Sustainable Construction A Life Cycle Approach in Engineering

The Construction, maintenance and use of buildings impacts substantially on our environment
and is currently contributing significantly to irreversible changes in the world's climate,
atmosphere and ecosystem.
Energy is consumed when:
• Extracting raw materials.
• Producing materials (Manufacturing process).
• Transporting materials.
• Transporting workforce.
• Building structures.
• Using and powering structures.
• Maintaining structures and demolishing structures.(Sobek,2005)
Alternative energy resources may help us for energy saving; such as PV panels, wind energy.
Also the heat pumps are useful for saving energy
2. PRINCIPLES FOR A GREEN BUILDING
2.1 Planning and site selection principles
1. Select a site nearby the public transportation.
2. Select a site nearby the commercial, cultural facilities and recreation areas.
3. Try to encourage walking or bicycle use
4. Try to encourage alternative transportation ( low emitting and fuel efficient cars) .
For example there can be more parking lots for vehicles mentioned above
5. While sitting the building on the selected site north, south, east, west directions and
also the main wind direction must be considered ( by the help of daylight usage you can
reduce electrical energy demand)
6. Protect and retain existing landscaping and natural features. Select plants that have
low water and pesticide needs, and generate minimum plant trimmings.(Larsson, 2009)
2.2. Energy efficiency principles
1. Passive design strategies can dramatically affect building energy performance. These
measures include building shape and orientation, passive solar design, and the use of
natural lighting.
2. Develop strategies to provide natural lighting.
3. Use a properly sized and energy-efficient heating/cooling system in conjunction with
a thermally efficient building shell. Maximize light colors for roofing and wall finish
materials, install high R-value wall and ceiling insulation, and use minimal glass on
east and west exposures.
4. Minimize the electric loads from lighting, equipment, and appliances.
5. Install high-efficiency lighting systems with advanced lighting controls. Include motion
sensors tied to dimmable lighting controls. Task lighting reduces general overhead
light levels.
6. Consider alternative energy sources, such as photovoltaics and fuel cells, that are
now available in new products and applications. Renewable energy sources provide a
great symbol of emerging technologies for the future.
7. Computer modeling is an extremely useful tool in optimizing design of electrical and
mechanical systems and the building shell.( IWMB,2000)
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