Macroporous silica fibers having spherical cavities were fabricated by electrospinning using the spinning solution prepared from the mixed dispersion of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and polystyrene nanospheres as precursor and sacrificial templates, respectively, by injection through metallic nozzle. By applying electric field, the electro-spun fibers obtained by evaporation-driven self-assembly were collected on flat substrate or rotating drum, followed by the removal of the templates by calcination. The sound absorption coefficient of the porous fibers was measured by impedance tube, and the measured value was larger than 0.9 at high frequency region of incident waves. The surface of the resulting fibers was modified using fluorine-containing silane coupling agent to produce superhydrophobic fibrous materials to prevent the infiltration of humidity.

The density, compressive strength, and thermal insulation properties of fly ash geopolymer paste are reported. Novel insulation material of glass bubble was used as a replacement of fly ash binder to significantly enhance the mechanical and thermal properties compared to the geopolymer paste. The results showed that the density and compressive strength of 50% glass bubble was 1.45 g/cm3 and 42.5 MPa, respectively, meeting the standard requirement for structural concrete. Meanwhile, the compatibility of 50% glass bubbles tested showed that the thermal conductivity (0.898 W/mK), specific heat (2.141 MJ/m3K), and thermal diffusivity (0.572 mm2/s) in meeting the same requirement. The improvement of thermal insulation properties revealed the potential use of glass bubbles as an insulation material in construction material.

This paper describes preparation methodology and research results of newly developed materials from post-production fibrous waste that are resistant to high temperatures. Widely available raw materials were used for this purpose. Such approach has significant impact on the technological feasibility and preparation costs. Obtained materials were verified via applying of various tests including characterization of shrinkage, porosity, density and water absorption as well as X-ray analysis (XRD), followed by mechanical bending and compressive strength determination.

Based on the research results, the possible applications of materials as thermal insulators were indicated.

Balconies are elements of some multi-storey buildings. Thermo-insulated fasteners are components that connect balcony slabs with the building structure. Their main task is the transfer of loads in connections of balcony slabs with the building while also minimizing thermal bridges. The article presents analytical calculations performed to develop the new type of thermal insulated fasteners and to determine their load-bearing capacity. The aim of this article is to demonstrate that analytical calculations based on commonly utilized principles of reinforced concrete and steel structure operation along enable the development of the effective design algorithm of insulated fasteners and allow for a quick analysis of various geometric variants of these fasteners. The article presents the adaptation of typical algorithms for calculation of steel and reinforced concrete structures for the analysis of non-typical load-bearing capacity states that occur during the calculation of insulated fasteners. The load-bearing capacities of individual fasteners are shown in M-V interaction diagrams (bending moment – shearing force).

In the article, the authors presented the results of microbiological air quality studies in selected buildings with additional thermal insulation applied from the inside using a silicate and lime system, as well as the results of a survey study concerning the comfort of use of said buildings. The microbiological air quality studies, conducted in buildings immediately prior to and after the application of additional thermal insulation using silicate and lime sheets, demonstrated a significant decrease in the number of mould spores in interior spaces. This was also reflected in the results of a survey study. The survey study was conducted with users of public and commercial buildings and municipal housing buildings in Krakow. Thanks to the additional insulation applied from inside using the silicate and lime system, all of the utilitarian parameters of internal spaces had improved. The most significant changes concerned parameters like comfort of use, the aesthetic of the spaces and breathing comfort. According to experts, the silicate and lime system was also rated highly in terms of the analysed parameters.