Mankind has innovated with design and construction methods and materials since Homo Habilis laid one flat stone horizontally across two upright stones to build the first dolmen around 2,000,000 BCE. Since then, our progress in building materials innovation over the millennia has been tremendous. A short list of some of the most innovative buildings and structures in history would have a great deal of overlap with a list of the most beautiful and inspirational buildings and structures of all time.
Abstract: Due to advantages in economics, constructability, and aesthetics, the construction of mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls is now commonplace. An MSE wall consists of soil, reinforcement, and facing to retain earth and support...
Brick masonry is one of our most widely used building materials and has been used to construct building facades for thousands of years. Because brick is manufactured from natural materials, and with firing processes that produce a nonuniform...
Costly failures in below-grade waterproofing systems in recent years have driven owners and designers to seek high-performance and reliable solutions to prevent moisture infiltration. Careful consideration of site conditions and construction...
For the most part, VOC-related rules focus on lowering ozone production at factories and during product use. Ozone is necessary and plentiful 19 to /18 km I I2 to 30 mi above the Earth's surface, where it offers protection from the sun...
Abstract: Hygrothermal simulation programs (HSPs) have the potential to help the way building enclosures are designed If end users are convinced the results are reliable. However, HSPs suffer from a lack of manufacturer-specific material data....
We recently consulted on a gem of historic architecture - a 1920s medical center in North Central Pennsylvania. It was an optimistic time, and the original donor mandated that "the structure last 300 years." His architects used the most...
Abstract: Many antennas, such as the 100-m Green Bank Telescope, use a wheel-on-track system in which the track segments consist of wear plates mounted on base plates. The wear plates are typically 2 to 3 inches thick and are case hardened or...
This article discusses the application of life-cycle assessment to salvaged materials and reviews selected roofing and structural materials with good salvage potential. The feature also examines how the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC...