Code for sustainable homes: opportunities or threats for offsite manufacturing and mass-customization?

This study intends to, firstly, discuss current status of zero carbon homes in the UK, and secondly, to investigate the feasibility of using offsite construction methods to deliver mass customised zero carbon homes. The study concludes that mass customised offsite housing could be an answer to overcome the current barriers to achieve zero carbon homes in the UK; however, more work is required to increase the confidence of stakeholders including clients, designers, and housebuilders in offsite manufacturing in order to increase the share of such methods in the construction industry

Embodied Energy of Fired Bricks: The Case of Uganda and Tanzania

This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from SET via http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/34706/This paper evaluates the embodied energy of fired/burned bricks as one of the major construction materials in East African countries. Production processes of bricks by artisans, and small- and medium-scale manufacturers are explained. Embodied energy of brick walls is also calculated and the key factors in the energy efficiency of brick kilns are discussed in detail. Low quality, high material waste and excessive energy waste during production and handling are highlighted as the major issues associate with traditional manufacturing processes of burned bricks in Uganda and Tanzania. The results reveal that small clamp kilns lose up to 3.5 times more energy through their cooling surfaces compared to large kilns. The results also indicate that clamp fired bricks are up to 60% more energy intensive than generic bricks and the embodied energy of artisan brick walls is 35% more than standard brick walls with comparable thicknesses. Improving kiln construction and production methods, educating artisan producers, replanting tress, providing alternative renewable energy sources, and design improvements to control fire intensity and air circulation in brick kilns are some of the recommendations to improve the energy efficiency and mitigate the environmental impacts of fired bricks in East African countries.This work is funded through an EPSRC research programme, Energy and Low Income Tropical Housing, Grant number: EP/L002604/1

Effects of Solar Shading on Thermal Comfort in Low-income Tropical Housing

This paper evaluates the effects of solar shading strategies on thermal comfort in low-income tropical housing in Uganda. Dynamic thermal simulations are conductedand the effects of various shading strategies including curtains, roof and window overhangs, veranda and tress on solar heat gain and thermal comfort are investigated.Adaptive approach for naturally ventilated buildings defined by CEN standardis used to assess theconditions in the case study buildings. According to the results, although shading significantly reduces solar heat gain, it is less effective inmeeting thermal comfort requirements in low-income tropical houses. Solar shading is however considerably effective during the hottest periods of the year reducing the risk of extreme overheating by up to 52%.In this respect, a north-south building orientation with the main openings on the north elevation is recommended. Due to excessive solar heat gain, large openings on east- and west-facing walls should be avoided

Feasibility of Application of Modern Methods of Construction in Iran

This is the author accepted manuscript. It is currently embargoed pending publication by ZEMCHVarious plans and policies have been adopted by the Iranian Government to address the housing shortages in Iran. Some of these policies have been successful and some have failed dramatically deteriorating the housing conditions. Technology transfer from other countries, such as the UK, may facilitate industrialisation which has been recognised as an effective way to address housing deficiencies in Iran. The Iranian and UK construction industries, however, differ in various respects which may increase the risk of failure if transferred technologies are not adapted to Iranian needs and conditions. This paper compares the current conditions of the Iranian and UK construction industries to identify the risks and opportunities if Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) were to be transferred from the UK to Iran. Several issues such as demand and supply, regulations and standards, practicality, costs, design, sustainability, and governmental policies have been studied in detail. The results reveal that MMC could potentially improve the housing conditions in Iran by addressing major issues such as skilled labour shortages, energy and materials wastes, building quality and speed of construction. The major risks are also identified as volatile economy and housing market, transportation and industry capacity. The chance of successful adoption is considerably higher for those MMC that are suitable for small projects, do not require highly skilled labour and heavy machinery, and are compatible with prevailing methods of construction in Iran

Construction technology transfer : an assessment of the relevance of modern methods of construction to housing shortages in Iran

The inability of the Iranian construction industry to satisfy the country's massive housing demand has transformed housing demand and supply into one of the major challenges facing the government. 1.15 million residential units need to be built each year for the next ten years. The Iranian construction industry is suffering from various deficiencies such as low productivity, small and unprofessional developers, huge waste, skilled labour shortages, defective management, unstable economy, severe fluctuations in demand and supply etc. Considering the potential advantages of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), the general belief is that the application of MMC will resolve may of the above issues. Meanwhile, Iran needs to learn from the experience of other countries such as the UK to avoid repeating their mistakes. MMC is a more complex subject in which various issues including standardisation, coordination, management, design, costs, sustainability, risks, etc, should be considered. Some of the above have become more important than others for Iranian stakeholders but prioritisation and partial consideration of these issues will not be effective. This study intends to investigate the viability and applicability of the UK's advanced construction systems in Iran. For this reason, several criteria including the building regulations and standards, practicality, economy, costs, culture, sustainability, and design have been addressed, and both countries compared with regards to these issues. The results show that, although MMC can theoretically enhance the current situation of the construction industry, issues such as education and research, industry, economy etc., need to be addressed in order to have successful application of MMC in Iran.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Reducing GHGs from UK households ‐ an examination of local authority‐level data

As the threat of irreversible climate change has increased over time, the UK has focused on reducing its carbon emission levels. International treaties such as the Kyoto Protocol have informed national targets, directing the UK in reducing its climate impact. In order to achieve this an understanding of the factors that affect carbon emission reductions is vital. Identifying what dictates the success of UK local authorities in reducing their carbon emissions addresses this problem. The research uses secondary data regarding local authorities’ carbon emissions and regression analyses to explore the key factors affecting domestic emission levels over time. The research goes into further detail than existing literature through exploring sources of emissions across different sectors and analysing emissions reductions specifically between 2005‐2016. Substantial and relatively consistent domestic emissions reductions were achieved in this time frame, exceeding the reductions provided by decarbonisation of the electricity grid. Standard deviations of 3% were observed in this sector, compared with 12% from Industrial & Commercial emissions. While population density demonstrated a statistically significant correlation with domestic GHG reductions, gross disposable household income was not found to be significant; however, it is a relevant indicator of total emissions levels in 2016. Through identifying these factors, suggestions to local government are made such as the implementation of region‐specific strategies, tailoring these to the exact characteristics of a local authority. Furthermore, consideration of population density in conjunction with domestic and urban planning will allow for future emissions reductions to occur across the UK

Construction technology transfer: an assessment of the relevance of modern methods of construction to housing shortages in Iran

The inability of the Iranian construction industry to satisfy the country's massive housing demand has transformed housing demand and supply into one of the major challenges facing the government. 1.15 million residential units need to be built each year for the next ten years. The Iranian construction industry is suffering from various deficiencies such as low productivity, small and unprofessional developers, huge waste, skilled labour shortages, defective management, unstable economy, severe fluctuations in demand and supply etc. Considering the potential advantages of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), the general belief is that the application of MMC will resolve may of the above issues. Meanwhile, Iran needs to learn from the experience of other countries such as the UK to avoid repeating their mistakes. MMC is a more complex subject in which various issues including standardisation, coordination, management, design, costs, sustainability, risks, etc, should be considered. Some of the above have become more important than others for Iranian stakeholders but prioritisation and partial consideration of these issues will not be effective. This study intends to investigate the viability and applicability of the UK's advanced construction systems in Iran. For this reason, several criteria including the building regulations and standards, practicality, economy, costs, culture, sustainability, and design have been addressed, and both countries compared with regards to these issues. The results show that, although MMC can theoretically enhance the current situation of the construction industry, issues such as education and research, industry, economy etc., need to be addressed in order to have successful application of MMC in Ira