Challenges, Opportunities and Solutions in Structural Engineeringand Construction Ghafoori (ed.)

2010 Taylor & Francis Group, London, ISBN 978-0-415-56809-8

Properties of natural fiber cement boards for building partitions

Y.W. LiuDepartment of Civil and Water Resources Engineering, National Chiayi University, Chiayi, Taiwan

H.H. PanDepartment of Civil Engineering, Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

ABSTRACT: This paper uses bamboo fibers, coconut fibers, rice-husks and sugar cane-dregs, respectively,to make natural fiber cement boards for the building partition. Experimental results show that the unit weightof natural fiber cement boards are about 14301630 kgf/m3. The flexural strength of natural fiber cementboards is 80% higher than that of typical building materials, except for rice-husks cement board. The lengthchange in the absorption test is within the range of 0.09%0.16%, and the thermal conductivity with 0.2010.296kcal/m C hr shows a goodheat-resistant capability. ForB10, C10 andS10materials after impact test, no cracks,the detachment, pinholes and the split exist on impact surface, and the indentation diameters are below 26 mm.Besides, three cement boards containing 10% natural fibers satisfy the 2nd and 3rd rank of incombustibilitystandard.

1 INTRODUCTION

Many cement boards have been used as building par-titions for over one century (Pamel & Schwarz 1979;Schwarz et al. 1983; Schwarz & Simatupang 1984;MacVicar et al. 1999). However, the unit weight ofcement boards is still high, more than 2000 kgf/m3.In order to adapt the varieties of the functions and thespace for high-rise structure, the partitions to sepa-rate building space demand to be lightweight, easy toconstruct fast and assembled simple.

In Taiwan, cement board, calcium silicate boardand gypsum board are common used as the materialsof building partition. Among them, moisture contentfor calcium silicate board and gypsum board gets upto 80% and 75%, respectively, due to the humid cli-mate in Taiwan. High humidity made the partitiondeform and warp easily in use. One of the methods toimprove the deformation of building partition affectedby humidity is to add some fibers into the partitionboard.

The useless agricultural products like rice-husks,sugar cane-dregs and coconut shell are always thrownawayas thewastewithout any considerations inTaiwan.In fact, these agricultural wastes containing some nat-ural fibers are valuable and can utilize to improvemechanical properties of the materials.

This paper selects four natural fibers collected frombamboo, coconut shell, rice-husks and sugar cane-dregs, respectively, to produce natural fiber cementboard considered as the building partition. We dis-cuss material properties of natural fiber cement boardincludingwater absorption, bulkdensity, length change

induced by absorption of water, impact endurance,fireproof capability and heat-resistant capability. Theexperimental results can be used as a reference inbuilding industry.

2 EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM

2.1 Materials

Four natural fibers, bamboo fiber, coconut fiber, rice-husks and sugar cane-dregs, were added to the cementboard, a kind of natural fiber cement board (NFCB).A comparison material is the cement board withoutadding natural fibers inside.

NFCB consists of cementitious matrix and natu-ral fibers. The constituents of cementitious matrixinclude: (1) Type I Portland cement (ASTM C150);(2) slag with a specific gravity of 2.89 supplied byChina Hi-Ment corporation (Taiwan); (3) river sandhaving a fineness modulus of 2.68, a specific gravityof 2.63, and an absorption of 2.0%; and (4) freshwater.

To prepare bamboo fibers, we first cut bamboowood into the pieces with 40 mm length, and thenuse the disintegrator to separate bamboo wood intothe fibers, shown in Fig. 1. Sieve analysis for bamboofibers is shown in Table 1, where dry specific gravityof 0.85, specific gravity of 0.93 with 1012% mois-ture content in air and water absorption of 66% after48 hours absorption test. Bamboo fibers retaining insieve 4 are shown in Fig. 2 with 13 mm fiber length,passing through sieve 4 and retaining in sieve 8 areshown in Fig. 3 with 15 mm fiber length, and in sieve

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Figure 1. Bamboo fibers before sieve analysis.

Table 1. Sieve analysis of bamboo fibers.

Sieve Retaining (%) Accumulation (%)

3/8 0 0#4 6.0 6.0#8 31.1 37.1#16 33.9 71.0#30 18.0 89.0#50 8.8 97.8Pan 2.2 100.0Total 100

Figure 2. Bamboo fibers retain in sieve 4 with 13 mmlength.

50 with 515 mm fiber length are shown in Fig. 4,respectively. Only the sizes of bamboo fiber betweensieve 4 and sieve 50 were chosen to manufacture thefiber/cement board here.

Meanwhile, as we know bamboo fiber can retardthe hydration of cement. Thereby, we need to over-come this retardant reaction in bamboo/cement boarsby using following treatments. First, bamboo fiberswere soaked inwater, and thendried byheat. After that,bamboo fiberswere also immersed in the solutionwith20 to 1 of 1% organic titanium solution-to-bamboofiber ratio by weight. Finally, bamboo fibers are readyto use after drying.

Figure 3. Bamboo fibers pass through sieve 4 and retain insieve 8 with 15 mm length.

Figure 4. Bamboo fibers retain in sieve 50 with 515 mmlength.

Figure 5. Sugar cane-dregs.

Because sugar cane-dregs have the same retardanthydration effect to the cement, we also need to dothe same treatments as bamboo fibers before the use.Material properties of sugar cane-dregs have 68%absorption of water and specific gravity of 0.63, andshown in Figure 5.

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Figure 6. Coconut fibers.

Figure 7. Rice-husks.

Besides, coconut fiber has 92% water content after24 hours absorption test and specific gravity of 0.62,respectively, shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 7 is rice-husks with12% absorption and specific gravity of 0.53.

2.2 Mixture proportions

Themixture proportions of natural fiber cement boardare shown in Table 2, where the water-to-cementitiousmatrix ratio is 0.5 by weight, and the cement-to-slagratio is 1.5 by weight, or 60% cement and 40% slag,respectively.

In order to compare the effect of natural fibers,we add natural fibers of 10% in volume to cementboard. Totally, four kinds of NFCB represented byB10, C10, R10 and S10 shown in Table 2, are referredas the cement board containing bamboo fiber, coconutfiber, rice-husks and sugar cane-dregs, respectively.Besides, the comparison material shown in Table 2means the cement board containing no natural fibersinside.

Table 2. Mixture proportions of NFCB (unit: kgf/m3).

AirMaterial Fiber Water Cement Slag Sand content

Comparison 0 360 432 288 797 10B10 10 360 432 288 534 10C10 10 360 432 288 534 10R10 10 360 432 288 534 10S10 10 360 432 288 534 10

* Fiber is in volume percent.

2.3 Experimental method

Natural fibers are difficult tomixwell with the cemen-titious material. The mixture method here for NFCBis conducted as follows.

1. Weigh the constituents shown in Table 2.2. Mix the cement and slag together in two minutes

at dry condition, and then pour 75% water into themixture, and finally blend two minutes by middlespeed of the mixer.

3. Turn off the mixer, add natural fibers into the mix-ture material, and then blend one minute by middlespeed of the mixer.

4. Turn off the mixer again, pour the remaining 25%water into the mixture, and then blend ten minutesby middle speed of the mixer.

Each batch of materials was prepared for nine sam-ples with the size of 50 50 50 mm for compres-sive test, three samples with 100 100 10 mmfor the absorption test and bulk specific gravity test,three samples with 40 160 10 mm for lengthchange induced by absorption of water, six sampleswith 250 350 20 mm for bending test, one with200 200 10 mm for heat-resistant capability, onewith 220 220 10 mm for fireproof capability, andone with 300 300 10 mm for impact endurancetest, respectively.

All samples were placed on the vibration table toshake one minute. The surface of cement boards wasleveled to be smooth by the trowel, and then one hourlater, a surchargewith 30 g/cm2 were loaded to confinethe size of NFCB. Samples were removed from themold 24 hours later, and placed indoor for curing andfor testing.

3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1 Bulk density and water content

We measure bulk density and water content of NFCBin accordance with ASTM C1185, and results wereshown in Table 3. In Table 3, the bulk density of thecomparison material is about 1860 kgf/m3. Obviously,the bulk density of natural fiber cement boards for

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B10, C10, R10 and S10 are all lighter than that of thecomparison material about 12.4%, 15.1%, 21.2%, and23.1%, respectively. According to CNS 3802 require-ments, the optimum density for fiber cement boards isclaimed to 13001400 kgf/m3, whereCNSmeansChi-nese National Standards. It is anticipated to reduce thebulk density of NFCB if the fibers adding to cementboard are more than 10% in volume.

In Table 3, the water absorption of all NFCBwith the value from 11.2% to 13.1%, respectively, ishigher than that of comparisonmaterial. Among them,the water content of rice-husks cement board (R10)seemly does not increase much, only 4.7% increases.

3.2 Length change due to absorption of water

Length change of cement board after the absorptiontest is shown in Table 4. The length change of thecomparison material is only 0.01%, but the lengthchange of NFCB is within the range of 0.09%0.16%.Although the length change of natural fiber cementboards is higher than that of the comparison mate-rial, the value of length change for NFCB is still smallas compared with calcium silicate board and gypsumboard. The building partition made from NFCB con-taining 10% natural fibers is suitable in use.

3.3 Compressive strength and flexural strength

The specimens were tested at the material age of 28days in compression (ASTM D1037) and bendingtest (ASTM C1185), and the experimental results areshown in Table 5. The compressive strength of naturalfiber cement boards with the value 14.223.8 N/mm2is lower than that of the comparison material with

Table 3. Bulk density and water content of cement boards.

Bulk density WaterMaterial (kgf/m3) content (%)

Comparison 1860 10.7B10 1630 12.8C10 1580 13.1R10 1465 11.2S10 1430 12.6

Table 4. Length change of cement boards.

Material Length change (%)

Comparison 0.01B10 0.13C10 0.16R10 0.09S10 0.12

26.9 N/mm2, especially the compressive strength ofR10 is 14.2 N/mm2 and decrease more than 30%. Thisis because the intrinsic quality of natural fibers canstrengthen the tensile strength but not the compres-sion. The compressive strength of the cement boardwith coconut fibers (C10) is 23.8 N/mm2, and is only11.6% less with respect to the comparison material.

On the contrary, the flexural strength of natural fibercement boards is higher than that of the comparisonmaterial, except for the rice-husks cement board (R10)shown in Table 5. For example, the flexural strength ofbamboo fiber cement board (B10) and of the compar-ison material is 7.48 N/mm2 and 4.15 N/mm2, respec-tively. The flexural strength of B10 is almost 80%stronger.

3.4 Impact test

Cement boards were tested by impact loads in accor-dance with CNS9961, where the dimension of theimpact specimen is of 300 mm 300 10 mm, theweight of impact ball is 530 gramswith the diameter of51 mm, and the drop distance of the ball is 1400 mm,respectively.

The impact results are shown in Table 6, where thenumber marked 1, 2, 3, and 4 is represented to thedefects with the crack, the detachment, the pinholes,and the split, respectively.

The comparisonmaterial has the existenceof defectslike cracks, the detachment, pinholes and the split onthe impact surface after the impact test, shown inFig. 8. From Table 6, only the cement board with rice-husks (R10) has similar defects like the comparisonmaterial does.

Table 5. Strength of cement boards (N/mm2).

Compressive FlexuralMaterial strength strength

Comparison 26.9 4.15B10 22.1 7.48C10 23.8 6.87R10 14.2 3.55S10 19.2 4.54

Table 6. Impact test of cement boards.

Indentation Impact* Reverse*Material diameter (mm) surface surface

Comparison 1, 2, 3, 4B10 10 no defects small crackC10 15 no defects crackR10 1, 2, 3, 4S10 26 no defects crack

*1: crack, 2: detachment, 3: pinholes, 4: split.

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After the impact test, the cement board with 10%bamboo fibers (B10) did not find the cracks, thedetachment, pinholes and the split on the impact sur-face, and the overall indentation diameter is about10 mm, shown in Fig. 9. Meanwhile, the reverse sideof impact surface (reverse surface) displayed a con-vex surface with some microcracks for B10 shown inFig. 10.

For C10 material shown in Table 6, the impact sur-face also did not discover any defects after the impacttest, and the indentation diameter is about 15 mm.The reverse surface for C10 shows a convex surfacecontaining obvious cracks.

For the cement board adding sugar cane-dregs(S10), no defects found on the impact surface, andthe overall indentation diameter is about 26 mm. Thereverse surface for S10 also shows a convex surfacewith obvious cracks.

Figure 8. Fracture of counterpart material after impact test.

Figure 9. Impact surface of B10 after impact test.

3.5 Thermal conductivity

To be building partitions, cement boards should haveheat-resistant capability. Here, we examine the heat-resistant capability of cement boards by using the ther-mal conductivity in accordancewithASTMC518, andresults are shown in Table 7. The thermal conductiv-ity of the comparison material was measured and is0.826 kcal/m C hr.

For natural fiber cement boards, the values ofthermal conductivities is within 0.201 and 0.296kcal/m C hr. The thermal conductivity of B10 andC10 is only one fourth of the comparison materialshown in Table 7. Therefore, NFCB have desirableheat-resistant capability compared with that the com-parison material.

3.6 Fireproof capability

Fireproof capability is also an important index forbuilding partitions. Cement boards were tested byincombustibility test claimed by ASTM E84 and CNS6532, and the results are shown in Table 8.

Figs. 1112 show theheating surface and the reversesurface of B10 after the incombustibility test, respec-tively. Fireproof capability of B10 and C10 materialssatisfies the 2nd standard of incombustibility claimed

Figure 10. Reverse surface of B10 after impact test.

Table 7. Thermal conductivity of cement boards.

Thermal conductivityMaterial (kcal/m C hr)Comparison 0.826B10 0.201C10 0.217R10 0.266S10 0.296

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Table 8. Incombustibility of cement boards.

Material Incombustibility rank

Comparison 2nd standardB10 2nd standardC10 2nd standardR10 S10 3rd standard

Figure 11. Heating surface of B10 after incombustibilitytest.

Figure 12. Reverse surface of B10 after incombustibilitytest.

by CNS 3802, and is the same as that of the compar-ison material. For the S10 material, it reaches the 3rdstandard of incombustibility. However, R10 materialfailed under the incombustibility test.

4 CONCLUSIONS

This paper attempted tomake use of natural fibers col-lected from useless agricultural products such as the

bamboo, the coconut shell, rice-husks and sugar cane-dregs, respectively, tomake natural fiber cement boardas the material of building partitions. In this research,the volume fraction of natural fiber added to cementboard is 10%. The mixture method of making naturalfiber cement boards is also presented. Experimentalresults show thatmost ofmaterial properties for cementboards containing bamboo fiber, coconut fiber, andsugar cane-dregs are better than those of the compar-ison cement board (without natural fibers), includingthe incombustibility satisfied the national standards.Although the bulk density of natural fiber cementboards we made is about 14301630 kgf/m3, higherthan 1400 kgf/m3 claimed by the Code, we can affordto add natural fibers more than 10% volume fractionto lower the weight of natural fiber cement boards infuture. It seems that we can use those three naturalfibers to make the natural fiber cement board used asbuilding partitions in the building industry.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to thank the Taiwan NationalScience Council under NSC 97-2221-E-415-011-MY2, and Architecture and Building ResearchInstitute, Ministry of the Interior in Taiwan, for thefinancial supports.

REFERENCES

Kossatz, G., Lempfer, K. &. Sattler H. 1983. Woodbasedpanels with inorganic binders. FESY Annual Report1982/1983: 98110 WKI-Mitteilung Nr.364, Braun-schweig.

MacVicar, R., Matuana, L.M. & Balatineez, J.J. 1999. Agingmechanisms in cellulose fiber reinforced cement compos-ites. Cement and concrete Composites 21: 189196.

Pamel, H. & Schwarz, H.-G. 1979. Technologie undverfahrens-technik zemetgebundener spanplatten. Holzals roh-und werkstoff 37: 195202.

Schwarz, H.-G. & Simatupang, M.H. 1984. Eignung desbuchenholzes zur herstellung zementgebundener holzw-erkstoffe. Holz als roh- und werkstoff 42: 265270.

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Table of contentsPrefaceAcknowledgementsReviewersCommitteesKeynote papersHigh-performance materials in earthquake-resistant concrete bridgesImplications of air pollution on future electricity generationRoot of all evils misunderstanding of construction industry structureConcrete and masonry structuresApplication of nonlinear damper in reinforced concrete structure controlBehavior of cylindrical R/C panel under combined axial and lateral loadCalculation method research on the flexural capacity of PSRC beamCyclic loading deterioration effect in RC moment frames in pushover analysisEvaluating shear capacity of RC joints subjected to cyclic loading using ANNEvaluation of drift distribution in performance-based retrofitting of RC framesExperimental research on high-frequency fatigue behavior of concreteExperimental study of self-centering RC frames with column yielding mechanismExperimental study on high-strength R/C member in tension and shearImproving the behavior of reinforced concrete beams with lap splice reinforcementLoad testing a historic monumentModeling of concrete beams prestressed with AFRP tendonsNonlinear finite element analysis of unbonded post-tensioned concrete beamsPredicting shear strength of cyclically loaded interior beam-column joints using GAsPunching shear strength of RC slabs using lightweight concreteShear strength and deformation prediction in steel fiber RC beamsTorsional resistance of confined brick masonry panelSteel structuresEffect of shear lug on anchor bolt tension in a column base plateElastic-plastic bending load-carrying capacity of steel membersLocal stability and carrying capacity of thin-walled compressed membersFinite element analysis of wind induced buckling of steel tankPerformance based analysis of RBS steel framesPractical non-prismatic stiffness matrix for haunched-rafter pitched-roof steel portal framesRelationship between strength of scaffolds and shear rigidity of framesSequential failure analysis of tension braced MRFsThe optimization of the industrial steel buildingComposite structuresA finite element model for double composite beamA new composite element for FRP-reinforced concrete slabsAn experimental study on double steel-concrete composite beam specimensBehaviour of FRP wrapped circular reinforced concrete columnsContribution of NSM CFRP bars in shear strengthening of concrete membersEffect of transverse reinforcing on circular columns confined with FRPExperimental investigation of FRP wrapped RC circular and square hollow columnsNumerical study on strengthening composite bridgesRepair systems for unbonded post-tensioned 1-way & 2-way slabs with CFRPStrengthening a concrete slab bridge using CFRP compositesStrengthening effect of CCFP for RC member under negative bendingStructural behaviour of reinforced palm kernel shell foamed concrete beamsDynamic impact and earthquake engineeringA note on the model based on the constant Q damping assumption and its corrected modelsA neural-oscillator model for human-induced lateral vibration on footbridgesAnalysis of large dynamic structures in the entertainment industryComparison of different standards for progressive collapse evaluation proceduresCorrelation between minimum building strength and the response modification factorEffect of infill walls in structural response of RC buildingsEstimation of statically equivalent seismic forces of single layer reticular domesExperimental study of RC slab-CFT column connections under seismic deformationsIdentification of frequency dependency of quality factor in subsurface groundIntegrated design and construction to mitigate wind-induced motions of tall buildingsMitigation of high acceleration shock waves in hybrid structuresPrefabricated multi-story structure exposed to engineering seismicitySatisfying drift and acceleration criteria with double FP bearingSeismic analysis of interlocking block in wallfoundationsoil systemShear crack width of RC column with cut-off rebar under cyclic loadingStructural behavior of steel frame connections subjected to blastBridges and special structuresApplicability of AASHTO LRFD live load distribution factors for nonstandard truck loadFull scale test on a bridge PC box girderLong-term deflections of long-span bridgesStructural optimization and computationA revised BESO method for structures with design-dependent gravity loadsInvestigating the buckling behaviour of single layer dome form of space structuresReasoning on structural timber design for target reliabilityShape optimization of shell structures with variable thicknessStructural damage detection in plates using wavelet transformThe non-local theories based on different types of weighted functions and its applicationThe MINLP approach to structural synthesisConstruction materialsBasic study on physical property for calcium-solidification material and on Ca-based concreteCorrelations between filler type and the self compacted concrete propertiesDelphi study on Portland cement concrete specifications of ITDEffects of bamboo material on strength characteristics of calcium-based mortarEffects of remediation and hauling on the air void stability of self-consolidating concreteEstimation of marine salt behavior around the bridge sectionEvaluation of alkali-silica reactivity using aggregate mineralogy and expansion testsEvolution of Portland cement pervious concrete constructionExperimental research on regional confined concrete columns under compressionExperimental study on dry-shrinkage of lightweight cement mortarFlexural behavior of high strength stone dust concreteInfluences of admixtures on performance of roller compacted concreteInvestigation of the effect of aggregate on the performance of permeable concreteInvestigations on flexural behavior of high strength manufactured sane concreteNested ANOVA model applied to evaluate variability of ready-mixed concrete productionOn characteristics of bamboo as structural materialsOptimization of fly ash content in suppressing alkali-silica reactivityOverdosing remediation of plastic SCC exposed to combined hauling time and temperatureResearch into the optimum level of rock-derived micro-fine particles in sand for concreteStrength property of concrete using recycled aggregate and high-volume fly ashStrength, sorptivity and carbonation of geopolymer concreteSuitability of some Ghanaian mineral admixtures for masonry mortar formulationUltra light-weight self consolidating concreteWood use in Type I and II (nonconbustible) constructionComposite materialsComputational models for textile reinforced concrete structuresProperties of natural fiber cement boards for building partitionsStudies on glass fiber reinforced concrete composites - strength and behaviorUse of bamboo composites as structural memebers in building constructionYoung's modulus of newly mixed cementitious extrusion-molded materialsConstruction methodsActive pier underpinning of Jin-bin light rail bridge TianjinCFRP liner quality control for repair of prestressed concrete cylinder pipeConfiguration, evaluation and selection tool (CET) for tunnel construction methodsFormwork specific, process orientated geometrical-path-velocity-time-model (GPVT-model)Open building manufacture systems: A new era for collaboration?Precast ferrocement barrel shell planks as low cost roofTall building boom - now bust?The state-of-the-art of building tallConstruction managementAn anatomy of speculative claims in constructionBuilders' perceptions of the impact of procurement method on project qualityBusiness model of the prefab concrete industry - a two-dimensional cooperation networkConservation project management by the architectural digital photogrammetryConstruction productivity and production rates: Developing countriesContractors' influence within the design process of design-build projectsDelyays in the Iranian construction projects: Stakeholders and economyDesigning the relationship between contractor and client to partnershipDetermining schedule delay causes under the Build-Operate-Transfer model in TaiwanDey Street Tunnel: The challenges of a design project in a congested urban settingDeveloping a document management model for resolving contract disputes for contractorDevelopment of a decision-making model for requirements managementImproving the MEP coordination process through information sharing and establishing trustKey competences of design-build clients in the People's Republic of ChinaPPP-risk identification and allocation model: The crucial success factor for PPPsPrivileges and attractions for private sector involvement in PPP projectsTraining of skills and thinking in structural timber designUse of alternative dispute resolution in construction: A comparative studyConstruction maintenance and infrastructureConstruction safety in the repair and maintenance sectorChallenges of a substation and infrastructue upgrade in an urban downtown settingConstruction of concrete embedded, direct fixation, ballasted, LVT and special trackworkDesign issues of the Palmdale Water Reclamation Plant expansionFuzzy logic based diagnostic tool for management of timber bridgesOrganizational behaviorBehaviors of leadership in architectural officesGendered behavior: Cultures in UK engineering and construction organizationsKnowledge management (KM): 'Integrating past experiences'Managing innovative change within organisations and project team environmentsPersonality types of civil engineers and their roles in team performanceSystem service oriented cooperation - lessons for the construction industrySustainability and energy conservationBuilding environmental assessment toolBuilding passive design and hotel energy efficiencyClimatic effects on building facadesEnergy consumption related to winter housing thermal performanceGreen energy and indoor technologies for smart buildingsIndoor air quality, distribution systems and energy simulationsStructural sustainability of high performance buildingsThe use of green materials in the construction of buildings' structureEngineering economicsAn interactive model for reduction of failure costs: A process management approachForecasting low-cost housing demand in urban area in Malaysia using ANNInfluence of construction costs on schedule performanceLC maintenance strategy development and decision-making model for street maintenanceMacroeconomic costs within the life-cycle of bridgesMaintenance life cycle cost model for drainage systems of infrastructuresTrend analysis of cost performance for public work projectsSmoothing methodology for time series dataUnderlying mechanisms of failure costs in constructionInformation technologyA survey of the curent i-Build practices in the Taiwanese construction industryConstruction information technology and a new age of enlightenmentHow building information modeling has changed the MEP coordination processOrganisational e-readiness in the built environment: People, process, technologyTechnology projects and their impact on the engineering and construction processGeotechnical engineering, foundation and tunnelingDynamic effects of machines on foundations buildingsInvestigations of the dynamic state of turbo sets foundationsModel tests on bearing capacity of soil-bagsThe construction pre-control of a foundation pit in ShanghaiUsing BESO method to optimize the shape reinforcement of underground openingsAuthor indexFlexural behavior of high strength stone dust concreteInfluences of admixtures on performance of roller compacted concreteInvestigation of the effect of aggregate on the performance of permeable concreteInvestigations on flexural behavior of high strength manufactured sane concreteNested ANOVA model applied to evaluate variability of ready-mixed concrete productionOn characteristics of bamboo as structural materialsOptimization of fly ash content in suppressing alkali-silica reactivityOverdosing remediation of plastic SCC exposed to combined hauling time and temperatureResearch into the optimum level of rock-derived micro-fine particles in sand for concreteStrength property of concrete using recycled aggregate and high-volume fly ashStrength, sorptivity and carbonation of geopolymer concreteSuitability of some Ghanaian mineral admixtures for masonry mortar formulationUltra light-weight self consolidating concreteWood use in Type I and II (nonconbustible) constructionComposite materialsComputational models for textile reinforced concrete structuresProperties of natural fiber cement boards for building partitionsStudies on glass fiber reinforced concrete composites - strength and behaviorUse of bamboo composites as structural memebers in building constructionYoung's modulus of newly mixed cementitious extrusion-molded materialsConstruction methodsActive pier underpinning of Jin-bin light rail bridge TianjinCFRP liner quality control for repair of prestressed concrete cylinder pipeConfiguration, evaluation and selection tool (CET) for tunnel construction methodsFormwork specific, process orientated geometrical-path-velocity-time-model (GPVT-model)Open building manufacture systems: A new era for collaboration?Precast ferrocement barrel shell planks as low cost roofTall building boom - now bust?The state-of-the-art of building tallConstruction managementAn anatomy of speculative claims in constructionBuilders' perceptions of the impact of procurement method on project qualityBusiness model of the prefab concrete industry - a two-dimensional cooperation networkConservation project management by the architectural digital photogrammetryConstruction productivity and production rates: Developing countriesContractors' influence within the design process of design-build projectsDelyays in the Iranian construction projects: Stakeholders and economyDesigning the relationship between contractor and client to partnershipDetermining schedule delay causes under the Build-Operate-Transfer model in TaiwanDey Street Tunnel: The challenges of a design project in a congested urban settingDeveloping a document management model for resolving contract disputes for contractorDevelopment of a decision-making model for requirements managementImproving the MEP coordination process through information sharing and establishing trustKey competences of design-build clients in the People's Republic of ChinaPPP-risk identification and allocation model: The crucial success factor for PPPsPrivileges and attractions for private sector involvement in PPP projectsTraining of skills and thinking in structural timber designUse of alternative dispute resolution in construction: A comparative studyConstruction maintenance and infrastructureConstruction safety in the repair and maintenance sectorChallenges of a substation and infrastructue upgrade in an urban downtown settingConstruction of concrete embedded, direct fixation, ballasted, LVT and special trackworkDesign issues of the Palmdale Water Reclamation Plant expansionFuzzy logic based diagnostic tool for management of timber bridgesOrganizational behaviorBehaviors of leadership in architectural officesGendered behavior: Cultures in UK engineering and construction organizationsKnowledge management (KM): 'Integrating past experiences'Managing innovative change within organisations and project team environmentsPersonality types of civil engineers and their roles in team performanceSystem service oriented cooperation - lessons for the construction industrySustainability and energy conservationBuilding environmental assessment toolBuilding passive design and hotel energy efficiencyClimatic effects on building facadesEnergy consumption related to winter housing thermal performanceGreen energy and indoor technologies for smart buildingsIndoor air quality, distribution systems and energy simulationsStructural sustainability of high performance buildingsThe use of green materials in the construction of buildings' structureEngineering economicsAn interactive model for reduction of failure costs: A process management approachForecasting low-cost housing demand in urban area in Malaysia using ANNInfluence of construction costs on schedule performanceLC maintenance strategy development and decision-making model for street maintenanceMacroeconomic costs within the life-cycle of bridgesMaintenance life cycle cost model for drainage systems of infrastructuresTrend analysis of cost performance for public work projectsSmoothing methodology for time series dataUnderlying mechanisms of failure costs in constructionInformation technologyA survey of the curent i-Build practices in the Taiwanese construction industryConstruction information technology and a new age of enlightenmentHow building information modeling has changed the MEP coordination processOrganisational e-readiness in the built environment: People, process, technologyTechnology projects and their impact on the engineering and construction processGeotechnical engineering, foundation and tunnelingDynamic effects of machines on foundations buildingsInvestigations of the dynamic state of turbo sets foundationsModel tests on bearing capacity of soil-bagsThe construction pre-control of a foundation pit in ShanghaiUsing BESO method to optimize the shape reinforcement of underground openingsAuthor index