Environmental life-cycle assessment of buildings

Cork is a material that’s obtained from the bark of the Oak tree that grows in the Western Mediterranean, Northern African region. It can be considered one of the most sustainable materials known to man due to its high recyclability and its unique structure & qualities that serves in many applications especially when it comes to thermal insulation. However, the material is currently used around the globe mainly in the production of cork stoppers for wine bottles that have nowhere to go after use but landfills, making a huge waste of this highly versatile and durable material. In addition, through this production process, around 75% of the material does not meet the quality standards for the stopper production and thus would also go to waste.
In this paper, waste sources of cork are discussed and the life cycle of cork stoppers in particular is assessed. Also, the concept of exploitation of the production residues is introduced. Technologies of recycling waste cork are explained, showing the two main technologies and their resulting recycled products; cork composites & expanded cork, stating the simple steps of the procedure and the possible applications of these two products in construction. Case studies of buildings that have used recycled cork in their construction are also discussed.
Finally, the paper concludes the feasibility of recycling cork products, shedding light on the status quo and giving recommendations on instruments that can help in promoting the recycling of waste cork.

Steel framed houses have become a choice in many European countries, including Romania. One of the issues raised in case of the new systems concerns the environmental impact. The study presents the practical aspects related to the environmental impact analysis of a dwelling made with light-steel structural elements, focusing on the impact of the maintenance process. Several aspects are presented in turn, in order to underline the impact for different stages during life-cycle: a) construction stage only; b) construction stage and final disposal of materials; c) construction stage, disposal and maintenance.

Every detail, from towering facades to finely crafted interiors, requires materials that are both durable and visually seamless. Among the essential products shaping this transformation is silicone sealant. Known for its flexibility, weather resistance, and long-lasting bond, it plays a crucial role in ensuring the performance and finish of modern structures. Whether applied in glasswork, tiling, or HVAC systems, its presence in both residential and commercial spaces is undeniable.

What Makes Silicone Sealant Dubai a Standout Choice

Silicone sealant Dubai represents more than just an adhesive, it’s a precision tool trusted by architects, contractors, and interior specialists alike. Designed to perform in the region's unique climate, this sealant withstands extreme heat, humidity, and shifting materials without cracking or discolouring. Its ability to bond with a variety of surfaces, glass, metal, ceramic, stone, and plastics, makes it indispensable across construction sectors.

In a city where luxury developments, skyscrapers, and customized interiors dominate the landscape, silicone sealants provide the invisible strength that keeps everything held together, clean, watertight, and resilient. It has become a foundational element in delivering the flawless finish expected in every premium build across Dubai.

Advantages of Using High-Quality Sealants in Dubai’s Climate

Weather and Temperature Resilience: Dubai's desert climate challenges the durability of traditional construction materials. High daytime temperatures followed by cooler nights cause expansion and contraction in joints and surfaces. Silicone sealants flex with the changing environment, maintaining their grip through every expansion and contraction, making them a smart, reliable choice for both interior and exterior use. Unlike organic-based sealants, silicone maintains its integrity across a wide temperature range. It does not become brittle under UV exposure, ensuring long-term protection for window frames, façades, and glass walls.

Waterproofing and Air Tightness: Silicone’s impermeable qualities make it ideal for waterproofing applications in kitchens, bathrooms, and exterior joints. It forms a flexible, rubber-like seal that keeps out water, air, and dust. This contributes significantly to energy efficiency and indoor climate control, reducing the burden on HVAC systems and improving long-term sustainability.

Application Versatility Across Industries: Silicone sealant has found its place in nearly every construction and manufacturing domain in Dubai. Its versatility allows it to be used for structural glazing, mirror installations, joint filling, and even electrical insulation tasks.

Real Estate and Residential Interiors: In homes and apartment complexes, silicone sealants are used to seal gaps between tiles, sinks, bathtubs, and countertops. Their clean finish and mould-resistant properties make them ideal for wet areas that require hygienic and aesthetically pleasing joints.

Commercial and High-Rise Projects: In larger commercial buildings, especially skyscrapers with curtain wall systems, silicone sealants act as crucial weatherproofing and vibration-dampening agents. They’re engineered to maintain performance even under wind pressure and structural movement—qualities essential for tall buildings lining Dubai’s iconic skyline.

Automotive and Industrial Use

Beyond the world of architecture, silicone sealants are also used in vehicle assembly, electronics, and heavy machinery. Their insulating properties and tolerance to oil, chemicals, and high heat make them suitable for industrial-grade sealing.

Design-Friendly and Durable

A major reason for the increasing demand for these sealants in Dubai is their dual capability—structural strength and visual compatibility. They come in various colors, including clear, black, white, and grey, allowing them to blend into different materials or highlight joint lines where desired. Whether filling gaps in a marble kitchen or glazing a glass partition wall, the aesthetic advantage is undeniable.

Furthermore, many products now include anti-fungal and anti-microbial additives, especially valuable in healthcare and hospitality construction. These enhancements extend not only the material’s durability but also contribute to indoor health and hygiene standards.

Low Maintenance with Long-Term Gains

Silicone sealants are known for their minimal maintenance requirements. Once applied and cured, they remain intact for years, often outlasting the materials they’re bonding. Occasional cleaning and inspection are usually sufficient, especially in exposed or high-moisture environments.

The cost-effectiveness of using such a reliable material becomes evident over time. Reduced repair work, minimized energy loss, and fewer product replacements add up to significant savings in both residential and commercial settings.

Choosing the Right Product

Silicone sealants vary widely in composition and performance, making product selection critical to project success. Each application—whether it's for hygienic environments, structural support, or fire resistance—requires a specific formulation. In Dubai, suppliers provide a broad spectrum of options, from neutral-cure and acetoxy-based sealants to advanced blends engineered for niche requirements. Matching the right product to the surface and setting ensures lasting performance and compliance with safety standards. Seeking guidance from industry professionals and opting for trusted brands helps avoid premature wear and enhances the overall integrity of the installation.

Conclusion

In the fast-evolving landscape of architecture and design, Silicone sealant Dubai continues to be a vital component of high-performance construction. Its unmatched versatility, durability, and climate adaptability make it the preferred choice for projects ranging from luxury residences to towering commercial landmarks. Equally important is its aesthetic value—delivering seamless finishes that meet both functional and visual expectations. For projects that demand flexible strength and lasting results, silicone sealants are simply indispensable. When precision matters, many professionals turn to complementary solutions like silicone glue for detailed bonding needs, adding another layer of finesse to modern builds.

Optimizing nutrient usage and controlling environmental parameters are crucial for improved crop growth and yield in the cultivation of Cannabis sativa, commonly known as hemp, using controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) systems. Although hemp cultivation in CEA is rapidly growing, the effects of different light-intensity treatments on early vegetative stages of hemp grown in hydroponic and aquaponic systems, along with the impacts on the environment and human health remains limited. This study employed a split-plot design, consisting of two layers of plant grow beds where each layer was exposed to different light intensities (LIs): approximately 752 µmol/m 2 /s (high light intensity) on the upper layer and 141 µmol/m 2 /s (low light intensity) on the lower layer. To assess the influence of two different LIs on plant growth indicators, specifically plant length and leaf area, the environmental parameters, including dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity (EC), pH, and water temperature (WT) were maintained within the same range for both systems. Additionally, the study incorporated a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) to precisely evaluate the environmental performance of both systems. Under the specific environmental and design conditions of this study, hemp plants grown in aquaponics showed greater growth performance in plant length compared to hydroponics (more than 42% higher for both LIs) and leaf area (28.3% greater under 141 µmol/m 2 /s), although the leaf area was 2.1% lower under 752 µmol/m 2 /s compared to plants grown in hydroponics. The LCA demonstrated that the aquaponic system provided an efficient and sustainable approach by integrating fish with hemp cultivation. The LCA results showed that aquaponics had a 22% reduction in midpoint and a 15% reduction in endpoint impact in contrast to the hydroponics system for hemp leaf cultivation. This research highlights the potential of aquaponic systems as a viable and sustainable alternative to hydroponic systems for hemp leaf cultivation in CEA under uncertain future climates.

The purpose of the article is to describe the work carried out for an Italian project concerning the construction of a sustainable settlement named ‘Borgo Solare’. Borgo Solare is a residential complex situated in the outskirts of the town of Ferrara, constituted by buildings, squares, cycling tracks, green parks, water channels, fountains and a small lake. The main feature of Borgo Solare is that the whole project will be realized according to the criteria of sustainable architecture. This work consists in a specific analysis of the energetic aspects (loads and materials) of a small storey building. The purpose is an appraisal of the weight of the various factors related to environmental impact. The building is analysed in terms of energy performance, economic evaluation and environmental impact.

Natural light plays a vital role in enhancing the mood, appearance, and comfort of your home. When choosing windows, homeowners often wonder whether a specific style will allow enough daylight to brighten their interior spaces.

Aluminium awning windows, known for their durability and practical design, also offer excellent natural lighting-making them a popular choice across Australia.

Let's explore how much light they let in and where they shine brightest. Understanding the Design Aluminium awning windows are hinged at the top and open outward from the bottom, forming a slanted panel.

They're available in various sizes and configurations, including wide panes or multiple panels joined together. Their design maximises the glass area while maintaining privacy and functionality.

Sustainability assessment tools and certification systems generally assess environmental impacts of buildings in use phase. Nevertheless, the tools and systems often ignored the interaction between building construction process and the environment. However, we should take environmental impacts of buildings into account during design process not only considering use phase but also by making decisions related to construction activities. In this study, the author introduces an approach for external wall systems, which aims to reduce environmental impacts of construction process by taking decisions in design process. Within the scope of the method, the author developed a database based on a proposed assessment system for selecting and comparing construction techniques of external walls to reduce environmental impacts of construction process.

Sustainability assessment tools and certification systems generally assess environmental impacts of buildings in use phase. Nevertheless, the tools and systems often ignored the interaction between building construction process and the environment. However, we should take environmental impacts of buildings into account during design process not only considering use phase but also by making decisions related to construction activities. In this study, the author introduces an approach for external wall systems, which aims to reduce environmental impacts of construction process by taking decisions in design process. Within the scope of the method, the author developed a database based on a proposed assessment system for selecting and comparing construction techniques of external walls to reduce environmental impacts of construction process.

In the current global situation where almost all countries need energy to perform their activities, providing energy is a vital demand for modern society. Furthermore, lack of fossil energy draws attention to the utilization of renewable energy, specifically solar energy. Because no specific published record of considering renewable energy solutions applied to the buildings of Northern Illinois University (NIU) have been found already, in this paper, solar energy as an energy solution for Northern Illinois University (NIU) Engineering Building (EB) has been considered. In this case, building envelope model and HVAC system model have been developed in eQUEST software to perform simulation-based energy consumption of EB. This simulation presents annual energy consumption of boiler, chiller plant, and daylighting in EB. Moreover, economic analysis of using solar energy for lighting has been performed to identify the feasibility and savings associated with solar energy which can potentially reduce costs with a reasonable payback time.

Building construction in rural Kyrgyzstan is heavily dominated by earthen buildings. Old and inappropriate residential building structures contribute significantly to high domestic space heating energy consumption. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the relevant building construction techniques. However, the scant information on Kyrgyz building techniques, especially for high-altitude rural settlements, was the prime motivation to perform the presented study. The key objective of the study is to investigate residential building construction techniques in highaltitude rural Kyrgyzstan, and this was to be achieved by house visits during field trips, literature review, and pilot interviews with local people. The analysis enabled the detailed identification of individual building envelopes as well as predominant building materials to be recorded. Based on the assessment, a housing profile was created that represents the typical characteristics of traditional rural Kyrgyz houses. Furthermore, the study demonstrates the potential for energy savings in rural Kyrgyz houses of 50-70%. However, local conditions prevent people from making improvements to all domestic energy efficiency parameters simultaneously. Therefore, the study developed a 'sequential roadmap' to reduce domestic space heating demand in different phases based on simulation studies. Existing low-income rural Kyrgyz habitations can use the presented roadmap to reduce domestic space heating demand sequentially to overcome financial barriers and, therefore, contribute to establishing sustainable buildings in Kyrgyzstan. These results may be partially replicated in other Central Asian rural communities depending on their location and building characteristics.

This research addresses the persistent challenges of data loss and inefficient workflow integration
between 3D digital design tools (Rhinoceros) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) platforms
(Revit) in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries. The study investigates how
design integrity can be preserved during the transition between these platforms, focusing on ensuring
compatibility while maintaining the original design intent. The research aims to answer the question:
How can design integrity be preserved when transitioning from 3D design tools to BIM platforms while
ensuring seamless interoperability? Using an inductive bottom-up approach, empirical data were
collected from 35 student projects over three years at The American University in Cairo. Observations
were used to classify challenges encountered in transitioning from Rhinoceros to Revit, synthesising
the results into evidence-based best practices. Surveys and statistical analyses were conducted on the
participants’ (students’) responses to validate the findings from the analysis and observations of their
digital workflow experiences. This study fills a gap in existing literature, which often overlooks the
technical integration between 3D design tools and BIM platforms during the creative design phase.
The research offers practical solutions for improving workflow integration, reducing data loss, and
enhancing collaborative efficiency. The findings are expected to impact both professional practice and
education, offering pathways to more efficient design transitions and equipping students with skills to
navigate digital design challenges in future AEC projects.

Manufacturers today are dealing with data on an unprecedented scale. As data volumes grow, manufacturing finance and IT organizations are challenged with how to best capture and deliver value through real-time visibility. Understanding and interpreting the massive, ever-expanding data ensemble generated in modern manufacturing and procurement helps executives grasp the real cause-and-effect relationships by which companies can execute process enhancements that, in turn, drive competitive advantage. In the world of manufacturing and production, cost visibility and predictability are paramount. Manufacturing finance applications and their development of new predictive analytics are therefore not merely the latest wave in business improvement for the production and service manufacturer; they are essential for survival. Unattuned business models for manufacturers increase their vulnerability in responding to disruption. In addition to the rise of serial supply chain risk, manufacturers have seen many dramatic legislative and regulatory changes over recent years, enacted to curb or even prevent a repeat of the disasters receiving much publicity. This is a direct result of the oft-repeated cycle of being driven by the imperative of achieving liability cost reductions and accelerating profitability, and thus beginning to undervalue the current systems for control and re-establishment of key performance indicator objectives. In zero-sum terms, it is somewhat obsolete for businesses to concentrate solely on production cost reductions via better capital utilization, thus leaving the rest of the prime price impact versus direct cost leverage. This leads to a decidedly shortsighted approach to production activities. The reasonable first step is to adopt performance-based finance applications in manufacturing, bring real-time visibility, minimize risk, increase predictability, reduce costs, and install a safety network that enhances long-term planning, compliance, and responsiveness. These help position manufacturers as the low-cost, high-quality, high-flexibility producers of choice.

This document presents a comprehensive case study on the energy retrofitting of a school located in
Mastuj, a village in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. The study outlines various techniques
employed to enhance the building’s energy efficiency, including the installation of polystyrene insulation,
energy-efficient windows, and the application of sustainable materials. A thorough site assessment
identified key areas for improvement, focusing on thermal performance and structural integrity. The
results indicate a remarkable 19-fold increase in energy efficiency, significantly reducing heat loss and
lowering operational costs. The retrofitting design integrates seamlessly with the existing structure,
ensuring minimal disruption while enhancing comfort and sustainability. This project not only highlights
the financial and environmental benefits of energy retrofitting but also serves as a model for future
initiatives aimed at improving educational infrastructure in resource-limited settings.

Laser scanners are increasingly being used to create information rich 3D models of the as-built or asis conditions of buildings, infrastructure, and other facilities. These "as-built" Building Information Models (BIMs) are created through a time-consuming and error-prone manual process, which is one key barrier to widespread use of as-built BIMs in industry. This paper outlines our research group's progress in developing methods to automate the process of creating as-built BIMs and in creating suitable methods to represent and visualize the information that is unique to as-built BIMs.

The ReCreate project researches deconstruction and reuse of precast concrete elements, not originally designed for disassembly. ReCreate’s real-life pilots are a significant tool for achieving this goal. This report describes and illustrates ReCreate’s deconstruction pilots. Six real-life deconstructions of precast concrete buildings – one in Finland, two in Sweden, one in the Netherlands, and two in Germany – are used in the ReCreate project to generate theoretical and practical knowledge about a wide range of topics directly related to the process of salvaging and reusing precast concrete elements. While the learnings regarding the planning and implementation of deconstruction are described in a centralised manner in another report (Vullings et al. 2024), the current report documents the donor buildings of the secondary elements as well as their practical deconstruction processes through textual descriptions and generous photographic illustrations and drawings. The donor buildings were blocks of flats (three buildings), public and private office buildings (two buildings) and industrial/warehouse buildings (one building). They had been deemed obsolete and were therefore slated for demolition. When engaged in ReCreate, they instead became vessels of knowledge generation for reuse-minded deconstruction. The various elements reclaimed from the donor buildings, such as sandwich panels, massive concrete slabs, massive interior wall elements, hollow core slabs, beams, and columns, will be reused in future in ReCreate’s reuse pilots. In addition to ReCreate’s six donor buildings, insights from following and observing two additional deconstructions, external to ReCreate, are also reported on herein.

Resumen: En el presente trabajo se introduce la mirada ambiental al tema de los materiales empleados en la construcción de viviendas en la región (enfocada la atención en la madera de bosques cultivados locales) y su impacto en el medio, tomando datos acerca del desempeño energético en servicio de la construcción en madera frente a la construcción con otros materiales más habituales en la región nordeste de Argentina (NEA). El objetivo general fue aportar herramientas de análisis que contribuyan al desarrollo de conocimientos relacionados con la eficiencia energética-ambiental del sector edilicio residencial en la región NEA, a través de la comparación de dos tecnologías; por un lado, la del empleo de la madera de origen forestal mediante técnicas de construcción en seco y, por otro, la construcción tradicional mediante técnicas convencionales, de mampuestos o húmedas, en base al estudio del rendimiento energético en etapa de uso y al Análisis de Ciclo de Vida (ACV) en toda la cadena productiva del sistema-producto, dentro de la cual que la etapa de uso es altamente significativa. La hipótesis de trabajo sostiene que la construcción en madera representa una alternativa constructiva más eficiente, económica y benigna desde el punto de vista ambiental con respecto a la construcción tradicional (mediante la técnica del mampuesto de fabricación local artesanal) de viviendas de interés social en el Nordeste de Argentina, lo que ha sido corroborado en alto grado en base a los resultados obtenidos a través de los procedimientos aplicados: simulación computacional de consumo de energía para el confort de viviendas, análisis

CASE STUDY OF AN ENERGY EFFICIENT COMMERCIAL BUILDING: VALIDATING DESIGN INTENT & ENERGY SIMULATION RESULTS WITH MONITORED PERFORMANCE DATA Prashant Bhanware, Indo-Swiss Building Energy Efficiency Project (BEEP), India Pierre Jaboyedoff, BEEP, Switzerland Saswati Chetia, BEEP, India Sameer Maithel, BEEP, India Bharath Reddy, BEEP, India

Older buildings are often vilified for alleged poor energy performance. This discussion has, however, been limited to operational energy, rather than whole-life carbon. This paper compares both embodied and operational carbon emissions of building preservation to new construction. Methodologically, it relies on consequential replacement LCA. Using a representative 1950s school building as a case study, a locally heritage-listed example of Modernist architecture, four retention scenarios are devised. The scenarios represent different approaches towards repair needs, cost implications, time horizons of refurbishment, and conserving the building's architectural-historical value. For the contemporary new build, two scenarios are developed based on a case study school building completed in 2018. They differ by the material of the structural frame (concrete or cross-laminated timber). The concrete-framed alternative corresponds to the present business as usual, whereas the wooden alternative represents a competing lower-carbon technology. The study was conducted in Finland, i.e. a cold continental climate. In such conditions, operational energy consumption is significant for a building's carbon footprint. Nevertheless, the findings show that building preservation results in lower emissions than new construction in most of the scenarios. The climate change mitigation potential of building preservation is significant at the scale of singular buildings and the building stock scale.

A holistic approach integrating all aspects of building design directly affected by its energy performance is necessary for supporting decision-making throughout the design process. In this work, a decision-support methodology for the energy design of buildings is proposed, considering the three dimensions of the concept of sustainability, and adapted to the level of information detail available in the early design stages. The 4 modules composing this methodology are (i) a set of 36 key design variables defining the building design, (ii) a set of 16 indicators covering environmental, economic and user comfort aspects of building performance affected by energy-related design decisions, (iii) a calculation method for the performance indicators composed of 7 simulation models, and (iv) a knowledge base of building elements, energy sources and meteorological data. The methodology is primarily aimed to assist architects and engineers who participate in the design of office buildings in a French context. ABOUT THE AUTHORS Ernesto Velázquez is Head Project in environment at Elioth Company. PhD in energetic building design since 2015, his research interest is sustainable buildings. Denis Bruneau is Full Professor at the Higher National School of Architecture and Landscape of Bordeaux (ENSAP-Bx). He is in charge of GRECCAU lab (Research Group in Ambiances&Comfort and Design in Urban Architecture and Urban Environment). He develops researches in sustainable buildings and thermal engineering. Zakaria Aketouane is Post-Doc researcher at Bordeaux University. PhD in energetics since 2019 from Mohammed V University in Rabat (Morocco), he now develops researches in sustainable buildings and thermal engineering in Bordeaux Institute of Mechanical Engineering (I2M-UMR 5295, a CNRS research laboratory in Bordeaux). Jean-Pierre Nadeau was, until 2018, Full Professor at Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Arts et Métiers (ENSAM) in Bordeaux, France. He created in 2011 the Mechanical Engineering and Design department of Bordeaux Institute of Mechanical Engineering.

Energy conservation measures on buildings have a significant role to play in reducing the burden of the energy bill on the Lebanese economy. The residential sector is one of various sectors that energy measures can be applied to. Such measures include the use of insulation materials, double-glazed windows, shading, efficient airconditioning systems, economical lighting and reduction of infiltration rates. It is demonstrated through detailed energy analysis of typical residential and office buildings that strict conservation is benificial on the micro-and macroeconomic levels. A code of practice is suggested to establish acceptable standards for energy use in residential buildings and ranking is done of energy measures based on economical indices.

The purpose of this study is to propose optimal actions to improve the energy efficiency of large office buildings in tropical regions with cooling systems, while ensuring the users’ comfort at a reasonable cost. In tropical climates, the building envelope plays a crucial role in saving thermal energy as buildings are exposed to significant climatic impacts and require a significant amount of energy to achieve optimal indoor comfort conditions. In this context, BIM-3D simulation is considered to be effective since it can provide results very similar to those of its physical counterpart, which can be useful for decision making. For this purpose, a public building in Costa Rica is used as a case study, which is modeled in Revit 2019 to obtain a BIM-3D model and simulate its thermal behavior using the BIM tools of the referred software. The architectural characteristics are evaluated in the climatic context of the building, and results are simulated with different configured materials....

Architectural and Engineering Communities are interested in the detection of differences between different representations of the same building. These can be the differences between the design and the as-built-state of a building, or the detection of changes that occur over time and that are documented by consecutive 3D scans. Current approaches for the detection of differences between 3D scans and 3D building models are however laborious and work only on the level of a building element. We demonstrate a novel highly automated workflow to detect differences between representations of the same building. We discuss the underlying tools and methods and the ways to communicate deviations and differences in an appropriate manner and evaluate our approach with a rich set of real world datasets.

Regarding interior building topology as an important aspect in building design and management, several approaches to indoor point cloud structuring have been introduced recently. Apart from a high-level semantic segmentation of the formerly unstructured point clouds into stories and rooms, these methods additionally allow the extraction of attributed graphs in which nodes represent rooms (including room properties like area or height), and edges represent connections between rooms (doors or staircases) or indicate neighborhood relationships (separation by walls). In this paper, we investigate possible applications of these approaches in architectural design and building management and comment on the possible benefits for the building profession. While contemporary practice of spatial arrangement is predominantly based on the manual iteration of spatial topologies, we show that the segmentation of buildings in spaces along with the untraditional more abstract graph-based representations can be used for design, management and navigation within building structures.

This paper investigates the efforts and benefits of the implementation of point clouds into architectural design processes and tools. Based on a study on the principal work processes of designers with point clouds the prototypical plugin/library-Volvox-was developed for the parametric modelling environment Grasshopper in Rhino. The prototype allows us to discuss the necessary technical layer for the task, benchmark the tool, and finally to evaluate the benefits, that this approach has for architectural practice, through a series of use cases.

In a developing country like India, there is already a greater scope of planning and development across every field. Construction industry plays a major role in the development of the country's economy. With the continuous hike in population growth, there is an increasing need for the facilities and infrastructure in order to make a comfortable livable space for people. Eventually, there will be the requirement of construction of new buildings as well as infrastructure and the expansion of urban areas. And this is not a breaking news, that the building sector is consuming a vast majority of the natural resources so as to meet the needs of urbanization. Hence, there's a need of efficient solutions that are viable for the economy, environment and the people of the country. The envelope accounts for almost 40% of overall energy use. A well designed envelope can impact about 50% of the building energy use. The purpose of this research is to assess the life cycle cost of the selected types of building envelopes and their components in composite climate, typically in office buildings. In this study, the scope is limited to the identified elements of building envelope: conventional brick wall, AAC block wall, Cavity wall and structural glazing. A model is designed for the study of alternatives as a building envelope through simulation using eQuest energy modelling software. Its outcome gave the alternative which consumes comparatively higher energy, i.e. structural glazing and the alternative which consumes least energy i.e. AAC block wall. Then the LCC was calculated for all the four alternatives and the result is compared with simulation results. This gave out that AAC block wall is the least energy consuming alternative and have the life cycle cost approximately similar to the cavity wall, which is the most cost-effective out of all four.

In a developing country like India, there is already a greater scope of planning and development across every field. Construction industry plays a major role in the development of the country's economy. With the continuous hike in population growth, there is an increasing need for the facilities and infrastructure in order to make a comfortable livable space for people. Eventually, there will be the requirement of construction of new buildings as well as infrastructure and the expansion of urban areas. And this is not a breaking news, that the building sector is consuming a vast majority of the natural resources so as to meet the needs of urbanization. Hence, there's a need of efficient solutions that are viable for the economy, environment and the people of the country. The envelope accounts for almost 40% of overall energy use. A well designed envelope can impact about 50% of the building energy use. The purpose of this research is to assess the life cycle cost of the selected types of building envelopes and their components in composite climate, typically in office buildings. In this study, the scope is limited to the identified elements of building envelope: conventional brick wall, AAC block wall, Cavity wall and structural glazing. A model is designed for the study of alternatives as a building envelope through simulation using eQuest energy modelling software. Its outcome gave the alternative which consumes comparatively higher energy, i.e. structural glazing and the alternative which consumes least energy i.e. AAC block wall. Then the LCC was calculated for all the four alternatives and the result is compared with simulation results. This gave out that AAC block wall is the least energy consuming alternative and have the life cycle cost approximately similar to the cavity wall, which is the most cost-effective out of all four.

La Unidad Prototipo de Vivienda de Emergencia (UPVE) es el resultado del Proyecto de Investigación Aplicada VEM (Vivienda de Emergencia Militar) desarrollado con la colaboración de la Escuela Politécnica Superior de la Universidad CEU y la empresa Airbus Defense & Space. Es concebido como una unidad modular e industrializable de habitabilidad básica, de crecimiento programado y extensible, diseñada para proporcionar refugio y protección en entornos de crisis humanitaria o en contingencias de vulnerabilidad social con el fin de asegurar un hábitat sostenible de emergencia.La influencia que los procesos de construcción y materiales involucrados en la fabricación de dicha UPVE tienen en el medio ambiente, analizados mediante la metodología de Análisis de Ciclo de Vida (ACV), consideran especialmente crítico el reciclado de los materiales utilizados. Así, con el objetivo de analizar y disminuir el impacto medioambiental, se cuantifican cada una de las partes que componen la Unidad Proto...

A Avaliação do Ciclo de Vida (ACV) investiga sistematicamente os impactos ambientais e encontra aplicações inclusive na indústria da construção. Tao et al. (2014) desenvolveram uma arquitetura de Internet of Things (IoT) e extração de materiais em BIM para o nível de produção de produto. Este artigo apresenta resultados parciais de uma pesquisa de doutorado desenvolvida com o método Design Science Research (DSR), e mantém seu foco na fase de sugestão do método. Propõe-se uma adaptação do arcabouço conceitual de Tao et al. (2014) para aplicação à etapa de uso do edifício. O esquema IoT + BIM para ACV de edificações permaneceu com as mesmas camadas da estrutura proposta por Tao et al. (2014), mas altera o seu conteúdo devido ao propósito e escopo da ACV: (i) as atividades da camada de percepção estão relacionadas ao uso da edificação; (ii) a camada de dados inclui o modelo BIM e os dados de monitoramento de uso do espaço; (iii) A camada de serviço é reordenada e incorpora algoritmos de IA; e (iv) A camada de aplicação inclui profissionais de Arquitetura, Engenharia e Construção (AEC). Uma arquitetura de IoT baseada em BIM com inteligência para ACV no estágio de uso de edifícios é muito promissora e inovadora ao permitir a coleta de dados ambientais em tempo real, e a sua transformação-de forma inteligente e dinâmica-em indicadores. Esta estrutura será subsequentemente avaliada em ambientes institucionais de laboratório durante uma fase de uso.

Purpose The environmental impact of aluminum cans and aluminum food packaging has been extensively studied in the last years; most of the researchers focused their attention on the whole lifecycle: from the aluminum extraction to the end-of-life management, while there are no dedicated studies devoted to the detailed analysis of the rolling phase. The aim of this paper is to present an LCA analysis focused on the fabrication of the thin plates to be used for can and tray production; the work has been carried out by studying the “Laminazione Sottile” plant with a cradle-to-gate approach, considering as functional unit thin plates of two different alloys. Materials and methods Inventory data were collected from the “Laminazione Sottile S.p.A.” plant, and off-plant emissions from external goods and fuels were accounted for based on existent LCA databases. Gabi has been used as software to model the process and calculate the impacts, while the CML method has been used. Most of the data ...

The world is currently witnessing interest in environmental issues and awareness of the environment, sustainable development systems and green buildings, with the aim of making the most of the environmental resources, rationalizing energy consumption, and obtaining a clean environment and the materials of cladding play a role in achieving this, where the materials of the claddin g provide comfort to the residents and protection of the building in addition to achieving the aesthetic value of the interface. The goal of the research: To Spotlight on the development of technology and specifications in the building. The importance of green cladding materials and their role in achieving the integration of the building's façade with the environment. Provide a classification of the products of green facades and developed from them. Research methodology: The research is based on the theoretical approach in explaining the theoretical material provided and the experimental method in providing a technological idea for an experimental product of paint products and external cladding. Research structure: The research is divided into three parts related to the technology of materials and pr oducts of interface suppositions: building materials and traditional and upgraded cladding. Elements of the integration of the façade of the building with the environment (comfort, beauty, protection, and preservation of the safety of the environment). Attention to the complementary environmental elements, including (plants and trees) and the rationalization of the consumption of irrigation water.

The paper presents an empirical analysis of Carbon Footprint indicator applied to the public building of the Faculty of Chemistry at the University of Warsaw. Analysis takes into account direct and indirect CO2 emissions related to the functioning of the Faculty. Analysis concentrates on the year 2013 but also allows for some comparison with two earlier years and with two other public buildings in Warsaw. The final outcome of this study, with a help of thermo visual examinations, proposes a list of undertakings which are necessary to improve the efficient use of energy in the Faculty.

CASE STUDY OF AN ENERGY EFFICIENT COMMERCIAL BUILDING: VALIDATING DESIGN INTENT & ENERGY SIMULATION RESULTS WITH MONITORED PERFORMANCE DATA Prashant Bhanware, Indo-Swiss Building Energy Efficiency Project (BEEP), India Pierre Jaboyedoff, BEEP, Switzerland Saswati Chetia, BEEP, India Sameer Maithel, BEEP, India Bharath Reddy, BEEP, India

Consulting and technical assistance in handling the specific problems of designing of thin-walled cold-formed steel structures according to EN1993-1.3. Beneficiary: Sky Clad Ltd., Ireland. Total value: 3000€ (coordinator of research team).  65/01.07.2009. Experimental testing on storage racking components. Beneficiary: SC Dexion HI-LO Storage Solutions SRL. Total value: 18000€ (member research team).

Bir tesisin yaşam döngüsündeki maliyetinin büyük bir kısmı işletme döneminde oluşmaktadır. Bu maliyetleri düşürebilmek için tesis yönetimi sistemlerinin BIM modelleri ile entegrasyonu sektörde yeni olanaklar sağlamaktadır. Bu çalışmada BIM tesis yönetimi entegrasyonu ile daha verimli enerji tüketim analizleri ve daha başarılı bakım planları oluşturmak için bir yol gösterilecektir.

El cambio climático se presenta como uno de los grandes retos del siglo XXI. Ser capaces de medir sus avances, retrocesos y oportunidades es clave para poder generar estrategias efectivas en las organizaciones. La Huella de Carbono es un indicador capaz de aportar esta información. Su cuantificación permite el cálculo de las emisiones directas e indirectas de gases de efecto invernadero. Es por ello que este artículo se le puede reconocer un carácter estratégico, cuyo contenido no pretende ahondar en los conceptos teóricos sino dar las pautas prácticas necesarias para que una empresa sea capaz de justificar, iniciar e interpretar proyectos de cálculo y gestión de la Huella de Carbono en organizaciones y productos. Los resultados aportan la semilla necesaria para que toda actividad empresarial pueda tener su evaluación ambiental relativa a las emisiones de gases del efecto invernadero Palabras clave: Huella de carbono, análisis de ciclo de vida, medioambiente. Códigos JEL: Q51, Q53...

This work assesses the environmental impact generated by an office building in arid region throughout its life cycle (cradle to grave), by means of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). This study focuses on a comparison of different external wall systems that are conventionally used in building. With recycled materials and thermal insulation system, it's possible to reduce demand of energy consumption, evaluate their environmental indicators impacts, and also reduce them, throughout the building life cycle. In doing so, this work can contribute not only to control energy, long-term economic growth, but also to address pressing social issues, and mainly environmental impacts. We use an environmental analysis with a thermal dynamic simulation, to test the hypothesis on a data base of hot and dry climate of Biskra city. The last part consists of a technical approach, indicating the economy is the use of ecological and recycled materials. The results of this study show that the exterior insulation system, obtained the best environmental scores, being 30% less than the interior insulation system and 50% less than the distributed insulation system. Also, recycled materials save energy in their manufacture, and building energy consumption for its use and have a reduced building impact on the environment throughout its life cycle (cradle to grave). This work shows how LCA application is not only feasible, but recommended because it is a decision support tool in the search for sustainability and make use of recycled materials.

Deploying new construction technologies and materials has solved many environmental problems caused by building waste materials, namely saves energy and natural resources, and reduces environmental pollutants through reusing and recycling building materials and increasing lifespan and durability of the materials. Nonetheless, in developing countries like Iran, due to lack of the Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste management plans and these new technologies, merely negligible amounts of C&D waste materials are recycled annually, resulting in environmental pollution and heavy costs in metropolitan cities such as Tehran. In this paper, along with reviewing previous researches done in the field of recycling building materials, their significant role and embodied energies in the environmental spaces was explained. The most important types of them (including plastics, textile, metal, glass, paper, aggregates, bricks, and wood), were identified to examine their potential in further plans and designs, as well as their unique recycling features and characteristics. The research method is descriptive-comparative, and after reviewing the existing literature, this issue has been considered in Tehran as one of the largest cities. Tehran is engaging with environmental pollution caused by C&D materials, especially mixing sand and cement, concrete, bricks which account for 30%, 19%, and 18% respectively. Finally, mid-term and long-term solutions were proposed in order to create a framework for the improvement of future recycling projects, especially in the city of Tehran.

Bu makale, birinci yazar tarafından İTÜ Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Mimarlık Anabilim Dalı, Yapı Bilimleri Programında tamamlanmış olan "Linking customer relationship management & architecture/engineering/construction processes through facility management integration" adlı doktora tezinden hazırlanmıştır. Makale metni 19.10.2006 tarihinde dergiye ulaşmış, 08.02.2007 tarihinde basım kararı alınmıştır. Makale ile ilgili tartışmalar 01.02.2009 tarihine kadar dergiye gönderilmelidir. Özet Bilişim teknolojilerinin gelişimi ile artan iletişim ve işbirliği imkânları, iş süreçlerinin yeniden yapılanması gerekliliğini de beraberinde getirmektedir. Bilişim çözümlerinin bir parçasını oluşturan yazılımlar "birlikte çalışabilirlik" anlamında günümüzde oldukça gelişmiş yeteneklere sahip olmakla birlikte, enformasyon seviyesinde çok belirgin boşluklar mevcuttur. İnşaat sektöründe bilişim teknolojilerinin etkinliğinin artması endüstrileşme ile mümkün olabilir. Endüstrileşme, farklı bir boyutta irdelenebilecek olan inşaat sektöründe kalite problemlerinin giderilmesi için de bir araçtır. Kalitenin tasarımla başladığı gerçeğinden yola çıkıldığında, "tasarım", "yapım (inşaat)", "kullanım" süreçlerini bütünleştirecek bir bağlantı, enformasyon seviyesindeki birçok açığın kapanmasına yardımcı olacaktır. Enformasyon sistemleri açısından bakıldığında tasarım süreçleri bir "Bina Enformasyon Modeli"nin tanımlandığı süreç, "Yapım" bu "Bina Enformasyon Modeli"nin kullanıldığı ve karşılığında bir "Yapı Ürün Modeli"nin oluşturulduğu süreç, "Kullanım" ise bu "Yapı Ürün Modeli"nin test edildiği süreç olarak karşımıza çıkmaktadır. Bu çalışmada yapı ürün modelinin kullanım süreçlerinde test edilmesi sonucu ortaya çıkan bilgi ve verilerin, tasarım süreçlerine aktarılarak ilgili bina enformasyon modelinin bilimsel analizini kolaylaştırmak ve her seferinde daha kaliteli ve endüstrileşmiş sistemler tasarlanmasını mümkün kılacak bir bilişim bağlantısı oluşturmak hedeflenmektedir. Bu bağıntı, Bakım Onarım Servislerini bütünleştiren bir iş modeli ve bu iş modeli için seçilecek Müşteri İlişkileri Yönetimi çözümleri yardımı ile güncel birlikte çalışabilirlik standartları çerçevesinde kurgulanmaktadır. Bu çalışmada bahsi edilen enformasyon boşluğu analiz edilmekte ve bu boşluğu köprülemek için kalite odaklı bir bilişim modeli önerilmektedir.

The energy performance of a building can be assessed using various indicators that will not give the same score. This study evaluates the performance of the French housing stock using several indicators based either on the energy level at which energy consumption is assessed (primary, final or useful), or on greenhouse gas emissions, or on the energy bill. An indicator calculated at each of the 3 stages of the energy chain allows a sequential approach to building performance: the "useful energy" level measures the performance of the thermal insulation of the envelope, the "final energy" level adds the consideration of the performance of equipment providing energy services, and the "primary energy" level combines the performance of energy sources. The paper focuses on the comparison of French (DPE, Diagnostic de Performance Energétique, French Energy Performance Certificate) and UK (EPC, Energy Performance Certificate) indicators. The European Union has widely disseminated the EPC for housing through the EPBD 2002/91/EC (Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, then revised in 2010 and 2018). Originally, with the exception of the number of seven energy classes, Member States were free to choose the details of the calculations of their "national" EPC. Most European countries-including France-have chosen an absolute value scale to define performance ranges and a primary energy indicator for energy performance. The United Kingdom has chosen an indicator related to the energy bill and expressed on a standard scale.

It seems that brick manufacturers in Slovakia are well prepared for high thermal resistance requirements. However, they are not ready for the requirement of the summer overheating that occurs more frequently. The article deals with a new type of asymmetric masonry block in various variants of its possible construction. The primary goal is to improve the thermal comfort in summer and eliminate the overheating. The new type of ceramic block is based on an existing mineral-filled block and it is supplemented with an internal thermal storage layer. The dynamic simulations presented in the paper show how the resulting indoor temperature could be lowered when the brick is properly adjusted. It also shows how the most popular wall is currently 300 mm thick aerated concrete with 150 mm thick polystyrene. They are practically on the same level. An improvement of approximately 0.8 ° C may come with the use of new special types of bricks aimed at combating summer overheating.

Resumo Embora ainda pouco disseminada, a integração entre a Avaliação do Ciclo de Vida (ACV) e do Custo do Ciclo de Vida (CCV) de edificações e a Modelagem de Informações da Construção (BIM) vem sendo uma área de tendência de pesquisas no setor de gestão das construções. Porém, para que a interoperabilidade entre essas áreas ocorra adequadamente, é necessária uma adoção do ACV / CCV integrado ao BIM ainda na fase inicial do projeto, momento em que a maioria das decisões de sustentabilidade deve ser tomada. O objetivo do presente trabalho é desenvolver uma revisão das pesquisas voltadas para a integração entre a avaliação do ciclo de vida e BIM, por meio de uma análise bibliométrica realizada baseada em bancos de dados como Scopus e Web of Science. Concluiu-se que a integração do BIM com ACV / CCV permite: a redução de recursos, esforços e a minimização da ocorrência de erros para a otimização do desempenho ambiental da edificação, mas ainda existem algumas limitações dessa integração com relação à interoperabilidade entre as ferramentas utilizadas e essa é uma questão fundamental para impulsionar ou usar o BIM integrado ao ACV e ao CCV. Portanto, o potencial do BIM no desenvolvimento de um projeto sustentável vai depender não apenas das tecnologias aplicadas, como da integração entre elas.

El análisis de ciclo de vida es un proceso objetivo que busca evaluar las cargas ambientales asociadas con los productos, procesos o actividades, en este caso con aquellos impactos generados por todo el ciclo de vida de un edificio, desde la extracción de materias primas, la fabricación de materiales y la construcción de éste, hasta su etapa operativa y su disposición final, de esta forma, funciona como una retroalimentación al proceso de diseño y construcción de edificios y determina una mejor elección de materiales y sistemas constructivos. El presente artículo resume los hallazgos encontrados al implementar un análisis de ciclo de vida, ACV, en un edificio de cero energía neta ubicado en El Salvador, dentro del campus de la Universidad Centroamericana José Simeón Cañas, con el fin de determinar los impactos de carbono y energéticos que éste genera, haciendo énfasis en sus sistemas constructivos, materiales y sus etapas a lo largo del ciclo de vida, mediante dos metodologías de ACV, una de simulación con el software SimaPro, con enfoque de la cuna a la tumba (cradle-to-grave), y otra con una tabla interactiva y compuesta para el cálculo de los impactos incorporados del edificio, con enfoque de la cuna a la puerta (cradle-to-gate). Palabras claves-Análisis de ciclo de vida en edificios, edificios cero energía neta, impactos energéticos de edificios,

Es concebido como una unidad modular e industrializable de habitabilidad básica, de crecimiento programado y extensible, diseñada para proporcionar refugio y protección en entornos de crisis humanitaria o en contingencias de vulnerabilidad social con el fin de asegurar un hábitat sostenible de emergencia.La influencia que los procesos de construcción y materiales involucrados en la fabricación de dicha UPVE tienen en el medio ambiente, analizados mediante la metodología de Análisis de Ciclo de Vida (ACV), consideran especialmente crítico el reciclado de los materiales utilizados. Así, con el objetivo de analizar y disminuir el impacto medioambiental, se cuantifican cada una de las partes que componen la Unidad Prototipo desarrollada, valorando los beneficios resultantes de los procesos de fabricación en la disposición final de los materiales según la metodología DfMA (Design for Manufacturing and Assembly).

3.12 Determinación del Valor Actual Neto. 3.13 Determinación del Tiempo de recuperación del capital. 3.14 Coeficiente Beneficio-Costo. 3.15 Resumen de criterios financieros. 3.16 Cronograma de implementación. 3.17 Conclusiones. 3.18 Recomendaciones.

In order to allow nationwide or regional analyses of ventilation and indoor air quality issues in residential buildings, a collection or "suite" of homes has been defined to represent the housing stock of the United States. This collection of dwellings is based on two residential housing surveys, the U.S. Department of Energy Residential Energy Consumptions Survey (RECS) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Housing Survey (AHS), both of which are conducted periodically to characterize the U.S. housing stock. The RECS dataset includes about 6000 U.S. residences, and the AHS covers about 60,000. Based on these datasets, just over 200 dwellings were defined that together represent 80 % of the U.S. housing stock. These dwellings are grouped into four categories: detached, attached, manufactured homes and apartments. This paper describes the RECS and AHS datasets and how they were used to define this collection. Among the key characteristics addressed in defining these dwellings are age, floor area, number of floors, foundation type and existence of a garage. In addition, this report describes multizone representations of the dwellings that were created in the airflow model CONT AM and are now available for analyses of residential ventilation, indoor air quality and energy issues. The report documents the data sources used to develop the models, describes each model, and summarizes the testing of the models to establish their validity.