Material Information for Architects

VRAToronto 2009

Material Information for Architects

Donna KacmarUniversity of Houston

dkacmar@uh.edu

materialhistory

process innovation

+

product innovation

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http://www.materia.nl/

+

www.transstudio.com/www.greenbuildingpages.com/press/Benchmarking/GBP2007CreditUpdate.htmwww.healthybuilding.net/news/061109pharos.htmlwww.healthybuilding.net/news/060629labelgame.htmlwww.pharosproject.net/www.localgreenmaterials.orgwww.core77.comwww.idsa.orgwww.matweb.comwww.ides.comwww.materialconnexion.com

material explorations

material research

how do we select materials for a building?

how do we select materials for a building?

visual characteristics+cost

INTRINSIC PROPERTIES (remain constant)

properties that are inherent to the material and can be measuredmechanical + electrical + physical + chemical + thermal properties:strengthtoughnessconductivitydensityreactivity

EXTRINSIC PROPERTIES (vary depending on project, location)

properties that are dependant on context (time and place) of processing and applicationoptical propertiesacousticalcost (initial cost + life cycle cost)durabilitycultural value

composition of material

the chemical and mineral content

from the chart

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VOC

volatile organic compounds

as a percentage or parts per million (ppm)

from the Material Safety Data Sheet or call manufacturer or product representative

origin of raw materials

where (in the world) are the raw ingredients mined or removed from the earth?

locate on a map. how far away is that from the building site?

you will need a specific material or product to trace its exact path

manufacturing process

how the raw material gets made into a finished product

how much energy is used?

how much water is used?

does the process pollute air or water?

does it harm the employees working at the manufacturing facility?

energy used in manufacturing

cradle to gate

expressed as MJ per kg or BTU per ton

convert to BTU per sq. ft. of specified thickness for cladding materials

Titanium430 MJ/kg

Polycarbonate86 MJ/kg

Float glass15.9 MJ/kg

Cypress2 MJ/kg

Hammond, Geoffrey P. and Craig I. Jones, 2008. 'Embodied energy and carbon in construction materials', Proc. Instn Civil Engrs: Energy, 161 (2): 87-98

http://www.atypon-link.com/TELF/doi/abs/10.1680/ener.2008.161.2.87

https://wiki.bath.ac.uk/display/ICE/Home+Page

energy used in transportation

gate to site = transportation method x transportation distance

RAIL: 344 BTU per ton-mileBOAT: 417 BTU per ton-mileTRUCK: 4,300 BTU per ton-milePLANE: 31,600 BTU per ton-mile

(2003 energy intensities )

embodied energy

=

cradle to gate + gate to site

embodied water

amount of water required in manufacturing process (including extraction of raw materials) L per kg

convert to gallons per sq. ft. of specified thickness

weight

pounds per cubic foot

pounds per sq. ft. of specified thickness

density

weight per unit of volume

pounds per cubic foot

R value

insulation property of a material

(the higher the number the greater the insulative qualities)

U value: how well a material conducts heat

compressive strength

ability of material to resist loads/force

pounds per square inch (psi)

metals are more elastic under loading

ceramics fail suddenly and unpredictably

tensile strength

nominal stress at which the material, loaded in tension, separates

pounds per square inch (psi)

sound transmission rating

how well a partition attenuates airborne sound

the decibel sound reduction the partition offers (dB)

STC rating

UL Flame Spread rating

relative rate at which a flame will be spread in a material

Class A: 0- 25Class B: 26-75Class C: 76-200Class D: 201+

recycled content%

ability to be recycled

readilypossiblenot possible

or can material be reclaimed?

electrical/magnetic

conductivity: ability to conduct electrical current

resistivity: ability to resist electrical current

magnetic properties

coolness/warmth

thermal diffusivity: ability of a material to transfer heat in a nonsteady state condition

square metres per second

thermal conductivity: ability of a material to transfer heat in a steady state condition

history of material

from discovery to now

precedents

in use in buildings or products

life expectancy (durability)

in years

cost

per sq. ft. of specified thickness

for material cost only

for material + labor?

for place it will be installed

standard sizes

maximum sizes

architectural specifications

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CONTACT US

Trespa North America Ltd.

12267 Crosthwaite CirclePoway, CA 92064USAPhone: (800) 487-3772Fax:(858) 679-0440info@trespanorthamerica.com

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material library

ceramics

glass

concrete

other masonry

wood

metal

polymers

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH DATABASEINTRINSIC PROPERTIES (remain constant)properties that are inherent to the material and can be measuredmechanical + electrical + physical + chemical + thermal properties:strengthtoughnessconductivitydensityreactivity

SCHOOL SPECIFIC RESEARCH DATABASE + MATERIAL LIBRARYEXTRINSIC PROPERTIES (vary depending on project, location)properties that are dependant on context (time and place) of processing and applicationoptical propertiesacousticalcost (initial cost + life cycle cost)durabilitycultural value

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH DATABASEproperties that are inherent to the material and can be measuredComposition of materialsRecycled contentRecyclabilityWeightDensityR-valueSound transmission valueUL Flame spread ratingVOC ContentEmbodied energy: cradle to gateHosting of database

SCHOOL SPECIFIC RESEARCH DATABASE + MATERIAL LIBRARYproperties that are dependant on context (time and place) of processing and applicationCost (initial cost + life cycle cost)DurabilityEmbodied energy: gate to sitePhysical samples

POTENTIAL COLLABORATORS

VRAAIAUSGBCACSANCARB

UniversitiesProfessional ArchitectsDesigners