Buildtech / Construction Textiles and Its Application
Shubham Anil Jain
Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited
Bangalore, India
Email: shubhamajain125@gmail.com
What is Construction Textiles?
In today’s world, technical textiles are found to be one of the faster-growing sectors of the global textile industry. High added value textile structures and materials have been replaced with traditional technologies. So, basically the technical textiles used in the construction of buildings are called “BUILDTECH”. Textile materials used in buildings for so many years. The utilization of these materials has been accelerated with the development of synthetic fibers. Today, these materials are widely used in various other aspects such as airports, stadiums, sports halls, exhibition halls and shows centers, military and industrial warehouses, and also in a lot of different areas like these places. Today, building and construction have become an integral part of the development of civilization. Both of them are involved with proper planning, design, building, operation and maintenance of infrastructure.
Figure 1: Construction Textiles
Fibers Used inConstruction Textiles:
The fibers used here are generally made from synthetic fibers. It is found that, 22% of the fiber consumption in the world is for manufacturing of technical textiles.
The most commonly used fibers are high-tenacity polyester, glass fiber and nylon. Due to tensile properties, strength and cost polyester is used more than the others.
Also nylon fiber used for membranes sometimes but this fiber is more expensive than polyester (more durable at the same time).
When the glass fiber is concerned, it is an incombustible textile fiber and has high tenacity too. Particularly used for fire-retardant applications and also is commonly used in insulation of buildings.
Glass fibers fairly resistant for tensions and they also and reflect the some of sun’s rays and this provides to the keep structures cold.
When it comes to polyethylene and polypropylene have a density less than that of water, which allows them to float as ropes, nets and other similar applications.
The factors like availability, low cost and good resistance to acid and alkaline environments of polypropylene has greatly influenced it’s growth and substantial use in geotextile applications.
Application of Construction Textiles:
1. Hoardings / Signages: They are prominently made of a translucent flexible textile substrate called flexible-face sign fabric. It was manufactured as an alternative to rigid-faced substrates like acrylic, plastic and polycarbonates. Besides hoardings, this material has many applications such as in light boxes, exhibits, trade show displays and majority of other static out of home (OOH) advertising. Flex is made of a PVC coated polyester warp knitted fabric. The fabric is made from high tenacity polyester filament yarn of denier ranging from 250 to 500. This fabric is coated with PVC and surface treated with lacquer.
Figure 2: Hoardings
2. Scaffolding Nets:
It always acts as protection in construction-either as scaffolding nets against weather and failing debris, just like shading nets against too much solar radiation, as textile fences to screen off unwanted observers or to prevent floor heating tubes from emerging while being covered with wet cement. In modern construction roof berries with reinforced mesh allow diffusion and therefore sustain an advantageous climate.
Figure 3: Scaffolding Nets
3. Tarpaulins – HDPE, Cotton canvas and Jute Tarpaulins:
A large sheet of strong, flexible, water resistant or waterproof material is called as tarpaulins or tarp. Initially, tarpaulins were made out of cotton however currently nylon and polyester fiber fabrics are being increasingly used in manufacturing tarpaulins. It is largely used for rain water protection in sheds, transportation – trucks & other automobiles, storage godowns, boats, snowmobiles, construction sites, lumber, grain storage, temporary storages, tents, ground-sheets, etc. Tarpaulins are sheets made out of polyethylene, cotton canvas, jute, etc. Polyethylene tarpaulin is also known as HDPE Tarpaulin, Laminated Tarpaulin, Plastic Tarpaulin, etc.
Figure 4: Tarpaulins
New Generation of Textiles in Building and Construction:
1. Nano-tex:
It is commonly observed that, buildtech and geotextiles, nanotechnology plays an important role in a different way. It helps in improving existing textile properties and offered additional functional performance by increasing chemical, photochemical, biological, and mechanical properties.
Nanotechnology make possible to the arrangement of different functions in the same textile properties. Nanofibers and nanotubes are used to made lighter, stronger, acoustic insulation, thermal insulation, controlled light transmission, efficient energy management, cost effective concrete materials in buildtech.
Application of nanotextile in building:
Self-healing concrete,
Reinforcement of critical walls,
Localized crack repair,
Wrapping of existing columns,
2. Green Roofs or Living Roofs:
Green Roofs is majorly used in buildings and constructions. It is better known as ‘Living roofs’ because of its attractiveness of good environment. It has excellent properties of vegetation, waterproofing membranes, water retention, drainage, and irrigation systems. Living roofs increase the green area ratio in building and construction sites. It allows the green design of commercial sites and recreational roof gardens and terrace areas.
3. Architectural Textile:
Architectural textiles indicate to fabrics or fabric-reinforced membranes used in buildings and constructions of relatively static enclosed environments. It may be used either as load-bearing structural members or as membranes separating the enclosed environment from the outdoors. In the earliest civilization architecture textile used fabrics to make portable, temporary structures were often made by nomads.
Conclusion & Future Scope:
Currently, textile industry is changing very rapidly. The future scope of textile in building and construction in buildtex and geotex is very bright and good. Apart from that, textile reinforced concrete will bring greater choice and flexibility in the design and manufacture of supporting components of structures. As per the estimation, the global market for buildtex and geotextiles projected to reach 8,632.83 million USD in 2023.
References:
Textile in civil Engineering (Geotextile) Wollo University Granch Berhe 2015
Enriching the environment with Green roofs system by Elmich Green roof system
Role of Nanotechnology in Building Construction, http:// nanoall.blogspot.com/2011/07/role-of-nanotechnology-in- building.html
Application of Textiles in Building and Construction, https://www.textileblog.com/application-of-textiles-in-building-and-construction/
Founder & Editor of Textile Learner. He is a Textile Consultant, Blogger & Entrepreneur. He is working as a textile consultant in several local and international companies. He is also a contributor of Wikipedia.
