Glass is a popular cladding material for modern buildings. The trend for steel-framed, glass-clad buildings instead of those using traditional materials such as brick and concrete has inherent problems. These include, for example, the performance of architectural glass in extreme climatic events such as windstorms and heavy snow loads and also during earthquakes. This book reviews the state-of-the-art in glass and glazing technology to resist failure due to these natural events.Building code seismic requirements for architectural glass in the United States are considered first of all, followed by a chapter on glazing and curtain wall systems to resist earthquakes. The next two chapters discuss snow loads on building envelopes and glazing systems, and types and design of glazing systems to resist snow loads. Wind pressures and the impact of wind-borne debris are then considered in the next group of chapters which also review special types of glazing systems to resist windstorms. A final chapter reviews test methods for the performance of glazing systems during earthquakes and extreme climatic events.With its distinguished editor and team of contributors, Architectural glass to resist seismic and extreme climatic events is an essential resource for architects, structural, civil and architectural engineers, researchers and those involved in designing and specifying building glazing and cladding materials in areas where severe windstorms, snow and earthquakes are a threat. - Considers the state of the art in glass and glazing technology to resist failure due to extreme climatic events - Reviews specific building techniques and test methods to enhance glazing performance during snow storms, wind storms and earthquakes

Façade design is a challenging task, in which multidisciplinary issues and aspects should be optimally considered and addressed. This is especially the case of building façades exposed to seismic events, impacts, or fire. Special attention and major efforts are required for the detection and application of new technologies in the generation of modern, adaptive façade systems. This book presents a selection of research contributions to provide a comprehensive overview of façade design. It discusses the experimental analysis and numerical investigation of existing or traditional façades, as well as the development and optimal application of new technologies for modern adaptive façades and building envelopes.

This proceedings volume of the Challenging Glass 4 & COST Action TU0905 Final Conference, held 6-7 February 2014 at the EPFL in Lausanne, Switzerland, represents the Final Action Publication of the European research network COST Action TU0905 “Structural Glass – Novel design methods and next generation products”. It contains nearly 100 peer-reviewed papers – published by more than 180 authors from 22 different countries – that focus on the architectural and structural applications of glass in structures and facades. As such, it provides a profound state-of-the-art of structural glass design and engineering. A must-read for all architects, engineers, scientists, industry partners and other enthusiasts interested in this rapidly evolving and challenging domain.

Characteristics and Uses of Steel Slag in Building Construction focuses predominantly on the utilization of ferrous slag (blast furnace and steel slag) in building construction. This extensive literature review discusses the worldwide utilization of ferrous slag and applications in all sectors of civil engineering, including structural engineering, road construction, and hydro-technical structures. It presents cutting-edge research on the characteristics and properties of ferrous slag, and its overall impact on the environment. - Comprehensively reviews the literature on the use of blast furnace and steel slag in civil engineering - Examines the environmental impact of slag production and its effect on human health - Presents cutting-edge research from worldwide studies on the use of blast furnace and steel slag

This book outlines, within the Italian national framework, the current and potential paths oriented towards a new concept of Architectural Heritage, through actions referring to Innovation and Experimentation and Protection and Transformation of the Architectural Heritage. The development of the themes is articulated in two sessions dealing with the aspects related to the analysis and mapping of Architectural Heritage to face the context of the current Climate Crisis and the development of projects and experimentations oriented to the Green and Digital Transition. The evolution of the concept of Heritage, as conceived by the United Nations 2030 Agenda and in the Green Deal and New European Bauhaus, aimed at constructing an inclusive and universally recognised definition to support supranational objectives of sustainable human development, gives rise to innovative strategies, methodologies and technologies that—in a direction of mitigation, contrast and adaptation to climate change—allow for the safeguard, renewed management and a hope for valorisation of Heritage on a national scale. In this direction, the understanding of Architectural Heritage as a 'non-renewable resource' determines the need to activate design experimentation laboratories oriented towards regeneration, articulated and complex, which require, in order to respond to the challenges posed by our era, a sensitive and dialogic multidisciplinary vision of a holistic type. In fact, on the one hand, it is necessary to redefine the usability and management methods of built heritage through the adoption of digital, mobility, energy, ecological, social, green and blue infrastructures; on the other hand, it is necessary to introduce new qualitative and quantitative parameters and performance indicators, adequate to verify the validity of the implemented strategies in a perspective of adaptation to climate change, able to clarify contents, processes and tools to contrast future risks. The pursuit of these objectives refers to the innovation of training paths, professionalising procedures, administrative regulations, and public policies that involve citizens and the private partnership towards a different project qualification and empowerment of stakeholders, inhabitants, professionals, and clients. The Technological Project makes it possible to activate different interventions aimed at acting, in an integrated manner, on assets, context and communities, according to an approach that reinterprets them on a common score, as proposed by the European Next Generation programme in three priority aspects: digitalisation and innovation, environmental transition, increased resilience and social sustainability of national economies. In this scenario, the interventions aimed at outlining sustainable development actions will have to place these concepts at the centre in a harmonious vision that starts from the recognition and enhancement of the Architectural Heritage, recognising it as a fundamental asset of the territories.

Climate change is one of the most important environmental problems faced by Planet Earth. The majority of CO2 emissions come from burning fossil fuels for energy production and improvements in energy efficiency shows the greatest potential for any single strategy to abate global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the energy sector. Energy related emissions account for almost 80% of the EU's total greenhouse gas emissions. The building sector is the largest energy user responsible for about 40% of the EU's total final energy consumption. In Europe the number of installed air conditioning systems has increased 500% over the last 20 years, but in that same period energy cooling needs have increased more than 20 times. The increase in energy cooling needs relates to the current higher living and working standards. In urban environments with low outdoor air quality (the general case) this means that in summer-time one cannot count on natural ventilation to reduce cooling needs. Do not forget the synergistic effect between heat waves and air pollution which means that outdoor air quality is worse in the summer aggravating cooling needs. Over the next few years this phenomenon will become much worse because more people will live in cities, more than 2 billion by 2050 and global warming will aggravate cooling needs. - An overview of materials to lessen the impact of urban heat islands - Excellent coverage of building materials to reduce air condtioning needs - Innovative products discussed such as Thermo and Electrochromic materials

Eco-efficient Construction and Building Materials reviews ways of assessing the environmental impact of construction and building materials. Part one discusses the application of life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology to building materials as well as eco-labeling. Part two includes case studies showing the application of LCA methodology to different types of building material, from cement and concrete to wood and adhesives used in building. Part three includes case studies applying LCA methodology to particular structures and components. - Reviews ways of assessing the environmental impact of construction and building materials - Provides a thorough overview, including strengths and shortcomings, of the life cycle assessment (LCA) and eco-labeling of eco-efficient construction and building materials - Includes case studies showing the application of LCA methodology to different types of building material, from cement and concrete to wood and adhesives used in building