A comparative analysis of building materials for sustainable construction with emphasis on CO ₂ reduction. (1st January 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shams, Shahriar; Mahmud, Kashif; Al-Amin, Md.
• Is Part Of: International journal of environment and sustainable development. Volume 10:Number 4(2011)
• Page Start: 364
• Page End: 374
• Publication Date: 2011-01-01
• Subjects: building materials -- climate change -- embodied energy -- sustainable construction; Natural resources -- Management -- Periodicals; Sustainable development -- Periodicals; 333.71505
• DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2011.047767
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1474-6778

Abstract

Building contributes almost 40% of CO 2 emissions and is a major contributor to the green house gas (GHG) emissions. Different types of construction materials possess a wide variation of embodied energy and emit CO 2 at different magnitudes during its life cycle. Selection of appropriate construction materials can considerably cut down CO 2 emissions and make our buildings more sustainable and energy efficient. The study is an attempt to address the issues of sustainable construction and how its selection of construction materials can reduce CO 2 emissions and play an important role in reducing the impact of climate change directly or indirectly. A case study for a typical house having 90 sq. m. of plan area was analysed to see the variation of CO 2 emission based on altering the types of construction materials to be used. It has been observed from the case study that construction materials like aluminium and steel should be less encouraged due to their higher CO 2 emission rate as compared to glass and timber.