Green Building Codes Research Articles

Managing Green and Sustainable Technologies: Climate-Informed Corrosion Prediction for Steel Structures

The unpredictability of atmospheric circumstances is one of the major elements that contribute to the capability to anticipate the corrosion growth in metal structures over time accurately. Climate shifts can potentially modify the long-term attributes of these factors throughout the operational life of metal structures, both those currently in existence and those newly developed. The impact of climate irregularity on the probabilistic nature of atmospheric variables, which significantly impact corrosion situations, can add intricacy to corrosion predictions in these constructions. This project presents an incorporated framework to quantify the impact of climate alteration on the corrosion rates of steel structures in Jordan. It considers the changes in environmental conditions, specifically temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed, and their impacts on atmospheric corrosion. Global Climate Models are employed to assess the long-term effects of climate transformation on these environmental circumstances. An analytical model for anticipating corrosion rate is integrated with climate transformation models to predict modifications in the corrosion rates of steel parts relative to historical situations. This project also examines the impact of climate transformation on the fluctuations of these climatic parameters and offers a contrast between historical data and projected conditions across the country. The findings indicate a significant increase in corrosion rates across Jordan, which calls for localized green building codes and standards to ensure that future infrastructure is sustainable and capable of withstanding the new climatic norms. This approach addresses the immediate challenges posed by climate change and contributes to the broader goals of sustainable urban development and managing green technology adoption in Jordan. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2024-010-08-016 Full Text: PDF

Towards More Green Buildings in Tanzania: Knowledge of Stakeholders on Green Building Design Features, Triggers and Pathways for Uptake

Green Building Practices (GBPs) are gaining prominence in many countries around the world. However, in many developing countries, Tanzania inclusive, little progress has been made in achieving its implementation. The current study sought to examine the factors attributable to low uptake, focusing on an appraisal of the stakeholders’ knowledge of GB design features, triggers, and the pathways for uptake. The study was conducted in Dar es Salaam City in Tanzania, involving different stakeholders sampled from the construction industry, including architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, and property managers. Valid data were collected through 412 questionnaires. The study revealed a general consensus among the respondents that GBs are environmentally friendly and cost effective. However, it appeared that the ranking score of GB design features according to the respondents did not correlate with their ranking in existing GB rating systems. It was concluded that there exist misconceptions among the constructions industry stakeholders regarding what green building practices entail and the essential requirements for their implementation. Therefore, the study recommends pragmatic educational trainings to stakeholders in the construction sector of Tanzania on GBPs. Mandatory legislation of green building codes and regulations is also suggested as a potential pathway for enhancing GB practices in Tanzania.

Sustainable Built Environments: Building Information Modeling, Biomaterials, and Regenerative Practices in Mexico

This article explores how the construction sector can significantly contribute to minimizing its environmental impact through reuse and recycling practices, in rehabilitation or new construction projects. This research focuses on implementing BIM methodology alongside biomaterials, 3D modeling, and digitization in compliance with the Green Building Code. Two case studies located in Jalisco and Querétaro (Mexico) are examined through a comparative analysis. The simulations are carried out in different geographical areas with two construction systems that allow us to see the output similarities. The results show the clear advantages of biomaterials over traditional materials such as concrete. The construction materials are shown to determine their operational energy consumption. From an economic point of view, this study supports data regarding lower energy costs, and a significant reduction in CO2 emissions is observed. In conclusion, both the models and simulations, along with the Toolkit, highlight the benefits of biomaterials over conventional industrial materials.

Sustainable Parking Facility with Green Building Standards

This research focuses on designing a three-storey parking facility that adheres to the standards outlined in the Green Building Code. The aim of this project is to address the escalating issue of inadequate parking space within the City Hall Compound. Positioned behind the City Health Building, the parking facility is strategically located within the confines of the City Hall Compound. Numerous considerations come into play when devising the research design. These factors encompass the assessment of the construction site's condition, as well as elements such as the project's scope of work and cost analysis. These components collectively formulate a budgetary framework and construction timeline. In the process of developing this project, data pertaining to the land area and the volume of vehicles were amassed. These statistics played a pivotal role in the strategic planning and architectural design of the parking facility. The project's viability and accomplishment were subsequently evaluated. Upon analyzing the outcomes, the researchers determined that the parking facility effectively aligns with the principles of the Green Building Code, highlighting its commitment to sustainable materials and indoor environmental quality. Furthermore, owing to its capacity, the three-storey parking facility aptly addresses the parking space scarcity issue at the City Hall Compound.

Creating a Blueprint for a Tri-Level SSCT International Residence

The Surigao State College of Technology's International House at the Del Carmen Campus serves as an on-campus edifice catering to both local and foreign students' lodging needs. This establishment symbolizes an educational domain that transcends academic confines, fostering a milieu of shared experiences and diverse perspectives within the academic. At the core of this initiative lies the overarching objective of crafting an SSCT International House that not only assures a sense of contentment but also guarantees resident satisfaction. To actualize this vision, the research embarked on a comprehensive trajectory commencing with preliminary site inspection and meticulous data acquisition. With the endorsement of the campus director, the researchers executed a thorough assessment and conceptualization of every aspect of the entire structure. This endeavor aligns with the prevalent concrete framing system, a staple structural methodology. The structural design was subjected to rigorous evaluation in alignment with the National Building Code of the Philippines, National Structural Code of the Philippines, Fire Code of the Philippines, Sanitary/Plumbing of the Philippines, BP344, and the Green Building Code. The design was calibrated to factor in the effects of wind and seismic parameters, in addition to dead and live loads germane to the structure's integrity. The driving tenets of the Green Building Code further anchor the project, infusing an ethos of economic viability and environmental consciousness, sans substantial escalation in costs. The fruition of this project has culminated in meticulous documentation that satisfies the institutional requisites. Through stringent evaluation and validation processes, the structural soundness was verified by professionals, attesting to the alignment with code mandates, thereby garnering the coveted "approved" status. The designation of the SSCT International House as an on-campus entity underscores its significance as a secure haven for students, aligning with the educational institution's commitment to fostering a safe and conducive environment for its learners

Design of a Dome Utilizing Sustainable Energy Sources

In recent times, there has been a notable upsurge in the utilization of dome structures, recognized as highly efficient architectural forms. These structures offer optimal space coverage with minimal larger volumes, devoid of obstructive columns, resulting in enhanced efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Domes, particularly for circular spaces, provide lightweight roofing solutions. This study endeavors to present a design for a steel dome that adheres to the principles of the green building code. The Municipality of Sison, driven by the necessity for a versatile facility to accommodate a spectrum of events and activities, past and future, is the focal point of this proposal. The researcher intends to develop a dome design that aptly caters to these multifarious needs. Employing diverse theories within structural engineering, the structural analysis and design were manually computed, employing methods such as the slope deflection technique. The envisioned dome encompasses various facilities, including a basketball court and seating for up to 4,000 attendees. To meet energy requirements, solar power is harnessed, necessitating 138 units of 60-amp solar charge controllers to charge a 12 V 279,600 Wh battery, paired with a 69,900 W solar array. The dome's design underwent evaluation in collaboration with LGU-Sison and other key stakeholders. The estimated budget for the entire project approximates 102.6 million pesos. The structural design aligns with the guidelines stipulated by the National Building Code of the Philippines (NBCP) and the National Structural Code of the Philippines (NSCP). With earthquake-resistant attributes and adherence to energy efficiency standards specified by green building criteria, the design attains a comprehensive blend of safety and sustainability

Environmental Impact Analysis of Functional Retrofitting Measures in Buildings

A large number of existing building stock in India was built before the implementation of government guidelines mandating the Green Building Codes. These buildings have been operating with various inefficiencies pertaining to their resource consumption and emissions. Literature suggests that the option of functional retrofitting of building has a potential to reduce this inefficiency by up to 50%. This paper investigates this potential by analysing actual cases of functional retrofitting of buildings (for achieving greater operational efficiency) in Indian context. The environmental impact analysis in this study includes the impact categories of primary energy demand, global warming potential, abiotic depletion potential, ozone depletion potential and water resource consumption for both pre-retrofit and post-retrofit scenario of building. The results are then correlated to the initial cost of functional retrofitting for each case in order to identify the inter-relationship and trend with respect to the level of intervention opted for the cases.

Rainwater Harvesting Tank Sizing: A Case in Urban Catchments in Metro Cebu

Rainwater is an abundant resource in the Philippines and when properly collected and managed, can help address flood problems. Rainwater harvesting has been practiced for years and has been viewed as one of the better options for flood mitigation in urban areas compared to other storm water management practices. It does not require large land area and cost per area is high in these locations. However, there is a challenge in selecting the suitable tank size. This paper investigates if the increase in stormwater runoff brought about by the changes in landuse in urbanized catchments can be represented by a single coefficient similar to what is being presented in the Philippine Green Building Code and in other local ordinances in the country. Simulations through HEC-HMS of three urban catchments in Metro Cebu showed that the increase in volume is highly varying such that the coefficient produced for each catchment was so distinct that no single average coefficient can be drawn. Thus, analysis should be catchment-based to determine the suitable tank size in rainwater harvesting systems as an option for flood mitigation.

Iraq Green Buildings Code Effect on Improving Outdoor Thermal Comfort for Residential Complex

Iraq is one of the countries facing a noticeable rise in temperatures caused by climate change in recent decades. This generated an increased feeling of thermal discomfort among humans. Previous studies submitted many research works in the field of outdoor thermal comfort in cities, but the study of the role of the Iraqi green buildings code in improving outdoor thermal comfort for the residential complex was not adequately addressed, especially at the local level, which was the research problem. The research proposes that the adoption of Iraq Green Buildings code will increase outdoor thermal comfort in residential complexes. The Bismayah residential complex in Baghdad was chosen for this study and tested with ENVI-MET 4.4.2 software. The simulation is based on PMV assessments performed before and after the green building code was implemented. It was found that the implementation of green buildings code improved by increasing the percentage of vegetation, trees and water bodies. Also the change in façade materials to light colours, and the type of pavement materials. had a significant role in increased (PMV) during the day by about two degrees from the model before the change.

Improving the Thermal Performance of Building Envelopes: An Approach to Enhancing the Building Energy Efficiency Code

Cities on the east Mediterranean coast, especially in Palestine, are struggling to move towards sustainability as they are vulnerable to climate change and lack natural resources, especially energy resources, and this situation is further aggravated by high energy prices. The problem is the building sector, which is the most challenging sector when it comes to cities’ sustainability and, specifically, energy sustainability. In Palestine, this sector is the main consumer of energy but it lacks energy efficiency measures, such as up-to-date building energy codes. This study analyzed building thermal performance under different scenarios with a focus on building envelopes. We aimed to evaluate the benefits of introducing an updated building energy code—mainly addressing U-values for building envelopes—on future reductions in energy demand. We used a simulation tool (DesignBuilder) to evaluate typical existing building-envelope thermal and energy performances. Then, we undertook a comparison between the existing conditions and the proposed application of different scenarios, including the existing Palestinian building energy code and green building guidelines, the ASHRAE code for building envelopes, and the Jordanian building energy code, in order to introduce an updated building envelope energy code. The results showed that the current situation—building without applying any energy code or applying the existing Palestinian building energy code—is far from the high-energy performance that could be achieved by applying international or local green building codes. The use of thermal insulation could reduce the energy demand for heating by 83 to 43%, depending on the building type, climatic zone, and U-value. We recommend utilizing different U-values for building envelopes in different climatic zones to achieve high thermal performance. The results from this study have implications for construction industry professionals, local governments, and researchers seeking to establish high-energy-performance building envelopes.

Sustainable Building Standards, Codes and Certification Systems: The Status Quo and Future Directions in Saudi Arabia

Sustainable building practices are a response to environmental issues. Businesses and industries are assessing how their activities affect the environment. The architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industries have significant impacts on the environment and economy, while the industry is considered one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and has, therefore, been highlighted by researchers as a key area of intervention with a great potential to reduce environmental impacts. This paper critically reviews and evaluates the current state of sustainable building certification systems with the purpose of having a good understanding of the status quo and possibilities for future directions in Saudi Arabia. It reviews the academic literature on Saudi Arabia’s green/sustainable building codes, standards, certification systems, methods and tools. It starts by addressing sustainability in the broadest sense. Then, it investigates sustainability strategies and evaluates the building certification systems in Saudi Arabia, followed by an introduction to the new practice of sustainable healthcare building assessment. Life cycle assessment (LCA) and building information modelling (BIM) techniques have also been investigated. The paper introduces the updated Saudi Building Code (SBC) with further evaluation of the Saudi Green Building Code (SBC 1001-CR). Finally, the paper clearly highlights the key role of sustainable building practices and the need to develop a certification system that considers the new trends and the local context.

Investigation of Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Comfort of a College Building in Hyderabad, India

The aim of this present study is to investigate the indoor air quality (IAQ) and thermal comfort (TC) of the class and faculty rooms at a college in Hyderabad, India. The concentrations of air pollution at class and faculty rooms available across four floors were determined with the help of indoor air quality monitoring equipment. The measurements were conducted continuously in the indoor and outdoor environment for 07 months with the variation in two different seasons such as monsoon and winter. The collected data were analyzed and compared with the Indian green building code (IGBC). Different parameters such as temperature, carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon mono-oxide (CO), oxygen (O2), total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), and particulate matter (PM 2.5 & 10) were analyzed.The mean concentrations of PM 2.5 in all four floors were slightly above the IGBC standards in monsoon seasons and higher in winter seasons. Indoor PM 10 was higher as per IGBC in the winter season as compared with that in monsoon season. TVOC, CO, and CO2 showed significantly higher in class and faculty rooms of all the four floors in both seasons. The predicted mean vote (PMV) index shows a significantly cold when compared with the thermal sensation scale which can accelerate the respiratory tract infectious diseases. Each floor shows different concentration levels of all the above-mentioned IAQ parameters.A questionnaire was developed, and a survey was conducted to analyze the comfort indices and responsible conditions for dissatisfactory factors. The results obtained from the daily monitoring parameters were compared with the survey questionnaire. The inferences were developed based on the PM 2.5 & 10 and CO2 concentration levels. Based on the obtained inferences and as per the IGBC standards specific suggestions were given to alter the building physiology.

The Unsustainable Direction of Green Building Codes: A Critical Look at the Future of Green Architecture

Buildings are a major contributor to global energy consumption and energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. In light of the climate crisis, changes in the way we design, construct and use buildings are needed to reduce their environmental impact. Green Building Codes (GBCs) and rating systems have been developed around the world as a basis for green building practices. However, several studies raised doubts about the actual performance of certified buildings. Moreover, they use a per unit area approach to assess the use of resources rather than per capita, penalizing small buildings or those with high occupancy, ignoring the concepts of equity and shared common effort which are central to sustainable design. In this paper we propose adjustments to GBCs to encourage new ways of designing and evaluating green buildings. We introduce the Occupancy Correction Factor (OCF) which prioritizes smaller and more densely occupied buildings reducing land use, total operational energy consumption and embodied energy. Results show changes in their energy ratings of one to three levels both up and down, compared to their original ratings. In addition, we propose the prioritization of high-efficiency Low-Energy and Nearly Zero-Energy buildings over Net Zero Energy buildings, encouraging innovative urban design to enhance solar access and electricity production potential on-site or nearby.

Stimulation strategies to promote green building uptake in developing countries: the case of Ghana

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to ascertain the significant stimulating measures/enablers relating to the existing building regulations for promoting the adoption and overcoming the barriers to the uptake and implementation of the green building concept (GBC) in developing countries using Ghana as a case.Design/methodology/approachThe quantitative research approach was used to attain the study’s goal. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were found to be suitable for collecting data from 292 relevant stakeholders in Ghana’s construction industry. The mean score ranking technique, in conjunction with the relative importance index, was used to establish the relative ranking of, among other things, the stimulus measures for increasing green building uptake in Ghana. An exploratory factor analysis was also used to classify the most significant stimulation strategies for improving green building uptake.Findings“Educational programmes relevant to GBTs for developers, contractors, and policymakers,” “sufficient information on the cost and benefits of GBTs” and “mandated green building codes and regulations” were the top three listed stimulating measures to promote increasing use of green building technologies (GBTs). The enablers were classified as follows: government regulations and policies; commitment and GB research; education and publicity; and incentives and support.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was conducted in Ghana, a developing nation, and thus the findings and implications are peculiar to Ghana. However, the study’s findings have important practical implications for the adoption and marketing of GBCs and GBTs in other developing nations.Originality/valuePrioritizing major stimulation initiatives may be beneficial in terms of overcoming the constraints to the adoption of GBCs and GBTs in developing countries.

Analysis of the socio-economic and environmental impacts of construction waste and management practices

This study aims to analyze the significant socioeconomic and environmental impacts of construction waste and to indicate management strategies. An extensive review of the literature and interviews with construction experts were used to identify waste impact factors. Then a questionnaire survey was conducted based on a five-point Likert scale and the data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. The result showed that construction waste becomes a challenge for almost 95.71% of ongoing construction projects. However, only 57.14% of the construction companies have recorded and measured the volume of material waste. From purchased materials, 6–10% is recorded as waste that lead to project cost overrun. In addition, there is no professional assigned to handle waste issues in 75.71% of construction companies. The study also indicates that project cost overrun, pollution of the environment, reduction in profit and failure of construction firms, excessive consumption of raw materials, and public health and safety risks are ranked as the five major impacts of construction waste, respectively. Employing a waste management officer, using prefabricated or off-site components, implementing strong onsite management practices, reusing and recycling materials leftover on the sites, and practicing green building codes and specifications are measures devised to mitigate construction waste and its impacts.

Optimizing solar access and density in Tel Aviv: Benchmarking multi-objective optimization algorithms

This paper explores the trade-off between redeveloping an urban site with higher density and maintaining solar access for the surrounding context in the hot and dry climate of Tel Aviv. Such trade-offs are important for future urban development in the Middle East, where densification is a demographic and environmental need. We explore this trade-off with multi-objective optimization (MOO). Specifically, we benchmark seven MOO algorithms on two test problems with different, parametric typologies: courtyard and high-rise. For both problems, we aim to maximize Floor Area Ratio and the simulation-based Context Exposure Index, a novel metric based on the Israeli green building code. The high-rise emerges as the better performing typology, and HypE, SPEA2, and RBFMOpt as the most efficient and robust MOO algorithms.

Evaluation of in-situ thermal transmittance of innovative building integrated photovoltaic modules: Application to thermal performance assessment for green mark certification in the tropics

Green buildings with adequate renewable energy penetration are fundamental pillars of global sustainability. Moreover, pertinent to ever-increasing impacts of cooling loads, air-conditioning systems, and elevated energy consumption in the tropics, building energy performance plays a crucial rule in achieving self sustainability. In this context, the proposed work experimentally evaluates the thermal performance of five innovative building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) technologies, and assesses its feasibility to be integrated as building envelopes to attain the required green mark certification benchmarks in Singapore. For which, experiments are first performed using a state-of-art indoor laboratory equipped with a calibrated Calorimeter Hot Box for thermal transmittance (U − Value) measurements. Later, distinctive to existing works, this article extends the application of U − Values to obtain the Envelope Thermal Transfer Value (ETTV) by utilizing an analytical model for sensitivity analysis. In particular, this assessment is performed to provide an accurate quantification of the thermal characteristics of the tested BIPV technologies in compliance with the prevailing green building codes. Extensive case studies considering various window to wall (WWR) ratios have also been conducted to identify the optimal values that could guarantee successful BIPV deployment with green mark compliance. Altogether, this paper reports 720 benchmark test case results accounting for five cladding, and three fenestration systems considering various WWR ratios ranging from 0.1 to 0.9. It is foreseen that the ETTV sensitivity analysis carried out in this manuscript would assist researchers, and building professionals in abreast decision making for future adoption of BIPV facades at early design stages itself.

Moving to a green building: Indoor environment quality, thermal comfort and health

A global movement towards the creation of “green” buildings is currently underway. Although driven primarily by an external environmental agenda such as energy or carbon, there is growing recognition that greener buildings could affect the Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ). However, localised green building codes, especially in the developing world, often do not systematically recognise IEQ or health as crucial issues, which therefore remain understudied. Since the developing world alone is expected to nearly double current global built floor space by 2050, it is crucial that green buildings perform holistically to be effective. Here, we follow 120 employees of a single organisation as they transition from four conventional office buildings to the first green building (GB), designed to the local Jordanian Green Building Guide. We ask if the move has a positive effect on occupant perception of IEQ, thermal comfort and prevalence of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), using a repeated-measures protocol. Statistically significant differences in thermal conditions, positively biased towards the GB, were observed across the move, and this enhanced occupant thermal comfort. Surprisingly, no significant improvement in occupant perception of air quality, visual and acoustic comfort was detected after moving to the GB, while odour, mental concentration, and glare were perceived to be poor in the GB and associated with an increase in the prevalence of SBS symptoms. Hence, our results support the growing concern that green buildings may create unintended consequences in terms of occupant comfort and health in the pursuit of a better thermal environment and energy efficiency.

Techno-Economic Analysis of Green Building Codes in United Arab Emirates Based on a Case Study Office Building

Green building regulations in the United Arab Emirates are required to obtain building permits so that future construction projects can create a sustainable living environment. Emirates such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah have specific green building regulations, whereas other emirates follow Abu Dhabi’s regulatory criteria. Previous work fails to present a techno-economic cross-code analysis for various green building regulations in the UAE by evaluating energy and water performance. A case study using an existing high-rise green office building was formulated using the Integrated Environmental Solution: Virtual Environment (IES-VE) platform and the U.S. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (U.S. LEED) water consumption evaluation tool to study its energy and water performance, respectively. The archived results were used to devise an economic study based on the discounted cash flow technique. The principal findings of this research allowed us to determine a cross-code analysis and propose cost-effective trade-offs. These will aid the consultants and contractors in choosing appropriate green building regulations in the UAE by highlighting the potential of each parameter within green building regulations in terms of energy, water, and economic performance.

AORN Position Statement on Environmental Responsibility

<scp>AORN</scp> Position Statement on Environmental Responsibility