Concept Of Sustainable Construction Research Articles

Application of Experimental Studies of Humidity and Temperature in the Time Domain to Determine the Physical Characteristics of a Perlite Concrete Partition

These days, the use of natural materials is required for sustainable and consequently plus-, zero- and low-energy construction. One of the main objectives of this research was to demonstrate that pelite concrete block masonry can be a structural and thermal insulation material. In order to determine the actual thermal insulation parameters of the building partition, in situ experimental research was carried out in real conditions, taking into account the temperature distribution at different heights of the partition. Empirical measurements were made at five designated heights of the partition with temperature and humidity parameters varying over time. The described experiment was intended to verify the technical parameters of perlite concrete in terms of its thermal insulation properties as a construction material used for vertical partitions. It was shown on the basis of the results obtained that the masonry made of perlite concrete blocks with dimensions of 24 × 24.5 × 37.5 cm laid on the mounting foam can be treated as a building element that meets both the structural and thermal insulation requirements of vertical single-layer partitions. However, it is important for the material to work in a dry environment, since, as shown, a wet perlite block has twice the thermal conductivity coefficient. The results of the measurements were confirmed, for they were known from the physics of buildings, the general principles of the formation of heat and the moisture flow in the analysed masonry of a perlite block. Illustrating this regularity is shown from the course of temperature and moisture in the walls. The proposed new building material is an alternative to walls with a layer of thermal insulation made of materials such as polystyrene or wool and fits into the concept of sustainable construction, acting against climate change, reducing building operating costs, improving living and working conditions as well as fulfilling international obligations regarding environmental goals.

Mineral powder based on basalt insulation waste for asphalt concrete

The article discusses the composition and production technology of mineral powder using waste basalt insulation. This study aims to confirm the hypothesis about the possibility of using basalt waste in the production of mineral powder with technical parameters corresponding to approved standards for the production of asphalt concrete. For definition of qualitative indicators of the received product in comparison with the control sample the researches of the basic indicators of mineral powder according to operating norms are given. Such indicators as grain composition of mineral powder, porosity and density were determined, indicating a more dense structure of the developed composition: the content of particles finer than 0.125 mm – 91.4 %, finer than 0.063 mm – 82.2 % with porosity index 28.1 % and true density 2.49 g/cm3. It was found that the mineral powder from waste basalt mineral slabs has a uniform and balanced grain distribution. At moisture content of samples less than 0.1 % by weight the bitumen capacity index of the tested mineral powder sample in comparison with the control sample showed better value by 2 g, at the same time the degree of swelling of samples from the mixture of powder and bitumen showed better result by 0.1 %. The obtained results indicate that the mineral powder on the basis of waste is able to hold bitumen well on its surface, which contributes to the improvement of adhesion between bitumen and mineral particles. The lower degree of swelling characterizes the increased water resistance and frost resistance of asphalt concrete with the use of this mineral powder. Considering that basalt mineral slabs are waste, their use in the production of mineral powder for asphalt concrete fits into the concept of sustainable construction and can contribute to waste reduction and environmental sustainability of the construction process.

A Comprehensive BIM Platform Development Based on Sustainable Construction Concept

In recent times, sustainable development has been recognized as a pressing need for the construction industry. It involves balancing economic, environmental, and social factors to promote healthy and stable growth while regulating industry behavior. Building Information Modelling (BIM) has emerged as a revolutionary tool for the industry, primarily focusing on economic and environmental aspects of sustainability. However, the social aspect of sustainability, encompassing the well-being and safety of construction personnel, has not received enough attention. Strengthening attention and reform of social factors in the industry is crucial for promoting the sound development of the construction industry. This study proposes a comprehensive BIM platform based on sustainable construction that takes into account environmental, economic, and social factors. By integrating social factors into BIM, we can promote a culture of safety, improve working conditions, and enhance the quality of life for construction personnel. This will not only benefit workers but also lead to better project outcomes, increased efficiency, and long-term sustainability for the construction industry as a whole.

Exploring the importance of sustainability in the construction industry

This article focuses on sustainable development in the construction industry and analyses the environmental, economic and social impacts of sustainable construction. The environmental aspects mainly include energy consumption and new energy use, garbage recycling. Sustainable construction also has a mitigating effect on some problems in urban development, such as the heat island effect. In terms of economy, sustainable construction can improve the economic efficiency of the construction industry and drive the comprehensive development of all aspects of the construction industry. On the social side, sustainable architecture reduces the pressure on the city and contributes to the long-term stability of society. Through multi-faceted assessments and analysis from different perspectives, the importance of sustainability for the current and future construction industry is illustrated. Nowadays, high energy consumption and high pollution in the building industry are harmful to humans. In order to change the status quo and meet the requirements of development, it is necessary to integrate the concept of sustainable construction into the design, construction, and energy consumption of construction in the future. The article also makes recommendations on how sustainable buildings can be well-known or recognized in the future and contribute to the sustainability of the future construction industry.

Assessing and Predicting Geogrid Reduction Factors after Damage Induced by Dropping Recycled Aggregates

To fulfill the modern concept of sustainable construction, the civil engineering community has shown increased interest in alternative options to replace natural backfills for engineering purposes. Since Recycled Construction and Demolition Waste (RCDW) has proven to be attractive in environmental, economic, and technical aspects, its behavior should be assessed considering its interaction with other construction materials, such as geosynthetics. Bearing in mind that the backfill affects the durability of geosynthetic materials, this study aims to assess the damage caused to geogrids by RCDW dropped by transportation (dump) trucks. Moreover, this study aimed to obtain an equation to predict the reduction factor caused by the backfill drop process. In an experimental facility, six RCDW materials (with different grain size distributions) were dropped (using a backhoe loader) from 1.0 m and 2.0 m heights over three distinct geogrids; the geogrid samples were exhumed and then tested under tensile loading. The results provided a database subjected to machine learning (Artificial Neural Network—ANN) to predict the reduction factor caused by the induced damage. The results demonstrate that the increase in drop height or potential energy cannot be directly associated with the damage. However, the damage increases as the maximum grain size of uniform gradation backfill increases, which is different from the results obtained from the fall of continuous gradation backfill. Moreover, since ANNs do not have any of the traditional constraints that multiple linear regression has, this method is an attractive solution to predict the geosynthetic reduction factors, providing relative errors lower than 8% compared to the experimental investigation reported in the study.

A historical review of sustainable construction in Nigeria: a decade of development and progression

PurposeResearch studies related to sustainability and green building have made monumental contributions to the concept of sustainable construction (SC) in Nigeria. This paper therefore aims to present a historical review of the development of SC in Nigeria over a 10 year period. The review also provides constructive perspective on the benefits of SC and the present state of enforcement of green building in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachA historical review strategy was applied to the study. Using secondary data sources, 47 influential journals from emerald, scopus and science direct database focusing on “SC”, “sustainability” and “green building” in Nigeria between 2012 and 2022 were used for the analysis.Findings The analysis deduced that the development of SC in Nigeria have undergone a triple period of development: the inception period (2012–2016), the transition period (2016–2020) and the advancement period (2020–present). The review juxtaposes the three timeline to show rapid growth in the awareness of SC, but revealed moderate levels of implementation in some major cities in Nigeria. Therefore, the author finds and argues that the advancement of SC in Nigeria can be achieved through the synergy, commitment and active roles of researchers, academics, practitioners, policy makers and the government in enforcing existing green policies.Originality/value The study is the first academic paper to undertake a decade long historical review of SC in Nigeria. This review provides an up-to-date understanding of the developments, changing dynamics and future progressions in the field of SC in Nigeria.

Modeling the Effect of Overcoming the Barriers to Passive Design Implementation on Project Sustainability Building Success: A Structural Equation Modeling Perspective

To maximize profits without sacrificing quality, the concept of sustainable construction must be adopted across a project’s whole lifespan. Although adopting the idea of passive design in developing countries is incomplete, these studies have focused on the reasons for doing so. In contrast, there is limited evidence to completely analyze the influence of integrating passive design on the project sustainable success (PSS) of projects throughout their existence. This study focuses on the hurdles to passive design adoption in Pakistani building projects. It evaluates the impact of overcoming passive design (PD) adoption barriers on project sustainability success (PSS) during the duration of the project. Therefore, a more comprehensive literature assessment is required for conceptual model construction. Using a survey assessment instrument, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was constructed (i.e., a questionnaire). A total of 156 construction experts in Pakistan provided information. The result of the model demonstrated that the elimination of PD implementation obstacles had a moderate to high impact on PSS throughout the building structure’s lifetime. These results provide the foundation for legislation in a number of Asian nations about the efficient completion of projects via the removal of obstacles for the use of passive design. Similarly, the adoption of passive design will increase the success of the construction project.

Process of adapting international concepts of sustainable construction in Russia

This article discusses the process of adapting international concepts of sustainable construction in Russia. A review of green standards and an ecological approach to design within the framework of the Russian construction industry has been made. A comparative analysis of Russian and foreign software was made using the example of Renga, ModelStudioCS and Revit in the context of solving problems of sustainable design. The initial experimental stage of adaptation of ecological construction in Russia was identified and the relationship between legal documents, regional conditions for the use of green solutions in construction and the capabilities of Russian software systems was given. A comparative analysis showed the low readiness of Russian computer-aided design programs to solve specific problems of analyzing the energy efficiency of buildings, lighting, acoustics and construction waste.

Risk assessment and optimization of supporting structure for a new recyclable pipe jacking shaft during excavation process

Pipe jacking shaft is an important part of pipe jacking construction, its support structure can support the soil around the pipe jacking shaft to prevent soil destabilization and collapse and ensure construction safety. Most of the existing support structures of pipe jacking shafts are made of cement materials, which have the advantages of high bearing capacity, good integrity and easy access to materials, but also have inherent disadvantages such as high construction cost, long construction period, difficulty in dismantling, and inability to reuse demolition waste, which are not conducive to the sustainable construction. Based on the concept of sustainable construction, this paper proposes a reusable support structure for pipe jacking shafts, which is made of H-shape steel, steel plate and water stop by welding or bolting assembly, easy to install and disassemble, and can be recycled and reused. In order to verify the bearing performance of the new support structure and evaluate the risk of destabilization during excavation, finite element numerical simulation and full-scale test were carried out, and gives the safety design parameters of new supporting structures by using orthogonal tests. The results show that the finite element numerical simulation results are basically consistent with the full-scale test results, further proving that the numerical simulation results can be used to guide the design and construction feasibility of the support structure during the excavation of the pipe jacking shaft. The construction machinery has a great effect on the safety and stability of the support structure during excavation, and the distance between the construction machinery and the pipe jacking shaft should be reasonably controlled to avoid the risk of structural instability. The results of the sensitivity analysis show that the steel type of the support structure and the spacing of the piles are the two most important factors, which play a key role in the safety and stability of the support structure and should be highly noted in the design and calculation process.

A Hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision Support System for Selecting the Most Sustainable Structural Material for a Multistory Building Construction

In recent years, the performance of the construction industry has highlighted the increased need for better resource efficiency, improved productivity, less waste, and increased value through sustainable construction practices. The core concept of sustainable construction is to maximize value and minimize harm by achieving a balance between social, economic, technical, and environmental aspects, commonly known as the pillars of sustainability. The decision regarding which structural material to select for any construction project is traditionally made based on technical and economic considerations with little or no attention paid to social and environmental aspects. Furthermore, the majority of the available literature on the subject considered three sustainability pillars (i.e., environmental, social, and economic), ignoring the influence of technical aspects for overall sustainability assessment. Industry experts have also noted an unfulfilled need for a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) technique that can integrate all stakeholders’ (project owner, designer, and constructor) opinions into the selection process. Hence, this research developed a decision support system (DSS) involving MCDM techniques to aid in selecting the most sustainable structural material, considering the four pillars of sustainability in the integrated project delivery (IPD) framework. A hybrid MCDM method combining AHP, TOPSIS, and VIKOR in a fuzzy environment was used to develop the DSS. A hypothetical eight-story building was considered for a case study to validate the developed DSS. The result shows that user preferences highly govern the final ranking of the alternative options of structural materials. Timber was chosen as the most sustainable option once the stakeholders assigned balanced importance to all factors of sustainable construction practices. The developed DSS was designed to be generic, can be used by any group of industry practitioners, and is expected to enhance objectivity and consistency of the decision-making process as a step towards achieving sustainable construction.

Reduction of conflictivity as a prerequisite for sustainable construction

The transformation of project management approaches and business processes organization in crisis conditions requires rethinking and supplementing the concept of sustainable construction in terms of the socio-economic component, taking into account an important feature of the investment and construction sector - huge number of disputes and contradictions, the effective resolution of which depends on the successful implementation of projects. The article suggests such an indicator as the degree of conflicts (conflictivity), which should supplement the sustainability indicators, and can be measured on the basis of the following factors: the dynamics of the number of economic disputes, the amount of conciliation agreements concluded at the stage of litigation, the result of consideration of insolvency (bankruptcy) cases, the number of terminated government contracts, business participation in the implementation of major projects, the degree of alternative dispute resolution popularity.

Sustainable Retaining Structure Incorporating Recycled Concrete Aggregate

Recycled concrete aggregate, that are easily found from destruction waste materials, has been used in the construction industry as an alternative for coarse aggregate component in concrete or as backfilling material in retaining structure. This paper presents the results of study on the use of the recycled concrete aggregate in the design of a newly developed sustainable retaining wall i.e., Geobarrier system (GBS). The GBS system was developed based on capillary barrier to limit water infiltration into the backfill soil while vegetative cover is used as provisions of the sustainable construction concept. Two types of concrete aggregate are used as components of capillary barrier i.e., fine and coarse aggregate. Laboratory test result shows the recycled concrete has similar mechanical and hydraulic properties as the natural aggregate; thus, can be used as alternative material. Stability and deformation analyses were carried out for 4 m high wall with 70o inclination. Results indicate that the retaining wall meet the requirement of the code of practice according to Eurocode 7 in terms of Factor of safety. Deformation analysis shows that the maximum deformation was only 4.5 mm at the bottom of the GBS wall.

Residents and Professionals’ Perspectives on Energy and Water Consumption While Transiting from Conventional to Sustainable Housings in South Africa

The concept of sustainable construction is, unfortunately, not implemented in many developing countries, and even where it is, e.g., South Africa, the uptake is still slow. In the present study, we evaluate, based on residents and professionals’ perspectives, the sustainability measures implemented at the Belhar Gardens Rental Estate (BGRE), a sustainable housing rated for its Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Data were collected through questionnaires administered to experienced professionals (n = 19) and residents (n = 106) of BGRE and analysed using descriptive statistics and a modelling approach. We found that 95% of professionals were aware of the concept of sustainable construction, and 74% were aware of the National Building Act 103 of 1977. However, some barriers to sustainable construction were raised: (i) it is expensive and (ii) there is a limited knowledge of how the sustainability concept can benefit the construction industry. Ecological design and procurement are the solutions proposed by professionals to mainstream sustainable construction in South Africa. Finally, 63% of the professionals indicated that the centralized heat pumps installed in BGRE lead to efficient energy use. Surprisingly, only 61% of residents are aware that energy-saving measures are implemented in BGRE, and only 40% of the residents agree that the energy-saving measures implemented are efficient. Interestingly, 65% of residents indicated that energy consumption in BGRE is less than what they consumed in conventional housings. Finally, none of the variables tested (age, gender and residence time) correlate with residents’ satisfaction with sustainability measures in BGRE, making it difficult to predict what drives people’s satisfaction in an EDGE-rated housing. By identifying the barriers and benefits of sustainable construction, we provide opportunities on which to press to improve the awareness, mainstreaming and uptake of the sustainable construction approach in South Africa.

Risks of Implementing Sustainable Construction Practices in the Nigerian Building Industry

This study assessed the risks level associated with implementation of sustainable construction practices through a questionnaire survey distributed to 256 building professionals in Nigeria. It identified 47 risk factors with different likelihood of occurrence and magnitude of impacts. A quantitative risk analysis result based on mean value method and risk prioritisation number showed that the three top-ranked risk factors with highest likelihood of occurrence were unavailability of sustainable materials and equipment, more complex and unfamiliar construction techniques and processes, and high initial sustainable construction costs; whereas the three top-ranked risk factors with highest magnitude of impacts were high initial sustainable construction costs, poor and inefficient communication among project participants, and high cost of sustainable materials and equipment. The criticality index result identified 23 critical risk factors which mostly related to knowledge and awareness, cost, regulatory framework, building materials and socioeconomic issues. However, the Wilcoxon Signed-rank test result indicated that there is significant difference (z = -3.207, p<0.001) between the likelihood of occurrence and magnitude of impacts of the risks factors associated with implementation of sustainable construction practices in Nigeria of which the effect was moderate (r = 0.468). Furthermore, the study revealed that there is no significance difference in the risk level of the risk factors associated with implementation of sustainable construction practices based on the respondents’ roles (p>0.05). The study, therefore, recommended for training of construction practitioners in the multi-risk management approaches and increasing awareness through education on sustainable construction concept for building industry stakeholders. It further recommended for developing of new sustainable and affordable building materials through research institutes like Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) with appropriate regulatory and policy frameworks for successful sustainable building projects.

Systematic key performance indicators for measuring modular integrated construction

Modular integrated construction (MiC) has been introduced in building construction for achieving sustainable development. As MiC disruptively transforms the construction process compared with conventional construction, it is imperative to systematically understand its performance, which, however, has not been sufficiently reported in previous literature. Therefore, this paper aims to develop a new framework of key performance indicators (KPIs) for project stakeholders to comprehensively measure and effectively benchmark the performance of MiC projects. This framework is developed based on the concept of sustainable construction that covers social, environmental and economic aspects. Through a comprehensive literature review, expert interviews and a focus group meeting, 32 KPIs are established in the three sustainability aspects. An eight-step process is suggested for project stakeholders to adopt these KPIs to measure MiC performance in three tiers – that is, overall building, off-site and on-site works and modular works. A case study is then presented, which demonstrates that the framework is effective in measuring the sustainability of MiC and applicable for comparing MiC with conventional practices. The framework fills the knowledge gap of performance measurement on modular building construction and contributes a methodological foundation for the future quantitative benchmarking of MiC sustainability.

Circularity in the New Gravity—Re-Thinking Vernacular Architecture and Circularity

The mounting climate change crisis and the rapid urbanization of cities have pressured many practitioners, policymakers, and even private investors to develop new policies, processes, and methods for achieving more sustainable construction methods. Buildings are considered to be among the main contributors to harmful environmental impacts, resource consumption, and waste generation. The concept of a circular economy (CE), also referred to as “circularity”, has gained a great deal of popularity in recent years. CE, in the context of the building industry, is based on the concept of sustainable construction, which calls for reducing negative environmental impacts while providing a healthier indoor environment and closing material loops. Both vernacular architecture design strategies and circular economy principles share many of the same core concepts. This paper aims at investigating circular economy principles in relation to vernacular architecture principles in the built environment. The study demonstrates how circular principles can be achieved through the use of vernacular construction techniques and using local building materials. This paper will focus on Egypt as one of the oldest civilizations in the world, with a wide vernacular heritage, exploring how circularity is rooted in old vernacular settlements and how it can inspire contemporary circular practices.

A Methodological Framework for Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment of Construction Projects Incorporating TBL and Decoupling Principles

The triple bottom line (TBL) principle encompasses the idea of continued economic and social well-being with minimal or reduced environmental pressure. However, in construction projects, the integration of social, economic, and environmental dimensions from the TBL perspective remains challenging. Green building rating tools/schemes, such as Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA), Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED), Building Research Establishment Environment Assessment (BREEAM), and their criteria, which serve as a yardstick in ensuring sustainability based practices and outcomes, are also left wanting. These green building rating tools/schemes not only fail to comprehensively evaluate the three dimensions (social, economic, and environment) and interaction therewith, but also lack in capturing a life cycle approach towards sustainability. Therefore, this study intends to address the aforementioned challenges. The first part of this study presents the concept of sustainable construction as a system of well-being decoupling and impact decoupling. Findings in the first part of this study provide a rationale for developing a methodological framework that not only encapsulates a TBL based life cycle approach to sustainability assessment in construction, but also evaluates interactions among social and economic well-being, and environmental pressure. In methodological framework development, two decoupling indices were developed, namely, the phase well-being decoupling index (PWBDIK) and phase impact decoupling index (PIDIK). PWBDIK and PIDIK support the evaluation of interdependence among social and economic well-being, and the environmental pressure associated with construction projects in different life cycle phases. The calculation underpinning the proposed framework was illustrated using three hypothetical cases by adopting criteria from GRIHA Precertification and GRIHA v.2019 schemes. The results of these cases depict how the interactions among different dimensions (social, economic, and environment) vary as they move from one phase to another phase in a life cycle. The methodological framework developed in this study can be tailored to suit the sustainability assessment requirements for different phases and typologies of construction in the future.

Study on Mechanical Properties of Foamed Concrete Incorporating Palm Oil Fuel Ash and Mussel Shell as Partial Cement Replacement

Concept of sustainable construction has gradually become one of the concern issues in our construction industry in recent years. Concrete which acts as an important construction material has contributed to excessive consumption of natural resources. Simultaneously, tonnes of waste materials were produced from agricultural activity in form of palm oil fuel ash (POFA) while mussel shell from marine hatchery. Utilization of agricultural waste as cement replacement is an option to reduce the environmental impact from the construction industry. In this study, these waste materials were used as partial cement replacement to produce foamed concrete in wet density of 1800 kg/m3. The main purpose of this research is to study the workability and mechanical properties of foamed concrete which contain uniform 20% of POFA combined with 5% to 10% of mussel shell powder (MSP) and mussel shell ash (MSA) respectively. The cube specimens were cast in dimension 100 mm x 100 mm x100 mm to test the compressive strength at 7th and 28th. The cylinder specimens were cast in 100 mm diameter x 200 mm diameter for split tensile test to determine the tensile strength and compression test to determine modulus of elasticity at 28th day. The result showed workability of foamed concrete decreased as more cement was replaced by POFA combined with MSP and MSA. Foamed concrete mixture with 20% POFA and 5% MSP was selected as optimum percentage of cement replacement due to reduction less than 5% compromised performance in compressive strength at 16.52MPa while tensile strength at 1.83MPa.

Compressive Strength of Mortar Containing Cockle Shell Waste as Mixing Ingredient

Undesirable pollution issue posed by disposal of shells from cockle trade and greenhouse gases release by cement industry requires solution. In view of cleaner environment, reducing waste dumped could be achieved through utilization of shell waste in cement production. In line with sustainable construction concept, production of construction material that contains lesser natural resources and combined with existing solid waste is more environmentally friendly. In relation to that, transforming the cockle shell waste into a value-added item such as partial cement replacement in construction material would reduce waste disposed to the environment. An experimental work was carried out to investigate the effect of cockle shell powder as a material for partial cement replacement on compressive strength and water absorption of mortar. Powdered cockle shell of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% were integrated as partial cement replacement. Air curing method were used for all specimens. Specimen were subjected to compressive strength and water absorption test. The finding shows that incorporation of 10% cockle shell powder enhances compressive strength of mortar and reduces the percentage of water absorbed.

Factors Influencing Clients’ Commitment to Sustainable Construction Practices

The success of every construction projects largely depends on the level of commitment of the clients. This study examined the factors influencing the level of clients’ commitment to sustainable construction practices in Nigeria. A questionnaire survey was use to collect data from the public and private construction clients on the level of influence of 16 factors extracted from the literature. A total of 182 valid questionnaires were used for analysis. The result revealed that nine factors with weighted average (W) 0.8≤W≤1 have a high level of influence, whereas seven factors with 0.6≤W≤0.8 have a high-medium level of influence on the clients’ commitment. However, the five most influential factors were: client knowledge and awareness, Cost implication and mechanism of financial involvement, economic value and return on investment, end-user/client perception and preference, and health and safety implications. The result further revealed that there is significant difference on how these factors influence the level of commitment of sustainable construction practices of the public and private clients. The study suggested that the disparity was due to the differences in the level of knowledge, awareness, involvement and commitment of the public and private clients to sustainable construction concept. Hence, it is important to optimize the level of knowledge and awareness of the clients, about the cost, benefits/profits, and health and safety implications of sustainable construction practices so as to promote the level of client’s commitment to sustainable construction practices. It recommended for adequate client involvement throughout the sustainable construction life cycle and a sustained awareness campaign, championed by relevant government agencies and professional organizations through different public programs so as to increase the clients’ commitment and desirability to demand for more sustainable construction projects.