A Container for Storing and Transporting Bulk Material Samples.

This article presents problems related to the storage of building material samples and discusses the related requirements and standards. Solutions for containers to store material samples were proposed and tests were performed in accordance with the EN ISO 12570 standard to demonstrate that all the water that may have condensed during the samples' transport in the self-designed, closed container evaporates from the lid when unscrewed and placed under the container during the drying process. The aim of this study was to test the tightness of self-designed containers for transporting bulk samples.

Automatic Image Analysis Method as a Tool to Evaluate the Anisotropy of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete for Moisture and Heat Transport.

In this article, the results of studies testing the anisotropy of autoclaved aerated concrete in terms of water and heat transport are presented. Using image analysis techniques, a study was conducted on four different samples of concrete produced in the same process. To ensure the comparability of results, the pictures were taken from a fixed distance with the same lens settings trimmed to a set size.

Comparison of the Moist Material Relative Permittivity Readouts Using the Non-Invasive Reflectometric Sensors and Microwave Antenna.

The article concerns the issue of non-invasive moisture sensing in building materials. Two techniques that enable evaluating the value of the relative permittivity of the material, being the measure of porous material moisture, have been utilized for the research. The first is the microwave technique that utilizes the non-contact measurement of velocity of microwave radiation across the tested material and the second is the time domain reflectometry (TDR) technique based on the measurement of electromagnetic pulse propagation time along the waveguides, being the elements of sensor design.

Determination of Time Domain Reflectometry Surface Sensors Sensitivity Depending on Geometry and Material Moisture.

The article concerns the electric techniques of moisture detection that are based on the evaluation of the apparent permittivity of the tested medium. The main goal of the research was to evaluate the non-invasive Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) sensors' sensitivity by measuring the span of elements and material moisture. To that aim, two non-invasive sensor designs were investigated for their sensitivity in the evaluation of the apparent permittivity value of aerated concrete.

Influence of the Direction of Mixture Compaction on the Selected Properties of a Hemp-Lime Composite.

The aim of the research presented in the article was to check the differences in the hygro-thermal and mechanical properties of hemp-lime composites with different shives fractions, depending on the direction of mixture compaction. The research part of the paper presents the preparation method and investigation on the composites. Thermal conductivity, capillary uptake, as well as flexural and compressive strengths were examined.

Heat Losses Caused by the Temporary Influence of Wind in Timber Frame Walls Insulated with Fibrous Materials.

The paper presents the results of research concerning three fiber materials-mineral wool, hemp fiber and wood wool-as loose-fill thermal insulation materials. The analysis used the material parameters determined in previous works conducted by the authors, such as thermal conductivity and air permeability in relation to bulk density. These materials exhibit open porosity; thus, convection is an essential phenomenon in the heat transfer process.

Properties of Fibrous Concrete Made with Plastic Optical Fibers from E-Waste.

This article presents research results relating to the potential for waste utilization in the form of polymer optical fiber (POF) scraps. This material is difficult to recycle due to its diverse construction. Three different volumes of POF were used in concrete in these tests: 1%, 2%, and 3%.

Capillary Uptake Monitoring in Lime-Hemp-Perlite Composite Using the Time Domain Reflectometry Sensing Technique for Moisture Detection in Building Composites.

The use of waste plants in the production of building materials is consistent with the principles of sustainable development. One of the ideas involves using hemp shives as an aggregate for the production of a composite used as a filling of the timber frame construction of the walls. The most important disadvantage of using the building materials based on organic components is their susceptibility to the water influence.

A method for early detection and identification of fungal contamination of building materials using e-nose.

The aim of the study was to develop a method for early detection and identification of fungal contamination of building materials using an electronic nose. Therefore, the laboratory experiments based on the analysis of the air in the vicinity of fungal isolates potentially found in the building materials were performed. The results revealed that the employed gas sensors array consisting of MOS-type sensors enables the detection of the differences among the examined samples of fungi and distinguishing between the non-contaminated and contaminated samples, shortly after fungal contamination occurs.

A Noninvasive TDR Sensor to Measure the Moisture Content of Rigid Porous Materials.

The article presents the potential application of the time domain reflectometry (TDR) technique to measure moisture transport in unsaturated porous materials. The research of the capillary uptake phenomenon in a sample of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) was conducted using a TDR sensor with the modified construction for non-invasive testing. In the paper the basic principles of the TDR method as a technique applied in metrology, and its potential for measurement of moisture in porous materials, including soils and porous building materials are presented.

Composite Materials Based on Hemp and Flax for Low-Energy Buildings.

The article presents the results obtained in the course of a study on prospective application of flax/hemp wastes as a filling material of lime-based composites in the construction of low-energy buildings. The utilized filler comprised the hydrated lime with clay and Portland cement used as additives. The analysis involved evaluation of such properties as porosity, density, thermal conductivity, absorptivity, permeability, as well as compressive and flexural strength.

Evaluating Soil Moisture Status Using an e-Nose.

The possibility of distinguishing different soil moisture levels by electronic nose (e-nose) was studied. Ten arable soils of various types were investigated. The measurements were performed for air-dry (AD) soils stored for one year, then moistened to field water capacity and finally dried within a period of 180 days.

Mechanical and Physical Properties of Hydrophobized Lightweight Aggregate Concrete with Sewage Sludge.

This article is focused on lightweight aggregate-concrete modified by municipal sewage sludge and lightweight aggregate-concrete obtained from light aggregates. The article presents laboratory examinations of material physical parameters. Water absorptivity of the examined material was decreased by the admixture of water emulsion of reactive polysiloxanes.

Application of gas sensor arrays in assessment of wastewater purification effects.

A gas sensor array consisting of eight metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) type gas sensors was evaluated for its ability for assessment of the selected wastewater parameters. Municipal wastewater was collected in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in a primary sedimentation tank and was treated in a laboratory-scale sequential batch reactor (SBR). A comparison of the gas sensor array (electronic nose) response to the standard physical-chemical parameters of treated wastewater was performed.