Life Cycle Assessment of Environmental Impacts of Using Concrete or Timber to Construct a Duplex Residential Building

Ede, A. N. and Adebayo, Samuel Olusegun and Ugwu, E. I. and Emenike, PraiseGod C (2017) Life Cycle Assessment of Environmental Impacts of Using Concrete or Timber to Construct a Duplex Residential Building. IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (IOSR-JMCE), 11 (2). pp. 62-72. ISSN 2278-1684

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Abstract

Traditionally, the choice of construction materials depended principally on the strengths of materials, cost of material, availability of materials, simplicity of erection, aesthetics and technical expertise available to the society. This meant that little attention was paid to the environment impacts of materials adopted for civil construction. After centuries of speedy advancement accompanied by deteriorating ecosystem as evidenced by the global climate change and the accompanying gap between the rich and the poor, the world is becoming more conscious of the ecosystem and the future of mankind. This has led to the growing quest for sustainable development. In the more recent years, environmental and sustainability factors are becoming compelling factors in the choice of construction materials. Researches focused on materials for affordable houses for the increasing low income masses are on the increase. This research focuses on the environmental impact performance of concrete and timber applied to a modest duplex residential building. It explores using Athena Impact Estimator software to model the greenhouses gases expressed in terms of carbon dioxide equivalents, sulphur dioxide equivalents, phosphate equivalents and ethane equivalents potentials obtainable from using concrete or timber to build a duplex residential building. From the various results obtained, it is very evident that timber construction is more eco-friendly in terms of carbon emission reduction which translates to reducing global warming, thermal insulation and energy efficiency. This will be helpful in making choice for building materials to be adopted for affordable houses developing countries.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Affordable Homes, Concrete, Environmental Impact, Global Warming, Timber
Subjects:	T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
Divisions:	Faculty of Engineering, Science and Mathematics > School of Civil Engineering and the Environment
Depositing User:	Mrs Patricia Nwokealisi
Date Deposited:	10 Nov 2017 11:04
Last Modified:	08 Nov 2018 13:09
URI:	http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/id/eprint/9629

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