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EP-4735701-A1 - BUILDING ELEMENT FOR A BUILDING AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THEREOF

EP4735701A1EP 4735701 A1EP4735701 A1EP 4735701A1EP-4735701-A1

Abstract

The invention refers to a building element for a building or a section of a building comprising a support layer (1), and an insulating layer (2), which is arranged on said support layer (1), wherein said insulating layer (2) comprises a plurality of silk cocoons (3). In the preferred embodiments, said insulating layer (2) is arranged in a zone delimited by a top layer (4) and by said support layer (1) further comprising a plurality of interstices (5) surrounding said silk cocoons (3). The present invention also contributes to the development of insulation materials, which are proper for sustainable building elements in the construction industry. The building elements present proper thermal and acoustic properties, making them particularly suitable for being used as insulating elements.

Inventors

  • ALVES JERÓNIMO, Alexandre José
  • BRIGA DE SÁ, Ana Cristina
  • GOMES DUARTE, Tiago André
  • GONÇALVES PINTO FERNANDES, Rui Francisco
  • CORTÉS DE ZEA BERMUDEZ, Verónica

Assignees

  • Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20230713

Claims (17)

  1. A building element for a building or a section of a building, comprising a support layer (1), and an insulating layer (2), which is arranged on said support layer (1); characterized in that said insulating layer (2) comprises a plurality of silk cocoons (3).
  2. The building element, according to claim 1, wherein said building element further comprises a top layer (4), wherein said insulating layer (2) is arranged in a zone delimited by said top layer (4) and by said support layer (1).
  3. The building element, according to the previous claim, wherein at least one of the support layer (1) or the top layer (4) is made of a material selected from the group consisting of a polymer, a copolymer, a macromolecule, a cement paste, a mortar construction material, a concrete construction material, gypsum, a clay, or combinations thereof or composites thereof.
  4. The building element, according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said insulating layer (2) further comprises a plurality of interstices (5) surrounding said silk cocoons (3), wherein said interstices (5) comprises at least one of the group consisting of air, air with reduced pressure, a polymer, a copolymer, a macromolecule, a cement paste, a mortar construction material, a concrete construction material, gypsum, a clay, or combinations thereof or composites thereof.
  5. The building element, according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said insulating layer (2) comprises a plurality of stacked layers of silk cocoons (3).
  6. The building element, according to any one of the previous claims, wherein a plurality of said silk cocoons (3) is embedded in an internal portion of said support layer (1).
  7. The building element, according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein a plurality of said silk cocoons (3) is embedded in an internal portion of said top layer (4).
  8. The building element, according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the support layer (1), the top layer (4), and the plurality of interstices (5) surrounding said silk cocoons (3) are made of the same material and form a continuous zone, wherein said material comprises a polymer, a copolymer, a macromolecule, a cement paste, a mortar construction material, a concrete construction material, gypsum, a clay, a ceramic, or combinations thereof or composites thereof.
  9. The building element, according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein at least one of the support layer (1) or the top layer (4) is made of a mesh, a fabric, a polymeric film, or composites thereof, wherein the polymer of said polymeric film is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polymethyl methacrylate, polyester, polyepoxide, polystyrene, polyurethane, or composites thereof or copolymers thereof.
  10. The building element, according to the previous claim, wherein the support layer (1) and the top layer (4) are made of a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polyamide, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polymethyl methacrylate, polyester, polyepoxide, polystyrene, polyurethane, or composites thereof or copolymers thereof; and said insulating layer (2) further comprises a plurality of interstices (5) surrounding said silk cocoons (3), wherein said interstices (5) comprises air with reduced pressure; and said insulating layer (2) comprises from 500 to 3000 silk cocoons (3)/m 2 of the building element, preferably from 1000 to 2000 silk cocoons (3)/m 2 of the building element.
  11. The building element, according to claim 8, wherein the support layer (1), the top layer (4), and the plurality of interstices (5) surrounding said silk cocoons (3) are made of a material selected from the group consisting of a cement paste, a mortar construction material, a concrete construction material, gypsum, a clay, a ceramic, a lime, a plaster, an adhesive, a resin, or composites thereof.
  12. The building element, according to the previous claim, wherein said insulating layer (2) comprises from 30000 to 90000 silk cocoons (3)/ m 3 of the building element, preferably from 50000 to 75000 silk cocoons (3)/ m 3 of the building element.
  13. The building element, according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said building element is configured for the erection of an interior wall, an exterior wall, a foundation wall, a floor, a slab floor, a ceiling, a joist space, a band joist, a roof, a cladding, or a duct of a building.
  14. The building element, according to the previous claim, wherein said building element has thermal and acoustic insulation characteristics.
  15. A method for producing a building element, as defined in any one of the previous claims, characterized by comprising the following steps: a) Providing a support layer (1); and b) Arranging an insulating layer (2) on said support layer (1); wherein said insulating layer (2) comprises a plurality of silk cocoons (3).
  16. The method for producing a building element, according to any one of claims 2 to 14, characterized by comprising the following steps: a) Providing a support layer (1) and a top layer (4); and b) Arranging the insulating layer (2) in a zone delimited by said top layer (4) and by said support layer (1).
  17. The method for producing a building element, according to any one of claims 8 to 14, characterized by comprising the following steps: a) Providing a support layer (1) and a top layer (4); and b) Arranging the insulating layer (2) in a zone delimited by said top layer (4) and by said support layer (1) by molding, and embedding a plurality of silk cocoons (3) in at least one internal portion of said support layer (1) or internal portion of said top layer (4); wherein the support layer (1), the top layer (4), and a plurality of interstices (5) surrounding said silk cocoons (3) are made of the same material and form a continuous zone.

Description

BUILDING ELEMENT FOR A BUILDING AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THEREOF The invention pertains to building elements for a building or a section of a building, besides methods of producing said building elements, which are used as materials for construction in general. Technical Problem Solution to Problem Advantageous Effects of Invention The construction industry is responsible for more than one-third of the total energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. One of the solutions to minimize this contribution can be achieved by improving building materials’ insulation properties given the great impact that these properties will have on the overall energy efficiency of buildings. Insulation materials play a crucial role in the construction industry due to their numerous benefits and importance. Insulation materials significantly improve the thermal efficiency of buildings by reducing heat transfer. They help to keep the interior spaces warm during colder months and cool during hotter months. By minimizing heat loss or gain, insulation reduces the need for excessive heating or cooling, thereby saving energy and reducing utility costs. Insulation contributes to energy conservation by reducing the amount of energy required to maintain a comfortable indoor environment. By minimizing heat transfer through walls, roofs, and floors, insulation helps to lower the demand for heating and cooling systems. This, in turn, reduces the reliance on fossil fuels or electricity, leading to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and a more sustainable built environment. Insulation enhances occupant comfort by maintaining more consistent and comfortable indoor temperatures. It helps to prevent drafts, cold spots, or excessive heat buildup, ensuring a more pleasant living or working environment. Additionally, insulation can contribute to improved indoor air quality by reducing the infiltration of outdoor pollutants, allergens, and moisture into the building. Insulation materials with proper vapor barriers or moisture resistance properties help control condensation and moisture-related issues within buildings. By preventing the accumulation of moisture in walls, roofs, and floors, insulation minimizes the risk of mold growth, rot, and structural damage. It also helps to maintain the integrity and durability of building components. Insulation materials with sound-absorbing properties can help reduce noise transmission between different spaces within a building or from outside sources. This contributes to acoustic comfort and privacy, making the indoor environment more peaceful and conducive to concentration and relaxation. Several materials have caught the attention of researchers in recent years to improve buildings’ energy efficiency, such as cork, besides several synthetic foamed materials, such as extruded polystyrene (XPS), expanded polystyrene (EPS), polyurethane (PUR) foams, polyisocyanurate (PIR) foams, phenolic foams, or polyethylene (PE) foams. Synthetic foamed materials are widely used as insulation in buildings due to their excellent thermal and acoustic properties, but these materials usually are not produced from recycled or renewable resources, or said materials are not recyclable themselves. There is a need to identify insulation materials proper for building elements in the construction industry that contribute to its sustainability, besides helping in achieving green building certifications and standards by reducing the environmental impact of buildings and improving overall building performance. There is a need for alternative building elements that are lightweight materials, having lower thermal conductivities, lower thermal diffusivities, besides having higher specific heat properties compared to state—of—the—art materials. Furthermore, there is an additional need for alternative building elements that have proper thermal insulation properties along with proper acoustic insulation properties. The present invention solves the problems regarding the need to identify insulation materials proper for building elements in the construction industry by providing a building element for a building or a section of a building comprising an insulating layer including a plurality of silk cocoons. Unexpectedly for a person skilled in the technical field of the construction industry, the incorporation of silk cocoons in building elements improves their thermal properties, making these elements particularly suitable for insulation purposes in the construction industry, considering that the building elements according to the present invention also have a proper performance as an acoustic insulating material. Therefore, a building element for a building or a section of a building comprising an insulating layer including a plurality of silk cocoons has a combined insulating action, being proper as a thermal and acoustic insulating material. The building elements comprising silk cocoons can be provided in flexible or rigid support layers,