Special Issue "Sustainable Concrete Masonry: AAC and LWAC"

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2021.

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Elena Michelini
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Parma, Parma, 43124, Italy
Interests: NLFE modelling; RC, FRC and precast concrete structures; tunnel linings; fire action on RC structures; sustainable concrete masonry; sustainable and innovative materials; FRCM composites; vulnerability assessment of existing structures
Prof. Dr. Daniele Ferretti
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Parma, Parma, 43124, Italy
Interests: Structural behavior of historical constructions; bond effects in beams strengthened by FRP external plates; fracture in brittle and quasi brittle materials; RC structures; sustainable concrete masonry; sustainable and innovative materials; FRCM composites

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As Guest Editors, we are launching a Special Issue of the international, peer-reviewed, open access journal Sustainability focused on “Sustainable Concrete Masonry: AAC and LWAC”.

Innovative concrete masonry units (CMUs), based on autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) and lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC) with waste materials are experiencing an increasing spread in the construction market to meet sustainability objectives. These innovative CMUS are adopted for the construction and retrofit of both load-bearing walls in masonry buildings, and cladding, infill, and partition walls in framed structures.

This Special Issue will collect the latest research on innovative concrete masonry components and assemblages. Contributions are welcomed on the following topics: experimental and theoretical research on innovative masonry components (blocks and/or mortars) with reduced environmental impact; experimental, theoretical, and numerical research focused on static and seismic performances of innovative masonry assemblages; experimental, theoretical, and numerical research focused on the behavior of innovative masonry assemblages under accidental loads (fire, impact, explosion, etc.); experimental, theoretical, and numerical research focused on environmental performances of innovative masonry assemblages (energy efficiency, building comfort, or other sustainability indices); evaluation of the environmental performance of innovative concrete masonry through LCA analyses; parametric studies for the optimization of products and systems, from both structural safety and sustainability standpoints; case studies.

Dr. Elena Michelini
Prof. Dr. Daniele Ferretti
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All papers will be peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Published Papers

This special issue is now open for submission, see below for planned papers.

Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

1. Strength vs energy efficiency: an experimental investigation on the delicate balance between mechanical and thermal properties of AAC blocks

D. Ferretti1 , E. Michelini

Abstract: Among other construction materials, autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) offers several advantages to face the pressing need to build more sustainable and energy-efficient buildings. If we simply look at the material side, recycled materials – such as for example fly ashes – can be added to the admixture, which may help to gain credits in green rating systems. However, even without the addition of industrial by-products, the large amount of air entrapped in AAC blocks allows the use of less raw materials than many other products used in the construction sector. From the building side, the low thermal conductivity of AAC allows the realization of energy efficient building envelopes, with interesting savings in terms of heating and cooling processes. The equilibrium between structural performances and energy efficiency requirements is however very delicate, since it is strictly related to the search for an “optimum” material density. Within this context, this work discusses the results of a wide experimental research, showing the dependency of the most important mechanical properties (compressive strength, elastic modulus, flexural strength and fracture energy) from density, as well as the corresponding variation in thermal conductivity, so to identify the better compromise solution, through the formulation of a sort of eco-mechanical index. Four different densities approximately ranging from 300 kg/m3 to 580 kg/m3 , which represent the most common values available on the market, are examined. For a given density, the same tests are also repeated by considering different surface treatments, as well as different moisture contents, so to investigate the effect of water content entrapped within pores on strength variations.

Keywords: autoclaved aerated concrete, sustainable concrete masonry, mechanical properties, thermal insulation, density, experimental tests

2. MASONRY- A PASSED CONTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY OR A SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION FOR THE FUTURE?

Hipólito de Sousa- Associated Professor, Faculty of Engineering, Porto University, Porto, Portugal

Abstract: Masonry is the construction technology more linked to Humanity story, with one of the most powerful aesthetic expressions. Very well adapted to local requirements, conditions and available raw materials, masonry is used in almost all world civilizations. However, nowadays masonry faces a difficult challenge associated to the need of perform adequately to the new construction requirements: sustainability, higher productivity, less dependence of workmanship skills and cost reduction. Will be masonry able to answer properly to these changes and survive in competition with more light and modern solutions? In this review paper, after a short presentation of masonry developments and specificities, are deeply discussed the barriers that masonry must to surpass and the ways to became a competitive solution in the future. A focus on the analysis how masonry can answer, with more or less difficulty to the construction essential requirements, in design stage, as well for the modern construction processes are also presented.

3. Lightweight aggregates and industrial wastes incorporated lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC) for building energy efficiency: A comprehensive review

Rajesh Kumar, Rajni Lakhani, Abhishek Srivastava, Neha Rawat

Abstract: Lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC) exhibit the advantages of thermal insulation, reduce energy consumptionbuilding costs, improved building efficiency and easy construction. Furthermore, utilization of industrial wastes in concrete is advantageous in terms of environmental sustainability. To explore this, several researchers has investigated the idea of integrating industrial wastes in LWAC. However, the lack of knowledge regarding performance of industrial waste based lightweight aggregate concrete hinders the adaptation of this concept and application of LWAC in construction sector. Therefore, this paper summarizes the research in relation to the sustainable LWACs containing Vermiculite, Oil palm shell (OPS), Perlite, Lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA), Pumice, and sintered fly ash as lightweight aggregate and industrial wastes like fly ash, silica fume, Ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS), etc. Firstly, desirable physical, chemical, morphological and mineralogical characterization of different lightweight aggregates are presented, and then comprehensive overview on fresh, hardened, durability and thermal properties of lightweight aggregate concrete are discussed in comparison with normal weight concrete. The review also highlights the current challenges and suggests the research gaps for further development of eco-friendly LWAC. It is concluded that vermiculite, perlite, pumice, OPS, sintered fly ash and LECA with some suitable industrial waste materials has the potential to be used in construction sector. Also, LWAC with industrial waste has 50%-65% lower carbon emission (kg CO2 eq/m3 ) into the environment. The scientific contribution of this paper will be to provide the insights of different LWACs and the knowledge base for future research and paradigm shift of using LWACs as more common alternative building materials.

Keywords: Lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC), Industrial waste, Thermal insulation, Sustainability

4. Experimental characterization of the initial shear strength of composite masonry containing AAC blocks and DPC layers

Martijn Vanheukelom 1, Hervé Degée 2 and Bram Vandoren 2,* 

Abstract: Modern masonry constructions need to fulfill multiple purposes nowadays. Damp-proof courses (DPC) direct water and moisture outside the cavity wall, and the first layer often consists of an autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) block to prevent cold bridges. In this paper, an extensive experimental campaign conducted on masonry triplets is performed. This study's main objective is to investigate the initial shear strength of concrete block and clay brick masonry consisting of an AAC block and, secondly, the impact of the presence of a polyethylene DPC layer. Moreover, the position of the DPC layer is varied, i.e. directly on top of the brick (which is generally not recommended yet common in construction practice) and in the middle of the mortar joint. In total, 138 shear tests have been performed according to the EN 1052-3 standard with low to moderate precompression levels. The test results presented and discussed focus on the differences in friction angle, shear modulus, and friction coefficient. 

Keywords: AAC; DPC; composite masonry; initial shear strength

 
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