Engineers Ireland Sustainability

Concrete & Sustainability
Protecting our Planet for Future Generations
The harmonisation of man with nature
Brian O Murchu

Sustainability Milestones
The Club of Rome 1972
1972 UN first International Conference on the Environment Stockholm
1988 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
Rio de Janiero June 1992
1992 Commission for Sustainable Development
1997 Earth Summit + 5
1997 Kyoto Protocol Agreed
2002 The Johannesburg Summit (Earth summit + 10)
2005 Kyoto Protocol comes into force
2007 -The Bali Summit (Climate change)

The Concept of Sustainability
Ensuring that the needs of the present are met without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their

own needs
The concept encompasses
Economic, Environmental & Social Factors which are often

referred to as:
a) The three pillars of Sustainability or
b) The triple bottom line

Sustainability aims to achieve a balance between
environmental protection, commercial growth & the needs

of people
This is now part of global policy affecting all types of

development including:
a) Industry
b) Buildings
c) Infrastructure
The concept is characterised by Multiplicity &

Indeterminance - This is a problem!

Multiplicity
There are over 100 environmental assessment software

pages in the English language alone
Packages have different assessment criteria
Countries going there own way
Indeterminance
Weighting Environmental, Economic & Social factors is very

difficult & produces results which are open to subjective
interpretation

Sustainability Current Situation Irl.

Task Force B1 did not reach a satisfactory conclusion significant
controversy
BRE Ireland has been established one of its objectives is to establish an
Irish version of BREEAM
Attempt at European level to develop a standardised Sustainability
Assessment Method has run into problems
European Technical Committee 350 (TC 350) initial proposals rejected
since Social & Economic factors were not represented. Also, fire and
durability factors not considered.

What is Sustainable Construction ?
Re-use existing built assets

Design for minimum waste
Aim for lean construction
Minimise energy in construction
Minimise energy in use

Do not pollute
Preserver & enhance biodiversity
Conserve water resources
Respect people & their local environment
Set targets to measure & improve the above

Terminology
Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
Building Energy Rating (DEAP) based on U.K. SAP
A Rated Homes
Sustainable Homes
Zero Carbon Home
Green Guide
BREEAM
CEEQUAL

Good Design, Good Planning, Durability

A Code for Sustainable Homes in Ireland ?
Code developed by:
British Government
Building Research Establishment (BRE)
British Research & Information Association (CIRIA)
Steering Group consisting of Government, Industry and NGO representatives
It is a standard for key elements of design and construction which affect the
sustainability of a new home.
It will become the single national standard (but only being adopted in England) for
sustainable homes, used by home designers and builders as a guide to development,
and by home-buyers to assist in their choice of home.
The Code is intended as a single national standard to guide industry in the design and
construction of sustainable homes. It is a means of driving continuous improvement,
greater innovation and exemplary achievement in sustainable home building.

The Code will complement the system of Energy Performance Certificates

introduced in June 2007 under the Energy Performance of Buildings
Directive (EPBD).
The EPBD will require that all new homes (and in due course other homes,
when they are sold or leased) have an Energy Performance Certificate
providing key information about the energy efficiency/ carbon performance
of the home.
Energy assessment under the Code will use the same calculation
methodology therefore avoiding the need for duplication.
In the short-term, Code compliance is voluntary but home builders are

encouraged to follow Code principles since assessment under code
standards are likely to become mandatory in the future

The Code builds upon EcoHomes in a number of ways, for example:
Introduces minimum standards for energy and water efficiency at every

level of the Code, therefore requiring high levels of sustainability
performance in these areas for achievement of a high Code rating;
Uses a simpler system of awarding points (than Ecohomes), with more

complex weightings removed
The Code includes new areas of sustainability design, such as Lifetime

Homes and inclusion of composting facilities
The Code sits alongside the planning system which guides sustainability in
broader locational and aesthetic issues

A SIGNAL FOR THE FUTURE
The Code is closely linked to Building Regulations, which are the minimum
building standards required by law. Minimum standards for Code
compliance have been set above the requirements of Building Regulations
It is intended that the Code will signal the future direction of Building
Regulations in relation to carbon emissions from, and energy use in
homes, providing greater regulatory certainty for the homebuilding industry

U.K. Code for Sustainable Homes
The design categories included within the Code are:
Energy / CO
Water
Materials
Surface water run off
Waste
Pollution
Health & well being
Management
Ecology

Sectoral Contributions to Irelands Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Efficient Energy Use in Buildings
Residential
Commercial
Other 16%
Water Heating
25%
Lighting &
Appliances 14%
Cooling 4%
Lighting &
Appliances 11%
Space Heating
57%
Cooking 5%
Space Heating 52%
Cooking 7%
Water Heating 9%

Embodied Energy & Operational Energy
Of which
embodied
energy in the
structure = 3%
Total embodied
energy = 10%
Total
operational
energy = 90%
Operational Energy = 90%

Cement Plant Locations

Kiln Efficiency - EU Kj/kg Clinker
Fuel energy in KJ/Kg clinker

Current position of cement
industry in Ireland

Cement Type
Domestic Deliveries by Cement Type 2000 to 2004
Year 2000
Year 2004


Table 1: Cement Types According to EU Cement Standard EN 197 - 1
CEM 1
Ireland
CEM 11
Portland Cement
Based on Cement Clinker (> 95%)
Portland Limestone Cement
Based on Cement Clinker (80 % )

and Relevant Material (20%)
Portland Fly Ash Cement (PFA)

Portland Slag Cement (GGBS)
Based on Cement Clinker (50 % )

and GGBS (50%)
CEM 111
Blast Furnace Cement
Based on Cement Clinker and Slag

(High Slag %)
CEM 1V
Pozzolanic Cement
Based on Cement Clinker and

Pozzolanic Materials
CEM V
Composite Cement
Based on Cement Clinker and Specific

Quantities of Other Materials

Precast & Sustainability
Less waste on site, better control of waste, recycling
Material efficiency , smaller elements & larger clear spans
Airtightness
Inherently fire proof
Inherent sound proof properties
Health & Safety , fewer operatives on site, safe working platforms
Indoor air quality concrete is an inert material

Statistics
The production of concrete accounts for 7% of world

production of CO
After water, concrete is the most used material on earth
by volume more than all other construction materials added

together
In Ireland we consume 700 kg per capita per annum

higher than UK & Germany
Ireland has abundant resources of the constituent materials

of concrete no coal or steel smelting
Thermal Insulation
Changes to Par L
Part L - 2003
Wall
U-Value
from
0.45W/m
to
0.27W/m
to
0.16W/m
to
0.25W/m
Roof
U-Value
from
0.25W/m
Floor
U-Value
from
0.45W/m
Thermal Insulation
Building Regulations Part L 1st July 2008
Overall Requirement
Overall 40% increase in energy efficiency of homes is required
30% Reduction in CO Emissions
Options for improving energy efficiency
Min. 10% renewable energy
Airtightness min. 10m/mhr @50Pa.
Boiler efficiency min. 86% (Currently 78%)
Walls / Floors / Roofs / Windows
Thermal Performance
Airtightness
Airtight construction
Insulated concrete formwork
and precast housing can

achieve 2.88m/mhr @50Pa.
Typical rates for timber & steel

buildings vary from 10 to
30m/mhr @50Pa.
Thermal
Mass Turkey
Cappadocia
Turkey
Thermal Mass
Thermal Mass
Thermal Mass & Energy Performance
Thermal Mass
Heavy Construction saves 5% to 9% of heating energy
Thermal Mass
Thermal Mass
What is Thermal Mass?

Thermal Mass describes the
materials in a buildings
construction that are able to
store and release large quantities
of thermal energy
These materials are normally the
dense structural elements that

form part of the buildings fabric.
Volumetric Heat Capacity

Volumetric Heat Capacity
Material
Air
Mineral insulation materials
Plastic insulation materials
Wood
Brick
Rammed Earth
Sandstone
Concrete
Glass
Marble
Water
Volumetric heat capacity

@ 20C kj/m.K
1
90
100
187
1360
1673
1800
1940
2184
2376
4180
Admittance
Admittance
What is Admittance ?
Admittance quantifies the potential thermal mass of a
construction. It describes the ability of a construction to
exchange heat with the internal environment when subjected
to a cyclic variation in temperature - typically
24hrs. for
buildings
The key variables that determine admittance are heat capacity,
conductivity, density and surface resistance.
Admittance
Energy Research Group - UCD
Table Source = CIBSE Guide A
Construction Type
Admittance
W/m2K
External
Walls
Concrete
105 mm brick + 50 mm EPS insulation + 100 mm dense concrete block + 13 mm dense
5.75
plaster
Timber
105 mm brick + 50 mm airspace + 19 mm plywood + sheathing + 95 mm studding
Frame
+ 95 mm mineral fibre, insulation between studs, 13 mm plasterboard
0.86
(Updating the constructions shown above to comply with existing building regulations can be achieved by
specifying increased levels of insulation. Admittance values should not change significantly in doing so.)
Internal
Partitions
and Party
Walls
13mm dense plaster, 215mm dense concrete block, 13mm dense plaster (Party Wall)
5.81
13 mm plaster, standard concrete block, 13 mm plaster
4.29
Thermal Mass
Moderates Internal Temperature Saves Energy
House Doolin, Co. Clare Grafton Architects
Thermal Mass captures free heat from the sun during the day, offsetting heat
requirements for later that night
Summer Day
Mass concrete absorbs

excessive heat during
the day
Natural
Natural
Ventilation
Ventilation
Office Building
Summer Night Time
Expel warm air

Night cooling
through louvre
vents
Office Building

Life Cycle Analysis
Extraction
Transport
Manufacturing
and/or processing
Recycling etc.
Demolition:
Recycling, re-use or
disposal
Refurbishment
Construction
on site
Operation: energy use &

maintenance associated
with occupancy
Chalmers University Gottenburg

Assessment of 7 LCA Concrete V Timber Studies


There is 10 times more embodied energy / tonne in softwood than in

structural concrete
8 times the amount of CO / tonne is created in the production of
softwood than in the production of structural concrete
Thermal Performance
Embodied Energy in Materials
Materials
Embodied Energy (GJ/tonne)
Concrete (not reinforced)
0.7
Concrete (reinforced)
0.9
Timber
Brick
3 13 (13 in Ireland)
5 - 12
Reinforcing steel (from scrap,

produced in an electronic arc furnace)
11.3
Structural Steel (from ore produced in

a blast furnace)
25 - 26
Aluminium (from ore)
150
Aluminium (from scrap)
9.0
Sustainable Housing
CO Life Cycle Analysis Arup Consultants
Arup Consultants
CO Emissions are considered
in the Construct Phase and the

In Use phase
Due to lighter weight timber as

a marginal advantage in the
construct phase
After 11 years in the in use

phase concrete and timber
frame have identical CO
footprints
Concrete and Steel

Mass Basis Comparison
Steel requires 30 times
more energy to produce

than concrete
CO produced per
tonne of structural steel

is 10 times greater than
for RC
Concrete and Steel

Performance in Structures
Reinforced Concrete
= 1.5Gj/m to 2.5Gj/m
Steel
= 2.6Gj/m to 2.9GJ/m
Concrete 100% Recyclable

Recycling
Recycling
Concrete is 100% Recyclable
Roadstone Dublin
Case Studies
House Co. Wicklow
Passive Masonry House

215 mm block on the flat
Sun
Solar Panel
22.5 Roof Pitch
500mm Attic
Insulation
Extended Overhang
Protection From Solar Heat Gain

300 mm external Insulation

Glazing fixed externally & thermally broken
Sustainable
Housing
BedZED
Bill Dunster Architects
Principles
Sourcing of Materials
BedZED
Beddington Zero Energy Development
Features
Brown field site former sewerage works

Heat exchanger in ventilation system retrieves
50% to 70% heat from the exhaust air
Curved cowl uses stack effect to circulate air
BedZED
Beddington Zero Energy Development
Features
Heat demand is 90% lower due to:
High levels of insulation
High thermal mass concrete construction
Triple glazed windows
South facing conservatories
Water saving appliances 33% less consumption
BedZED
Monitored Results
Monitored
Reduction
Target
Reduction
Space heating
88% (73%)
90%
Hot water
57% (44%)
33%
Electricity
25%
33%
Mains water
50%
33%
Fossil fuel car mileage
65%
50%
Sustainable Offices
Offaly County Council
ABK Architects
Sustainable Offices
ABK Architects
Cast in-situ concrete structure
Thermal mass of floor slabs
aids cooling
No suspended ceiling
Sustainable Offices
Case Study - Dublin
Fingal County Council

Bucholz McEvoy Architects
Sustainable Offices
Case Study - Dublin
Fingal County Council
Exposed Concrete can reduce

daytime temp. by 3C to 4C
Delays temperature peaks by

up to 6 hours

Passive Lighting Devices
Ceiling sloped from perimeter inwards to maximise daylight

Case Study Dublin
Passive Devices
Thermal Mass Replaces Air Conditioning
Replace Suspended Ceilings
Thermal Mass
Savings by Using Thermal Mass
Up to 50% saving in CO emissions

Up to 20% savings in energy costs
Under floor pipes offer 64W/m cooling capacity
Eliminating false ceiling can save 5% to 7% on initial
building costs

Passive Thermal Control Devices
Human Health
Indoor air quality is vital for peoples health
Concrete is inert & non-toxic
Thermal Comfort
Concrete provides good protection
from the burden of solar gain - keeping
people comfortable

Passive Thermal Control Devices
Automatically Ventilating Atrium

Slit Windows to
Reduce Solar Gain
Trinity College Dublin
Solar Control Glass
Sustainable Offices
Case Studies U.K.
Portcullis House
Michael Hopkins & Partners

Precast concrete structure
External light shelf
Sustainable Housing
High Density
Increased housing demands

Medium rise housing &
apartments serviced by public

transport
Higher densities
Advantage of concrete
Sound
Fire
Durability
Public Transport
Less Traffic Congestion Less Pollution Pleasant Environment
Quality transport combined with quality,

reasonably priced, safe accommodation
Crche Facility
Performance
Conclusions
Positive effect on CO emissions

Widespread use in sustainable projects
High density development
Embodied energy versus energy in use
Thermal mass reduces running costs
Performance
Conclusions
Concrete conforms to the highest thermal insulation

requirements
Concrete has good Environmental Performance

Precast has performance advantages over and above other
forms of concrete construction

Brian O Murchu

Engineers Ireland Sustainability

Încărcat de

Informații document

Drepturi de autor

Formate disponibile

Partajați acest document

Partajați sau inserați document

Opțiuni de partajare

Vi se pare util acest document?

Este necorespunzător acest conținut?

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

Engineers Ireland Sustainability

Încărcat de

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

Concrete & Sustainability

Protecting our Planet for Future Generations

The harmonisation of man with nature

Concrete & Sustainability

The Club of Rome 1972

1972 UN first International Conference on the Environment Stockholm

1988 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

Rio de Janiero June 1992

1992 Commission for Sustainable Development

1997 Earth Summit + 5

1997 Kyoto Protocol Agreed

2002 The Johannesburg Summit (Earth summit + 10)

2005 Kyoto Protocol comes into force

2007 -The Bali Summit (Climate change)

Concrete & Sustainability

Ensuring that the needs of the present are met without

compromising the ability of future generations to meet their

The concept encompasses

Economic, Environmental & Social Factors which are often

Concrete & Sustainability

Sustainability aims to achieve a balance between

environmental protection, commercial growth & the needs

This is now part of global policy affecting all types of

The concept is characterised by Multiplicity &

Concrete & Sustainability

There are over 100 environmental assessment software

Weighting Environmental, Economic & Social factors is very

Concrete & Sustainability

Sustainability Current Situation Irl.

Concrete & Sustainability

Re-use existing built assets

Concrete & Sustainability

Concrete & Sustainability

Energy Performance of Buildings Directive

Building Energy Rating (DEAP) based on U.K. SAP

Zero Carbon Home

Concrete & Sustainability

Concrete & Sustainability

Code developed by:

Concrete & Sustainability

The Code will complement the system of Energy Performance Certificates

In the short-term, Code compliance is voluntary but home builders are

Concrete & Sustainability

The Code builds upon EcoHomes in a number of ways, for example:

Introduces minimum standards for energy and water efficiency at every

Uses a simpler system of awarding points (than Ecohomes), with more

The Code includes new areas of sustainability design, such as Lifetime

Concrete & Sustainability

Concrete & Sustainability

U.K. Code for Sustainable Homes

The design categories included within the Code are:

Concrete & Sustainability

Concrete & Sustainability

Space Heating 52%

Concrete & Sustainability

Operational Energy = 90%

Concrete & Sustainability

Concrete & Sustainability

Fuel energy in KJ/Kg clinker

Concrete & Sustainability

Domestic Deliveries by Cement Type 2000 to 2004

Concrete & Sustainability

Concrete & Sustainability

Based on Cement Clinker (> 95%)