9,073 research outputs found

    Sustainable Assessment in Supply Chain and Infrastructure Management

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    In the competitive business environment or public domain, the sustainability assessment in supply chain and infrastructure management are important for any organization. Organizations are currently striving to improve their sustainable strategies through preparedness, response, and recovery because of increasing competitiveness, community, and regulatory pressure. Thus, it is necessary to develop a meaningful and more focused understanding of sustainability in supply chain management and infrastructure management practices. In the context of a supply chain, sustainability implies that companies identify, assess, and manage impacts and risks in all the echelons of the supply chain, considering downstream and upstream activities. Similarly, the sustainable infrastructure management indicates the ability of infrastructure to meet the requirements of the present without sacrificing the ability of future generations to address their needs. The complexities regarding sustainable supply chain and infrastructure management have driven managers and professionals to seek different solutions. This Special Issue aims to provide readers with the most recent research results on the aforementioned subjects. In addition, it offers some solutions and also raises some questions for further research and development toward sustainable supply chain and infrastructure management

    EPA’s role in promoting water efficiency

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    The Alliance for Water Efficiency is pleased to appear before you today to offer views on activities and programs to improve water efficiency throughout the United States. We are a North American non‐profit organization, composed of diverse stakeholders with significant experience in water conservation programs and policies. Our mission is to promote the efficient and sustainable use of water, to promote cost‐effective water efficiency measures that will reduce wasteful consumption, reduce the need for additional drinking water and waste water capacity, and provide multiple energy, economic, and environmental benefits. And in that mission, we work closely with staff at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As the nation’s steward of ambient water quality as well as safe drinking water, EPA has promoted water efficiency’s many benefits. Programs have existed for over 20 years in EPA’s Office of Water and Wastewater, albeit modestly funded and staffed

    Conceptual Building Information Modelling Framework for Whole‐house Refurbishment based on LCC and LCA

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    The UK government aims at achieving 80% CO2 emission reduction by 2050 which requires collective efforts across all the UK industry sectors. In particular, the housing sector has a large potential to contribute to achieving the aim because the housing sector alone accounts for 27% of the total UK CO2 emission, and furthermore, 87% of the housing which is responsible for current 27% CO2 emission will still stand in 2050. Therefore, it is essential to improve energy efficiency of existing housing stock built with low energy efficiency standard. In order for this, a whole‐house needs to be refurbished in a sustainable way by considering the life time financial and environmental impacts of a refurbished house. However, the current refurbishment process seems to be challenging to generate a financially and environmentally affordable refurbishment solution due to the highly fragmented nature of refurbishment practice and a lack of knowledge and skills about whole‐house refurbishment in the construction industry. In order to generate an affordable refurbishment solution, diverse information regarding costs and environmental impacts of refurbishment measures and materials should be collected and integrated in right sequences throughout the refurbishment project life cycle among key project stakeholders. Consequently, various researchers increasingly study a way of utilizing Building Information Modelling (BIM) to tackle current problems in the construction industry because BIM can support construction professionals to manage construction projects in a collaborative manner by integrating diverse information, and to determine the best refurbishment solution among various alternatives by calculating the life cycle costs and lifetime CO2 performance of a refurbishment solution. Despite the capability of BIM, the BIM adoption rate is low with 25% in the housing sector and it has been rarely studied about a way of using BIM for housing refurbishment projects. Therefore, this research aims to develop a BIM framework to formulate a financially and environmentally affordable whole‐house refurbishment solution based on the Life Cycle Costing (LCC) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methods simultaneously. In order to achieve the aim, a BIM feasibility study was conducted as a pilot study to examine whether BIM is suitable for housing refurbishment, and a BIM framework was developed based on the grounded theory because there was no precedent research. After the development of a BIM framework, this framework was examined by a hypothetical case study using BIM input data collected from questionnaire survey regarding homeowners’ preferences for housing refurbishment. Finally, validation of the BIM framework was conducted among academics and professionals by providing the BIM framework and a formulated refurbishment solution based on the LCC and LCA studies through the framework. As a result, BIM was identified as suitable for housing refurbishment as a management tool, and it is timely for developing the BIM framework. The BIM framework with seven project stages was developed to formulate an affordable refurbishment solution. Through the case study, the Building Regulation is identified as the most affordable energy efficiency standard which renders the best LCC and LCA results when it is applied for whole‐house refurbishment solution. In addition, the Fabric Energy Efficiency Standard (FEES) is recommended when customers are willing to adopt high energy standard, and the maximum 60% of CO2 emissions can be reduced through whole‐house fabric refurbishment with the FEES. Furthermore, limitations and challenges to fully utilize BIM framework for housing refurbishment were revealed such as a lack of BIM objects with proper cost and environmental information, limited interoperability between different BIM software and limited information of LCC and LCA datasets in BIM system. Finally, the BIM framework was validated as suitable for housing refurbishment projects, and reviewers commented that the framework can be more practical if a specific BIM library for housing refurbishment with proper LCC and LCA datasets is developed. This research is expected to provide a systematic way of formulating a refurbishment solution using BIM, and to become a basis for further research on BIM for the housing sector to resolve the current limitations and challenges. Future research should enhance the BIM framework by developing more detailed process map and develop BIM objects with proper LCC and LCA Information

    Sustainability in design: now! Challenges and opportunities for design research, education and practice in the XXI century

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    Copyright @ 2010 Greenleaf PublicationsLeNS project funded by the Asia Link Programme, EuropeAid, European Commission

    Design of cardboard prefabricated temporary dwellings through economic and hygrothermal assessment-according to nZEB requirements in warm-temperate climates

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    Uno degli obiettivi più importanti applicati dalla rifusione dell'EPBD è che entro la fine del 2020, tutti i nuovi edifici devono essere edifici a energia quasi zero. Nell'attuale regolamento, alcune categorie di tipi di edifici sono escluse da questa procedura di valutazione, inclusi edifici temporanei con un periodo di utilizzo inferiore a due anni. Sebbene ultimamente siano state sviluppate costruzioni prefabbricate, raramente sono stati condotti studi sulle prestazioni energetiche. Tuttavia, una fase cruciale delle abitazioni post disastro è il periodo di alloggio nelle case temporanee che può durare tre anni o più. Pertanto, richiede un'attenzione più seria alla loro efficienza energetica. Questa ricerca affronta le suddette preoccupazioni. In questo studio, viene presa in considerazione la progettazione economica ed efficiente dal punto di vista energetico delle case temporanee di emergenza adatte al contesto italiano, con particolare attenzione alle regioni con clima temperato caldo. Essendo un materiale innovativo, riciclato al 100% e a basso impatto ambientale, è stato utilizzato il cartone a nido d'ape per isolamenti delle pareti; sono state condotte indagini sperimentali e analitiche per determinarne le caratteristiche termiche e ambientali. È stata progettata una tipologia di edificio con caratteristiche di flessibilità ed espandibilità da prendere come edificio di riferimento. Le buste per pareti, tetto e pavimento sono state progettate, valutate in merito al trasferimento di calore e umidità e modificate per essere compatibili con i più recenti requisiti di prestazione energetica. Simulazioni di energia per l'intero edificio sono state condotte in tre zone climatiche italiane calde (B, C e D) per studiare l'effetto delle condizioni climatiche sul loro fabbisogno di energia termica. Effettuando uno studio parametrico sulla trasmittanza termica dell'inviluppo opaco nelle gamme di normative richieste, è stato analizzato che dal punto di vista dell'efficienza energetica in termini di costi, in climi più miti varianti di inviluppo con minore resistenza termica e in climi più caldi con quelli più alti anziché i limiti richiesti potrebbe trovarsi nel corridoio ottimale in termini di costi. Inoltre, sono stati valutati diversi orizzonti temporali e si suggerisce che, considerando i costi di capitale e di sostituzione più influenti, il periodo di vita più appropriato per l'edificio prefabbricato debba essere scelto per la "seconda vita" dopo il periodo di occupazione. I dettagli delle gamme di soluzioni ottimali trovate sono presentati in questo studio.One of the most important targets enforced by EPBD recast is that by end of 2020, all new buildings have to be nearly zero energy buildings. In the current regulation, some building type categories are excluded from this assessment procedure, including temporary buildings with usage period less than two years. Although prefabricated construction has been developed lately, energy performance studies have rarely been carried out for them. However, one crucial stage in post-disaster housing is the accommodation period in temporary homes which may last three years or more. Therefore, it necessitates more serious attention to their energy efficiency. This research addresses the aforesaid concerns. In this study, the cost-effective and energy efficient design of emergency temporary homes suitable for Italian context with a focus on regions with warm temperate climate is considered. As an innovative, 100% recycled, and low environmental impact material, honeycomb cardboard was taken for wall insulations; experimental and analytical investigations were carried out to determine its thermal and environmental characteristics. A building typology was designed with flexibility and expandability features to be taken as reference building. Its wall, roof, and floor envelopes were designed, assessed regarding heat and moisture transfer, and modified to be compatible with the latest energy performance requirements. Whole building energy simulations were carried out in three warm Italian climate zones (B, C, and D) to investigate effect of climate conditions on their thermal energy needs. Performing a parametric study on the opaque envelope thermal transmittance in the required ranges of regulations, it was analyzed that from cost-effectiveness energy efficiency viewpoint, in milder climates envelope variants with less thermal resistance and in warmer climates with higher ones rather than the required limits could be located in the cost-optimal corridor. In addition, various time horizons were assessed and it is suggested that by considering the most influential capital and replacement costs, the most appropriate life time for the prefabricated building must be chosen for the “second life” after occupancy period. Details of the optimum solution ranges found are presented in this study

    Urban Renewal: Opportunity for Green Innovation in the Face of Climate Change, A Case Study of Toronto Community Housing

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    Cities around the world have established ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to limit the global average temperature increase to within 1.5°C of pre-industrial levels by 2050. The effects of climate change are felt globally but urban environments are enormous contributors to emissions. With the majority of the globe’s population residing in cities, they are the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, which can be catastrophic. Urban renewal, the natural replacement and restoration of buildings, presents an opportunity to interject and guide development to a more sustainable trajectory, in a way that considers the benefits of ecological processes in cities. This major paper argues for the adoption of stronger green building standards in Toronto, beginning from the City’s own building stock of Toronto Community Housing (TCHC), in order to demonstrate leadership and protect the people who are most vulnerable to the negative effects of climate change. The paper does this by exploring the current green building best practices used in North America and how they demonstrate, or are limited in, supporting sustainable development. Consideration is given to whether building high-efficiency buildings is the best option for sustainable development by weighing different factors. Despite best practice weaknesses, ultimately, it is the benefits that are extracted from these practices that are important, rather than any form of certification. Green building development is explored by looking at a case study of TCHC, to understand how the City, as a public entity, can lead the way in green development. This research finds that TCHC is tenaciously using sustainability as a motivator for resident wellbeing, financial sustainability, and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. However, the case study also reveals limitations to further development of TCHC’s green buildings and emission reductions. This paper identifies those limitations and formulates recommendations to facilitate further reducing emissions. The city’s overall greenhouse gas emission reductions have come to a halt, and this is a sign that additional measures need to be taken to continue to reduce emissions. Improving green building standards for renovations, investing in data collection, and addressing user behaviour through education are the recommendations given in this paper to take the next steps to further reducing building-related emissions. These recommendations will allow TCHC and its tenants to lead efforts to reduce the city’s greenhouse gas emissions. The recommendations focus on maximizing the benefits from green technologies. As a city, Toronto must consider the majority of the current building stock, which will continue to exist into 2050, as well as new buildings which will exist for much longer, in its efforts to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions

    Game-like interactive environment using BIM-Based Virtual Reality for the Timber Frame Self-Build Housing Sector

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    BIM, gamification, and Virtual Reality applications are more often used to serve the interests of Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA). This paper presents a comprehensive study to exploit these technologies’ innovative approaches and capabilities. The study is specifically adopted to implement small and medium-size architectural and construction practices with a limited budget and time dedicated to visualisation creation. The collected evidence proved that a game-like platform combined with BIM could provide simplified data delivery to a client, leading to customer satisfaction, confidence and increased sales. The designed workflow and templates were tested in the case study of a small self-build construction company. The staff was trained to provide BIM data correctly and use supplied game templates. The case study demonstrated that automation of the VR House Configurator creation is achievable. The study’s outcome is an integrated solution to regenerate BIM models in the game environment and utilise the house configurator’s organised furniture library and costing interface. Furthermore, the usability tests confirmed the applicability, practicability, and validity of the developed framework and tools to deal with the revealed challenges in the self-build sector. Finally, the research provided a fresh approach for the companies in the sector, a step-by-step guide for implementing the innovative changes, and detailed descriptions of the methodologies and workflows
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