DOI: 10.5176/2301-394X_ACE14.96
Authors: Frank Hülsmeier, Prof. Architect
Abstract:
In the next few years, the ecological and energetic requirements for building envelopes will be further tightened. The use of conventional materials would cause wall constructions to become increasingly thicker. To counter this development, new types of construction involving micro- or nano-structural materials facilitate slimmer building elements due to their highgrade properties regarding the reduction of thermal conductivity and the increase of stability, thermal capacity and quality. Since March 2010, the research project 'vakutex - Vakuumgedämmte Fassadenelemente aus Textilbeton' ('vakutex - vacuum-insulated textile concrete facade elements') at HTWK Leipzig (Leipzig University of Applied Sciences) has been dedicated to the development of building envelopes made of extremely lightweight and energy-efficient exposed concrete, maintaining the design possibilities of contemporary concrete architecture.
The result of the two-year research project is a prototype of the vakutex facade with the dimensions 1,50 m x 3,20 m as a nonloadbearing curtain wall façade, combining innovative composite materials, such as textile-reinforced concrete, vacuum insulation panels (VIP), phase-change materials (PCM) and glass fiber reinforced plastics (GRP). With a total thickness of 11 cm, all static, constructional, and building physical requirements regarding its structure, airtightness, thermal insulation, acoustic insulation, and fire safety can be met. The element can be designed in many different colors and structures and possible panel dimensions range from small to large formats. It is durable, low-maintenance, and equally high-quality. The light appearance through the thin walls increases the quality of inhabitation of the spaces, accompanied by higher daylight and solar energy gains. Using vakutex facade elements can generate more usable floor space from the same gross floor area, which especially adds economic value to buildings in upscale inner city locations. Moreover, the developed vacuum-insulated textile concrete facade elements make a considerable ecological contribution to sustainable concrete architecture.
Keywords: facade; vacuum-insulated; composite materials; exposed concrete; textile concrete; fibre reinforced concrete (FRC)
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