Buildings Flashcards
Consider buildings and walk through environment effects of buildings based off of criteria learned in class.
Tell them everything you know about buildings
-environmental effects (sustainability with respect to population growth)
as world pop increases so do # of buildings
as buildings get larger that’s larger carbon footprint
massive users of materials energy water and other resources
-End of life
recycling parts of old buildings like steel beams
-energy efficiency of water
recycling wastewater within building Water can be used on neighboring parks,
sidewalks, toilet flushing
This massive amount of wastewater in buildings can have a trickle down effect to BOD since municipal is highest source of wastewater to begin with
What’s main source of BOD ?
Municipal wastewater.
Buildings making wastewater.
Transportation and buildings relationship
We have transportation systems because we live and work in buildings. Emissions from building can come as a form of emission from commuting. (live or work) Transportation system that brings materials to construction site
What are 3 things LCA in buildings ?
Where materials are coming from (always choices of material) Determining if one material is better than another
Who has a say in environmental effects.
Supply of utilities to building
Service life (design of 30 years differs to that of 100 years)
What’s the definition of a building do to LCA
Well our LCA can be different if we have a variety of definitions defining a building
What are 5 ways to reduce environmental effects of buildings?
Select low impact lighting (light bulbs)
Collect and recycle wastewater Recycle waste within building Reuse parts of buildings at end of life (steel beams) Design “natural AC” via introduction to fresh air (allowing building to breathe) Minimize greenhouse effect in building while maximizing natural sunlight to light building to day minimizing light impact (greenhouse gas emissions)
If given emission factor for concrete (CO2) can you apply in Berkeley california and chicago with same confidence? Name 2 reasons for yes or no.
No. Cement may come from different cement plant. Different plants different energy consumption profile
Service life of concrete may last longer or shorter due to differing city weather conditions
Different aggregates going into each mix potentially
Design and recipe of concrete may differ (strength->different w/c->impact differential).
What are 3 environmental problems associated with concrete.
Most concrete is not recyclable and can’t be reused.
Carbonation doesn't happen enough Cement is a very environmentally demanding product to make
3 chemical processes in concrete
Calcination - production of cement
Migration- setting of concrete
Carbonation- concrete has set and sequesters CO2 from the atmosphere. Last step isn’t happening as much as it should be. We can enhance
efficiency of concrete by allowing carbonation to happen
What are ways to make concrete more efficiency (name 4)
Use low CO2 cement
Use local materials as much as possible (aggregates in particular)
Make carbonation happen
Use only concrete strength that is needed (we often overdesign)
