Can desert sand be used to build houses and roads?
The globe may be running out of sand suitable for concrete. Researchers are therefore testing a possible solution for using desert sand as a material.
Buildings and construction
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Poor indoor air quality often found in small new urban dwellings
You’ve just bought a new apartment. The developer followed the minimum building code requirements. So shouldn’t everything be in order? Extensive research indicates that the answer is unfortunately no.
If you can hear your neighbour snoring, there’s something wrong with the building you live in
Does it sound like the guy in the apartment above you keeps dragging a sack of potatoes across his room? It’s not his fault –the building you live is not sufficiently soundproofed.
The properties of slate make it a winner
Different building materials carry different climate footprints. Norwegian natural stone, such as Otta slate, turns out to have surprisingly good properties as a façade material.
Protecting Iceland’s towns from lava flows – with dirt
It had been dormant for 800 years, but in March 2021, the Fagradalsfjall volcano in Iceland came to life. While the eruption was ongoing, large-scale field experiments were conducted to build defensive earthen barriers aimed at slowing down the molten lava flow.
Smouldering corrosion risk in sprinkler systems demands new knowledge
Insidious bacteria could cause trouble for the sprinkler wave that is now rolling in across Norway if the tiny organisms are not taken seriously.
Green and compact is the recipe for climate-friendly cities
How climate-friendly is the urban development in your municipality? A new tool helps planners compare alternatives.
It’s a short distance to a policy for buildings that strengthens the climate issue
Greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting for buildings is an effective tool for achieving climate targets. The requirements must now be followed up with policy in Norway as well.
The search for a greener concrete – a creation tale
The following is a short story about how stupid questions can change the course of an entire industry. And about how ingenious ideas can encounter opposition because they appear too good to be true.
How mining operations without spoil heaps can become a reality
Mineral recovery by mining generates large volumes of surplus crushed rock that end up polluting natural environments. If we succeed in generating new knowledge, such surpluses can instead be used to manufacture concrete or improve agricultural soils.
Can microplastics be used to make concrete?
Rubber granules from artificial grass pitches will be phased out, but what do we do with the thousands of tonnes of microplastics that are left? NTNU research shows that they can be used in the production of concrete.
A master’s student has tracked down greenhouse gas figures much needed by researchers
Climate scientists often lack the data they need for their calculations. A master’s student has helped to track down key figures from Africa’s most populous country.
What researchers found out after 1,130 tests on Norwegian windows
Results from a major study may contribute towards developing windows that can withstand harsher climatic conditions involving heavier rainfall and stronger winds. Because that’s exactly what we can expect in the future.
Energy saving measures in buildings can turn them into Norway’s biggest ‘power plant’
Energy efficiency measures in buildings can offer Norway a three-fold benefit – by contributing to avoiding an energy deficit and high electricity prices, and to achieving its stated climate change mitigation targets for 2030 and 2050.
The wrong type of plumbing can increase the risk of Legionnaires’ disease
SINTEF researchers have been testing different types of water distribution cabinets. Cabinets that combine the distribution of both domestic tap water and water for floor heating, are now shown to represent an unnecessary risk of Legionnaires’ disease.
An extra 3 centimetres can prevent fires in rooftop solar panel systems
Solar panels installed on roofs and facades increase the fire risk. However, research shows that small changes in construction can make a big difference.
Teaching the world how hydropower development can safeguard fish populations
SINTEF researcher Marcell Szabo-Meszaros is the man behind the international study ‘Hydropower and Fish – a Roadmap for Best Practice Management’, which offers guidelines on fish population protection in rivers to companies carrying out hydropower developments.
Advanced simulation of air currents can result in more habitable cities
Densely-packed housing makes urban areas vulnerable to overheating, pollution and dangerous wind gusts. The effects of climate change can aggravate these problems, but we can also work to prevent them. This can be done by simulating microclimates.
Pupils are making circular art for Oslo’s first ‘energy-plus’ school
Recycling is the guiding principle behind the new Voldsløkka school and Culture Centre. Pupils are taking part in an art project as their contribution to the research project called ARV.
When your house spreads gossip about you
Security holes in our smart devices are difficult to detect. Is it possible to automate the search for vulnerabilities? Researchers at NTNU in Gjøvik are on the case.
New concrete from old buildings
Christian John Engelsen at SINTEF is teaching the world to recycle demolition rubble to make new concrete. Anything and everything can be recycled, he says. What takes time is getting people on board.
A minute sensor to the rescue
Ships, bridges and wind turbines can all be made safe using sensors that are just a few millimetres across. Researchers have borrowed the principle behind the technology from a vibrating guitar string.
Data-driven heating reduces energy consumption in buildings
Energy consumption in buildings can be reduced by predicting their actual heating needs.
Action from the building sector is more important than ever as the world races headlong towards 2.5 degrees
If only the Norwegian building and construction industry would embrace a little more digitalisation, this alone would enable Norway to achieve its 2023 emissions target agreed with the EU.