Role of Engineers in Sustainable Construction - Assignment Example

? Role of Engineers in Sustainable Construction Table of Contents Introduction………………………………………………..3 2. Lifecycle CO2 Assessmentfor Sustainability……………...3 3. Concrete Technology for Sustainable Construction……….4 4. Achieving Sustainability through a Diagrid Facade……….6 5. Conclusion…………………………………………………6 6. References…………………………………………………8 7. Appendices………………………………………………...9 ROLE OF ENGINEERS IN SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION Introduction In constructing a building for Apple Inc. within the Sydney area, it will be essential to ensure that the building is sustainable, fitting within the Sydney area walking tour concept. Architectural engineers are best placed to provide sustainable development solutions. Architectural engineers have a tremendous responsibility when it comes to sustainable development, particularly its implementation, because of their central role in construction, as well as their skills and knowledge (Donnelly & Boyle, 2006: p149). This report seeks to examine the aspects required to construct a sustainable building for Apple Corporation. The report will focus on the issues that the Apple building must take into consideration in keeping with the sustainability of construction pioneered in Sydney’s walking tour. First, the engineers must assess the CO2 lifecycle of concrete from the production of raw materials, their transport to the construction site, and concrete production (Park et al, 2012: p2941). This will be done with the aim of pinpointing the processes that require more effort in reduction of CO2 emissions. After this, is completed, the engineers should now use this information to come up with the appropriate concrete technologies that will reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency. Finally, the engineers will also have to design a diagrid facade that increases the energy efficiency and sustainability of the Apple building by reducing electricity needs. Lifecycle CO2 Assessment for Sustainability In constructing the Apple building within the context of Sydney’s walking tour; the building will have to take into consideration the lowering of CO2 emissions so as to make sustainable concrete. According to Park et al, the process of concrete production is divided into various stages, including raw material production, material transportation, and concrete production, all of which must be assesses to reduce emissions (Park et al, 2012: p2942), as shown in appendix 1. Park et al (2012), build on Donnelly & Boyle’s assertion on the importance of architectural engineers in sustainable construction by asserting that they will have to assess the CO2 emissions in concrete lifecycle, especially as they seek to increase the compressive strength of concrete. This can be done through computing for the emitted CO2 and consumed energy for production of cement, admixture, and aggregate as shown in appendix 2. During transportation, the fuel used by trucks, distance travelled, and their fuel efficiency is important. Finally, with regards to production, the total consumption of energy and CO2 emission is measured for the storage, transportation, measurement, and mixing stages (Park et al, 2012: p2943). These emissions are assessed with the aim of reducing emissions and improving sustainability of the environment. The engineers will also have to come up with ways to accurately assess these emissions during the construction of the Apple building so as to ensure that it fits within the confines of allowed emissions in the area covered by the Sydney walking tour. In this case, the engineers will have to analyze the emissions from the cement, coarse aggregate, fly ash, blast furnace slag, water, fine aggregate, and water with reduction of admixture in different proportions (Park et al, 2012: p2944). The engineers will also be required to analyze the lifecycle of CO2 emissions. Taking into account the lifecycle of CO2 emissions and its simultaneous increase as attempts to increase its compressive strength are made, while making concrete during the winter may also increase emissions. In addition, the use of admixture should be considered as it reduces emissions of CO2 by at least 47%, while the using fly ash and blast furnace slag will also reduce emission by some 10% (Park et al, 2012: p2946). The incorporation of these findings into the Apple building will allow it to meet the sustainability standards in the Sydney walking tour, while also giving the engineers the require knowledge in coming up with the appropriate concrete technology. Concrete Technology for Sustainable Construction In constructing the Apple building, the engineers will also need to ensure that the manner in which they mix concrete ensures sustainability to the same level as other buildings on the Sydney walking tour. Gupta et al (2010: p90) propose the use of RheoTEC and SureTEC admixture technologies in this case, especially as engineers seek to compensate for water re-tempering at the job site with the affect of water re-tempering shown in appendix 3. This proposed technology from Gupta et al is the next logical step after assessing lifecycle CO2 as per park et al’s proposals. The Smart Dynamic Concrete technology can also be used for self-consolidation of the concrete. Unique performance of the X-Seed technology can also be used in constructing the Apple building, particularly as it facilitates increased productivity, sustainability, and improves energy reduction. Finally, the Green Sense technology is an approach that could aid the engineers in quantifying the many benefits of concrete mix designs that are optimized (Gupta et al, 2010: p90). These concrete technologies will enable the Apple building to adhere to sustainability standards pioneered on the Sydney walking tour since the engineers can use Green Sense technology to reduce their emission of CO2 through use of recycled materials and BASF admixtures (McGrath, 2012: p81). The RheoTEC technology allows admixture to maintain its workability, while also reducing the need for water re-tempering. Finally, the X-Seed technology uses concrete admixture that seeks to improve efficiency of energy use via heat curing reduction or the use of binders with low clinkers. Once the concrete technology has been identified, the engineers will now move to the design of the building, for which a diagrid facade will be most suited for a building on the Sydney walking tour. Achieving Sustainability through a Diagrid Facade Once the right concrete technology has been achieved, the engineers’ next area of focus is seeking to construct a building with a diagrid facade, which will make the Apple building recognizably sustainable in nature among other impressive buildings on the Sydney walking tour. McGrath (2012: p79) contends that a diagrid facade will maximize natural daylight to every floor in the building, while it will also encourage clean and green transport through fast connection points that reduce the need for lifts. McGrath furthers the aspects of energy reduction, CO2 emissions reduction, and sustainability proposed by Park et al and Gupta et al. Maximization of daylight will allow for energy efficiency and improved sustainability (McGrath, 2012: p79). This bold design, just as it has done for Macquarie Bank, will allow the Apple building to stand alongside other buildings like American Express building and KPMG. It will also allow the building to possess environmental sustainability and workplace functionality (Moon, 2011: p41). In addition, the diagrid facade will seek to achieve Six Star Green Stars, which is the highest ranking under the rating system used by Australia’s Green Building Council. Conclusion As engineers working on the Apple building to fit within the Sydney walking tour, delivering sustainable construction practices and outcomes is of utmost importance. The engineers will have the responsibility to implement sustainable construction because they are best placed to address the unique capabilities that this concept entails. Some of the capabilities that they possess have to do with; assessment and reduction of CO2 emission in the lifecycle of concrete from raw materials to construction. In addition to; apt concrete technologies that enable sustainable use of concrete in construction, use of diagrid facade, especially to allow clean transport and energy efficiency, and ensuring that the people working in the building are able to work in a self-sustaining environment. References Donnelly, R., & Boyle, C. 2006. The Catch-22 of Engineering Sustainable Development. Journal Of Environmental Engineering , 26 (1), 149-155. Gupta, R., Goyal, J., Das, S., & Tiwari, D. 2010. Low cement concrete technology for sustainable construction. Indian Concrete Journal , 84 (11), 88-93. McGrath, H. 2012. The architecture of One Shelley Street is as radical as its Interior. Retrieved November 19, 2013, from InDesignLive.com: http://www.shannonmcgrath.com/skillsEDIT/clientuploads/11/Indesign_Clive%20Wilkinson_.pdf Moon, K. S. 2011. Sustainable Design of Diagrid Structural Systems for Tall Buildings. International Journal of Sustainable Building Technology and Urban Development , 2 (1), 37-42. Park, J., Tae, S., & Kim, T. 2012. Life cycle CO2 assessment of concrete by compressive strength on construction. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews , 16 (5), 2940-2946. Appendix 1 Steps in Assessment of Lifecycle CO2 Emissions Material Manufacturing Transporting Concrete Production Appendix 2 Computation of CO2 basic units from concrete raw materials Material Unit Cost [W] CO2[kg] Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) kg 100 0.9310 Water kg 10 0.1960 Gravel (coarse aggregate) kg 40 0.0040 Sand (fine aggregate) kg 40 0.0013 Fly ash kg 42 0.0196 Blast furnace slag kg 52 0.0265 Air entraining and water reducing agent (chemical admixture) kg 79 0.2500 Appendix 3 How RheoTEC technology helps to attain consistent performance (Gupta et al, 2010: p95) Read More