Bio-based composites are increasingly used. One of the most frequently used materials is hemp shives, which is agricultural waste. However, as the quantities of this material are lacking, there is a tendency towards finding new and more available materials. Corncob and sawdust are bio by-products that have great potential as insulation materials. In order to use these aggregates, it is necessary to examine their characteristics. New composite materials based on sawdust, corncobs, styrofoam granules, and the mixture of lime and gypsum as the binder were tested in this research. This paper presents the properties of these composites obtained by determining the porosity of samples, volume mass, water absorption, airflow resistance and heat flux, which was followed by the calculation of the thermal conductivity coefficient. Three of the new biocomposite materials, whose samples were 1–5 cm thick for each type of mixture, were investigated. The aim of this research was to analyze the results of different mixtures and sample thicknesses in order to determine the optimum composite material of the proper thickness so that the best possible thermal and sound insulation could be obtained. Based on the conducted analyses, the biocomposite with a thickness of 5 cm, composed of ground corncobs, styrofoam, lime, and gypsum, proved to be the best in terms of thermal and sound insulation. New composite materials can be used as an alternative to conventional materials.

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the use of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) as a sustainable alternative to natural aggregates in construction. RCA is obtained by crushing and reusing old concrete, which contains both the original aggregate and a cement mortar layer. However, the quality of RCA can vary depending on the characteristics and quantity of the leftover mortar. In this study, we aim to investigate different methods for improving the chemical, physical, and mechanical features of RCA, with a focus on untreated RCA, RCA exposed to a presoaking treatment in HCl, and RCA exposed to rapid carbonation. The overall results show that if RCA is obtained by crushing compact, high-quality concrete, the procedures for improving aggregate quality are not necessary.

Climate changes are altering patterns of energy supply and demand, which directly impact the need for adequate building insulation. This presents an opportunity for the development of new biomass-based materials as a renewable source aimed at reducing energy consumption and protecting the environment. The goal of this research is the application of wood sawdust, a waste biomass, as an aggregate for producing a new thermal insulation material. This experimental investigation represents an opportunity for the development of new biomass-based materials with the aim of reducing energy consumption and improving environmental protection. The biocomposite was tested in terms of thermal conductivity, and the obtained results were compared with the characteristics of commercially available thermal insulation materials. The performed analysis suggested that sawdust can be transformed into a valuable biocomposite for insulation purposes as an alternative solution.

The design of all building structures largely depends on the foundation support system, i.e., the relevant actions for structural design depend on soil–structure interaction. This paper describes a methodology for measuring pressures at the contact surface between a column footing model and a soil layer limited by a rigid base using earth pressure cells. The purpose of the research is to assess the reliability of the obtained results representing contact stress distributions between the interacting components under laboratory conditions. The concept of a reduced-scale footing model is presented, along with the procedure for preparing and installing earth pressure cells in the soil, with special emphasis on their position and data acquisition method. The main factors affecting measurement accuracy are also discussed, including soil characteristics, geometric and material properties of the tested footing model. The aim of this paper is to define an experimental procedure for a footing model and a soil layer limited by a rigid base that can serve as a basis for further experimental research and validation of numerical models. The reliability control of the measured contact stresses using earth pressure cells is based on comparison with analytical results. This experimental study examined contact pressures between a footing model and compacted sand using earth pressure cells. Measured pressures deviated significantly from calculated uniform values in the first test (48.3%) due to installation-induced soil disturbance, but improved to an acceptable 9.2% in the third test with proper surface preparation. The load–pressure relationship remained nearly linear across all measurements, consistent with sensor specifications.

Under contemporary conditions of increasingly intensive climate change and growing energy demands, the role of renewable energy sources has become increasingly important. However, their availability and efficiency largely depend on variable meteorological conditions, which directly affect the stability and reliability of energy systems based on renewable energy sources. At the same time, climate change is altering energy consumption patterns, particularly through the growing need for adequate thermal insulation of buildings in order to maintain energy efficiency. Based on these facts, this research investigates the possibility of using ground corn cobs as an aggregate in the production of thermal insulation materials. The aim is to develop a composite material with satisfactory thermal insulation properties that could be applied in construction practice. This study contributes to the development of innovative materials that support the improvement of building energy efficiency.

A strong relationship exists between renewable energy sources (wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, and biomass) and weather conditions that affect their capacity. Furthermore, climate change alters energy supply and demand patterns, affecting buildings insulation needs directly. All this represents an opportunity for the development of new biomass-based materials to reduce energy consumption and protect the environment. The goal of this research is the application of wood sawdust as an aggregate to obtain a new thermal insulation material and to improve the energy efficiency of buildings.