Understanding the Use of Timber in Semi-Arid Regions: Kurdistan Region of Iraq, a Case Study

Mohanad Yaseen Abdulwahid,Isaac Galobardes,Hassan Radoine

doi:10.3390/su132111845

Mohanad Yaseen Abdulwahid, Isaac Galobardes + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/su132111845

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Abstract

The use of timber in the building industry has expanded in many countries over the last 20 years due mainly to its light weight, low adverse impact to the environment, and fair mechanical properties. Despite the development of the construction industry in the Kurdistan Region in Iraq (KRI) in recent years, timber product utilization is still very limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of further utilizing timber-based products in the building industry in semi-arid regions using the KRI as a case study. A review of timber product utilization in the region was conducted first and the general properties of timber products were followed. Based on this, a survey focusing on the current situation and suitability of localized grown timber products was carried out to study the feasibility. This article concludes that the use of timber-based products in the KRI presents different barriers, with the availability in the market and technicality of construction with the material being the strongest ones. The article recommends that it is imperative to further research how to promote timber’s utilization in the KRI to be in line with sustainable development.

Highlights

(KRI) in recent years, timber product utilization is still very limited
It was important to learn what the main characteristics are that the respondent consider essential during the selection of a construction material in order to make proposals
Notice that from the structural timber used in the region, 72.66% was imported, highlighting the problem of the lack of timber in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). Even though this is regarded as a big issue, as seen in Table 1, the results shown in Figure 5 present a determination to use timber in future designs in order to fulfil the international sustainability objectives

Summary

Introduction

(KRI) in recent years, timber product utilization is still very limited. the purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of further utilizing timber-based products in the building industry in semi-arid regions using the KRI as a case study. Since the construction industry is responsible of 40% of global GHG emissions, achieving these goals and targets results in an immense challenge, making this sector one of the major players that must lead the changes in our society to attain sustainable development [1]. Considering the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), six cement factories produce about 38,630 tons of cement each day, which is equivalent to 14 Mt per year, approximately [4]. These numbers do not represent a big global amount; in many other developing countries and/or regions, concrete is the main construction material used for new construction [5]. This demand estimates 130 billion m2 of additional housing, leading to an enormous material need [6]

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