Research Report for Tutorial 2

Tutorial 2 Presentation Research Report

Sustainable Building Engineering - SIE 2013

1901969 Benedict Chan 1902751 Lee Nieun 1901956 Lee Yi Qi 1902858 Lim Zhi Qi 1901976 Wang BeiXing

Table of Contents

Page No.

Title

3

The Task

4

Mind Map

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What are these Industry Practices?

6 - 7

Are these building processes sustainable?

8 - 9

What about the sustainability of demolition processes?

10 - 12

What are these principles?

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How much impact does the cost factor have?

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What are the sustainable aspects which Singapore considers?

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What is the definition of sustainable building engineering?

What type of engineering products/methods are there to make a building sustainable?

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What are the issues and benefits of sustainable construction?

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Are they using these products / methods? Why or why not?

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Concluding Question Conclusion and final thoughts

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Appendix 1

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References

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The Task

Question Industry practices in relation to the principles of sustainable building engineering.

We broke down the questions into 3 key parts to further question and research on these components.

Question ​Industry practices ​in relation to the ​principles​ of s​ ustainable building engineering​.

The three parts are as highlighted above: -

Industry practices

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Principles

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Sustainable building engineering

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Mind Map

We did a mind map to show the thought process of how we approached this assignment.

This led to further questions being found.

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What are these ‘​Industry practices​’ ?

Defining the Industry First, we define the industry which relates to the term ‘sustainable building engineering’. A broad definition would be ‘all parties that design, build, alter, or maintain the built environment over its life cycle: developers, planners, architects, engineers, builders, and operators’, (CIB TG 16, 1994). The members of this industry are who we relate this question to.

The people of this industry have a variety of practices and different practices are used in different stages of the building process. Refer to Figure 1 to see the building processes.

Building Processes

​Figure 1. Table of building processes in building’s lifetime.

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Are these building processes sustainable?

They might not be sustainable but they are working towards the goal of being so. In Singapore, we have resources to make the building process more efficient and this helps to boost sustainability. One such resource is the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM), which gives the following benefits:

1. Greater transparency during the design phase 2. Greater efficiency during the design and construction phases 3. Greater control during the operations phase

How BIM offers greater transparency during the design phase When design begins on a project using BIM, it provides a transparent process from day one. Design data is added to a shared model where each stakeholder in a project can quickly and easily access a full, real-time summary of what products and materials are being proposed, how they will be fabricated and installed, and what can be expected as to their performance post-construction.

This transparency allows contractors, engineers, suppliers, and more to provide their knowledge and experience to the overall construction and operation of the building early on, making the project more sustainable in the design phase before any money is spent on materials or supplies. This not only ensures environmentally-responsible materials and methods are used during construction, but also saves time and money by avoiding rework and schedule delays during construction through better planning up front.

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How BIM offers greater efficiency during the design and construction phases The use of BIM results in 3D virtual models that can be shared and used for real-time collaboration and simulation to test both the logic and sequence of construction. Every step in the design and construction workflow is reviewed and enhanced to the extent that BIM technology is integrated​ ​(Burczyk, 2018).

These improvements can be seen in​ ​every step of the process where BIM saves time, improves efficiency, enhances design, and reduces errors. Providing an opportunity for the building’s lifelong environmental impact to be reduced. In this respect, BIM supports the philosophy behind sustainable construction.

How BIM offers greater control during the operations phase In the past, once a construction project was finished, there wasn’t a lot the builders could do to help improve the ongoing operations of the building. That was left to the owner or facility manager until repairs or retrofitting work became necessary.

However, thanks to the high level of detail and ease of shareability to the 3D models created using BIM, a wealth of operational data and insight can be passed along to the building owner and manager, improving their ability to run the building at its maximum potential,​ ​(Burczyk, 2018)​.

This benefit of BIM extends beyond design and construction, and into the long-term maintenance and use of the completed structure. Industry professionals are taking advantage of this benefit of the BIM process by including long-term, environmentally-conscious operational recommendations and maintenance schedules in their completed project parameters. This is a value-add for new building owners, improves the overall sustainability of the facility, and deepens the firm’s relationship with each client.

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What about the sustainability of demolition processes?

In Singapore, much of the concrete debris from demolished buildings are recycled and turned into Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA). RCA is used for the construction of new buildings, and it has been proved to be as durable as precast concrete. A case study would be the Samwoh Eco-green building that was an experimental building constructed with RCA in 2010. More information about the properties of RCA can be found in the a ​ ppendix​.

Demolition Protocol in Singapore The Demolition protocol is a set of procedures on how demolition wastes should be managed to maximise resource recovery of demolition materials for beneficial reuse and recycling. It aims to produce cleaner demolition waste to a quality acceptable for waste recyclers to produce high-quality RCA. The protocol consists of the following: Pre-demolition audit Pre-demolition audit is important as it enables the quantity of recyclable materials such as concrete and bricks to be identified. The level of material segregation required is also determined through the audit to maximise the resource recovery.

By distinguishing parts of a building that are constructed entirely in concrete, cleaner demolition concrete waste can be easily segregated.

Sequential demolition The demolition process is separated into phases in which individual materials are carefully dismantled one step at a time and salvaged for reuse and recycling. The wastes generated in each dismantling stage should be of similar type and nature such that contamination by

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non-recyclable items can be significantly reduced. The sequence of demolition is principally carried out in reverse order to the construction process.

On-site sorting For demolition wastes to have meaningful applications, it is vital that the wastes are properly managed and stored separately on site to avoid cross-contamination of wastes.

Once the demolition wastes have been properly separated, they can be channelled to appropriate recycling facilities for further processing into usable products.

Accreditation scheme for C&D waste recyclers One of the impediments for the industry to adopt sustainable construction is the quality assurance of recycled materials, especially their use for structural applications. In order to address the concern on the quality and consistency of recycled materials, BCA and the Waste Management and Recycling Association of Singapore (WMRAS) launched an accreditation scheme for construction & demolition (C&D) waste recyclers. It aims to improve the quality consistency of RCA production. In time, quality consistency of other recycled materials will also be included in the accreditation scheme. Only recycling plants producing RCA complying with SS EN 12620 and BS 8500-2 will be certified to supply aggregates suitable for structural applications, (Chew, 2010).

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What are these p ​ rinciples​?

Based on research and cross references from different sources, we found that there are six principles found which relates to the industry and they are:

Principle 1: Conserve It is the starting Principle because it contrasts the major problem that forces us to address sustainability in the first place: overconsumption. It leads us to the use of passive measures to provide heating, cooling, ventilation, and lighting for our structures because the minimization of energy consumption is essential. It forces us to consider high efficiency systems, high levels of insulation, low flow fixtures, and high performance windows. It also leads us to the use of durable materials with long lifetimes and require low maintenance.

Principle 2: Reuse, Recycle and Renewable In addition to reducing resource consumption to the minimum, we need to consider that it is highly desirable to reuse resources we have already extracted. Reuse contrasts to recycling in that reused items are simply used intact with minimal reprocessing while recycled items are in essence reduced to raw materials and used in new products (CIB TG 16, 1994) . A significant business in architectural items such as windows, doors, and bricks that can be reused in new construction and renovation has proven to be profitable as owners and architects strive to recapture a sense of the past in new spaces. Other resources such as water can be reused via use of greywater systems.

Use resources that are recyclable, have recycled content, or that are from renewable resources. This Principle applies to energy where renewable sources such as solar and wind power are available for use. It applies to materials such as wood.

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Wood can be supplied from certified sustainable forests that provide the buyer with assurance that the suppliers are managing their resources in a manner that protects the environment. One of the problems that must be sorted out with respect to recycled materials is to determine if their content is simply convenient waste from other industries or bona fide recycled content.

Principle 3: Protect Nature Our actions in creating the built environment will impact the natural environment and its ecological systems. Considering the past negative effects on the natural environment, it is time to do better than just "sustain” or "restore" where possible. The abuses of river straightening, marsh draining, and deforestation can be remedied by intelligent intervention in creating the future built environment. In our quest for materials, we can scrutinize the impacts of materials acquisition practices to minimize environmental effects (CIB TG 16, 1994). Some of the choices are not easy but will be forced on us by global environmental effects in time to come.

Modern industry has created a wealth of miracle products, drugs, chemicals, and machines that have had many positive contributions to our quality of life. But the proliferation of toxic substances produced by these industries, have invaded the environment and caused negative effects on humans. Lead, mercury, asbestos, and dioxins are examples. Toxic materials must be handled with care and eliminated to the greatest extent possible. One approach is to consider the ultimate elimination of these materials except in cases where the manufacturers can keep them in a closed system.

Principle 4: Enhance Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) The indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of a building has a significant impact on occupant health, comfort, and productivity. A sustainable building maximizes daylighting, has appropriate ventilation and moisture control, optimizes acoustic performance, and avoids use of materials with high Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) emissions.

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Principles of IEQ also emphasize occupant control over systems such as lighting and temperature.

Principle 5: Optimize Site Potential Creating sustainable buildings starts with proper site selection, including consideration of the reuse or rehabilitation of existing buildings. The location, orientation, and landscaping of a building affect local ecosystems, transportation methods, and energy use.

Incorporating smart growth principles into the project development process is important whether a project is a single building or a school campus. Siting for physical security is a critical issue in optimizing site design, including locations of access roads, parking, vehicle barriers, and perimeter lighting. Whether designing a new building or retrofitting an existing building, site design must integrate with sustainable design to achieve a successful project. The site of a sustainable building should reduce, control, and/or treat storm-water runoff. Strive to support native flora and fauna of the region in the landscape design.

Principle 6: Maintenance Practices and Operational use Consideration of a building's operating and maintenance issues during the preliminary design phase of a facility will contribute to improved working environments, higher productivity, reduced energy and resource costs, and prevention of system failures.

Encourage building operators and maintenance personnel to participate in the design and development phases, to ensure optimal operations and maintenance of the building and the features such as stormwater facilities designed to reduce the impact of the building on the land. Recruit, develop, and train highly skilled maintenance personnel to operate increasingly sophisticated high-performance buildings. Designers can specify materials and systems that simplify and reduce maintenance requirements; require less water, energy, and toxic chemicals / cleaners to maintain; and are cost-effective and reduce life-cycle costs. Also design facilities to include metering, to track the progress of sustainability initiatives, including reductions in energy and water use and waste generation, in the facility and on-site.

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How much impact does the cost factor have?

Issues seen to affect the cost of buildings include their function, geometry, specifications, emphasis on whole life costs, legislative constraints and socio-economic factors. The location, physical and environmental conditions of the site also exert a considerable bearing on costs.

If the owner finds the overall building process too expensive to build and maintain, the project might not be carried out or costs will have to be reduced through using cheaper building materials and methods, which will affect the sustainability of the building.

Affecting Human Behavior The cost factor affects human behavior as it depends on many aspects such as the spending power of the human, the wants, needs and other mental aspects. Further research needed. Refer to ​figure 2 f​ or the laws of human behaviour.

Figure 2. Laws of human behavior.

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What are the sustainable aspects which Singapore considers?

Refer to f​ igure 3 ​for the pillars of sustainable development used in Singapore. There are three main Pillars of Sustainable Development in Singapore: Social, Economic and Environmental well-being. Economic well-being is actually not a sustainable factor, but it is an important factor to keep in balance with the other ones. A lot of researchers actually see a main focus on the economy as one of the main causes of unsustainable behavior and overpopulation. In many countries, the economy is way more important than environment and sustainability. But in Singapore the Ministry of National Development tries to achieve a balance in those three pillars to reach a sustainable country, so the economy in Singapore should be just as important as social and environmental well-being, (Kim, 2014).

Figure 3. Pillars of sustainable development.

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What is the definition of ​sustainable building engineering​?

By definition, Sustainable building engineering is the process of designing or operating building systems such that uses energy and resources s​ ustainably​, in other words, at a rate that does not compromise the natural environment, or the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

This question should take into account the six principles which we have researched about earlier and apply them into the building process. In the context of this question, it should be applied to the engineering process of the building.

What type of engineering products/methods are there to make a building sustainable?

There are numerous methods to do so. One which we covered in this report is the use of RCA concrete and these methods greatly depend on how effective it is in our climate and how much resource we conserve. Choose those that are approved by Singapore’s Building Construction Authority (BCA) as they have done the necessary research and testing for it to be effective in sustainability.

In Singapore, the government takes the lead in adopting sustainable construction in public sector projects. For example, the major public housing developer, the Housing & Development Board (HDB), uses structural steel extensively in its lift upgrading projects (Housing & Development Board 2010) all over the island. HDB also specifies the use of recycled aggregates in non-structural elements in their projects and conducts sequential demolition for demolition of old housing blocks​.

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What are the issues and benefits of sustainable construction?

There will be both issues and benefits but they are dependent on the scenario and type of building processes. This question does not have a fixed answer but sustainability is about weighing the odds and getting the most out of the benefits.

A research model showed that we can combine the principles with the resources and the time dimension to create a model of sustainable building engineering. The model is shown below in F​ igure 4​. In each case the intersection principle, resource, and time is a decision point for determining what should be accomplished with regard to minimizing resource consumption and preventing environmental damage. For example, during design, when examining potential materials resources to be used, the six principles should be followed to minimize the materials required, reuse materials, use recycled or renewable materials, ensure the materials used did not harm the environment in their extraction, that toxics were not generated in the materials creation nor are they potential contributors to indoor environmental problems, and that the design of the materials layout and detail is of high quality, with attention paid to all these issues. The design stage should also lay the foundation for future stages so that during construction and operation the excellent environmental intent of the space is able to be maintained.

​Figure 4. 3-Dimensional model.

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The model can serve many functions, the first of which is the articulation of the many issues of sustainable construction. It distills a wide range of complex issues into a simple graph that allows us to grasp the overall idea of sustainable building engineering. It can be a decision making tool for use in examining the options that may occur during the creation, operation, or deconstruction of buildings. Our group reckon that the industry use such models to weigh out the odds for sustainability in building processes.

Are they using these products/methods? Why or why not?

There are a variety of ways in which different companies from the industry approach sustainability. For now, the industry in Singapore is widely using Building Information Modelling (BIM) in their building processes and this has proved to be effective in helping with productivity and cost reductions. Moreover, it helps to significantly reduce waste and resources in the construction process.

The industry here is open to approaching new products and methods but they must be reviewed and well tested out before they can be implemented into building processes. The regulations in Singapore are strict, so it will take time for new products and methods to be processed and evaluated before they reach the market. Nonetheless, new products and methods are constantly appearing, questioning and changing the way things are done.

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Concluding Question

Do these aspects and principles go along well with these products/methods?

We feel that this question is applicable to question the processes of the building industry.

We bring this question below to our conclusion and final thoughts.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Through our questions and research, we reached a conclusion that:

the building industry should evaluate if their aspects and sustainability principles go along well with the products/methods which they are using.

When companies do an internal evaluation to assess their systems, it helps to ensure that they are progressively moving forward not only as a successful business but a green one which paves the way for a better future in our built environment.

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Appendix 1

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References

CIB TG 16. (1994, November 6). Sustainable Construction. https://www.irbnet.de/daten/iconda/CIB_DC24773.pdf Burczyk, D. (2018, February 16). Beyond energy efficiency: BIM in sustainable construction.

Construction Industry Resources to Help You Go Beyond the Limits of BIM. https://constructible.trimble.com/construction-industry/beyond-energy-efficiency-bim-in-sustainable -construction Chew, K. C. (2010, July 20). Singapore's strategies towards sustainable construction. Taylor & Francis. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19373260.2010.491641 Accreditation | WMRAS. (n.d.). WMRAS - Waste Management & Recycling Organisation. https://www.wmras.org.sg/accreditation.html Sustainable | WBDG - Whole building design guide. (2018, 8). WBDG | WBDG - Whole Building Design Guide. h ​ ttps://www.wbdg.org/design-objectives/sustainable FERN, O. S. (n.d.). Eco-friendly makeover for older buildings. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/eco-friendly-makeover-for-older-buildings The three laws of human behavior. (2020, January 15). BehavioralEconomics.com | The BE Hub. https://www.behavioraleconomics.com/the-three-laws-of-human-behavior/ Kim, D. W. (2014). Sustainability in Singapore | Assessing sustainability practices in Singapore.

Blogs@NTU | Nanyang Technological University. https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/hp331-2015-28/sustainability-in-singapore/ Green building. (2004, December 30). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved September 25, 2020, from ​https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_building (n.d.). ESCI KSP | Knowledge Sharing Platform for the Energy Smart Communities Initiative. https://esci-ksp.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/MCR.pdf

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