Currently, the need to ensure adequate quality of air inside the living space but also the thermal efficiency of buildings is pressing. This paper presents the capacity of sheep wool heat-insulating mattresses to simultaneously provide these needs, cumulatively analyzing efficiency indicators for thermal insulation and indicators of improving air quality. Thus, the values obtained for the coefficient of thermal conductivity, and its resistance to heat transfer, demonstrate the suitability of their use for thermal insulation. The results of the permeability to water vapor characteristics on the sorption/desorption of water, air, demonstrate the ability to control the humidity of the indoor air and the results on the reduction of the concentration of formaldehyde, demonstrating their contribution to the growth of the quality of the air, and to reduce the risk of disease in the population.

In order to streamline the mixes of concrete with powder waste glass as small as < 0.250 mm, a postdoctoral program objective was to test the activity rate of its pozzoolanic reaction, through various methods and by comparing it with other powders reactions in a standardized cement composition. The first method was to determine the compressive strength of cement mortars, partially substituted by glass powder, silica fume, ash and clay. The second method was determining the chemical composition of the powder with fluorescence X-ray, XRF type. The third method, was based on fragments of mortar studied and subjected to microscopic observations – SEM determination (scanning electron microscopy) to investigate the microstructure of the raw material.

The effect of the use of TiO₂ nanoparticles in the production of cementitious composites, worldwide already known, represents an area of interest for the development of materials with self-cleaning capacity; antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal properties; and to contribute to the reduction of environmental pollution. This paper aims to analyze the influence that TiO₂ nanoparticles have on the cementitious matrix regarding hydrophilicity, this being one of the two main parameters of the self-cleaning mechanism. Experimental tests, conducted by using the indirect method of measuring the surface water absorption, indicated that an addition of 3%-6% (relative to the amount of cement) of TiO₂ nanoparticles is effective in terms of increasing the surface hydrophilicity of the cementitious composites. An excess of TiO₂ nanoparticles in the composite matrix (10% TiO₂ nanoparticles relative to the amount of cement) not only does not improve surface performance in terms of hydrophilicity, but also reduces them. However, in practice on a case-by-case basis, an analysis is required regarding the optimal amount of nanoparticles used as an addition in the mix-design of the cementitious materials that are intended to induce the quality of self-cleaning process, depending on the intended use, climate, degree and duration of sunlight, and so on.

The formation of biofilms on cementitious building surfaces can cause visible discoloration and premature deterioration, and it can also represent a potential health threat to building occupants. The use of embedded biofilm-resistant photoactivated TiO₂ nanoparticles at low concentrations in the cementitious composite matrix is an effective method to increase material durability and reduce maintenance costs. Zone of inhibition studies of TiO₂-infused cementitious samples showed efficacy toward both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.

The constant need for recycling, waste prevention and general environmental protection represent the new directive approaches imposed by the geo-political, industrial and environmental context, at the regional, European and global level. Ensuring the environmental protection and reducing the natural resources consumption represent general purposes of the sustainable development and also considerations to implement the Circular Economy Model [1]. The present study is developed with respect to the previously mentioned principles: the waterjet cutting operations by the use of abrasive GARNETs for quality, speed and accuracy gain, are in continuous expansion, generating proportionally increasing wastes, which could be valorized by innovatively integrating them in advanced cementitious materials for the construction industry. The international research regarding the use of abrasive waterjet Garnet wastes as raw material for construction industry are at incipient stage and quite limited, but preliminary results are promising. Further studies are presently developed, considering the potential benefits and also the reduced toxicity degree of abrasive Garnet wastes. This paper offers a general overview concerning the recent studies performed in the topic of efficient use of abrasive Garnet wastes in different building materials. Supplementary, further research, both theoretical and experimental is considered, for developing green, advanced, high performance cement-based materials by using the abrasive waterjet Garnet wastes, mainly as fine grain addition or replacement in the composites.

Current research and development policies in the field of building materials, in the context of sustainable development, have the main objectives of increasing the safety and performance of the built environment at the same time as reducing pollution and its negative impact. Today, the idea that the sustainable city of the future should meet human needs and maintain a higher quality of life is worldwide unanimously accepted. The aim of this paper is to present results regarding the production of alkali-activated fly ash-based geopolymer concrete, a new, alternative material, produced using local available raw materials from Romania.