Environmental impact evaluation on interlocking compressed earth brick using life cycle assessment

Interlocking Compressed Earth Bricks (ICEB) is one of the alternative low carbon building materials replacing conventional brick. This study evaluates the embodied environmental impact of ICEB production in terms of embodied environmental implications for global warming potential (GWP). The life cycle assessment (LCA) analysis methodology was performed to identify and quantify the environmental performance of brick production from cradle-to-gate. Additionally, the emission in terms of GWP is analyzed using GaBi software. The system investigated includes raw materials and machinery used for brick production and transportation. Energy use and emissions are quantified, and the potential environmental effects are assessed. Sensitivity analyses were calculated on the percentage of cement content of 15% and 10% of the soil weight. The results show that the embodied carbon for 1 kg clay bricks in Sabah is 0.202 kgCO2-eq. Cement usage in brick production contributes the most significant environmental impact with carbon emissions of 0.172 kgCO2. The carbon emission of ICEB found a slight improvement compared to the conventional fired clay bricks (FCB). The result on sensitivity analyses found that the GWP reduced to 27-51% as the percentage of cement content was reduced at 10 and 15%. The findings proved that carbon emissions could be reduced with a lower cement usage in the mix design of ICEB

The hydrological performance investigation of light weight green roofs made from natural fibres and recycled waste materials for stormwater runoff mitigation: a review

Hydrological performance investigation is often required in urban storm water structural design. Green roofs are normally used to provide temporary storage spaces and promoting infiltration, thus mimic pre?development natural hydrologic functions. Therefore, green roofs parameters such as the layers, materials and the depth for each layer must be considered to improve the performance of water retention. At the same time, slope of green roofs also can be factors affecting the green roof runoff retention. Providing a sustainable environment and lightweight green roof are important. Due to the need of sustainable practices to be implemented in construction, there are several research done on using cheap and recyclable materials for green roof building. In striving to find the optimum and sustainable extensive green roof design, the issue of live load in wet conditions is hence, very important. This paper reviews the possible use of recycle materials and natural fibres as a replacement of non?renewable sources for storm water runoff mitigation. It aim to promote the idea of using these waste by combining their usage in both drainage and filter layers. This provides a summary of existing knowledge about the successful use of waste and natural fibres such as rubber crumbs, bio char and palm oil clinker in a green roofs layer. Also help in finding the hydrological performances in green roof to mitigate storm water runoff and the weights (dry and live) as live loads on supporting beams

Interlocking compressed earth bricks as low carbon footprint building material

The building construction significantly contributes to the carbon growth due to the high carbon emissions produced by buildings and their effects on climate change. Malaysia has devoted to reduce the carbon dioxide emission by the year of 2020. Therefore, the Interlocking Compressed Earth Bricks (ICEB) has been introduced as an alternative for low carbon building material. This paper studies the carbon footprint of Interlocking Compressed Earth Bricks as a walling structure in buildings or residential houses. The Interlocking Compressed Earth Bricks system is an improvement from the conventional brick production where the brick is fabricated by compressed method (not fired), thus reducing the carbon emissions. This paper presents a cradle-to-gate carbon emission study of a multi-story residential building in a Community house in Tawau, Sabah by using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. The total carbon of the buildings using conventional FCB and ICEB construction are 405.75 kgCO2/m2 and 264.50 kgCO2/m2 , respectively, which are comparable with the results of similar studies found in the literature. In order to achieve low-carbon buildings for the residential houses in Sabah, the use of ICEB as alternative materials with low carbon intensities and sustainable construction practices are suitable and recommended. The result shows that the implementation of Interlocking Compressed Earth Bricks contributes to carbon footprint reduction of 35% from the conventional and suitable to be used as a low carbon footprint building material

The hydrological performance of lightweight green roofs made from recycled waste materials as the drainage layer

Green roofs can be used for promoting infiltration and provide temporary storage spaces. Hence, in urban stormwater structural design, the investigation of the hydrological performance investigation is often required. Thus, this paper presents the results of a hydrological investigation in term of peak flow reduction and green roof’s weight using 0, 2, and 6% slope for three specimens drainage layer in green roofs. Three types of recycled waste are selected for each test bed which is rubber crumbs, palm oil shell, and polyfoam. Another test bed without a drainage layer as a control. The result indicates that rubber crumbs can be used as a stormwater control and runoff reduction while ensuring a good drainage and aeration of the substrate and roofs. From the results obtained shows that rubber crumbs are suitable as a drainage layer and a proposed slope of 6% are suitable for lightweight green roofs

The hydrological performance investigation of green roof

A green roof can be a way to navigate storm water runoff and flooding in urban catchments in Malaysia. This is because green roofs can be used as temporary storage spaces and infiltration. This paper represents hydrological investigation findings in term of hydrograph and peak runoff for different types of materials used as drainage and filter layers. The data were collected from different test beds under simulated rainfall with the intensity of 200mm/h for 0%, 2% and 6% slope. Natural fibres were used as a filter layer and laid on top of the drainage layer. In this study, a total of 18 sets test beds with a dimension of 1.1 m x 1.17 m were used. This study used three types of waste materials (rubber crumbs, oil palm shells and polyfoam) and three types of natural fibres (coconut fibres, oil palm fibres and sugarcanes fibres). The result indicates that the combination of oil palm shells with sugarcanes fibres have the highest peak runoff value for 0%, 2% and 6% slope with a value of 4.01 mm, 6.29 mm and 7.77 mm respectively. Followed by oil palm shells with oil palm fibres (0%: 2.95 mm, 2%: 5.75 mm, 6%: 6.76 mm) and oil palm shell with coconut fibres (0%: 2.72 mm, 2%: 5.05 mm, 6%: 6.32 mm). The result proved that combination of oil palm shell and sugarcanes fibres performance better in peak runoff value compared to other material

Mechanical properties of concrete using eggshell ash and rice husk ash as partial replacement of cement

This research was carried out to determine the optimum percentage of eggshell ash and rice husk ash (RHA) as partial cement replacement. The samples were tested for its mechanical properties by using concrete grade G30 with cube mould (100 mm x 100 mm x 100 mm) and prisms (100 mm x 100 mm x 500 mm). The samples were mixed with eggshell ash and RHA admixture with different proportions (2%:8%, 4%:6%, 6%:4%). Several types of test were conducted towards the samples, which are the slump test, compressive and flexural test. Based on previous researches, the strength of concrete reduced as replaced with eggshells. Most of the researches show the similar trend when partial cement is replaced using eggshell ash. Thus, to increase the strength, an admixture which has pozzolanic reactivity called rice husk ash (RHA) is introduced into mix design which has been proved can help to improve the strength of concret

Life cycle assessment of an interlocking compressed earth brick system for green building construction

Building construction significantly contributes to the carbon growth due to the high carbon emissions produced by buildings and their effects on climate change. Sustainable building products, materials, and construction techniques, namely green building materials selection is crucial to achieve sustainable construction. The type of building materials influences the carbon emissions of a construction project. Then contribute to the problem of pollution, where carbon dioxide is the primary pollutant that contributes to global warming's negative effects. Brick is a significant building material in the construction industry. Interlocking Compressed Earth Bricks (ICEB) has been introduced as an alternative low carbon building material replacing the conventional brick. The objective of this study is to determine the environmental impact of ICEB production using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Then to evaluate the environmental impacts and carbon footprint reduction of ICEB system with the conventional construction. This study also analyzes the hotspot of the energy used and C02 emission on material stages of residential building in Sabah. Finally, to develop a carbon calculator for ICEB manufacturing. In this study, quantification analysis using LCA is used to measure the environmental impact. The scope of this study cover cradle-to-gate system boundaries with 1 kg of functional unit and was conducted at the Interlocking Brick Teaching Factory located at the Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sabah. The embodied carbon was analyzed using the GaBi software. Meanwhile, the study of residential buildings involved the selected community housing project in Sabah evaluates using LCA for cradle-to-gate with lm2 of built-up area. The result shows that the embodied carbon of ICEB production is 0.202 kgC02eq and result on sensitivity analyses found that the GWP reduced (27%-51 %) with the cement content (10% and 15%). The implementation of ICEB in building construction contributes to carbon footprint reduction 34% from the conventional construction. ICEB is suitable to be used as a low carbon footprint building material where the conventional concrete and brickwork contribute to 75% (embodied energy) and 77% (embodied carbon) from the construction process. During hotspot identification for the material stage of building life cycle, concrete, brick, and steel are the major materials contributed to environmental impact of building construction. The adoption of the ICEB system in green building construction can lower the energy consumption (2.75 GJ/m2 of conventional, to a 1.3 GJ/m2), reduce the overall environmental impact (to 184 kgCOi/m2). This study develops a carbon footprint calculator which can evaluate the environmental impact of brick manufacturing in Sabah, Malaysia for product development. Sustainable materials (such as quarry dust) are calculated using the carbon calculator with various percentage of Portland cement replacement in ICEB mix design. The incorporation of the green materials improved the environmental impact. In general, implementation of sustainable materials in ICEB design mix production and construction can potentially reduce the greenhouse gases emission and hence maximize the carbon footprint reduction

The Hydrological Performance of Lightweight Green Roofs Made From Recycled Waste Materials As the Drainage Layer

Green roofs can be used for promoting infiltration and provide temporary storage spaces. Hence, in urban stormwater structural design, the investigation of the hydrological performance investigation is often required. Thus, this paper presents the results of a hydrological investigation in term of peak flow reduction and green roof’s weight using 0, 2, and 6% slope for three specimens drainage layer in green roofs. Three types of recycled waste are selected for each test bed which is rubber crumbs, palm oil shell, and polyfoam. Another test bed without a drainage layer as a control. The result indicates that rubber crumbs can be used as a stormwater control and runoff reduction while ensuring a good drainage and aeration of the substrate and roofs. From the results obtained shows that rubber crumbs are suitable as a drainage layer and a proposed slope of 6% are suitable for lightweight green roofs

Mechanical Properties of Concrete Using Eggshell Ash and Rice Husk Ash As Partial Replacement Of Cement

This research was carried out to determine the optimum percentage of eggshell ash and rice husk ash (RHA) as partial cement replacement. The samples were tested for its mechanical properties by using concrete grade G30 with cube mould (100 mm × 100 mm × 100 mm) and prisms (100 mm × 100 mm × 500 mm). The samples were mixed with eggshell ash and RHA admixture with different proportions (2%:8%, 4%:6%, 6%:4%). Several types of test were conducted towards the samples, which are the slump test, compressive and flexural test. Based on previous researches, the strength of concrete reduced as replaced with eggshells. Most of the researches show the similar trend when partial cement is replaced using eggshell ash. Thus, to increase the strength, an admixture which has pozzolanic reactivity called rice husk ash (RHA) is introduced into mix design which has been proved can help to improve the strength of concrete

Effect of quarry dust as a sand replacement on the properties of interlocking brick

Global sand crisis is being such a great concern these days and it has greatly influenced the world in various means including in the construction field. One of the effective alternatives that can be implemented is by using the waste material for the construction purpose. This paper investigates the physical and mechanical properties of compressed brick containing quarry dust as a replacement of sand in the brick’s materials. The compressed brick specimens were mixed with quarry dust in different proportions having 20%, 50% and 100% as a sand replacement and tested for compressive strength, water absorption and density test. The result indicates that the optimum proportion of quarry dust is at 20% replacement of cement as it showed the highest compressive strength, with range of 10% to 12% water absorption and high density at 28 days curing period