and
cementitious material made using bacteria. The brick mixture is created
and over the course of 5 days the bacteria solidifies into a coral type
material with the strength of a traditional brick.

The major benefit of using this material is it does not require

significant carbon output, therefore it is healthier for the environment.
Another convenience of using this innovation is that it is actively
reproduced over time. It does not require heat and raw materials used in
making conventional bricks, which results in a lower cost by 40%. Last but
not the least, there is no waste in manufacturing these bricks.

The downside of using any type of brick is that it is porous so

proper application of sealant is required.
SHELL WASTE CEMENT MORTARS AND BRICKS
According to Noel Hugo Binag,
marine shell wastes have been
popularized as a recycled material for
many types of construction due to its
characteristics which resembles
limestone that is similar to cement raw
materials and if it is processed into shell
ash cement, it can be substituted or
blended with Portland cement for
concrete works.

The use of mussel and oyster shell ash cement as substitute for
Portland cement will lessen the use of mountain forest and quarries as
sources of Portland cement. Thus, the study was conducted to evaluate
the usage of mussel and oyster shell ash cement blended with Portland
cement for masonry cement mortar as block binder and for the
production of concrete bricks.

The study provides analysis for the suitability of the materials and its
impact of manufacturing to the community. The multiple baseline design
was used in the research. Results show that when mussel and oyster shell
wastes are transformed into an ash cement, it can be used as partial
substitute for Portland cement in the manufacturing of locally- based
masonry cement mortar as block binder and bricks production for the
community at a mix ratio of 5%, 10%, and 15% of either mussel or oyster
shell ash cement and 95%, 90%, and 85% Portland cement, respectively.
This is proved by their chemical properties, specific gravity and mechanical
properties especially compressive strength.

The production of the shell wastes cement new technology will give
impact to the community that will improve the quality of people's living
conditions and its environment, encourage participation of women, and create
responsible leaders in the community.

COOLING MASONRY UNITS

A composite facade material made of clay and hydrogel, which

functions as a passive masonry unit cooling system, is being developed at
the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) in Spain.
Hydro ceramic, as it is being called, uses the ability of hydrogel to absorb many
times its own weight in water. The cooling effect is achieved through the
evaporation of water from the hydrogel pellets spread throughout the surface
of the masonry units.

Water evaporation helps decrease the temperature while at the same time
increasing the humidity in the surrounding air. The effect is greatest when
the outside air is warm. In cold weather, little evaporation occurs, making
hydro ceramic responsive to its surrounding environment.

The composite facade is capable of passively cooling building interiors by

nearly 11 degrees Farenheight (6 degrees Celsius) and increasing humidity
by about 15-16 percent. Based on findings by the IAAC, this could result in
a reduction of about 28 percent in electricity required for air conditioning
in buildings.

REFERENCES:
https://teckdeck2008.wordpress.com/tag/biomason/
https://biomason.com/
https://knepublishing.com/index.php/KnE-
Social/article/view/2435/5348
https://www.builderspace.com/7-new-innovative-building-
materials#:~:text=2.,Catalonia%20(IAAC)%20in%20Spain.