This book examines the state-of-the-art on plants and fibres as building materials for low cost construction, emphasizing their use, properties, fabrication, new procedures and future developments. It makes available research results on new techniques for fibre reinforcement and their use in concrete, stabilized clay and other matrices. Procedures for making vegetable fibres and wood-based building materials in developing countries are also analysed.
This book is primarily a general text covering the whole sweep of the forest industries. The over-riding emphasis is on a clear, simple interpretation of the underlying science, demonstrating how such principles apply to processing operations. The book considers the broad question "what is wood?" by looking at the biology, chemistry and physics of wood structure. Wood quality is examined, and explanations are offered on how and why wood quality varies and the implications for processing. Finally, various "industrial processes" are reviewed and interpreted. All chapters have been written by specialists, but the presentation targets a generalist audience.
Sustainable development is an important concept underlying many of today's renewable resource policies. Agro-based resources, such as wood, make up a significant portion of modern renewable resources. While probably the most familiar example, wood is only one type of agromass in the vast world of photosynthetic resources. Paper and Composites from Agro-Based Resources explores the great number of options available for producing paper and composites. Using sound ecosystem management principles, the book discusses strategies for obtaining fiber from plant-based resources including agricultural crops and residues, grasses, and recycled agro-based resources, in addition to wood.
Wood has played a major role throughout human history. Strong and versatile, the earliest humans used wood to make shelters, cook food, construct tools, build boats, and make weapons. Recently, scientists, politicians, and economists have renewed their interest in wood because of its unique properties, aesthetics, availability, abundance, and perha
This book presents a collection of recent contributions in the field of transport phenomena in multiphase systems, namely, heat and mass transfer. It discusses various topics related to the transport phenomenon in engineering (including state-of-the-art, theory and applications) and introduces some of the most important theoretical advances, computational developments and technological applications in multiphase systems domain, providing a self-contained key reference that is appealing to scientists, researchers and engineers alike. At the same time, these topics are relevant to a variety of scientific and engineering disciplines, such as chemical, civil, agricultural, and mechanical engineering.
This book offers a unique treatment of building insulating products and the integration of these products with building components. This book was written for all those involved in building design, specification, construction, and commissioning, providing them with an understanding of and appreciation for the wide variety of thermal insulation products and technologies available for use in all types of buildings. The book proceeds from basic definitions and discussion of heat-transfer topics and thermal insulation concepts, to the design and use of these products. The impact of thermal insulation on dynamic building performance, including factors other than heating and cooling, is also discussed. The book does not require an advanced mathematical background. The authors provide sufficient information to provide a qualitative understanding, with more mathematical sections included for those interested in modeling and analysis. The basic physics associated with heat transfer in buildings are presented, along with the steady-state and transient analysis techniques needed for the effective implementation of thermal insulation and assemblies. Modern building design involves the integration of comfort, safety, economics, durability and cost considerations, all of which impact the selection and use of thermal insulation materials in buildings. In addition to theoretical explanations of the underlying science, the book details the properties and application of new thermal insulation materials, including vacuum panels, gas-filled panels, aerogels, phase-change materials, and radiation control technologies. Given its scope, the book will be of interest to researchers and building engineers wishing to understand the latest technologies and materials available, so as to achieve reduced energy consumption in commercial and residential buildings.
Technical Organic and Inorganic Fibres from Natural Resources focuses on recent advances in the synthesis, processing, characterization, and application of non-textile fibers. The book provides a general introduction to the uses of natural fibers in technical textile applications while also reviewing the latest technical methods for producing these high-performance materials. As the textile industry is focused on finding alternative green fibers with the aim of providing high quality products which are fully recyclable and biodegradable, natural fibers from renewable sources play an increasingly important role in the industry due to their unique properties and functionality. - Covers the full range of fibers from natural sources, including organic materials like chitosan as well as inorganic ones like carbon nanofibers - Includes an overview of EPA regulations on hazardous natural fibers - Industry case studies are provided throughout to explain production methods and applications
