Earth Construction and Sustainability

2014 ◽  
Vol 634 ◽  
pp. 433-446
Author(s):  
Normando Perazzo Barbosa ◽  
Khosrow Ghavami
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Economic Model ◽  
Building Material ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Basic Needs ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Earth Construction ◽  
Present Generation ◽  
Raw Earth

This paper presents some considerations on the impacts of industrialized construction materials to Planet Earth. It comments about sustainability and show that large part of the present generation has not met their basic needs, starting with the house. So, in this context, with the actual economic model, it becomes difficult to ensure that future generations are able to meet their own needs. Some considerations about possibilities of building with reduced environmental impact is presented. Comments about raw earth as building material are made. New possibilities to give stability to this material against water action is discussed. Finally, it shows some contemporary constructions made with earth in Brazil.

scholarly journals Design Optimisation Strategies for Solid Rammed Earth Walls in Mediterranean Climates

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 325
Author(s):  
Giada Giuffrida ◽  
Maurizio Detommaso ◽  
Francesco Nocera ◽  
Rosa Caponetto
Keyword(s):  
Energy Demand ◽  
Construction Material ◽  
Base Material ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Embodied Energy ◽  
Rammed Earth ◽  
Earth Construction ◽  
Material Choice ◽  
Earth Walls ◽  
Raw Earth

The renewed attention paid to raw earth construction in recent decades is linked to its undoubted sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and low embodied energy. In Italy, the use of raw earth as a construction material is limited by the lack of a technical reference standard and is penalised by the current energy legislation for its massive behaviour. Research experiences, especially transoceanic, on highly performative contemporary buildings made with natural materials show that raw earth can be used, together with different types of reinforcements, to create safe, earthquake-resistant, and thermally efficient buildings. On the basis of experimental data of an innovative fibre-reinforced rammed earth material, energy analyses are developed on a rammed earth building designed for a Mediterranean climate. The paper focuses on the influences that different design solutions, inspired by traditional bioclimatic strategies, and various optimised wall constructions have in the improvement of the energy performance of the abovementioned building. These considerations are furthermore compared with different design criteria aiming at minimising embodied carbon in base material choice, costs, and discomfort hours. Results have shown the effectiveness of using the combination of massive rammed earth walls, night cross ventilation, and overhangs for the reduction of energy demand for space cooling and the improvement of wellbeing. Finally, the parametric analysis of thermal insulation has highlighted the economic, environmental, and thermophysical optimal solutions for the rammed earth envelope.

Alternative Concrete – Geopolymer Concrete

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Fly Ash ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Building Material ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Geopolymer Concrete ◽  
Sustainable Solutions ◽  
New Construction ◽  
Alkali Activated

Concrete is the most versatile, durable and reliable material and is the most used building material. It requires large amounts of Portland cement which has environmental problems associated with its production. Hence, an alternative concrete – geopolymer concrete is needed. The general aim of this book is to make significant contributions in understanding and deciphering the mechanisms of the realization of the alkali-activated fly ash-based geopolymer concrete and, at the same time, to present the main characteristics of the materials, components, as well as the influence that they have on the performance of the mechanical properties of the concrete. The book deals with in-depth research of the potential recovery of fly ash and using it as a raw material for the development of new construction materials, offering sustainable solutions to the construction industry.

scholarly journals A Conceptual Framework Outlining Factors Affecting the Acceptance of Earth as a Sustainable Building Material in the United Kingdom

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 241
Author(s):  
Mohammad Sharif Zami
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Building Material ◽  
Review Of Literature ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Earth Construction ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The Uk

Despite the fact that contemporary earth construction may open up new avenues to cutting down CO2 emissions, a review of literature reveals that there is sparse research to date identifying reasons behind why there may be resistance to earth construction as a sustainable construction material in the United Kingdom. The aim of this paper is to formulate a conceptual framework that facilitates a clearer understanding of factors affecting the acceptance of earth as a sustainable material in the UK. To achieve this aim, this study adopted a research methodological framework comprising of an extensive review of literature, the Delphi technique, and in-depth interviews. The conceptual framework provides insight into factors related to the UK context specifically including a lack of technological innovation, resources, well-established supply chain networks, training facilities in universities and building codes. These issues may be addressed through the promotion of earthen architecture as a method of cutting CO2 emissions and introducing earth construction modules in relevant degree programs. Keywords: conceptual framework, factors, building material, earth, environmental sustainability

An Experimental Study on Clay and Sand Mixes to Develop a Non-Linear Homogenized Model for Earth Construction Materials

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elsa Anglade ◽  
Alain Sellier ◽  
Jean-Emmanuel Aubert ◽  
Aurélie Papon
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Experimental Study ◽  
Building Material ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Heterogeneous Material ◽  
Single Type ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Reconstituted Soil ◽  
Clay Matrix

Due to its ecological interest and large availability, a renewed attention is paid to earth as building material. Indeed, raw earth consumes CO2 only during its processing and transportation, and it provides a natural hygrothermal comfort. However, its mechanical properties are highly linked to its composition, which causes an important variability of performances. That is why any soil has to be characterized before being used as a building material. The aim of this study is to propose a model able to predict the hydromechanical behavior of a reconstituted soil according to its composition. As earth is a heterogeneous material, the model is based on homogenization procedures. The sand is considered as spherical inclusions inside a clay matrix. The particularity of the model stands to consider both positive and negative effects of volume variation and mechanical properties of clay under hydric variations. The model parameters are determined according to an original experimental campaign, which is conducted on various mixes of a single type of clay (kaolinite) and of sand, and water. The experimental study provides some mechanical properties of the mixes versus water content and sand content to test the ability of the homogenization model to assess the main properties of this material.

The Middle Ground for Nuclear Waste Management

2012 ◽  
pp. 306-318
Author(s):  
Alan Marshall
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Waste ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Seismic Events ◽  
Nuclear Waste Management ◽  
Community Acceptance ◽  
Present Generation ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Deep Underground ◽  
Social And Ethical Issues

The 2001 terrorist attacks in the USA and the 2011 seismic events in Japan have brought into sharp relief the vulnerabilities involved in storing nuclear waste on the land’s surface. Nuclear engineers and waste managers are deciding that disposing nuclear waste deep underground is the preferred management option. However, deep disposal of nuclear waste is replete with enormous technical uncertainties. A proposed solution to protect against both the technical vagaries of deep disposal and the dangers of surface events is to store the nuclear waste at shallow depths underground. This paper explores social and ethical issues that are relevant to such shallow storage, including security motivations, intergenerational equity, nuclear stigma, and community acceptance. One of the main ethical questions to emerge is whether it is right for the present generation to burden local communities and future generations with these problems since neither local peoples nor future people have sanctioned the industrial and military processes that have produced the waste in the first place.

Green Computing

2019 ◽  
pp. 124-149
Author(s):  
Sunil Kumar Mohapatra ◽  
Priyadarshini Nayak ◽  
Sushruta Mishra ◽  
Sukant Kishoro Bisoy
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Carbon Content ◽  
Significant Rise ◽  
Green Computing ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Social Benefits ◽  
Future Trends ◽  
Efficient Utilization ◽  
Current Trends ◽  
The Future

With the increase in the number of computers, the amount of energy consumed by them is on a significant rise, which in turn is increasing carbon content in atmosphere. With the realization of this problem, measures are being taken to minimize the power usage of computers. The solution is green computing. It is the efficient utilization of computing resources while minimizing environmental impact and ensuring both economic and social benefits. Green computing is a balanced and sustainable approach towards achieving a healthier and safer environment without compromising the technological needs of the current and future generations. This chapter studies the architectural aspects, the scope, and the applications of green computing. The emphasis of this study is on current trends in green computing, challenges in the field of green computing, and the future trends of green computing.

Characterization of Earth Used in Earth Construction Materials

2021 ◽  
pp. 17-81
Author(s):  
Jean-Emmanuel Aubert ◽  
Paulina Faria ◽  
Pascal Maillard ◽  
Kouka Amed Jérémy Ouedraogo ◽  
Claudiane Ouellet-Plamondon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Construction Materials ◽  
Earth Construction

The Interpretation and Inheritance of Green Local Building Material System in Modern Architecture - Case Study of Century Fishing Village Eelgrass Cottage Resort in Dayu Island, Shidao Bay, Jiaodong Peninsula

2018 ◽  
Vol 878 ◽  
pp. 140-145
Author(s):  
Ying Ding ◽  
Hong Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Building Material ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Construction Material ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Modern Architecture ◽  
Original Material ◽  
Material System ◽  
Fishing Village ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
New Buildings

Dayu island sea cottage is the most typical carrier of the fish culture in the coastal area of Jiaodong. In recent years, economic development, changes in fishermen's living habits led to a the dismantling of a large number of traditional sea cottages and gradual disappearing of unique Dayu island building materials system comprising of eelgrass roof, local granite stone wall and soil kang chimney. In order to protect the local cultural characteristics so they can be passed down, the paper sorted out the original traditional eelgrass cottage building material system. The project of Century Fishing Village Eelgrass Cottage Resort represents experimentation and innovation on the original material system, forming a novel construction material system. Such a system not only satisfies the requirement of new buildings on thermal insulation, energy and space conservation, but also enhances safety and resistance to wind, erosion. The wide adoption of the new material system in new buildings enhances the technique of integrating traditional construction materials and modern architecture in both form and function, making it an ideal design strategy.

scholarly journals Future Design as a Metacognitive Intervention for Presentism

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 7552
Author(s):  
Yoshinori Nakagawa ◽  
Tatsuyoshi Saijo
Keyword(s):  
Reference Point ◽  
Future Generation ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Temporal Reference ◽  
Future Design ◽  
The Past ◽  
Present Generation ◽  
Future Selves ◽  
Metacognitive Intervention ◽  
Imaginary Future Generation

Many serious problems occur due to conflicts between the interests of the present generation and the welfare of future generations, and thus, the actions of the preset generation may be a consequence of presentism. Drawing on the theoretical framework of metacognition, the present study investigates how presentism can be overcome through future design interventions that incorporate an imaginary future generation setting. Four workshop participants were interviewed, and transcripts of the interviews were made. There were two major findings. First, we identified narratives in the responses of participants that suggest that metacognition was active during the workshops concerning the two cognitions governed by present and future selves. Second, the narratives identified above were classified into two categories, and the two corresponding roles of metacognition were identified: the monitoring and controlling function and the harmonizing function. The former is essential for the acquisition of identity as a future person; the latter is essential for reconciling this future identity with the identity of the person in the present. The present study proposes that future design is a tool that can be used to intervene in the metacognition of individuals concerning how one chooses a temporal reference point from which to view the past, present, and future of society rather than a tool to naively motivate individuals to care for future generations.

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