Sustainable masonry construction (EP 99)

Has traditional masonry had its day? Can it still meet the expectations of house buyers, construction professionals and government? Are bricks and mortar able to step up to the sustainability plate? Masonry buildings have inherent durability that has been proved over thousands of years.
They offer aesthetic appeal, strength, resistance to fire and to the elements, and allow the maintenance of a suitable indoor environment, both acoustically and thermally. The early part of the twenty-first century has seen a significant move away from traditional approaches to building in favour of modern methods of construction, which are sometimes thought to be a means of addressing the chronic need for new housing.
This book counters claims that masonry is an outmoded form of construction. It examines the ways in which the masonry sector can produce sustainable buildings that not only match the environmental targets set by government, but go beyond them. By doing so, masonry buildings can be created with the lowest possible impact on the environment, both now and for future generations, and be a worthy competitor against newer, less established prefabricated construction systems.

1. Introduction  2. Masonry construction: a short history  3. New masonry components  4. Design considerations  5. The industry's views  6. Sustainable masonry: a diagnosis  7. Looking forward.  References.  Useful contacts.  Index

Professional