scholarly journals USING LEAN PRACTICES TO IMPROVE CURRENT CARBON LABELLING SCHEMES FOR CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS— A GENERAL FRAMEWORK

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 173-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Wu ◽  
Yingbin Feng
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Automobile Industry ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Precast Concrete ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
National Standards ◽  
Lean Practices ◽  
Absolute Measurements ◽  
Relative Measurements

The construction industry has considerable environmental impacts through the process of manufacturing building materials and building construction. Many environmental labelling programs have been introduced to the construction industry to measure the environmental impacts, including building up the environmental profiles for building materials. Although absolute measurements of the environmental impacts can be obtained by these labelling programs through detailed Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies, relative measurements should not be overlooked to indicate the gap between the current and the “leanest” performance. The term “lean” is often used to describe a process with less wastes, materials, human effort, time, etc. The lean concept originates from the Toyota Production System and has been applied in the automobile industry for decades. This paper therefore aims to investigate the applicability of a relative measurement of the environmental impacts for building materials by introducing the concept of “lean score”. The research aim is narrowed down by choosing the carbon labelling program and the precast concrete products as research objectives. The results indicate that a “lean” benchmark can be built to offer relative measurements of carbon emissions for precast concrete products. The lean score obtained from the benchmarking process provides the improving potential that can help the construction industry move towards sustainability. The results are also useful for regulatory bodies to establish national standards to measure the environmental impacts for building materials.

scholarly journals Case Study: LCA Methodology Applied to Materials Management in a Brazilian Residential Construction Site

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
João de Lassio ◽  
Josué França ◽  
Kárida Espirito Santo ◽  
Assed Haddad
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Ceramic Materials ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Life Cycle Thinking ◽  
Lca Methodology

The construction industry is increasingly concerned with improving the social, economic, and environmental indicators of sustainability. More than ever, the growing demand for construction materials reflects increased consumption of raw materials and energy, particularly during the phases of extraction, processing, and transportation of materials. This work aims to help decision-makers and to promote life cycle thinking in the construction industry. For this purpose, the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology was chosen to analyze the environmental impacts of building materials used in the construction of a residence project in São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The LCA methodology, based on ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 guidelines, is applied with available databases and the SimaPro program. As a result, this work shows that there is a substantial waste of nonrenewable energy, increasing global warming and harm to human health in this type of construction. This study also points out that, for this type of Brazilian construction, ceramic materials account for a high percentage of the mass of a total building and are thus responsible for the majority of environmental impacts.

scholarly journals Bio-based construction materials for a sustainable future

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rijk Block ◽  
Barbara Kuit ◽  
Torsten Schröder ◽  
Patrick Teuffel
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Structural Engineering ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Flax Fibres ◽  
The Past ◽  
Natural Building ◽  
Paris Climate Agreement ◽  
Primary Materials

<p>The structural engineering community has a strong responsibility to contribute to a more efficient use of natural resources. Nowadays the construction industry is by far the most resource intense industry sector, approximately 40-50% of all primary raw materials are used, which raises the question about the architects and engineer’s accountability. In this context and as a result of the Paris Climate agreement the Dutch government defined the program “Nederland Circulair in 2050”, which states the ambition to use 50% less primary materials in 2030 and to have a full circular economy in 2050.</p><p>One possible approach to achieve these ambitious goals is the application of renewable, bio-based materials in the built environment and to replace traditional, typically cement-based, materials. Already in the past natural building materials, such as timber and bamboo have been used widely, but in recent years new materials came up and provide new opportunities to be used in the construction industry. The authors explored various alternatives, such as hemp and flax fibres, mycelium and lignin-based fibres for composite materials, which will be described with various experimental and realised case studies.</p>

scholarly journals Thermal Properties of Foamed Concrete with Addition of Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) Fiber

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 4662-4670 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Properties ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Natural Fiber ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Fiber Reinforced Concrete ◽  
Empty Fruit Bunch ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Foamed Concrete

The key players in the construction industry around the globe are very enthusiastic in producing better construction materials that are cost-effective, durable, excellent thermal insulation, lightweight and long lasting without jeopardizing the environment. One of the best ways in producing such building materials are by incorporating industrial waste materials such as Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) fiber in foamed concrete (FC). In recent years, the spotlight has been given towards the use of natural fiber reinforced concrete-based materials especially in Malaysia in a quest of economic and environmental upkeep particularly in the construction sector itself. Hence, this study intended to recognize the influence of Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) fiber of four different contents (0.15%, 0.30%, 0.45% and 0.60 %) by mix volume on thermal properties of FC. There were three densities of 800kg/m3 , 1100kg/m3 and 1400kg/m3 we cast and tested. The mix design of FC (sand: cement: water) is fixed at the ratio of 1:1.5:0.45. The investigation focuses on three parameters which were thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and specific heat capacity. Results showed that the addition of EFB in FC plays an important role to improve the thermal performance holistically. The results demonstrated a great potential possesses by the EFB fiber to be utilized in cement-based materials such as the FC mix which is beneficial in reducing the thermal property or the transfer of heat in a produced concrete.

scholarly journals INTERNATIONAL TRENDS AND CURRENT CHALLENGES OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS MARKET DEVELOPMENT

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yulia Orlovska ◽  
◽  
Daria Havrylenko ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Real Estate ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
International Trends ◽  
The World ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Construction Services

The main international trends in the world market of construction materials and services have been analyzed. The dynamics of world GDP and exports of construction services for the period 2000-2019 has been studied and a conclusion is made on the impact of economic crises on their growth rates. It has been determined that the dynamics of world exports of construction services is characterized by high instability with peaks of growth and decline, and is more sensitive than GDP growth. It has been noted that overcoming the crisis in the export sector of construction services takes more time and occurs with an approximate two-year time lag compared to GDP dynamics. The share of the construction industry in the world GDP by the degree of development has been analyzed. The reasons for the decline in the share of the construction industry in countries with economies in transition have been substantiated. It has been noted that in the developed countries the share of the construction sector is accounted for by real estate management activities related to maintenance, rent, purchase and sale and other transactions with land and real estate. The forecast values of growth of the market of building materials and services till 2030 have been given. The essence of the term «wide construction» has been revealed and the structure of this sector in different countries of the world is shown. The main exporters in the world construction market have been given and the structural distribution of the largest construction companies in the world ranking by country of origin has been analyzed. The dynamics of income level in the construction industry market for the period 2011-2018 has been studied. It has been noted that an important area of the construction sector is the market of roofing and facade materials and the world's largest companies for the production of this type of construction materials have been revealed. Conclusions on the essence of global transformations of the market of building materials and services have been made, and also it has been defined that they are caused by transnationalization of corporate structure of the market, influence of scientific and technical progress and information and communication technologies on world centers as well as the emergence of the concept of «sustainable construction» in the course of humanity for sustainable development.

scholarly journals Radiological and physico-chemical characterization of red mud as an Al-containing precursor in inorganic binders for the building industry

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-191
Author(s):  
Ljiljana Kljajevic ◽  
Miljana Mirkovic ◽  
Sabina Dolenec ◽  
Katarina Ster ◽  
Mustafa Hadzalic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Natural Radioactivity ◽  
Red Mud ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Polymerization Process ◽  
Alkali Activation ◽  
Silica Alumina ◽  
Alkali Activated

The potential re-use of red mud in the building and construction industry has been the subject of research of many scientists. The presented research is a contribution to the potential solution of this environmental issue through the synthesis of potential construction materials based on red mud. A promising way of recycling these secondary raw materials is the synthesis of alkali-activated binders or alkali activated materials. Alkali-activated materials or inorganic binders based on red mud are a new class of materials obtained by activation of inorganic precursors mainly constituted by silica, alumina and low content of calcium oxide. Since red mud contains radioactive elements like 226Ra and 232Th, this may be a problem for its further utilization. The content of naturally occurring radionuclides in manufactured material products with potential application in the building and construction industry is important from the standpoint of radiation protection. Gamma radiation of the primordial radionuclides, 40K and members of the uranium and thorium series, increases the external gamma dose rate. However, more and more precedence is being given to limiting the radiological dose originating from building materials on the population these days. The aim of this research was to investigate the possible influence of alkali activation-polymerization processes on the natural radioactivity of alkali activated materials synthesized by red mud (BOKSIT a. d. Milici, Zvornik, Bosnia and Herzegovina) and their structural properties. This research confirmed that during the polymerization process the natural radioactivity was reduced, and that the process of alkali activation of raw materials has an influence on natural radioactivity of synthesized materials.

scholarly journals Characterization of clay deposits in the Adrar region, with a view to their valorization in the building materials industry

2018 ◽  
Vol 149 ◽  
pp. 01079
Author(s):  
Abbou Mohammed ◽  
Moulay Omar Hassan ◽  
Semcha Abdélaziz ◽  
Kazi-Aoual Fatiha
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Sedimentary Basins ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Clay Deposits ◽  
Algerian Sahara ◽  
Local Materials

In the context of sustainable local development of the Adrar region, one of the largest regions in the Algerian Sahara. The search for local useful substances has been initiated by the Algerian state to cover the need for building materials in the construction industry. However, from a geological point of view, the Adrar zone is located in the extension of the primary chain of the Ougarta which separates two sedimentary basins of Reggane and Timimoun, as well as the basin of Sbâa. In this context, an experimental study is focused on the characterization of clay deposits, with a view to their valorization in the construction materials industry (ceramics) sector, with the aim of contributing to the use of local materials.

Development of the Building Materials Market Research System

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-63
Author(s):  
Marina Mishlanova ◽  
A. Veleva
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Market Research ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Direct Methods ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Research System ◽  
Indirect Methods ◽  
Complex Process ◽  
Construction Products

The building materials market research is a complex process, one of the main problems of which is the collection and processing of information. The article presents a characteristic of the methods of analysis of this market. The aim of the study was to develop an integrated approach and methods for analyzing the building materials market to ensure the development of the construction materials sector and the construction industry as a whole. The analysis made it possible to develop indirect methods of market research based on indicators of realized demand and realized supply. The triune methodical complex includes: the method of material costs of the executor of construction and installation works, the method of economic results of the manufacturer of building materials and the analysis of the market of final construction products. The proposed indirect methods, combined with direct methods, constitute a system for researching the construction materials market.

scholarly journals Factorial Design of Concrete Production in Hot and Warm Humid Zones in South East Nigeria

2021 ◽  
pp. 106-116
Author(s):  
M. Odoanyanwu Ndubuisi ◽  
H. Ivoke Ifeanyichukwu ◽  
C. Odom Uzodimma
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
National Standards ◽  
Existing Building ◽  
Concrete Production ◽  
Major Variable ◽  
Production Practices ◽  
Major Factors

This study narrates the quality of concrete production as slump wet in warm and hot zones. The quality of concrete mixture is of inevitable concern to all stakeholders in the construction industry in the zones when the climatic conditions of the zones are considered. Absence of National standards, environmental and climatic conditions and other factors are the main factors that affect the quality of concrete produced in the area. The affected mix ratio is examined and all the prevailing construction/production practices are considered. All necessary measures for improving the quality of concrete produced are surveyed considering the relationships between various variables used in the mixture. Three major factors (variables) that are found to be influencing the quality of concrete in the south east, Nigeria. The absence or lack of implementing the existing building code, climatic conditions in the zones and types of construction materials available, all remain the major variable influencing the quality of present concrete production in the zones of south east, Nigeria.

scholarly journals Peningkatan Produktivitas Konstruksi Melalui Pemilihan Metode Konstruksi

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
Paulus Setyo Nugroho
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Precast Concrete ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
High Speed Rail ◽  
Modular Systems ◽  
Guaranteed Quality ◽  
Manufacture Industry ◽  
Increase Productivity ◽  
Precast Structures

<p>Productivity growth in the construction is lower than that of in the industry sector. Level of innovation in this sector is too low. Many problems of inefficiency in the construction process are a lotof waste of resources that do not produce value. According to  LCI (Lean ConstructionInstitute) waste in the construction industry is about 57% while the activity that adds value is only 10%. The construction industry has a lot to learn from manufacture industry. Some innovations by applying an appropriate and efficient  methods in the field of construction adopted many of the manufacturing, including modular systems/fabrication (precast concrete). Construction materials are mass produced in acontrolled environment and then assembled inthe site. The use of precast on any project shows that there are advantages obtained are: cheaper, faster/more productive and guaranteed quality. The duration of the Rusunawa (Simple Flats for Rent) Structure construction phase in Cilacap for precast method is 168 days while for the implementation of the conventional method is 196 days. The duration of the construction of precast structures is faster 28 days (14%) faster than that of the conventional structures. In high-speed rail project on the border of Belgium and the Netherlands, use Rheda 2000 NL method, which development of Rheda method, can increase productivity and lower overtime costs as 24.6%. In the residential case, quicklyconstructed building criteria can be categorizedinto several aspects, such as dimensions, weight components and connection systems.The suitable selection criteria will accelerate instalment proses of the wall panel.</p>

Barriers to the use of sustainable materials in Australian building projects

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheetal Gounder ◽  
Abid Hasan ◽  
Asheem Shrestha ◽  
Abbas Elmualim
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Building Projects ◽  
Sustainable Building ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Materials ◽  
Main Barrier ◽  
Economic Considerations ◽  
Sustainable Building Materials

PurposeAlthough the adverse effects of construction activities on the environment and the need for sustainable construction practices are recognised in both research and practice, any significant shift in the selection and use of construction materials from the sustainability perspective has not taken place in many building projects. Still, conventional construction materials are widely used in building projects in both developed and developing countries. This study attempts to identify the main barriers to the use of sustainable materials in building projects in an advanced economy such as Australia.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted a questionnaire survey approach to examine the main reasons behind the low usage of sustainable materials in building projects. Based on the relative importance index, exploratory factor analysis and multinomial logistic regression analysis, the study examined the main barrier measures and barrier factors to the use of sustainable materials in building projects.FindingsThe findings reveal that critical barriers to the use of sustainable materials are related to cost and profit considerations, the unwillingness of the key stakeholders to incorporate these materials into building projects, lack of incentives and government policies. The factor analysis reduced the critical barrier measures into three factors: techno-economic considerations, cost and delay concerns and resistance to use. Furthermore, multinomial regression analysis based on the extracted factors identified techno-economic considerations as the main barrier factor to the use of sustainable materials in building projects.Practical implicationsThe empirical results of this research can inform construction practitioners, organisations and policymakers on how to increase the use of sustainable building materials in the construction industry.Originality/valueIdentification of barriers to the use of sustainable building materials is a prerequisite to improve their uptake and use in the construction industry. The study fills a gap in the existing research on the use of sustainable materials in building projects in Australia.

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