MODULAR BAMBOO
Bamboo has potential for use as a sustainable, modular construction material due
to its flexibility, durability and abundance
Bamboo is considered a versatile, natural construction material that can be used to
produce modular buildings. It is abundant and the plant can grow up to four feet
per day. When harvested, it regrows without having to be replanted.
Modular system architecture improves flexibility in function allocation, decreases
development costs, and improves maintainability and durability.
MANUFACTURING PROCESS
1.Harvesting: The first step is to harvest the bamboo. Bamboo is typically harvested
from mature plants that are at least three years old.
2.Cleaning and preparation: The harvested bamboo is then cleaned and prepared
for processing. This may involve removing the leaves and branches, cutting the
bamboo into sections, and trimming the ends.
3.Treatment: The bamboo is then treated to improve its durability and resistance to
decay and insect damage. This may involve boiling the bamboo in a solution of
borax and boric acid, or applying a chemical treatment to the surface of the
bamboo.
4.Cutting and shaping: The treated bamboo is cut and shaped into modular
components, such as wall panels, roof panels, and floorboards. These components
are typically designed to fit together in a standardized way, using interlocking joints
or other fastening systems.
5.Finishing: The bamboo components are then sanded, stained, and sealed to
improve their appearance and protect them from the elements.
6.Assembly: Finally, the pre-fabricated bamboo components are assembled on site
to create a completed structure.
APPLICATION
•Bamboo is also used as a roofing material which offers protection against extreme
weather conditions.
•Bamboo is also used in the construction of different types of partition walls.
•Bamboo is also used as a flooring material.
•Bamboo has a high load-bearing capacity due to which it is used as a scaffolding
material.
•Bamboo is also used as a construction material in the earthquake-prone areas due
to its high receivable strength to absorb shocks.
•Bamboo is also used in the construction of buildings such as in flooring roofing and
ceiling panels.
•Bamboo can be also used as a reinforcement in the different types of structural
members. Hence, it is also known as structural bamboo.
ALUMINIUM FOAM
A versatile material with virtually limitless design and architectural applications.
As well as its unique appearance, it has sound absorbing properties making it ideal
for applications requiring both sound absorption and beauty. It is used for
Facades, wall cladding, ceiling tiles or dropped ceilings, restaurants, bars, offices,
apartment buildings, showroom displays, Terrazzo flooring, signage, lighting
fixtures, exhibits, and any application that you dare to imagine.
Aluminium foam creates strong yet lightweight panels. Similar in appearance to a
metallic sponge, it is visually striking, with a modern dramatic look. For
architecture, aluminum foam is produced in panels ranging in various densities,
and in thicknesses from 12.7mm to 43.2 mm (custom available pending
quantities). Standard versions are Small, Mid and Large.
The surface of each panel is either left in its solid natural form as produced, or
undergoes surface preparations which provide many different appearances.
Appearances as a solid surface “shimmering” look to a translucent “water froth”
look, even custom designs. The 2 sides of each panel, identified as ‘top and/or
bottom, look very different from each other.
MANUFACTURING PROCESS
APPLICATION
Aluminum foam can be used as composite panels for the Construction industry &
Building Environments:
•Decorative or non decorative Acoustical panels for any acoustical solution
including exterior highway or road acoustical barriers
•Design any commercial or residential high performance surface solution by adding
aluminum foam as a backing or as a sandwich panel
•Create solid but yet “light weight” composite panels which do not decay, with anti
mold and mildew qualities
•Composite panels for stone, marble, granite, ceramic, travertine, wood tile etc
•For new or existing buildings, exterior or interior Walls, flooring, signs, exhibits,
lighting
•Architect clients create “Super insulated buildings”, by using fuel efficient
“insulation aluminum foam composite solutions”
•Climate and Air quality controlled applications
•Subway ventilators, Air vents, moisture barriers, building components, crawlspace
substrates
•Hospitals, Clean Rooms, Marine, underground composite panels, railcar chiller
compartments
•Create lightweight moisture & thermal barriers, control corrosion, and vibration
•Insulation and Environmental control solutions
•Reduce heating and air conditioning requirements
AEROGELS
SiO2 aerogel is a nanoporous solid material whose main component is ultrafine
particles. The material has the characteristics of low thermal conductivity, low
density, large specific surface area, high porosity, and small particle size, and is
currently regarded as the lightest solid material. Due to the special physical structure
of aerogel, it has strong fire resistance, heat insulation and other properties. With the
deepening of the application research of aerogel in the field of construction, aerogel
new building materials have gradually become the "most promising" high-
performance materials in the field of construction.
MANUFACTURING PROCESS
APPLICATIONS
The aerogel low-carbon nucleic acid sampling cabin series products, through the
excellent thermal insulation performance of aerogel materials, can achieve high
efficiency and energy saving and 60% carbon reduction, and at the same time meet
A-level fire protection, making nucleic acid sampling work safer and more efficient.
ADVANCED CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
CROSS-LAMINATED TIMBER
Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is a wood panel product made from gluing together
at least three layers of solid-sawn lumber, i.e., lumber cut from a single log. Each
layer of boards is usually oriented perpendicular to adjacent layers and glued on
the wide faces of each board, usually in a symmetric way so that the outer layers
have the same orientation. An odd number of layers is most common, but there
are configurations with even numbers as well (which are then arranged to give a
symmetric configuration). Regular timber is an anisotropic material, meaning that
the physical properties change depending on the direction at which the force is
applied. By gluing layers of wood at right angles, the panel is able to achieve better
structural rigidity in both directions. It is similar to plywood but with distinctively
thicker laminations (or lamellae).
CLT is distinct from glued laminated timber (known as glulam), which is a product
with all laminations orientated in the same way.
MANUFACTURING PROCESS
When producing CLT panels, this general process is followed:
1.Lumber is selected – common types include Western Larch and Douglas Fir
2.Lumber is dried – using a kiln, the lumber is dried to a moisture content of
approximately 12 percent
3.Defects are removed from the lumber
4.Trimming and Jointing – this creates the correct length of lumber
5.Assembling of the Panels – by placing the boards side by side, solid wood layers
are formed
6.Adhesive – every layer of the CLT panel is sprayed with an adhesive
7.Pressing – the panel is pressed together with a hydraulic press
8.Fabrication – panels are then cut to size, milled, and finished as require for each
project
Once this process is complete, CLT panels are ready to go to the project site. These
CLT panels can be milled to any required specifications, making them wonderfully
easy to use on the job site.
LAKSHMI A 1AA19AT030 SEM 8 SEC A
APPLICATIONS
Floors
Floor panels are the most common use of CLT. Typical configurations consist of post-
and-beam construction for single-span systems or post-and-panel construction
where the panels span in two directions and are supported directly on posts. Floor
systems often incorporate a thin concrete topping slab.
Roofs
CLT roof panels are installed like floor panels. Since CLT comes in large panels, a roof
can be installed to enclose the structure from inclement weather in a short amount
of time. CLT roof panels can also form two orthogonal, cantilevered overhangs for
soffits without the need for additional reinforcing. Panels can also span up to 40 feet
which is a major benefit in low-snow-load regions.
Walls
CLT panels are also great solutions for non-load bearing and load-bearing walls. Due
to the dimensional stability of the alternating layers of wood, CLT can achieve long
spans with relatively thin and lightweight panels. For exterior walls, the panels can
help with the insulation in the building envelope.
Shear Walls and Diaphragms
CLT panels can create effective lateral load resisting systems. It’s important to know
that there is no prescriptive code path or design standard when using CLT in lateral
force resisting systems. Consult the 2015 NDS and 2015 IBC, and please consult your
structural engineering team for more information and clarifications.
Cores and Shafts
CLT cores and shafts are quick to erect while having the ability to provide load-
bearing support or being part of the lateral force-resisting system. Both elevator and
stair shafts can also have two-hour fire resistance ratings without needing a drywall
finish.
LIGHT GENERATING CEMENT
Light generating cement, also known as glow-in-the-dark cement, is a type of cement
that has the ability to absorb and emit light. This is achieved by adding a small amount
of photoluminescent material to the cement mix, which absorbs energy from sunlight
or artificial light and emits it in the form of visible light in the dark. The
photoluminescent material used in light generating cement is typically a
phosphorescent material, such as strontium aluminate or zinc sulfide. These materials
have the ability to absorb and store energy when exposed to light, and then slowly
release it over time as visible light in the dark.
MANUFACTURING PROCESS
1.Selection of photoluminescent material: The first step is to select the appropriate
photoluminescent material to be added to the cement mix. This may involve testing
and experimentation to determine the most effective material for the intended
application.
2.Mixing of cement: The next step is to mix the cement, sand, and water in the desired
proportions to create the base cement mix
3.Addition of photoluminescent material: The selected photoluminescent material is
then added to the cement mix in the appropriate amount. This may involve blending
the material into the mix or dispersing it in water before adding it to the cement mix.
4.Mixing of cement and photoluminescent material: The cement mix and
photoluminescent material are thoroughly mixed together to ensure even
distribution of the photoluminescent material throughout the cement mix.
5.Curing of cement: The cement mix is then allowed to cure, which involves a
chemical reaction between the cement and water that causes the mix to harden
and solidify.
6.Cutting and shaping: Once the cement has cured, it can be cut and shaped as
needed to create the desired shape or design.
7.Testing and quality control: The final step is to test and evaluate the light
generating properties of the cement to ensure it meets the desired specifications
and quality standards.
APPLICATIONS
Light generating cement can be used in a variety of applications, including:
1.Sidewalks, pathways, and other outdoor areas where low-light visibility is a safety
concern.
2.Emergency exit signs and markings in buildings and public spaces.
3.Decorative elements in architectural and artistic designs.
4.Landscaping and garden features.
HEMPCRETE
Hempcrete or hemplime is bio composite material, a mixture of hemp hurds (shives)
and lime, sand, or pozzolans, which is used as a material for construction
and insulation. It is marketed under names like Hempcrete, Canobiote, Canosmose,
Isochanvre and IsoHemp.
Hempcrete is easier to work with than traditional lime mixes and acts as an insulator
and moisture regulator. It lacks the brittleness of concrete and consequently does not
need expansion joints.Typically, hempcrete has good thermal and acoustic insulation
capabilities, but low mechanical performance, specifically compressive strength.In
addition, hempcrete’s mechanical properties, when used in prefabricated blocks
specifically, act as a carbon sink throughout its lifetime.The result is a lightweight
insulating material, finishing plaster, or a non-load bearing wall, ideal for most
climates as it combines insulation and thermal mass while providing a positive impact
on the environment.
MANUFACTURING METHOD
Earlier, Hempcrete blocks were prepared right at the site by mixing the raw materials
and placing the mixture in the formwork, or by using equipment that required a highly
qualified workforce.
But today, with the increase in demand and technological advancement, factories
have been set up to produce hempcrete-based materials. The production process is
divided into three simple steps :
1) Mixing
The raw materials (hemp shives, lime-based binder and water) of hempcrete are
proportionately dosed and mixed together.
2) Moulding
Hempcrete obtained is poured in the blocks of widths between 6 and 30 cm in a
special press.
3) Open-air Curing
After a while, the frail blocks of hempcrete are placed on an automatic conveyor belt
which takes them to a storage area for open air-drying. This brings strength and
hardness to the blocks. Depending on the width of blocks, it takes around 6-10 weeks
for the blocks to become ready to use.
APPLICATIONS
• Plastering
Hempcrete can be sprayed on the interior or exterior surface of the building. It is
suitable for areas vulnerable to cracking and knocks. It is also more suitable for
patching in and making repairs to existing plaster. Spray applications reduce labour
or formwork. But there is a possibility of increase in on-site waste. Lime plaster
applied directly to hempcrete is the most common practice.
• Form Packing
The most common method of building with hempcrete is to pack it around a
wooden framing. The hempcrete is packed densely more towards the surfaces and
loosely in the centre in order to maximize the insulating potential.The frame can
either be centred or towards oneside. Cladding is sometimes used to finish the
exterior.
• Precast
Insulation PanelsBuilding with Hemp concrete has evolved to an industrial practice
that uses precast panels for very large structures. Precast panels can also be used for
individually designed residences that are assembled on site. 'The British Science
Museum', used hempcrete panels in an artefact storage unit because of the superior
environmental control of temperature, humidity and energy savings.
• Blocks/Bricks
Blocks of hempcrete have been used in various places. 'Monica Brummer', a German
architect working in Spain developed Cannabrick.Cannabrick uses clay instead of
lime. It is suitable for dry climate. The blocks can be cut easily with a hand saw,
which is useful for fitting them closely around the structural frame or even in order
to reduce the wastage, the frame can be designed around the block. However, the
overall strength of hempcrete is not such that these blocks can be used structurally
to support the load of the roof, as concrete blocks would-be.
