Sustainable construction

Question 1

The Shard sustainability features (5)

Answer 1

1. used steel frame and post-tension/prestressed concrete 2. 95% of the construction materials are recycled, 3. 20% of the steelwork is from recycled sources 4. 11,000 glass panels reduce 95% sun heat, reducing need for air con, 5. Requires 30% less energy than a typical tall building

Question 2

Climate change evidence (2)

Answer 2

1. Rising surface air temps and extreme weather, 2. Subsurface ocean temperatures and increases in sea levels

Question 3

COP

Answer 3

Conference of parties. UN climate change conferences, among the largest international meetings in the world.

Question 4

Paris Agreement

Answer 4

Agreed at COP21 in 2015. Legally binding agreement to reduce emissions, limiting global warming to below 2 degrees.

Question 5

How much percent of global carbon emissions does is the building industry responsible?

Answer 5

39%, 55% of this is from products and materials

Question 6

3rd runway for heathrow sustainability problems (3)

Answer 6

1. Local council concluded that it will disrupt govt commitments to tackle climate change, 2. 700 more planes/day but will increase co2, 3. high increase in noise, air, light, traffic pollution

Question 7

Definition of waste

Answer 7

Any substance or object which the holder discards or intends to discard

Question 8

Inert waste

Answer 8

Does not change/cause environmental pollution EG rocks, ceramics, concrete, masonry, brick rubble.

Question 9

Putrescible waste

Answer 9

waste which will rot and decompose, EG timber, food, nappies, paper

Question 10

Hazardous waste

Answer 10

Dangerous to keep or dispose of, EG asbestos, drugs, pesticides, solvents

Question 11

The true cost of waste (5)

Answer 11

1. Purchase cost of materials, 2. Delivery/transportation, 3. Cost of storage, handling, disposal on site, 4. Transportation of waste, 5. Loss from not selling waste for salvage

Question 12

Site Waste Management Plans (SWMP) (4)

Answer 12

1. Introduced in 2008, 2. Required for devt projects greater than £300k, 3. must be produced before the project commences, 4. Includes how waste is managedq

Question 13

Three main aims of a SWMP

Answer 13

1. Improving the resource efficiency and profitability of the project, 2. Increaseing the waste and materials awareness from staff, 3. Helping to enforce duty of care obligations

Question 14

Benefits of a SWMP to a contractor (4)

Answer 14

1. Reduces costs - managing the waste helps to save money, 2. Improves future projects - SWMP becomes info source that can manage future projects, 3. Enhances reputation for new clients, 4. Legality, helps a company avoid prosecution

Question 15

Waste management hierarchy (5)

Answer 15

Landfill, recover, recycle, reuse, reduce

Question 16

Principles of designing out construction waste (5)

Answer 16

1. Reuse and recovery of materials, 2. Off-site construction, 3. ,Materials optimisation, 4. Waste efficient procurement, 5. Deconstruction and flexibility

Question 17

Benefits of off-site construction (5)

Answer 17

1. Improved workmanship quality, 2. Reduced site waste, 3. Reduced construction related transport movements, 4. Improved HS on site through accident avoidance, 5. Reduced timescales and improved programmes

Question 18

Materials optimisation meaning

Answer 18

Adopting an approach that focuses on materials resource efficiency without compromising the design concept or required performance EG are there any structural solutions that use less material and simplify the structural solutions as much as possible?

Question 19

Waste-efficient procurement

Answer 19

Ensure procurement processes are used to promote waste reduction in contracts and throughout the design chain including consultants. KPIs are also included in the contract.

Question 20

Deconstruction and flexbility

Answer 20

Select durable materials that can be recycled, and consider adaptability for potential expansions etc

Question 21

Finalise design before construction

Answer 21

1. With BIM, design can be finalised early to detect clashes before they become a problem

Question 22

solar gain

Answer 22

heat gained in a building from the sun

Question 23

Thermal mass

Answer 23

how materials hold onto heat. Storing heat when its hot, releasing when its cooler, reducing H and C systems

Question 24

Fabric heat loss

Answer 24

how much excess heat is lost from materials

Question 25

Stack effect

Answer 25

natural convection as warm air in buildings rises from lower floors to higher floors

Question 26

Infiltration

Answer 26

how outside air leaks into a building through gaps

Question 27

Thermal bridging

Answer 27

heat flow-through components

Question 28

U-value

Answer 28

quantifying how quickly heat is lost through a material, EG roofs, windows, doors