Sustainability in

construction management
and structural engineering –
Part 2
Roozbeh Mowlaei
[email protected]
Schulich School of Engineering
University of Calgary
October 2024
Presentation Outline

• Circular Economy in Construction

• Sustainable Project Management Practices

• Regulatory Standards and Certifications for Sustainable Construction

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The circular economy in construction
focuses on creating closed-loop
systems where resources are reused,
recycled, or repurposed, rather than
disposed of, reducing overall waste and
environmental impact.

Circular
Economy in
Construction

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Structural Engineering
Considerations for Circularity

Design for Deconstruction:

Structures are designed to be dismantled without
damaging components, making it easier to reuse or
recycle materials.
Examples:
• Modular Connections: Using bolted rather than welded
connections for easier disassembly.
• Reversible Components: Selecting non-destructive
methods of assembly so components can be reused in
other projects.

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Structural Engineering
Considerations for Circularity
• Use of Recycled and Recyclable Materials:
Recycled Steel and Concrete: Steel is infinitely recyclable, and concrete can incorporate recycled
aggregates or supplementary materials like fly ash.

Engineered Timber: Renewable material that can be repurposed; modular timber components can
be disassembled and reused.

• Material Passports:
Definition: A digital document or system that tracks the origin, components, and recycling potential
of each material used.

Purpose: Enables future owners or deconstructors to know how materials can be reused or recycled.

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Structural failure
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Circl 8
Amsterdam, Netherlands

•
Examples of Circularity in Circl

• Rejected wooden window frames have been cut into wooden floors and tiled floors
were made from reused concrete with added PCM (phase changing materials) that
controls the indoor climate.
• The timber support structure is made from fully dismountable locally sourced Larch
wood.
• Old jeans of employees and partners of the bank have been included in the ceiling as
insulating material.
• The lifts in Circl have not been purchased but have been leased and will return to the
manufacturer after ten years.
• All materials, components and parts that make up the building have been recorded in
a ‘digital twin’; the building passport is named LLMNT.

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Sustainable Project Management Practices
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Minimizing Carbon
Footprint in
Construction
•
 Minimizing Carbon
Footprint in Construction
Energy-Efficient Construction Practices:
Examples:

• Use of Renewable Energy: Powering site operations with

solar or wind sources to reduce dependency on fossil fuels.

• Efficient Machinery: Choosing energy-efficient machinery

and equipment that consumes less fuel.

Waste Management on Site:

Examples:

• On-Site Sorting: Segregating materials like concrete, steel,

and wood for easy recycling.

• Waste Tracking: Using digital tools to track waste

generation and disposal, ensuring compliance with
sustainability goals.
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Balancing Cost-Effectiveness with Sustainability

• Life-Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA):

Definition: Evaluates the total cost of a project over its lifetime, including initial costs, maintenance,
and disposal.

Benefits for Sustainability:

Allows project managers to justify investments in sustainable materials and practices by showing long-
term cost savings.
Encourages use of durable materials that require less frequent replacement and repair.

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Balancing Cost-Effectiveness with Sustainability

• Incentives and Funding for Sustainable Projects:

Description: Utilizing available grants, tax incentives, or subsidies for sustainable projects to
offset higher initial costs.
Examples of Incentives:
Government tax breaks for using renewable energy or certified sustainable materials.
Green bonds or funding for projects aiming to achieve LEED or BREEAM certification.

• Risk Management:
Description: Assessing the risk of cost overrun if sustainability goals are not met (e.g., regulatory
fines, loss of green certifications).
Strategy: Using scenario analysis to weigh cost trade-offs and prioritize investments that meet
both financial and sustainability criteria.
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Regulatory Standards
and Certifications for
Sustainable
Construction

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Common Green Building Certifications
National and Local Codes:
Examples:
Energy Codes: Codes like the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) in the U.S. mandate
minimum energy efficiency standards.
Waste Reduction Policies: Local regulations often require recycling or material reuse in construction
and demolition (C&D) projects.

International Guidelines:
Paris Agreement Targets: Encourages sustainable building practices to help countries meet emission
reduction commitments.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The UN’s SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and
SDG 13 (Climate Action) emphasize green building practices and sustainable urbanization.

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Common Green Building Certifications
✓ LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design):
One of the most widely recognized green building certifications globally, developed by the U.S. Green
Building Council.
Certification Levels: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, based on the number of sustainability points
earned.
Criteria: Covers areas such as energy efficiency, water conservation, materials use, and indoor
environmental quality.

✓ BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method):

Description: A popular certification in Europe, developed in the UK, that evaluates the environmental
impact of buildings.
Assessment Categories: Energy, health, materials, waste, pollution, and management.
Certification Levels: Pass, Good, Very Good, Excellent, and Outstanding.
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Common Green Building Certifications
✓ Green Globes:
A certification available primarily in North America, emphasizing environmental sustainability, resource
efficiency, and occupant health.
Unique Features: Offers online tools for interactive assessment and scoring, making it accessible for
smaller projects.
Criteria: Focuses on project management, energy, water, materials, and emissions.

✓ WELL Building Standard:

Primarily focuses on human health and well-being within buildings, addressing air quality, lighting, and
comfort.
Key Areas: Air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mental well-being, aligning with
sustainable goals.
Application: Often used in conjunction with LEED or BREEAM to enhance health-focused aspects of
sustainability.
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LEED
Benefits of LEED/green buildings
• Up front increase in cost can achieve significant
operational savings
• Increased property/building value
• Improved occupant health and productivity

Efficient utilization of resources

• Savings on energy (25-30% more energy efficient)
• Reduced waste generation
• Reduced of GHG and Ozone depleting emissions
LEED – Leadership in
Energy &
Environmental Design

• Five basic categories for design points:

• 1. Sustainable sites 26 points

• 2. Water efficiency 10 points
• 3. Energy and atmosphere 35 points
• 4. Materials and resources 14 points
• 5. Indoor environmental quality 15 points

• Subtotal (see next slide) 100 points

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 • Four levels of LEED certification:
LEED – Leadership in
Energy & • • LEED Certified – 40-49 points
Environmental Design • • LEED Silver – 50-59 points
• • LEED Gold – 60-79 points
• • LEED Platinum – 80+ points

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1. Sustainable sites
LEED gives points for:
Locating building in
• Area of high-density development
• Area of previous development (brownfield)
• Proximity to non-auto transportation
Developing building site such that:
• Community connectivity maintained or improved
• Open space maximized
• Habitats protected or restored
Reduced storm water impacts
Reduced ‘heat island’ impacts
Reduced light pollution impacts
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2. Water efficiency
LEED gives points for:
Effective water use management in landscaping
• Bio-diverse plantings, hydro-zoning, and smart irrigation controllers
• Innovative wastewater technologies

Effective water use management in building systems

• Plumbing fixtures & fittings, appliances, HVAC systems & equipment, generally 40% better than
required standards.
• Cooling tower maximum cycles of concentration.

Reduced water consumption

• Reduction in potable water use of at least 20%
• Reduction in grey water generation of at least 30%
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3. Energy and atmosphere
LEED gives points for:
Formal commissioning of building energy system
Good energy performance
• Low minimum energy requirements
• Optimal energy use
Fundamental refrigerant management (HVAC)
Onsite generation of renewable energy
• Annual energy production equivalent of at least 6 kBTU/sqft of conditioned space
• Exception for areas with incident solar radiation less than 4 kWh/m2-day and a cumulative purchase
of green power of 70 kWh/sqft for a period not to exceed 10 years
• Use of enhanced integrated technologies
• Building automation
• Intelligent or ‘smart grid’ building
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4. Materials and resources
LEED gives points for:

Reduced impacts of construction Use of materials with reduced environmental impacts

• Construction emissions reduction • Use of rapidly renewable materials
• Construction waste management • Use of wood products
• Reuse of pre-existing building elements • Use of low impact refrigerants
• Use of recycled materials • Collection and storage of recyclable materials
• Use of more local materials

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5. Indoor Environmental Quality
LEED gives points for:
Provision of desirable air flow rates
• Ventilation outflow rates above specified minimum
• Monitoring & maintaining outdoor air intake rates above specified minimum
No smoking permitted inside building
Use of low-emission materials for adhesives, sealants, and carpet systems
Control of indoor contaminant sources
High-level filtering of air
High-level use of daylight
Provision of acoustic controls on building systems

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Thanks for listening!

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