Transcript Slide 1

SustainableEngineering@Edinburgh
Group 21: Sustainable Building Materials
By: Lynda Angus (0452459); David Duffy (0788618); Leanne Fitzgerald (0788584);
IMS3 Sustainability Module, March 2008
The world is developing at a very rapid pace,
with the construction industry contributing
heavily to the pollution of the planet. The
construction and operation of buildings in the
UK accounts for 50% of the nation’s CO2
emissions, which has had a massive impact
on the environment. One of the ways the
building industry has tried to reduce its
negative impact on the planet is by using
sustainable building materials, which not only
has environmental benefits, but also
economic and social benefits.
Key Aspects of the Problem & Benefits to
Sustainable Building Materials
The Challenge: to provide affordable, safe,
functional buildings whilst minimising the
impact of their design, construction,
renovation, re-use and demolition on the
natural environment.
The Problem: changing the public’s attitude
towards building using sustainable materials
and making them aware of the benefits, and
making the industry change old habits and
switch to using greener building materials.
“Humanity has the ability to make
development sustainable - to ensure
that it meets the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own
needs” Brundtland Report
Conclusion
• Choosing, using, re-using and recycling materials
during design, manufacture, construction and
maintenance
• Stronger and more efficient implementation of
government policies
• Education on the benefits of greener housing
• Use local materials/workforce/energy to reduce
transport
• Use more low energy/energy saving materials
Potential Sustainable Solutions
Key factors in choice of sustainable materials:
1. Embodied energy going into production
2. Pollution caused in manufacturing
3. Easily recycled
4. Durability
5. Material efficiency
What the Government Says:
• Government focus on sustainable construction
and buildings: CAN’T BE IGNORED
• Significant changes to legislation to ensure wide
adoption in construction industry
• Changes to building regulations, planning and
requirements for BREEM standards on
government owned development
• Sustainability strategy includes “use of natural
resources PRUDENTLY”
Socially:
• Landlords demanding lower energy costs from using
“GREENER” materials
•Improved air quality leading to better working and
living environment
• Improved company image from using sustainable materials
Economically:
• Large operational savings
• Increase in employee productivity by improving working
conditions
• Lower material and landfill dumping costs by reuse and recycle
3 possible Sustainable Material Solutions:
Timber
• Naturally renewable
• Locks up C02 from
atmosphere for the life
of the building
• Retains energy within structure due
to its thermal efficiency
• Easily recycled
• Local sourcing means pollution due
to transportation can easily be
reduced`
Roofing Materials
• Wide range of options
• Timber shingles & shakes
(sourced within the country,
is reusable and recyclable)
• Natural Slate (durable, easy
to use)
• Also steel coverings and
clay, concrete & fibre cement
tiles. Not as sustainable
Low Emissivity Glass
• Low E Glass has a special
metal coating on one side of the
glass
•Insulting Glass- Increases
energy efficiency by reducing
transfer of heat or cold
•Can be used in single glazing
applications
• Utilizes passive solar heat gain
References
•www.doubleglazing.com/lo
w_e_glass
•www.greenspec.co.uk/html
/materials/pitchedroofs
•www.woodforgood.com
•Institute of Structural
Engineers (1999) Building
for a sustainable future:
Construction without
depletion. SETO, London