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Multiple high quality wood waste from a window manufacturer is identified and collected. Eco-sustainable panels, with promising acoustic and thermal insulating performance, were then fabricated. The available wood is of different tree species (pine, oak, and mahogany) and size (pieces of wood, mixed coarse chips, and mixed fine chips). Moreover, scraps of olive tree pruning from local areas were collected for reuse. The aim of the research is to assembly panels (300 × 300 mm2) both with different techniques (hand-made and hot-pressed) and type of adhesive (vinyl and flour glues) and to evaluate their thermal, acoustic, and environmental performance. All the panels present thermal and acoustic performance comparable with the similar ones available in the literature or with commercial solutions. The thermal conductivity varies in the 0.071 to 0.084 W/mK range at an average temperature of 10 °C, depending on the tree species, the assembly technique, and regardless of the type of adhesive used. Oak wood panels are characterized by both better sound absorption (α peak value of 0.9, similar to pine pressed sample with flour glue) and insulation (transmission loss up to 11 dB at 1700 Hz) properties. However, their added value is the low environmental impact assessed through life cycle analysis in compliance with ISO 14040, especially for panels assembled with natural glue.
Francesca Merli; Elisa Belloni; Cinzia Buratti. Eco-Sustainable Wood Waste Panels for Building Applications: Influence of Different Species and Assembling Techniques on Thermal, Acoustic, and Environmental Performance. Buildings 2021, 11, 361 .
AMA StyleFrancesca Merli, Elisa Belloni, Cinzia Buratti. Eco-Sustainable Wood Waste Panels for Building Applications: Influence of Different Species and Assembling Techniques on Thermal, Acoustic, and Environmental Performance. Buildings. 2021; 11 (8):361.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrancesca Merli; Elisa Belloni; Cinzia Buratti. 2021. "Eco-Sustainable Wood Waste Panels for Building Applications: Influence of Different Species and Assembling Techniques on Thermal, Acoustic, and Environmental Performance." Buildings 11, no. 8: 361.
In order to reduce the heat loss from envelopes and to ensure energy saving in building refurbishment, polystyrene balls are added to Moroccan natural gypsum plaster. A complete characterization of the mechanical, thermal, and acoustic properties of the samples is carried out, taking into account different contents and diameters of the polystyrene balls. Increasing balls size, flexural strength peak value occurred with a lower polystyrene percentage. Thermal properties were measured by means of Small Hot Box apparatus. The values of conductivity were 0.191 and 0.116 W/mK for 10% and 30% addition of the smallest polystyrene balls, respectively. The acoustic properties were measured by means of a Kundt’s Tube, in terms of absorption coefficient and sound insulation. The absorption coefficients were slightly higher than the ones of standard plasters. As concerning insulation properties, a worse performance was expected, due to the lower density of the samples with the balls, according to the Mass Low. Anyway the transmission loss values were up to 45 dB, with a reduction of only 2–3 dB with respect to the samples without balls, showing a good performance for the proposed composites. Finally, dynamic energy simulations for a case study showed that polystyrene plaster with smaller balls applied on the wall surfaces of a residential building involved benefits both for heating and cooling energy demand. A small thickness (3 cm) of insulating material could be a suitable solution in order to enhance the thermal and acoustic performance and to reduce environmental impact of the construction systems.
S. Bouzit; F. Merli; M. Sonebi; C. Buratti; M. Taha. Gypsum-plasters mixed with polystyrene balls for building insulation: Experimental characterization and energy performance. Construction and Building Materials 2021, 283, 122625 .
AMA StyleS. Bouzit, F. Merli, M. Sonebi, C. Buratti, M. Taha. Gypsum-plasters mixed with polystyrene balls for building insulation: Experimental characterization and energy performance. Construction and Building Materials. 2021; 283 ():122625.
Chicago/Turabian StyleS. Bouzit; F. Merli; M. Sonebi; C. Buratti; M. Taha. 2021. "Gypsum-plasters mixed with polystyrene balls for building insulation: Experimental characterization and energy performance." Construction and Building Materials 283, no. : 122625.
Recycled waste materials obtained from industrial and agricultural processes are becoming promising thermal and acoustic insulating solutions in building applications; their use can play an important role in the environmental impact reduction. The aim of the present paper is the evaluation of the thermal performance of recycled waste panels consisting of cork scraps, rice husk, coffee chaff, and end-life granulated tires, glued in different weight ratios and pressed. Six panels obtained from the mixing of these waste materials were fabricated and analyzed. In particular, the scope is the selection of the best compromise solutions from the thermal and environmental points of view. To this aim, thermal resistances were measured in laboratory and a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analysis was carried out for each panel; a cross-comparative examination was performed in order to optimize their properties and find the best panels solutions to be assembled in the future. Life Cycle Analysis was carried out in terms of primary Embodied Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions, considering a ‘‘cradle-to-gate” approach. The obtained thermal conductivities varied in the 0.055 to 0.135 W/mK range, in the same order of magnitude of many traditional systems. The best thermal results were obtained for the panels made of granulated cork, rice husk, and coffee chaff in this order. The rubber granulate showed higher values of the thermal conductivity (about 0.15 W/mK); a very interesting combined solution was the panel composed of cork (60%), rice husk (20%), and coffee chaff (20%), with a thermal conductivity of 0.08 W/mK and a Global Warming Potential of only 2.6 kg CO2eq/m2. Considering the Embodied Energy (CED), the best solution is a panel composed of 56% of cork and 44% of coffee chaff (minimum CED and thermal conductivity).
Paola Ricciardi; Elisa Belloni; Francesca Merli; Cinzia Buratti. Sustainable Panels Made with Industrial and Agricultural Waste: Thermal and Environmental Critical Analysis of the Experimental Results. Applied Sciences 2021, 11, 494 .
AMA StylePaola Ricciardi, Elisa Belloni, Francesca Merli, Cinzia Buratti. Sustainable Panels Made with Industrial and Agricultural Waste: Thermal and Environmental Critical Analysis of the Experimental Results. Applied Sciences. 2021; 11 (2):494.
Chicago/Turabian StylePaola Ricciardi; Elisa Belloni; Francesca Merli; Cinzia Buratti. 2021. "Sustainable Panels Made with Industrial and Agricultural Waste: Thermal and Environmental Critical Analysis of the Experimental Results." Applied Sciences 11, no. 2: 494.
A comprehensive review of aerogel glazing systems is provided, focusing on the main properties of interest in building applications. Both granular and monolithic forms are taken into account, even if only the former is available on the market. Reviewed studies regard the material itself and of the assembled glazing systems are analysed. After a short description of the fabrication process, thermal and optical properties are presented, in order to provide a set of useful data on the most important parameters affecting energy and lighting performance of buildings. Not-energy related aspects, as quality of lighting and acoustic properties are also investigated, being relevant for the successful building integration. Numerical analyses and field studies show the potential of the technology to achieve relevant energy savings with respect to conventional glazing systems, especially in cold dominated climates. Long term performance studies confirm the reliability of the technology, with minor functionality issues to be solved. Costs of aerogel are still considerably higher when compared to conventional glazing units, however the fully developed technology may become competitive with the performance required in a zero energy building perspective.
Cinzia Buratti; Elisa Belloni; Francesca Merli; Michele Zinzi. Aerogel glazing systems for building applications: A review. Energy and Buildings 2020, 231, 110587 .
AMA StyleCinzia Buratti, Elisa Belloni, Francesca Merli, Michele Zinzi. Aerogel glazing systems for building applications: A review. Energy and Buildings. 2020; 231 ():110587.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCinzia Buratti; Elisa Belloni; Francesca Merli; Michele Zinzi. 2020. "Aerogel glazing systems for building applications: A review." Energy and Buildings 231, no. : 110587.
The work was developed in the ReScaLe FiAer project framework, funded by the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Perugia. It is focused on the identification and collection of multiple high quality wood waste from a local window manufacturer. Three types of wood were available, from different tree species (pine, oak, and mahogany) and sizes (pieces of wood, mixed coarse chips, and mixed fine chips). Preliminary analyses were performed in order to evaluate the properties of the raw material. For each type of wood, eco-sustainable panels (300x300 mm2) were assembled by gluing. Multiple tests were carried out in order to identify the optimal mixtures and to ensure a good mechanical resistance with the minimum adhesive use. Panels were assembled by using vinyl glue, easily available and cheap, and flour glue, with a lower environmental impact and safe for people’s health. The thermal conductivity of the panels was measured by means of the Small Hot Box experimental apparatus: it varies in the 0.071-0.084 W/mK range, at an average temperature of 10°C, depending on the tree species and regardless of the type of adhesive used. Furthermore, 100-mm diameter cylindrical samples with two different thicknesses for each type of wood and glue were fabricated, in order to investigate their acoustic behaviour in an impedance tube. The use of flour glue improves the sound absorption and insulation performance of the samples.
Francesca Merli; Elisa Belloni; Cinzia Buratti. Production of eco-sustainable insulating panels by recovering wood waste: fabrication and preliminary experimental characterization of thermal and acoustic properties. E3S Web of Conferences 2020, 197, 08021 .
AMA StyleFrancesca Merli, Elisa Belloni, Cinzia Buratti. Production of eco-sustainable insulating panels by recovering wood waste: fabrication and preliminary experimental characterization of thermal and acoustic properties. E3S Web of Conferences. 2020; 197 ():08021.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrancesca Merli; Elisa Belloni; Cinzia Buratti. 2020. "Production of eco-sustainable insulating panels by recovering wood waste: fabrication and preliminary experimental characterization of thermal and acoustic properties." E3S Web of Conferences 197, no. : 08021.
Elisa Moretti; Elisa Belloni; Francesca Merli; Michele Zinzi; Cinzia Buratti. Laboratory and pilot scale characterization of granular aerogel glazing systems. Energy and Buildings 2019, 202, 1 .
AMA StyleElisa Moretti, Elisa Belloni, Francesca Merli, Michele Zinzi, Cinzia Buratti. Laboratory and pilot scale characterization of granular aerogel glazing systems. Energy and Buildings. 2019; 202 ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleElisa Moretti; Elisa Belloni; Francesca Merli; Michele Zinzi; Cinzia Buratti. 2019. "Laboratory and pilot scale characterization of granular aerogel glazing systems." Energy and Buildings 202, no. : 1.
Building retrofitting plays a key-role in energy saving and a growing interest is focused on insulating materials that allow a reduction in heat loss from envelopes with low thickness, by a process of reducing heating and cooling demand. In this context, a complete characterization of the physical properties of Moroccan natural gypsum materials was carried out. Basic information on the mineralogical, microstructure, thermal, mechanical, and acoustic characteristics of the rocks sampled from two Moroccan regions is provided. It was found that mineralogy, porosity, and water content are the main factors governing the development of the structure and the strength of the samples. The measured values of the porosity were 8.94%, the water content varied between 2.5–3.0% for the two studied typologies, coming from Agadir and Safi, respectively. Gypsum powder was used for fabricating samples, which were investigated in terms of thermal and acoustic performance. Thermal properties were measured by means of a hot disk apparatus and values of conductivity of 0.18 W/mK and 0.13 W/mK were obtained for Agadir and Safi Gypsum, respectively. The acoustic performance was evaluated in terms of absorption coefficient and sound insulation, measured by means of a Kundt’s Tube (ISO 10534-2). The absorption coefficients were slightly higher than the ones of conventional plasters with similar thickness. A good sound insulation performance was confirmed, especially for Safi Gypsum, with a transmission loss-value up to about 50 dB at high frequency.
Said Bouzit; Said Laasri; Mohamed Taha; Abdelaziz Laghzizil; Abdelowahed Hajjaji; Francesca Merli; Cinzia Buratti. Characterization of Natural Gypsum Materials and Their Composites for Building Applications. Applied Sciences 2019, 9, 2443 .
AMA StyleSaid Bouzit, Said Laasri, Mohamed Taha, Abdelaziz Laghzizil, Abdelowahed Hajjaji, Francesca Merli, Cinzia Buratti. Characterization of Natural Gypsum Materials and Their Composites for Building Applications. Applied Sciences. 2019; 9 (12):2443.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSaid Bouzit; Said Laasri; Mohamed Taha; Abdelaziz Laghzizil; Abdelowahed Hajjaji; Francesca Merli; Cinzia Buratti. 2019. "Characterization of Natural Gypsum Materials and Their Composites for Building Applications." Applied Sciences 9, no. 12: 2443.
Silica aerogels are thermally and acoustically insulating and can offer advantages in building thermal applications. They come in granular (multiple small pieces) and monolithic (single piece) form. Granular aerogels are relatively easy to produce and can be incorporated into large window systems. Large monolithic aerogels are more difficult to produce, but they offer superior optical and thermal performance. The aim of this paper is to experimentally investigate the acoustic properties of monolithic aerogel samples fabricated using a rapid supercritical extraction method. The acoustic absorption coefficient (α) and the transmission loss (TL) were measured at normal incidence in a traditional impedance tube in the 100–5000 Hz frequency range, for three thicknesses, from 12.7 to 25.4 mm. Good acoustic performance was achieved: 12.7-mm-thick cylindrical monoliths have a peak acoustic absorption coefficient of 0.88 at ∼1500 Hz. When the thickness increases, α decreases (to 0.78 and 0.54 for 19-mm and 25.4-mm thick samples, respectively), with peaks at lower frequencies (1300 and 1100 Hz). The transmission loss increases with aerogel thickness with values as high as 10–15 dB in the 100- to 1600-Hz range. When compared to granular aerogels, the monoliths have TLs that are 5–7 dB larger in the 100- to 1600-Hz range. To further compare performance, small glazing packages were fabricated from glass panels with air, granular, or monolithic aerogel in the interspace. The TL was evaluated and found to be in the 35- to 45-dB range for all samples. The monolithic aerogel glazing had the highest TL, particularly in the 200- to 1000-Hz range. Based on these results, we estimated a 3-dB increase in the sound insulation index for the glazing system with a monolith when compared to the glazing system with air, and a 1- to 2-dB increase when compared to the granular aerogel glazing. This study demonstrates that the use of transparent monolithic silica aerogel in the interspace of conventional glazing systems would result in significant improvement in noise insulation.
Francesca Merli; Ann M. Anderson; Mary K. Carroll; Cinzia Buratti. Acoustic measurements on monolithic aerogel samples and application of the selected solutions to standard window systems. Applied Acoustics 2018, 142, 123 -131.
AMA StyleFrancesca Merli, Ann M. Anderson, Mary K. Carroll, Cinzia Buratti. Acoustic measurements on monolithic aerogel samples and application of the selected solutions to standard window systems. Applied Acoustics. 2018; 142 ():123-131.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrancesca Merli; Ann M. Anderson; Mary K. Carroll; Cinzia Buratti. 2018. "Acoustic measurements on monolithic aerogel samples and application of the selected solutions to standard window systems." Applied Acoustics 142, no. : 123-131.
In order to reduce the carbon emissions resulting from buildings construction, some non-conventional materials are emerging, especially the ones of natural origin. In this scenario new building components have been developed as thermal insulating panels such as the ones made of wood, straw, and cork. In the present paper a multi-sheet wall was investigated by analyzing the thermal properties of each layer by means of a new experimental apparatus named Small Hot-Box. The wall is composed from the outside towards the inside by a ‘cocciopesto’ mortar, a thick layer of straw, a wooden planking, an air interspace of about 5 cm, and a final raw earth plaster, for a total thickness of about 50 cm. Results showed thermal conductivities in accordance to Literature values both for the wood (0.089 W/mK) and for the straw (0.065 W/mK). For the ‘cocciopesto’ and the earth-based plasters no many Literature data are available: the thermal conductivities are equal to 0.92 and 0.98 W/mK respectively. The total thermal transmittance of the wall was estimated by combining the results and considering the real scale thickness of each layer; it is about 0.15 W/m2K.
Cinzia Buratti; Elisa Belloni; Francesca Merli; Veronica Zanella; Paolo Robazza; Cristina Cornaro. An innovative multilayer wall composed of natural materials: experimental characterization of the thermal properties and comparison with other solutions. Energy Procedia 2018, 148, 892 -899.
AMA StyleCinzia Buratti, Elisa Belloni, Francesca Merli, Veronica Zanella, Paolo Robazza, Cristina Cornaro. An innovative multilayer wall composed of natural materials: experimental characterization of the thermal properties and comparison with other solutions. Energy Procedia. 2018; 148 ():892-899.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCinzia Buratti; Elisa Belloni; Francesca Merli; Veronica Zanella; Paolo Robazza; Cristina Cornaro. 2018. "An innovative multilayer wall composed of natural materials: experimental characterization of the thermal properties and comparison with other solutions." Energy Procedia 148, no. : 892-899.
Polycarbonate panels could be considered as a suitable and cheap solution for walls, roofs, and sheds in non-residential buildings and, at the same time, granular silica aerogel is one of the most promising nano-materials for energy saving in buildings. In the paper, three types of advanced multiwall PC panels (thickness 16, 25, and 40 mm) with translucent granular aerogel were investigated by experimental (thermal and optical) and numerical characterization. By comparing thermal performance of air and aerogel-filled PC systems, it can be noticed that the impact of the aerogel is remarkable: the reduction in U-value is 46%-68%, depending on the aerogel layer thickness. U-value is 1.4 W/m2K for the 16 mm thickness sample and it is 0.6 W/m2K when the thickness increases up to 40 mm. The systems keep their performance in horizontal position, when they are used as roofs. Light transmittance is 0.61 and 0.42 for 16 mm and 40 mm respectively and the reduction with respect to air-filled panels is acceptable (15%) for 16 mm and significant (40%) for 40 mm thickness. The aerogel has also a remarkable impact on the reflectance spectrum, especially between 400 and 1400 nm. The solar factor is 0.58 for 25 mm thickness, quite similar to the low-e glazing one. Finally, energy simulations for a case study showed that aerogel-filled PC systems outperform conventional double glazing systems both for heating and cooling energy demands. However, when compared to low-e glazings, the benefits of the translucent material (also considering the highest thickness) in the interspace are lower for heating and negligible for cooling energy demands. The aerogel-filled polycarbonate systems could be a valid solution for non-residential buildings, enhancing the thermal performance and the light control of the building envelope, especially when they are used as roofs.
Elisa Moretti; Michele Zinzi; Francesca Merli; Cinzia Buratti. Optical, thermal, and energy performance of advanced polycarbonate systems with granular aerogel. Energy and Buildings 2018, 166, 407 -417.
AMA StyleElisa Moretti, Michele Zinzi, Francesca Merli, Cinzia Buratti. Optical, thermal, and energy performance of advanced polycarbonate systems with granular aerogel. Energy and Buildings. 2018; 166 ():407-417.
Chicago/Turabian StyleElisa Moretti; Michele Zinzi; Francesca Merli; Cinzia Buratti. 2018. "Optical, thermal, and energy performance of advanced polycarbonate systems with granular aerogel." Energy and Buildings 166, no. : 407-417.
Cinzia Buratti; Francesca Merli; Elisa Moretti. Aerogel-based materials for building applications: Influence of granule size on thermal and acoustic performance. Energy and Buildings 2017, 152, 472 -482.
AMA StyleCinzia Buratti, Francesca Merli, Elisa Moretti. Aerogel-based materials for building applications: Influence of granule size on thermal and acoustic performance. Energy and Buildings. 2017; 152 ():472-482.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCinzia Buratti; Francesca Merli; Elisa Moretti. 2017. "Aerogel-based materials for building applications: Influence of granule size on thermal and acoustic performance." Energy and Buildings 152, no. : 472-482.
Elisa Moretti; Michele Zinzi; Emiliano Carnielo; Francesca Merli. Advanced Polycarbonate Transparent Systems with Aerogel: Preliminary Characterization of Optical and Thermal Properties. Energy Procedia 2017, 113, 9 -16.
AMA StyleElisa Moretti, Michele Zinzi, Emiliano Carnielo, Francesca Merli. Advanced Polycarbonate Transparent Systems with Aerogel: Preliminary Characterization of Optical and Thermal Properties. Energy Procedia. 2017; 113 ():9-16.
Chicago/Turabian StyleElisa Moretti; Michele Zinzi; Emiliano Carnielo; Francesca Merli. 2017. "Advanced Polycarbonate Transparent Systems with Aerogel: Preliminary Characterization of Optical and Thermal Properties." Energy Procedia 113, no. : 9-16.
Elisa Moretti; Francesca Merli; Erdem Cuce; Cinzia Buratti. Thermal and Acoustic Properties of Aerogels: Preliminary Investigation of the Influence of Granule Size. Energy Procedia 2017, 111, 472 -480.
AMA StyleElisa Moretti, Francesca Merli, Erdem Cuce, Cinzia Buratti. Thermal and Acoustic Properties of Aerogels: Preliminary Investigation of the Influence of Granule Size. Energy Procedia. 2017; 111 ():472-480.
Chicago/Turabian StyleElisa Moretti; Francesca Merli; Erdem Cuce; Cinzia Buratti. 2017. "Thermal and Acoustic Properties of Aerogels: Preliminary Investigation of the Influence of Granule Size." Energy Procedia 111, no. : 472-480.