Accelerated Weathering Tests at SINTEF
As the Carbon4Minerals project continues to develop innovative carbon-utilising construction materials, an important milestone has been reached in validating their long-term performance.
At SINTEF in Trondheim, Norway, accelerated weathering tests have begun on small masonry elements produced with Pirrouet® bricks and additional products currently under development within the Carbon4Minerals project. The test programme also includes conventional ceramic reference materials supplied by Vandersanden, enabling direct comparison between traditional and innovative masonry solutions.
The testing campaign is being carried out by Tobias Danner and Fredrik Slapø using SINTEF’s NT Build 495 climate simulator, a well-established facility that has been used for decades to assess the durability of building materials and components under accelerated environmental exposure.
The samples are mounted vertically on a rotating carousel and continuously exposed to four different environmental conditions that simulate real-life weathering:
Indoor climate
UV/IR radiation
Water spray
Frost
Each exposure lasts one hour, allowing the samples to complete six full weathering cycles every day. This accelerated testing methodology provides valuable information on how the materials are expected to perform throughout their service life.
These tests represent the first time brick and masonry walls are being evaluated using the NT Build 495 climate simulator. The results will contribute to a better understanding of the durability, resilience, and long-term behaviour of innovative CO₂-negative masonry products under demanding environmental conditions.
By combining advanced material development with rigorous performance validation, Carbon4Minerals continues to demonstrate that sustainable construction materials must not only reduce carbon emissions but also meet the highest standards of durability and quality required by the construction sector. The outcomes of these tests will provide valuable evidence supporting the future market uptake of climate-friendly masonry products and reinforce Carbon4Minerals’ mission to accelerate the transition towards a more sustainable built environment.