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Planning, directing, and controlling a construction project from start to finish is called construction management or sometimes construction project management. All this is the idea stage of the traditional framework. However, this harmed the ecosystem. In addition to the construction method and the materials used, other factors also affect the environment. Its functional design is also an important factor. | Planning, directing, and controlling a construction project from start to finish is called construction management or sometimes construction project management. All this is the idea stage of the traditional framework. However, this harmed the ecosystem. In addition to the construction method and the materials used, other factors also affect the environment. Its functional design is also an important factor. | ||
− | The recent expansion of the construction industry is having a detrimental effect on the environment. The UK Green Building Council estimates that over 400 million tons of materials are used in the construction industry each year, many of which are harmful to the environment. Based on further research, building materials can affect the environment due to "extraction of raw materials". However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) claims that several tools and materials commonly used by US construction companies and contractors can seriously "harm public health and the environment". These materials and tools include chemicals used in the workplace in addition to diesel fuel for cars and excavators. | + | The recent expansion of the construction industry is having a detrimental effect on the environment. The UK Green Building Council estimates that over 400 million tons of materials are used in the construction industry each year, many of which are harmful to the environment. Based on further research, building materials can affect the environment due to the "extraction of raw materials". However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) claims that several tools and materials commonly used by US construction companies and contractors can seriously "harm public health and the environment". These materials and tools include chemicals used in the workplace in addition to diesel fuel for cars and excavators. |
In addition, the EPA reports that the US construction industry generates 160 million tons of waste annually, or 25% of the nation's non-industrial waste generation. Several methods used in house construction can damage the environment either temporarily or permanently. Some of these methods are mentioned below: | In addition, the EPA reports that the US construction industry generates 160 million tons of waste annually, or 25% of the nation's non-industrial waste generation. Several methods used in house construction can damage the environment either temporarily or permanently. Some of these methods are mentioned below: | ||
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* Design development. | * Design development. | ||
− | * | + | * The final design, working drawings or specifications; and |
* Construction. | * Construction. | ||
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:5. Design and install Effective ductwork. | :5. Design and install Effective ductwork. | ||
− | :6. Install mechanical ventilation system for cooling. | + | :6. Install a mechanical ventilation system for cooling. |
:7. Automatically controlled integrated system with variable speed control. | :7. Automatically controlled integrated system with variable speed control. |
Abstract: This thesis studied the definition of a green building and the elements associated with the construction of sustainability. There are many rating systems available across the country both private and public. The most well-known is the LEED rating system developed by the United States Green Building Council. LEED has several rating programs now available.
In this thesis, I will discuss why Green Building is more significant than conventional building and methods of Green Building like construction Phases. Conventional buildings produce high amounts of greenhouse gas, a large quantity of construction and demolition debris (which decrease landfill capacity), disturb natural resources, and consume much energy and water. Implementation of various simple and sustainable techniques practiced individually can help in many ways to create an environmentally friendly structure, consume minimal natural resources and at the same time be economical. This paper tries to study the Green Building construction method and innovative technologies that enable us to create a sustainable structure. It also includes design concepts of Green Building, methodology and materials requirements, and ideas and suggestions to create a checklist for a builder to refer to the various suggestions in every phase of construction of a general structure.
Key Words: Green Building, Construction of Sustainability, LEED, Minimal Natural Resources, and Sustainable Structure.
Planning, directing, and controlling a construction project from start to finish is called construction management or sometimes construction project management. All this is the idea stage of the traditional framework. However, this harmed the ecosystem. In addition to the construction method and the materials used, other factors also affect the environment. Its functional design is also an important factor.
The recent expansion of the construction industry is having a detrimental effect on the environment. The UK Green Building Council estimates that over 400 million tons of materials are used in the construction industry each year, many of which are harmful to the environment. Based on further research, building materials can affect the environment due to the "extraction of raw materials". However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) claims that several tools and materials commonly used by US construction companies and contractors can seriously "harm public health and the environment". These materials and tools include chemicals used in the workplace in addition to diesel fuel for cars and excavators.
In addition, the EPA reports that the US construction industry generates 160 million tons of waste annually, or 25% of the nation's non-industrial waste generation. Several methods used in house construction can damage the environment either temporarily or permanently. Some of these methods are mentioned below:
Construction requires various natural resources such as wood, minerals, and water. Unsustainable mining practices can lead to ecosystem depletion, habitat degradation, and soil erosion.
The extraction, transportation, and on-site work of building materials require a lot of energy, and these energy sources are usually non-renewable. Excessive energy use increases greenhouse gas emissions, which worsens climate change.
Carbon dioxide is one of the most important greenhouse gases produced during the energy-intensive production process of building materials. It is accurate for steel and cement. As supplies and equipment are transported to construction sites, emissions also increase.
During building operations, large amounts of waste are produced, including additional materials, packaging, and demolition debris. It is essential to dispose of construction debris correctly to prevent habitat destruction, soil and water contamination, and landfill overflow.
Waterways may be harmed by construction-related operations due to improper disposal of trash, silt runoff, and chemical spills. Sedimentation has the potential to damage water quality, destroy aquatic habitats, and upset aquatic ecosystems, all of which can hurt the environment and human health.
Due to vehicle activity, material processing, and mechanical operation, construction sites produce dust, particulate matter, and pollutants that are in the air. Poor air quality can lead to respiratory issues and other negative health effects, as well as be detrimental to the health of neighboring residents and workers.
By adopting ecologically friendly building materials, the strategy can minimize annual CO2 emissions by 250 metric tons, according to environmental group LEED. Furthermore, it is anticipated that 60% of construction projects will be green by 2018, and 70% of survey participants said that the "greatest benefit" of building green was lower running costs. These numbers corroborate the hypothesis that the number of green buildings is doubling every three years. The survey was conducted by Dodge Data & Analytics. According to the report, construction companies are under more pressure than ever to design sustainable and energy-efficient structures. Numerous studies have been conducted in this field because the EPA decided to focus on green construction programs. Together with the National Institute of Building Sciences, the two institutions created a green building construction guide. It provides guidelines for how construction companies can adhere to federal legislation while implementing green building ideas into their operations. They have also prompted several initiatives, some of which are listed here, to lessen the effects of buildings on the environment.
Buildings use 68% of the country's power, 12% of its water, 39% of its energy, and 38% of its carbon dioxide emissions. These numbers originate from US EPA data. Moreover, the typical American spends up to 90% of their time indoors, indicating a significant impact of the built environment on people's emotional state, level of productivity, and overall health.
High-performance buildings are examples of efficient resource consumption in their design, construction, refurbishment, and operation. Reducing the overall impact on public health and the environment is the main goal of the "green building" methodology.
For these reasons, high-performance buildings are sometimes called sustainable or green buildings.
The current study compares the planning, building, and commissioning phases of conventional versus environmentally friendly building projects. In addition to covering the benefits of sustainable construction, the study will be based on a comprehensive examination of the literature. Finally, some practical ideas for improving the project management system now in place for green buildings will be presented.
The following points should be considered concerning site selection:
To preserve natural ecosystems, encourage sustainable land use practices, and maintain ecosystem integrity, native soil must be protected during the construction of green buildings. Here are a few tactics to guarantee that native soil is protected:
Groundwater testing is a crucial component of developing green structures since it ensures that the project will not adversely influence nearby water supplies and that it will comply with environmental regulations.
A geotechnical report for green building construction should contain comprehensive information about the site's soil and geological characteristics to aid in the design, construction, and long-term performance of the project in an environmentally friendly manner.
Provide a general description of the site's topography, geology, and hydrology, highlighting any relevant geological characteristics, groundwater availability, soil types, and seismic risks.
Find out whether there are any environmental constraints or sensitivities that could affect site development or construction. Describe the methods used to collect geotechnical data during field investigations, including soil sampling, test pit excavations, borehole drilling, and in-situ testing. Keep track of the locations, depths, and procedures for each field study project.
Include recommendations for foundation design, soil classification, bearing capacity, slope stability, and settlement analysis together with the geotechnical study's results and interpretation. Ascertain whether the site is appropriate for a building and make a note of any geotechnical hazards or limitations that could require attention.
When building walls and foundations for green buildings, environmentally friendly building practices, energy-efficient design concepts, and sustainable building materials are integrated into the structure. Consider the following while constructing environmentally friendly foundations and walls:
Use high-performance thermal design for foundations and walls to reduce the amount of energy required for heating and cooling. Use double-wall construction, structural insulated panels (SIPs), or insulated concrete forms (ICFs) to lower thermal bridging and boost energy efficiency.
Choose sustainable, eco-friendly building materials such as fly ash, salvaged wood, recycled concrete, and locally mined stone. To lessen the building's carbon impact, consider employing sustainable materials for the walls, such as rammed earth, bamboo, or straw bales.
Choosing the appropriate structural materials is crucial for designing green buildings to achieve sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental responsibility. The following are a few instances of structural material types that are frequently utilized in the development of green buildings:
Traditional building materials can be replaced with sustainable alternatives like cross-laminated timber (CLT). It is made of several layers of timber planks fastened together at right angles. When containing carbon dioxide, it has remarkable strength, dimensional stability, and fire resistance.
Glulam, also known as glued laminated timber, is a type of massive structural element created by gluing individual planks of lumber together. They provide design freedom for a range of applications and are robust and lightweight.
Structural steel made from recycled materials is a sustainable choice for green building construction. Recycled steel retains its strength and durability, reduces the demand for virgin materials, and can be recycled again at the end of its life cycle.
Choosing the best material for the exterior finish of a green building depends on various factors such as sustainability, energy efficiency, durability, and aesthetics. Here are some materials commonly used for green building exteriors:
Reclaimed or certified timber are two examples of sustainably sourced wood that might be a great option. Its carbon impact is smaller than that of certain other materials, and it is renewable and biodegradable. Nonetheless, upkeep can be necessary to stop rotting or decomposition.
Fiber cement siding is a low-maintenance, long-lasting material composed of cellulose fibers, sand, and cement. In addition, it comes in a range of styles, some of which even emulate the appearance of wood.
Bricks last a long time, require little maintenance, and are durable. They offer superior thermal mass, which can save energy costs for heating and cooling and assist control interior temperature.
Natural stone siding is long-lasting and has a classic look. It requires little upkeep and can tolerate inclement weather. Using stone that is obtained locally can also cut down on emissions from transportation.
Aluminum or steel metal siding is low maintenance, long-lasting, and recyclable. It is both pest- and fire-resistant. To save money on cooling, metal siding can also be coated or pre-painted to reflect heat.
Water efficiency, longevity, and environmental sustainability should be given top priority when selecting plumbing materials for green buildings. The following supplies are frequently utilized for plumbing in green buildings.
Water consumption can be greatly decreased by installing water-efficient devices like low-flow showerheads, faucets, and toilets. Seek out fixtures that have earned certification from Water Sense or similar regional requirements.
Because PEX piping is flexible, strong, and resistant to freezing and corrosion, it is becoming more and more common in green building projects. In addition to being recyclable, it requires less energy to create than metal piping.
Thermoplastic CPVC pipe is renowned for its affordability, resilience to rust, and longevity. In homes and businesses, it's frequently utilized for hot and cold-water distribution systems.
To collect and store rainwater for non-potable needs like irrigation, toilet flushing, or cooling systems, rainwater harvesting systems can be incorporated into plumbing designs in green building projects. Pumps, filters, and storage tanks are frequently used in these systems.
For a green building, incorporating effective ventilation and natural heating and cooling systems is crucial to maximizing energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and occupant comfort. Here are some strategies commonly used in green buildings:
Design the building to take advantage of natural airflow patterns to provide ventilation and cooling. This can include strategically placed windows, operable skylights, and building orientation to capture prevailing winds.
Orient the building to optimize solar exposure and incorporate features such as large windows, thermal mass, and shading devices to maximize solar heat gain in winter and minimize it in summer.
Lighting plays a significant role in green building design by enhancing energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and overall sustainability. Here's how lighting should be planned and implemented for a green building:
Maximize the use of natural daylight by incorporating large windows, skylights, and light wells into the building design.
Orient building spaces optimize daylight penetration and minimize glare and solar heat gain.
Use daylight sensors and automated shading systems to regulate daylight levels and reduce the need for artificial lighting.
Choose energy-efficient lighting fixtures, such as LED (light-emitting diode) and CFL (compact fluorescent lamp) luminaires, to minimize energy consumption and operating costs.
Select fixtures with high efficacy ratings and long lifespans to reduce maintenance requirements and lifecycle costs.
Use lighting controls, such as occupancy sensors, dimmers, and timers, to adjust light levels based on occupancy, daylight availability, and time of day.
Fire protection within a structure is a system that relies on all its components. I have designed fire systems as per USA fire standards.
Providing sufficient pressure and flow rate to a water distribution piping system, to which fire sprinklers are attached, is the foundation of an active fire prevention system, known as a fire sprinkler system.
An in-depth examination of the aspects that contribute to a building's greenness is done in this section's discussion of its constituent parts. The categories established by LEED for Homes will be utilized in this thesis to establish consistency. The reason for this was that LEED for Homes is all-inclusive and addresses every facet of green building. This thesis uses the categories to approach and examine the components of a green building, without endorsing LEED for Homes above any other description or rating system.
Special design techniques, distinct regional credits, measurements not currently covered by the rating system, and exceptional performance levels are the main goals of LEED for Homes. Three methods are provided by the LEED for Homes to receive points for creativity and design. Promoting an integrated, system-oriented approach to the design and implementation of green projects is one way to achieve this. To maximize the development of the green project, project teams are advised. The following are some suggested tasks for the project team:
Placing homes with the greater community in a socially and environmentally responsible manner is the fundamental goal of LEED for Homes. In this LEED category for homes, points can be obtained in the following six areas:
The basic intent of LEED for Homes is to use the entire property to minimize the project’s impact on the site. There are six-point earning segments within LEED for Homes:
The basic intent of LEED for Homes is to provide water-efficient practices, both indoor and outdoor. There are three elements within this category where points can be earned:
The basic intent of LEED for Homes is to provide energy efficiency, particularly in the building envelope and heating and cooling design. There are eleven items for possible credit under the LEED for Homes:
The basic intent of LEED for Homes is efficient utilization of materials, selection of environmentally preferable materials, and minimization of waste during construction. LEED for Homes has three areas in which points can be earned:
The basic intent of LEED for Homes is the improvement of indoor air quality by reducing the creation of and exposure to pollutants. There are ten areas where points can be earned in the LEED for Homes rating system:
The basic intent of awareness and education is to provide education for homeowners, tenants, and/or building occupants. The basic requirement of this category is to maintain the performance of the home by educating the occupants about the operations and maintenance of the home’s features and equipment. There are no requirements under LEED for New Construction about awareness and education.
The integration of all these measures and suggestions can be used to create a checklist that can enable a builder or an organization to follow all possible implementations during each phase of the construction of a structure. The checklist allows a builder to identify the necessary steps to be implemented periodically as each phase of construction progresses and apply the suggestions as the work moves ahead.
These kinds of checklists have been created by various nonprofit organizations like LEED and Build Green in the United States where they certify a house to be a green building only after a builder incorporated all the features in a home. Each feature is assigned points and after accumulating a minimum number of points, the building can be credited.
The global shift towards zero-energy construction has made sustainability a crucial factor for building practitioners, legislators, and the industry at large. The influence of embodied energy and greenhouse gas emissions becomes significant when buildings achieve net zero energy use. Different materials and construction techniques can be used to build a zero-energy home, each of which will have a unique cumulative carbon footprint. Products made of wood may have extremely little or no carbon footprint. Thus, the best approach to maximize resource use and minimize the environmental impact of human activity is to employ wood, the most significant renewable resource, in every facet of human existence. Using wood goods often has a smaller overall environmental impact due to reduced emissions.
By implementing the proactive actions and suggestions outlined in the preceding pages, an individual or organization can develop a structure that incorporates all feasible measures to construct a sustainable building, which is why it is called a "green building."
With the help of this project, a user can collect and assimilate all the information needed to design a green building's structure, transform an existing building into a green building in most senses, and apply it appropriately.
All these steps add up to the ability to develop a green building that uses less energy and has a lower life cycle cost, improves the quality of life for its occupants, uses less water and natural resources, and produces less pollution for the environment. To raise awareness among the public and encourage an increasing number of people to contribute to the field of green building, contractors, builders, and consultants must understand the concept of green building.
[1] “How does Construction Impact the Environment.”
https://gocontractor.com/blog/how-does-construction-impact-the-environment/
[2] “Construction’s Impact on the Environment”
https://sourceable.net/constructions-impact-on-the-environment/
[3] “LEED rating system”
[4] “LEED Rating Level Requirements”
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/oec/green-building/green-building-basics.page
[5] “Corporate Social Responsibility for Sustainable Service-Dominant Logic”
http://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:838487/FULLTEXT02
[6] “Sustainable Project Management for Green Construction: Challenges, Impact and Solutions”
https://www.irbnet.de/daten/iconda/CIB_DC25123.pdf
[7] “Integrated Study of Measures & Techniques in Green Building Construction”
[8] “Fire-Protection Design System”
https://www.buildings.com/article-details/articleid/3157/title/fire-protection-system-design
[9] “Sehgal Foundation, Green Building”
http://www.smsfoundation.org/green-building
[10] “Project Management Overview”
https://opentextbc.ca/projectmanagement/chapter/chapter-2-what-is-a-project-project-management/
[11] “Integrated Construction Process for Green Building”
Published on 24/04/24
Submitted on 16/04/24
Volume 6, 2024
Licence: CC BY-NC-SA license