Humidity-controlling and deodorizing effects of yellow loess plastering as finishing materials

Due to rapid economic growth, the desire for well-being has become more highlighted than ever throughout the society. As a result, ’Han-ok,’ or the Korean traditional house, has received much attention. But it is impossible to develop the traditional Han-ok which can accommodate many households at the same time. Therefore it is more effective to development a type of apartment that can recreate Han-ok’s health-enhancing effect. Yellow loess is a natural construction material used for various purposes, such as deodorant, anti-gas and building materials. The moisture controlling effect of yellow loess is commonly known, but has not been scientifically proven; the deodorization effect has not been identified, either. The purpose of this study is to determine the optimal plastering thickness of yellow loess as a finishing material by analyzing the functional characteristics, such as moisture controlling and deodorizing effects of yellow loess plastering as a finishing material. The results indicate that the moisture controlling ability increased with a surge in the thickness of yellow loess plastering and with 3cm-thick loess plastering showed similar moisture absorption ability as the loess block specimen. And the yellow loess plastering specimen showed larger quantities of deodorization than the cement mortar specimen.