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Abstract: Sustainable recyclable paper and composite materials can be ideal choices for the construction of temporary structures for both exhibition spaces or for rapid-recovery shelters in emergency operations. The unique engineering and sustainable features of these structures need to be considered as an integral part of the design process from the conceptual phase. Engineering studies to analyze these structures should be as important as the overall artistic and architectural vision. This paper examines the use of environmentally creep-formed paper tubes for the design, construction, and exhibition of, “Portals to an Architecture”, a large temporary outdoor sculpture. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Bricks made by bottom ashes, cellulose fibers and clay have been successfully made and tested. • Optimum blends are made of 70% of clay, 25% of bottom ashes and 5% of cellulose fibers. • The so made bricks comply mechanical requirements and are 20% lighter. • Lower thermal conductivity and equal specific heat capacity is achieved. • Toxicity analysis abides by standards in force. The paper and pulp industry (PPI) is permanently searching for new ways of managing its residues due to the increasing pressure of new environmental concerns and policies adopted worldwide. In addition, the manufacturing of construction materials such as fired clay bricks (FCBs) is also facing the transformation of its traditional market, which is asking for new materials with a lower environmental footprint but equal or even better technological properties. In considering the large mass flows related to both the PPI and FCB industries, several researchers have pointed out the feasibility of replacing clay by residues produced by PPI. However, these approaches have always considered the replacement of a single residue rather than the addition of several new ones. Conversely, by using both residues at once, the overall FCB performance is improved and the feasibility of this circular economy approach is eased. For instance, the addition of woody fibres increases thermal resistance but reduces mechanical strength. Conversely, the addition of ashes produced by PPI improved the mechanical strength by reducing the thermal resistance due to the increasing content of fluxing agents which improve the fired clay matrix structure. For this reason, this paper explores the technological properties achieved by replacing clay with both ashes and fibres provided by PPI in an integrated approach. By following industrial procedures, the so made fired clay bricks (with 20% of ash and 5% of fibres) meet the standard and show approx. 20% less thermal conductivity, with the same thermal capacity and a density reduction of more than 15%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Concern about fatigue is one of the factors limiting use of glass/epoxy jointing systems for timber in construction. In this paper, a series of high-cycle fatigue tests are reported which indicate that the performance is as good, if not superior to, conventional jointing systems. The performance of the joints was found to produce a straight line on a logarithmic S–N plot and thus be readily predictable for design purposes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]