The building and construction technology program will focus on the following themes: Building and construction materials Architectural Structural Geotechnical Electrical Mechanical Sanitary Insulation Advance/composite Other materials Building and construction systems Concrete Masonry Steel Composite Other systems Building design, performance and quality assurance Buildings safety, serviceability and durability Structural dynamics and earthquake engineering Geotechnical aspects Hydrothermal analysis and properties of materials, components and buildings Air quality, ventilation and moisture problems in buildings Building climatology and thermal analysis of buildings and of urban areas Passive thermal control systems and means Acoustic performance of components and spaces Effect of environmental noise on buildings Fire safety, building services, intelligent buildings etc Development of criteria, evaluation methodologies and monitoring overall performance of buildings Development of test methods Building systems and components Building envelope testing Energy and water conservation systems Ecologically sustainable development Building assembly systems Electrical Mechanical Electro-mechanical Sanitary Safety, security and monitoring Other systems The building and construction sector is considered a strategic sector in the national economy of Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom represents the largest building and construction market in the Middle East, and one of the fastest growing markets in the world. This field is booming thanks to the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding population, its expectations of high quality and technically advanced housing, hospitals, schools, universities and working environments. In addition, the commercial sector in the country is creating a demand for more office buildings, shopping malls and hotels. Many mega projects are expected to be launched in the next couple of years, and existing projects are likely to be expanded, especially in the housing, hospitality and education sub-sectors. It is estimated that over the next ten years, Saudi Arabia will require double the number of housing units currently available. Not only is the building and construction sector booming, but it has also undergone remarkable change in the last few decades. Prior to the oil revolution, buildings were mainly constructed with load-bearing walls made of mud or stones, and roofs made of wooden beams and sheets. Use of local materials, building skills and knowledge gave distinct character to buildings in each region of the country. Now however, it’s the reinforced concrete frame structures combined with modern architecture which have replaced traditional mud and stone-based constructions, meaning that the locally built, distinctive character of buildings has given way to uniformity in style and characteristics throughout the Kingdom. Steady economic development has resulted in a vibrant and expanding building and construction industry that uses the country’s large reserves of natural resources to produce a wide range of high quality building materials including cement, concrete, bricks, tiles, reinforced steel, ceramics, composite materials and glass. This building and construction sector is now facing new challenges lead by consumer demands for lower costs, as well as a need for more adaptable, smarter, lower maintenance and more environmentally friendly buildings. These needs are necessitating new advances in technology in these areas, which researchers working on the National Program for Advanced Materials and Building Systems are focussing on.
Posted on: Wed, 26 Nov 2014 22:53:58 +0000
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