Building Physics and Construction Technologies

Given the higher comfort levels expected for buildings, the improvement in environmental awareness and deeper concerns with health and safety, it is essential today, more than ever, to promote innovation and develop continuous research in the construction sciences, in particular in the fields of Building physics and construction technologies. The materials, products and processes used in construction determine hygrothermal and acoustic comfort levels and the functional behaviour of the built environment. However, the development of new solutions using innovative materials, products and technologies requires a comprehensive understanding of all the physical phenomena involved. At CICC, the researchers develop numerical and experimental studies on hygrothermic, acoustic and mechanical behaviour of constructions. These studies are important for the development of new solutions for new construction, as well as for refurbishment projects.

Energy for Sustainability

The problems that modern society faces in terms of resource scarcity and climate change have boosted the need for interdisciplinary research on the design, operation and management of systems which produce, distribute and use energy. The concept of sustainable construction results from the need to establish principles for managing resources and waste in order to minimize the negative impacts of the construction and use of buildings throughout their life cycle. It is estimated that 40% of all extracted raw materials are intended for use in construction works. The construction sector is thus directly responsible for great part of the negative impacts of the extraction of raw materials, transportation, manufacturing of products and the disposal of construction and demolition waste (CDW). It is also known that the buildings sector accounts for 40% of final energy consumption in the European Union and it is therefore responsible for a considerable amount of total GHG emissions and waste production. It is of critical importance to explore the potential for reducing energy consumption in buildings by utilizing more efficient and sustainable materials, products and construction technologies.