Comprehensive Study Notes: Building Materials and Materiality

Vocabulary flashcards covering essential concepts, formulas, processes, and classification schemes from Wood, Mineral Binders, Ceramics, Non-Ferrous Metals, and Earth Construction.

Anisotropie (Holz)

The direction-dependent physical property of wood caused by its fiber alignment, resulting in a load-bearing capacity along the fiber that is approximately $10 \times$ higher than perpendicular (quer) to the fiber.

Hanns Carl von Carlowitz

The author who introduced the concept of sustainability (Nachhaltigkeit) in his $1713$ publication 'Sylvicultura oeconomica', advocating for continuous, stable, and sustainable forestry.

Nadelholz vs. Laubholz

Softwood (Nadelholz, e.g., Fichte, Kiefer) features fast growth, lower density (e.g., Fichte at $470\,m^3$), and easy workability; Hardwood (Laubholz, e.g., Buche, Eiche) grows slowly, has higher density (e.g., Buche at $720\,m^3$), high hardness, and superior load capacity.

Wood Trunk Cross-Section (Anatomie des Holzes)

The structural cross-section of a tree trunk comprising the Markröhre (pith), Kernholz (heartwood), Splintholz (sapwood), Jahrringe (annual rings: Frühholz and Spätholz), Kambium (growth layer), Bast, and Borke (outer bark).

Hydraulische Bindemittel

Inorganic binders (e.g., Zement, hydraulic lime) that cure through hydration using water, curing both in air and underwater to form water-resistant, high-strength compounds.

Luftbindemittel

Non-hydraulic inorganic binders (e.g., Luftkalk, Gips) that require air and carbonation or rehydration to cure, remaining non-water-resistant and suitable primarily for interior applications.

Der Kalkkreislauf

The three-step non-hydraulic cycle of lime: 1. Calcination/Brennen ($\text{CaCO}_3 \rightarrow \text{CaO} + \text{CO}_2$), 2. Slaking/Löschen ($\text{CaO} + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{Ca(OH)}_2$), and 3. Carbonation ($\text{Ca(OH)}_2 + \text{CO}_2 \rightarrow \text{CaCO}_3 + \text{H}_2\text{O}$).

Kalksandstein

A precision building block manufactured from lime, quartz sand, and water that undergoes steam hardening in autoclaves at $160\,^\circ\text{C}$ to $220\,^\circ\text{C}$, characterized by high compressive strength and excellent acoustic and fire protection.

Zementestrich (CT) vs. Calciumsulfatestrich (CA)

Cement screed (CT) is moisture-resistant, robust, and suited for outdoor or heavy-duty use, while calcium sulfate / anhydrite screed (CA) offers low shrinkage and high thermal conductivity for floor heating, but is sensitive to moisture.

Steingutfliesen (STG)

Porous ceramic tiles with water absorption $> 10\,\%$ (Group BIII) fired below or near the sintering limit ($950\,^\circ\text{C}$ to $1150\,^\circ\text{C}$), requiring a glaze for protection and used exclusively for interior wall coverings.

Steinzeugfliesen (STZ)

Dense ceramic tiles with water absorption $< 3\,\%$ fired above sintering temperature ($> 1200\,^\circ\text{C}$), yielding high mechanical strength, frost resistance, and durability for indoor/outdoor floors and facades.

Trockenpressen (Dry Pressing)

A high-volume ceramic shaping method using powdery clay mass with $3\,\%$ to $7\,\%$ water content compressed in steel molds under high pressure, producing dimensionally precise flat tiles without requiring prior drying.

Schlickergiessen (Slip Casting)

A ceramic manufacturing process where liquid slip with $40\,\%$ to $45\,\%$ water is poured into a plaster mold; water absorption forms a solid wall, after which excess liquid is drained to yield hollow pieces such as sanitary ceramics.

Vorgehängte hinterlüftete Fassade (VHF)

A facade construction method where ceramic elements are mechanically mounted on a subframe with an air cavity, allowing rear ventilation, thermal insulation, and damage-free disassembly following Design for Disassembly (DfD) principles.

Nichteisenmetalle (Non-Ferrous Metals)

Metals containing less than $50\,\%$ iron by mass, including heavy metals like copper, lead, zinc, and tin, as well as light metals like aluminum.

Himmelsscheibe von Nebra

A famous Bronze Age artifact discovered in Nebra, Germany, dating to the Bronze Age (beginning around $3300\,\text{v. Chr.}$ in Central Europe), crafted from bronze with inlaid gold astronomical symbols.

Bleierze (Lead Ores)

Natural lead minerals, including Bleiglanz ($\text{PbS}$), Vanadinit ($\text{Pb(VO}_4)_3\text{Cl}$), Cerussit ($\text{PbCO}_3$), Krokoit ($\text{PbCrO}_4$), Wulfenit ($\text{PbMoO}_4$), and Pyromorphit ($\text{Pb}_5(\text{PO}_4)_3\text{Cl}$).

Kontaktkorrosion (Kupfer)

Galvanic corrosion that occurs when copper is installed upstream or directly adjacent to less noble metals (like steel or zinc) in rainwater systems, causing electrochemical degradation of the less noble metal.

Floatglas-Verfahren (Zinnbad)

A flat glass manufacturing technique where molten glass floats on a bath of molten tin (Zinn), producing highly uniform, parallel glass surfaces.

Stampflehm (Pisé)

A monolithic earth construction method where moist loam (erdfeucht) is poured into formwork and mechanically compacted layer by layer to form solid, load-bearing walls.

Lehmsteine (Adobe / Grünlinge)

Unburnt earth bricks made from formed or hand-molded clay mixes; unburnt factory-made earth bricks are called Grünlinge, classified under DIN $18945$.

Wellerlehm

A traditional formwork-free earth building technique where a mixture of loam and straw is stacked using pitchforks in lifts of $60\,cm$ to $90\,cm$ and trimmed flush with a spade.

Leichtlehm

An earth building material produced by blending clay with lightweight organic or mineral aggregates (such as straw or wood chips) to reduce density and improve thermal insulation properties.

Konstruktiver Lehmbau-Schutz

Design measures required to protect water-sensitive earth structures, including elevated base foundations (Sockelbildung), wide roof overhangs, and horizontal erosion breaks (Erosionsbremsen).