Materials for Energy Efficiency and Thermal Comfort in Buildings

Matthew R Hall (Edited by)

9780081014882, Elsevier Science

Paperback / softback, published 19 August 2016

760 pages
23.3 x 15.6 x 4.6 cm, 1.05 kg

"A focus on the highest standards of latest research, rather than commercial interest, makes for a high-quality book that still manages to hold commercial value." --Materials World

Almost half of the total energy produced in the developed world is inefficiently used to heat, cool, ventilate and control humidity in buildings, to meet the increasingly high thermal comfort levels demanded by occupants. The utilisation of advanced materials and passive technologies in buildings would substantially reduce the energy demand and improve the environmental impact and carbon footprint of building stock worldwide.Materials for energy efficiency and thermal comfort in buildings critically reviews the advanced building materials applicable for improving the built environment. Part one reviews both fundamental building physics and occupant comfort in buildings, from heat and mass transport, hygrothermal behaviour, and ventilation, on to thermal comfort and health and safety requirements.Part two details the development of advanced materials and sustainable technologies for application in buildings, beginning with a review of lifecycle assessment and environmental profiling of materials. The section moves on to review thermal insulation materials, materials for heat and moisture control, and heat energy storage and passive cooling technologies. Part two concludes with coverage of modern methods of construction, roofing design and technology, and benchmarking of façades for optimised building thermal performance.Finally, Part three reviews the application of advanced materials, design and technologies in a range of existing and new building types, including domestic, commercial and high-performance buildings, and buildings in hot and tropical climates.This book is of particular use to, mechanical, electrical and HVAC engineers, architects and low-energy building practitioners worldwide, as well as to academics and researchers in the fields of building physics, civil and building engineering, and materials science.

Part 1 Fundamental issues and building physics: Heat and mass transport
Hygrothermal behaviour and simulation
Ventilation, air quality and air-tightness
Heat energy storage and cooling
Thermal comfort
Environmental health and safety. Part 2 Materials and sustainable technologies: Life cycle assessment
Inorganic mineral insulation
Natural fibre and fibre composite insulation
Polymeric foam insulation
Insulation for building equipment
Reflective materials and radiant barriers
Aerogel insulation
Hygrothermal materials for heat and moisture control
Desiccant materials for moisture control
Phase change materials
Porous materials for evaporative cooling
Prefabricated units and modern methods of construction (MMC)
Roofing materials
Benchmarking performance of façades. Part 3 Application of advanced building materials and design: Materials and eco-building design
Domestic buildings
Commercial buildings
High performance buildings
New buildings
Refurbishment
Hot and tropical climates.

Subject Areas: Energy technology & engineering [TH], Environmentally-friendly architecture & design [AMCR]