Building materials and electromagnetic radiation: The role of material and shape

Building materials and electromagnetic radiation: The role of material and shape

Gergely Norbert Vizi, Guy A.E. Vandenbosch. Building materials and electromagnetic radiation: The role of material and shape. Journal of Building Engineering, Volume 5, March 2016, Pages 96-103

Abstract
The electromagnetic shielding effect of common building materials is reviewed in order to provide baseline data for computer simulations. The first part of this paper presents the “raw” electromagnetic properties of these materials, like brick, concrete, wood, glass, and a complex material like reinforced concrete with different reinforcement square grid sizes. The second part of the paper presents the effect of the shape of a room made from these materials and the effect of the rounding of corners and window edges on the in-house electromagnetic fields. Simulations are performed with a state-of-the-art computational tool: CST Microwave Studio. It is demonstrated that, apart from slightly focusing the electromagnetic waves to the centre of the room, rounding has a very small effect on the electric and magnetic fields. The last part presents comparative data about different building materials regarding their attenuation and electromagnetic penetration. At the end a carbon foil based shielding technique is described, and the importance of and solutions for window shielding are presented.

Highlights

• New approach in building design is required.

• A review of electromagnetic properties of building materials is given.

• The effect of shape and effect of an opening on electrosmog levels is investigated.

• Numerical simulations are in agreement with measurements.

• Numerical simulations during design helps to reduce in house electromagnetic fields.

Conclusion
After the dielectric properties of several basic building materials were discussed,the effect of two possible topological measures to reduce field levels was studied through simulations. The first one concerned the rounding of corners.The second concerned the use of different building materials.The usage of reinforced steel nets with large grid sizes does not significantly improve attenuation. However, grid sizes of about 5 cm x 5 cm or lower give a relatively high shielding at a frequency of 1GHz. The conclusion is that dense metallic meshes or fabrics with a grid size of about 1 cm x 1 cm applied on walls can effectively attenuate the inner electromagnetic fields, while windows can be shielded with electrically conductive transparent foils ....

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352710215300516

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Joel M. Moskowitz, Ph.D., Director
Center for Family and Community Health
School of Public Health
University of California, Berkeley

Electromagnetic Radiation Safety

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