Answer to Question #211753 in Civil and Environmental Engineering for Umer

Question

What key objectives should be adopted by the current design philosophy in the 

construction sector to effectively contribute to the achievement of the ambitious 

sustainability targets set by the UK government and many other countries 

worldwide?

b) What will be achieved through the adoption of the above design philosophy? 

c) What novel design methods should be adopted specifically for the case of steel-

concrete composite floors to facilitate a more sustainable design paradigm?

Describe the concept of the above methods and cite 3-4 relevant research 

papers.

Answer 1

Part a

The building has an impact on all four aspects of sustainable development: ecological, economic, social, and cultural development. Progress toward sustainable construction necessitates the development of novel technologies and strategies, not just for new structures but also for refurbishment procedures. The industry has taken numerous efforts to enhance resource efficiency, as well as the health and comfort of living environments.

Part b

Sustainable building design techniques identify, promote, and suggest the growth of practices and technology that address all elements of the sector's sustainability. Environmental pressure (related to environmental consequences), functionality (related to user comfort and local building regulations), social factors (related to social benefits), and economic considerations should all be included in the evaluation techniques (related to the life-cycle costs). The primary goal of sustainable design is to increase compatibility between the artificial and natural environments without jeopardizing the functional needs of buildings or their associated expenses. This article presents several integrated ways to incorporating sustainability concepts into building design. Despite several studies, there is a lack of a globally acknowledged approach to aid architects and engineers in the design, manufacturing, and refurbishment stages of a building.

Part c

A conceptual framework for adopting sustainability concepts in the construction sector. The suggested framework, which is based on the sustainable triple bottom line principle, incorporates resource conservation, cost efficiency, and human adaptability design. The framework will enable design teams to strike an acceptable balance between economic, social, and environmental concerns, altering the way construction practitioners think about the information they use when appraising building projects and therefore supporting the building industry's sustainability.

Part d

Adoption of a multi-disciplinary strategy covering a variety of characteristics such as energy-saving, enhanced material usage, material waste minimization, pollution and emissions management, and so on is required to create a sustainable future in the construction sector. There are several approaches to manage and enhance the present nature of construction activity in order to make it less ecologically harmful without diminishing the productive output of building activities. To gain a competitive advantage through environmentally friendly construction methods, the entire life-cycle of buildings should be the framework in which these practices are implemented.

A study of the literature revealed three basic objectives that should define the framework for implementing sustainable building design and construction (Figure 1), while keeping the previously established sustainability principles (social, environmental, and economic) in mind. These are the goals:

1. Conservation of natural resources

2. Cost-effectiveness and

3. Human Adaptation Design