Issues of Lightweight Steel Structures

Sustainable Construction Issues

Waste Reduction Process

Sustainability Construction Issues

Civil Engineer/Contractor comprehension

Legislation and creating awareness

Sustainable Construction Implementation

Risks of Sustainable Construction

Adaptive reuse issues

Recycling of Waste Processes

f. Principles of Sustainable Construction

Global warming

Energy conservation

g. Procurement and the process design

The project cycle

The Design-Bid-Build approach (DBB)

Strategy, Plan and programming of the project

The Main Procurement Activities

h. Bombarding sustainable construction issues

Ideologies of sustainability, especially in construction are perceived in favor of sustainable development. A good contractor and civil engineer works at the best interest of meeting the demands of the current technicalities of constructions and correlation to the present generation. However, attainment of sustainability is faced by several issues that are patent to construction issues. Adequate concepts should be exemplified and comprehended to avoid misconceptions that in turn implicate to essential procedures of construction such as procurement and design processes. Similarly, sustainability construction should be maintained by noting the long-term impacts it has to the global economy, culture, environment and technological advancements.

List of Figures

Figure 1.1: Waste Reduction Processes

Figure 1.2: Recycling of Waste (Processes Involved)

Figure 1.3: Main Procurement Activities

Introduction

The global gross domestic product is contributed by many industries from various fields of developmental business. Among the industries, is the construction industry that accounts for a larger percentage of the GDP. Already developed and developing nations are constantly under the industries operations in directly procuring all contracted constructions. However, these constructions do take place under strategized programs that enhance the sustainable construction. Under these programs, procurements, designs, innovations, adaptability and mitigation of climate and other related risks, biodiversity and waste management are looked upon to ensure that the global focus to sustainability is achieved. The subject and debate around sustainable constructions is affiliated to other issues conjoined to civil engineering outcomes. Conducting sustainable construction as a civil engineer capacitates the recognition of geotechnical constrains and environmental risks to underway infrastructure and building constructions.

According to Kennedy 2004, sustainable constructions have been faced with impending issues surrounding ecology, culture and technology. He perceives that a holistic approach to these issues alongside other possibilities is the most sustainable method in which contactors can change the global village to one full of certainty, especially in the construction industry. Having centered on buildings, Kennedy proposes a series of housing suggestions that if practiced, can lead to the achievement of construction sustainability (Kennedy, 2004, p 12).

Figure 1.2: Waste reduction processes

4

3

2

1

Improvement

Revision

Implementation

Planning

Questionnaires are filled and answered by the sub-contractors

The Main contractors together with the sub-contractors review the waste, and the necessary action is taken to fully minimize the waste and provide strategies for its management

Quantitative estimates

Quantitative Record

Qualitative Checklist 2

Experiences that are encountered are to be shared and learned.

Promote innovations

Raise awareness

Demonstration of the best recommendations regarding finance and environmental results

Required feedback is given to the client by the main contractor

The main contractor requests for the waste information reports from the sub-contractor

Qualitative Checklist 1

Waste is estimated by the Sub-contractor

Main contractor is responsible for the preparation of waste site and management plan

The targets for the w aste are targeted by the clients

Sustainability Construction Issues

a) Civil Engineer/Contractor comprehension

Similarly, they ascribe that sustainable construction was derived from a proposition that civil engineers should be responsible in their constructions. The proposition aimed at attaining sustainability. In support of the proposition, all contractors work with the objective of assessing new methodologies in building and construction with the intent of creating a healthy environment. The creation of this environment is expected after the utilization of resourceful and ecologically-based concepts while constructing. As an expected outcome, comprehensive sustainable construction or development should ensure that buildings and infrastructure should satisfy the principles of sustainable construction.

According to Hill and Bowen, 2000, sustainable construction is the provision of referred points to a construction contractor on different methodologies of refurbishing a design, infrastructure or building in a sustainable way. It mainly substantiates the designs that favor minimal wastage, lean designs of constructions, less pollution towards the environment, enhancement of biodiversity, resourceful conservation of water and the respect to the human environment and physical environs. The above favors are attained by use of four principles and strategized frameworks for sustainable construction. These principles are over-arched and process-oriented to provide a cornerstone of practice to a civil engineer (Hill and Bowen, 2000, p 223). They argue at a greater level about the concepts that most contractors ignore that bring forth sustainable construction and related issues. Hill and Bowen also assert that sustainable construction is never affiliated to semantic problems. This is due to the description detailed per se before any construction, panning or design is set to take place. They assert that despite the clarity of details, an inherent confusion is normal an issue with most constructors. It is mostly reverted to sustainable development. However, in applying any coherent comprehension, any civil engineer is expected to appraise the management of service in building any structure, it de-construction and necessary recycling of building materials. This achieves the ultimate goal of sustainability.

b) Legislation and creating awareness

Different literatures have tried explaining their context behind the innovation of sustainable construction and its issues. According to a DTI construction brief, sustainable construction has been adopted to effectuate responsible civil engineering operations. Environmental responsibility, social awareness and economic profitability are the key strands emphasized (DTI, 2004, p 3). Moreover, contractors are encouraged to work under a specific goal of encouraging the continuity of sustainability in construction even in the future. Better buildings and infrastructure are some of the practices that construction contractors should work upon in ensuring that sustainable progress is stimulated. In accordance to sustainability strategy of construction, Laing 2003 proposes that several issues should be prioritized to curb the ever emerging challenged allied to construction.

According to Laing, legislation is among the most recommended in driving the change towards sustainability. Achieving sustainability is faced by the amendment of several building regulation, which can be in favor or not to the environment. Consequentially, other relevant areas towards the environment such as water and energy production and emission are also affected. In curbing causative implications, legislations ensure that sustainable buildings follow developed policies that suggest the best level of practice towards construction. It is evident that there have been numerous global debates all with the aim of ensuring that legislation and other joint initiatives by governments in creating awareness not only to building engineers and contractors, but also to the public. In summary of his publication towards construction engineering, Laing mainly objectifies the ineffective strategies that underpin sustainable construction.

c) Sustainable Construction Implementation

In most growing economies, there are departmental areas of construction that deal with the relation of construction to the environment and transport sectors. According to Howard 2000, these departments consist of components that are essential in developing the construction industry through sustainable construction. In accordance to the components, social progress, economic growth, environmental protection and resourceful utilization are prioritized to ascertain the policy development of sustainable construction (Howard, 2000, p 5). However, just as Hill and Bowen argued about comprehension of sustainable construction, Howards adds up that the latter is an intrinsic and complex subject with contradicting variables to the construction contractors. In the same way, sustainable construction misconceptions are highly perceived and cause counter-intuitive issues implicating negatively to the industry.

Howards contends that among the vitality of issues facing sustainable construction is waste management. According to him, sustainable construction can be achieved effectively by ensuring that fewer materials are wasted through recycling. Developments in constructions have shown that quantities wasted especially after demolitions have reduced in comparison to the high demand of recycled materials. Recycling is among the most important strategies of sustainable construction by preserving capacitated landfill (Howard, 2000, p 5). In his argument, more than 40% of construction-generated wastes arising from construction repairs, maintenance and new built buildings and infrastructure. These wastes alter the environmental balance and hence do not contribute in attaining sustainable construction. Long-term effects are experienced to the landfills. These impacts are traceable to the quantifiable evaluation of components to the transport sector and in the regulation of noise and dust.

Sustainable construction is reliant to the recycling and reclaiming industries. Despite the area of waste extraction, there is greater reuse of materials from mainstream constructions. Howard further suggests that more reclamation of materials is also cost-effective as less processing is involved, more chances of employment are created and construction resources are efficiently utilized.

d) Risks of Sustainable Construction

Slivka tries to exemplify sustainability through the assessment of risks pertained to constructions. Globally, several councils have been at the forefront in championing for the attainment of constructive sustenance. The United States Green Building Council exceptionally sponsors the use of eco-friendly construction materials objectively for sustainable construction. The council heads the Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification system there by championing energy efficiency and safe environmental constructions (Slivka, 2011, pg. 1). This movement provides for healthy working and living environment for those that followed its views and objectives. Wide individual involvement with the movement fabricates most of the services that contractors generally offer in construction. Despite this, the movement highlights a number of risks. Threats posed by uncertified design methods and experimental methods frequently go unrecognized by the contractors. Such threats constitute the professional liabilities forming the better part of the set of risks that the movement expects. Some of the risks provided by the movement include intrusion, and exposure of organic (traditional) building material to water causing moisture problems. Mold and bacteria are the greatest resulting issues from exposure to water (Slivka, 2011, pg. 1).

Traditional construction products are over the time being developed and employed in building. Consumers of such products limit their attention on the long-term effects of the green building materials in terms of building performance. Products like water walls, vegetative roofing systems and solar panels potentially offer savings in energy and other cost savings. Contrary to this, there are shortcomings that are overly ignored by the contactors (professional liability) or owners. Issues countering sustainable construction include poor designs of building products, and lack of eco-building expertise. Many firms dig into sustainable construction projects before critical analysis of the building codes and statutes formulated to inform on the issues of sustainable construction. Building owners often fall prey of scheming contractors who wrongfully present their expertise to the clients with the aim of acquiring new contracts (Slivka, 2011, pg. 2).

The LEED as a movement details its certification issues, as it does not assure contractor's competence. Failure of certification of building materials causing financial fallouts is also another problem. Designing of construction projects according to the United States Green Building Council ensures follow up for tax credits and rent premiums. Avoiding this nullifies the benefits that might otherwise flow from marketing plans for the green building project (Slivka, 2011, pg. 2). Following this reason, the court forbids certification warranties from LEED. Construction firms create liabilities for themselves by involving their clients in project design process (advising customers). With the growing sustainable construction, contractors involve themselves in consultant services such as site preparation. This expands risks within the associated firms. Green construction benefits the society in many ways. However, uncertified products and even contractors themselves lead to professional liability threats. Such should be an everyday concern in green building.

e) Adaptive reuse issues

Adaptive reuse is an excellent option instead of demolishing existing constructions or buildings. It involves changing the original use of a construction. It enables further use of a construction, which would have otherwise become useless sometimes by restraining demolition policies. It saves money and gives environmental conservation benefits. Adaptive reuse interventions can involve different strategies to enable maximizing benefits. Reuse reduces environmental impact while conserving society's cultural heritage. Paradigms, which suggest that traditional buildings should be demolished, should be changed to embrace different adaptive reuse of buildings. The best method is to leave a building intact where possible. (Wu, 2010, p 200). Wu further recommends refurbishment as a better way if the building is in consistent to the aims of revitalization. He expounds that new technologies, low energy performance and design of green principles can improve the refurbishments. Refurbishment brings the advantage of sustainable environment, by avoiding wastes and saving money by the society. Opportunities that need strategic intervention can be identified by constructing an adaptive reuse potential (ARP) model (Langson, et al., 2008, p. 199).

Identified ARP in buildings by estimating the useful life, which included the obsolescence and physical life. Obsolescence was estimated through a combination of different factors, which included legal, technology, socio-economy and political criterion. High scores of obsolescence mean high potential for reuse. These estimations help to make assumptions about the likely benefits of reusing, cultural heritage, and demand after revitalization. This helps to make a reliable judgment on the probable outcome instead of just opinions (Wu, 2010, p 203).

Some conditions should be met before adoptive reuse is implemented; inappropriateness of facility purpose, heritage retention, structural integrity, and new use delivery of more value. Green performance improvement can also be a reason for reuse. Intervention can sometimes be adopted to improve poor operational performance where feasible. Designers can be sensitive in their skills and creativity this provides greater chances for change. Wu suggests that political agenda can be a key driver as they are the planning authorities making changes and revitalization of different areas. Evaluation is a requisite while determining reuse, costs, design, time efforts and risks are also put into consideration (Wu, 2010, p 199). Potential of adaptive reuse should be determined using appropriate analysis. Benefit ratio and social outcome should be painstaking in the planning process.

Figure 1.3: Recycling of Waste (Processes involved)

The middle people

Junk Dealers

Rag Pickers

Primary Industry

Consumer

Water

f) Principles of Sustainable Construction

According to Plank (2008, p 301), there is rampant increase in considering sustainability. However, the claim of sustainability is hardly true. Constructors consider the materials they use in building, and the products used to build as sustainable, yet the buildings deteriorate in value quick. When resources that are available are used in a prudent manner, the environment treated with respect and there is general development in both the economic upgrade and progress in the social aspects, then that is the point of attaining the sustainable construction level. All the constructions around us are quite important, as they are the homes we live in, the places we hibernate to from the bad weather and the work place. In fact, in average humans spend over 90% of their entire living in constructions (especially buildings). Enhancing the conditions of the buildings is therefore a measure that will guarantee better lives and working conditions (Plank, 2008, p 301).

However, Plank (2008, p. 302) also uncovers the limitations of the buildings, specifying there effects to the environment (cause of externalities). Many of the natural resources are mandatory for the construction of the buildings, including the use of energy. The waste from the buildings is also an issue, and has great negative impact on the environment, including pollution. When cement is manufactured, the emissions exposed to the air contain over 2% of carbon dioxide, this is one of the reason there is increase of extinction rates of vulnerable animals. There is need to conserve energy, using the recommended design processes, that will assist in limiting the high-energy consumption rates (Plank, 2008, p. 302).

i) Global warming

Plank (2008, p. 303) acknowledges the side effects of global warming as adverse and ever increasing. The emissions of carbon dioxide are becoming a threat and hazard to the health conditions of the people. There is need to trap and combat the increasing levels of the gas, which scientifically does not support life in any manner. All this issues of instability in the percentage of gases (high CO2 levels) all began in the era of revolution in the constructions, most of which are the industries. There is great risk awaiting the future if the trends of industrial behaviors continue. Atmospheric pressures will increase, and the capacity of the oceans to absorb the excessive carbon dioxide will reduce. There is dire need for a global strategy to be implemented, as the issue of environmental un-sustainability if a universal matter, affecting most of the countries, if not all the countries that embrace industrial revolutions. The constructions are not to blame but should be implicated to the mannerism of building, and how well they are conserved that matters. The construction of the buildings should be at strategic places, the design is to promote the user's needs and the process of building is to be protective of the resources, which are in fact, limited (Plank, 2008, p. 303).

ii) Energy conservation

Plank (2008, p. 303) suggests that there has to be conservation of the energy in the construction of buildings. The person responsible for planning the ways of conserving energy is the designer of the project. The lighting systems have to be well installed, at strategic positions to avoid wasting power output. The use of cooling systems is to be minimized due to energy consumption, and the use of natural ventilations is the alternative. Generally, an extending of the lifespan of the building is necessary, to avoid the reconstructions and the development of new buildings. The floors and walls have to be well done, using the required slabs to ensure the buildings exist for longer periods (Plank, 2008, p 305).

g) Procurement and the process design

According to Boswell and Walker (2004, p 1), there will be realization of the sustainable buildings only when the processes involved in the construction of the buildings, the strategies used and the initiatives implemented will be enhanced and enriched with better ideas. The barriers to the right procedure have to be curbed and eliminated for successful constructions to come up in the future.

i) The project cycle

The owners of the buildings being constructed invest a lot of money into the business, with regards to the changing trends of the market, the owner's preferences and needs, and many other crucial aspects. However, the owner is not to influence the constructors with regard to the quality expected for the buildings. The owner is to ensure that the time allocated for the construction is honored, and the costs of the constructions are to be within the budget range, and not surpassed with high margins. The project is therefore to conform to the regulations provided, and the achievement of the project is to be met in desired time, using third party and other service providers. This is the process of procurement (Boswell & Walker, 2004, p 1).

Boswell and Walker (2004, p 2) also consider the significance of project delivery, which entails the objectives that are typically to guide the owners in making appropriate decisions. The building has to be in the best quality after construction, there has to be qualified expertise to help in the overall design of the project, including indications of the time required for full completion. The objectives also sensitize the issue of allocating the risks to the best handlers and the essence of legality processes. Control of the entire project in terms of cost is fundamental, to avoid the unnecessary cost implications involved in building (Boswell & Walker, 2004, p 2).

ii) The Design-Bid-Build approach (DBB)

Boswell and Walker appreciate the process of DBB as the most recommended, due to its nature of being straightforward. The approach provides the different phases involved in attainment of project goals, from defining the entire project structure, until the completion of the construction phase. The phases are mandatory for the realization of the sustainable constructions.