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This chapter starts with an overview of the unsustainable energy consumption which is due to fast population growth and related greenhouse gas emissions. The case of energy efficiency building is introduced. A short analysis of the ambitious European nearly zero-energy building (NZEB) target is presented. Shortcomings of current materials concerning energy building efficiency are reviewed. Examples of promising nano- and biotech-based materials for energy building efficiency are briefly covered. A book outline is presented., (undefined)

Published online: 16 Oct 2013, Looking back to less than three centuries of industrialization, responsible for alarming levels of pollution and consumption of non-renewable resources that has led to the exhaustion of the earth’s capacity, the humankind only now begins to grasp the overwhelming potential of natural systems. During almost 40 million centuries, Nature has developed materials and processes with optimal performance which are totally biodegradable. Analysis of bioinspired materials requires the knowledge of both biological and engineering principles which are being a part of a large research area termed biotechnology. This hot area is one of the six strategic Key Enabling Technologies that will be funded under the EU Framework Programme Horizon 2020. This paper reviews the current knowledge on the potential of this emerging field, particularly in the development of materials and technologies for the construction industry. It covers the use of bacteria for enhancing concrete durability and for soil stabilization. It also covers bioinspired tough composite materials, bioinspired adhesives and coatings, and self-cleaning materials. Incorporation of biology basics in the civil engineering curriculum would ease the communication between biologists and civil engineers, helping to foster research on biotechnologies and bioinspired materials for the construction industry.

Concrete infrastructure is crucial to services and economic activities of modern civilzation. Unfortunately concrete deteriorates due to several causes including mechanical deterioration, like impact or excessive loading or deterioration due to physical causes like erosion or shrinkage. More frequently, however, it deteriorates by chemical detrimental reactions when it is exposed to environmental conditions containing chlorides from seawater or from de-icing salts and other aggressive media. Climate change is also being increasingly responsible for premature deterioration of concrete infrastructure. As a consequence, worldwide concrete infrastructure repair rehabilitation needs are enormous and the costs are staggering. This book provides an updated state-of-the-art review on eco-efficient repair and rehabilitation of concrrete infrastructure. Presented over three parts : the first part reviews service life estimation, monitoring of concrete structures, durability performance, and field assessment. Part II focuses on innovative materials for repair and rehabilitation including geopolymers, ECC and materials with self-sensing properties. Part III addresses eco-efficient and cost-effective design, accountability of climate change impacts, and includes case studies using life cycle analysis and life cycle cost analysis. This book is an essential reference resource for material scientists, civil and structural engineers, architects, contractors, designers, and other professionals working in construction on the repair and rehabilitation of concrete infrastructures.

The success of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites for the strengthening/reparation of concrete structures is due to a favorable combination of suitable properties, superior than those of traditional materials, and manufacture/installation capability. Of great importance is the behavior of the repaired structure under loading and its durability in the outside climate. The lack of fundamental knowledge on their long-term behavior and of specific standards for durability investigation makes difficult the assessment of reliable theoretical models, hampering their extensive use in construction. The analysis of durability of FRP’s, in terms of their degradation causes and mechanisms, is a critical issue for their safe implementation in concrete structures.

Several public/private institutions, at international and national levels, consider green roofs effective energy efficiency measures. A large feasibility study of their technical and economical profitability is proposed here. The main heat transfer phenomena and a brief literature state of the art are presented. Congruent with the cost-optimal approach, the economic indicators are described, as well as the physical set of equations for evaluating the energy performances of green roofs. Moreover, the case studies are shown by describing the various climates considered, energy and water costs, efficiency of power systems, emissions factors, and all parameters necessary for suitable feasibility studies. Various climates and building technologies are taken into account, as well as common typologies of extensive green roofs. The results show a relative feasibility of green roofs, when the watering costs are limited, and if the buildings are not properly insulated, so that the installation of greenery, combined with the added thermal insulation, provides energy savings for both heating and cooling. A final section proposes some considerations for improving the profitability of green roofs by adopting rainwater harvesting systems.

The topic of this chapter is the confrontation between two different construction technologies through life cycle assessment methods: wood and concrete. Nowadays, cradle-to-gate and cradle to cradle LCA analyses are used successfully in sustainable building design and construction. Our research is focused on the specific European context, trying to enhance the usefulness of the methods from a design perspective, if system boundaries are carefully defined and data sets accurately selected and adapted. According to LCA analysis, wood structures demonstrate an overall better environmental performance, but distinctions and contradictory results emerge in different categories of impact.