Building materials science

The range of building materials has multiplied in recent years. For energy-saving reasons and for special architectural designs, new materials and material combinations are being used. However, this can lead to problems regarding the durability and environmental compatibility of unsuitable material combinations. The increasingly aggressive environmental influences must also be taken into account. It is frustrating when a well-calculated solar collector system initially works satisfactorily but soon corrodes, when building facades turn "green" due to algae infestation, or when metal facades rust through. To avoid such errors, a basic understanding of the chemistry of building materials is necessary. This volume describes the relationships between the structure of materials and their properties. Additionally, it provides an overview of the range of building materials and their origins.