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SUSTAINABLE CIVIL ENGINEERING

Introduction
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 The term sustainability is deemed to be a model for sustainable development for the
humanity (Lexikon der Nachhaltigkeit 2006a). Especially the Agenda 21 is setting on
sustainability for solutions of environmental problems in present and future cases. To
counteract an advancing degradation of the situation of people on the globe the Agenda
21 was created at a worldwide environmental conference in Rio de Janero, Brazil in
1992. Many years of intensive spadework had to be done before all the different
countries agreed on it. But does everyone in the world has the same ideas of
sustainability and what is sustainable development all about? This work will show the
different aspects of sustainability especially for civil engineering as it is demonstrated in
the literature but also a personal view on the theme.

 Sustainability in civil engineering includes many different aspects like energy systems
and technologies, building service engineering or management of resources. A precise
assessment of existing or new buildings must be done and this work will give some
examples of executed buildings and developed techniques.
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A definition of sustainability

 The brundtland commission defined the concept of sustainable development in two

ways:

 1. "Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present

without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
2. “A sustainable development is a process of changings in which the application of
resources, the structure of investigations, the orientation of technical progress and the
institutional structures are getting consistent with the needs of the present and the
future.” (Wikipedia 2006a)

 These definitions are about intergenerational Equity. ‘It doesn´t matter what happens
when we´ve gone’ is not the right way to live today. The definition says that we have to
think about the generations in the future and start to prepare or save their quality of
life.
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 Another definition is quite similar to the definition from the brundtland report,
but it includes a very important aspect: the Earth an its ecosystem.

 "Sustainable development of the Earth is a development that meets the

basic needs of all human beings and which conserve, protect and restore
the health and integrity of the Earth's ecosystem, without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own needs and without going over
the limits of long term capacity of the earth `s ecosystem" (Stappen 2006,
p.27 ff).
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Models of sustainability

 The three-dimensional model proceeds on the

assumption that sustainability can be achieved by
realization of environmental, social and economic aims.
Thereby the three dimension can be weighted differently
(Federal Office for spatial development, 2005). There
has to be a social community and a efficient economy
working together and linked to the environment to create
sustainable development in a three dimensional
perspective. The three dimensions should be equal and
homogeneous to each other to achieve their common
aim which is securing and approvement of economic,
ecologic and social effectiveness.
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Aims of Sustainability

The aim of sustainable development is to

balance our economic, environmental and
social needs, allowing prosperity for now and
future generations. ... These include social
progress and equality, environmental protection,
conservation of natural resources and stable
economic growth.
DAMS
WHAT IS A DAM ?
 D A M
A dam is a barrier that stops or restricts the flow of 
water or underground streams. Reservoirs created by dams
not only suppress floods but also provide water for activities
such as irrigation, human consumption, industrial use, 
aquaculture, and navigability. Hydropower is often used in
conjunction with dams to generate electricity. A dam can also
be used to collect water or for storage of water which can be
evenly distributed between locations. Dams generally serve
the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures
such as floodgates or levees(also known as dikes) are used to
manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. 
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 IRRIGATION
Presently, irrigated land covers about 277 million
hectares i.e. about 18% of world’s arable land but is
responsible for around 40% of crop output and employs
nearly 30% of population spread over rural areas. With the
large population growth expected for the next decades,
irrigation must be expanded to increase the food capacity
production. It is estimated that 80% of additional food
production by the year 2025 will need to come from
irrigated land. Even with the widespread measures to
conserve water by improvements in irrigation technology,
the construction of more reservoir projects will be required.

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 HYDROPOWER
Electricity generated from dams is by very far
the largest renewable energy source in the world. More
than 90% of the world’s renewable electricity comes
from dams. Hydropower also offers unique
possibilities to manage the power network by its ability
to quickly respond to peak demands. Pumping-storage
plants, using power produced during the night, while
the demand is low, is used to pump water up to the
higher reservoir. That water is then used during the
peak demand period to produce electricity. This system
today constitute the only economic mass storage
available for electricity.
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 WATER SUPPLY
It has been stressed how essential water is for our
civilization. It is important to remember that of the total
rainfall falling on the earth, most falls on the sea and a
large portion of that which falls on earth ends up as runoff.
Only 2% of the total is infiltrated to replenish the
groundwater. Properly planned, designed and constructed
and maintained dams to store water contribute
significantly toward fulfilling our water supply
requirements. To accommodate the variations in the
hydrologic cycle, dams and reservoirs are needed to store
water and then provide more consistent supplies during
shortages.

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INLAND NAVIGATION
Natural river conditions, such as changes in the
flow rate and river level, ice and changing river channels
due to erosion and sedimentation, create major problems
and obstacles for inland navigation. The advantages of
inland navigation, however, when compared with highway
and rail are the large load carrying capacity of each barge,
the ability to handle cargo with large-dimensions and fuel
savings. Enhanced inland navigation is a result of
comprehensive basin planning and development utilizing
dams, locks and reservoirs which are regulated to provide
a vital role in realizing regional and national economic
benefits.
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FLOOD CONTROL
Dams and reservoirs can be effectively used to
regulate river levels and flooding downstream of the
dam by temporarily storing the flood volume and
releasing it later. The most effective method of flood
control is accomplished by an integrated water
management plan for regulating the storage and
discharges of each of the main dams located in a river
basin. Each dam is operated by a specific water control
plan for routing floods through the basin without
damage. This means lowering of the reservoir level to
create more storage before the rainy season.

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FLOOD CONTROL
This strategy eliminates flooding. The
number of dams and their water control
management plans are established by
comprehensive planning for economic
development and with public involvement. Flood
control is a significant purpose for many of the
existing dams and continues as a main purpose for
some of the major dams of the world currently
under construction.

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TYPES OF DAMS
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Types of Dams

There are 7 types of dams

 Diversion Dam

 Buttress Dam

 Embankment Dam

 Coffer dam

 Storage Dam

 Detention Dam

 Gravity Dam
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Diversion Dam

 Like the name says, a diversion dam is used to

divert water. They provide pressure to push
water into ditches, canals, or other areas used
for conveyance. Diversion dams are typically
lower in height and have a small water storage
area in it’s upstream.
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Buttress dam
 Buttress dams can take many forms, but they all consist of a sloping
deck supported by intervals of buttresses. There are three main buttress
dams, including: multiple arch type, massive head type, and deck type.
Buttress dams usually use less concrete than other dams but are not
necessarily cheaper.
 Multiple Arch Buttress Dams
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 This type of dam can be preferred for larger heights about more than 50 meters. As compared
to deck slab type buttress dams, multiple arch buttress dams are more flexible and stable.

 The main disadvantage in this case is the adjacent buttress units depends on each other. So, if
one unit gets affected then it causes severe problems for the whole series of arches. To
overcome this good foundation for each of buttresses wall should be provided.

 The thickness of arch provided varies in case of larger spans and constant in the case of
shorter spans. The central angle of arch should be in between 180 degrees to 150 degrees.

 The space between buttresses should be in between 15 to 21 meters. However, larger spacing
can also be provided by taking some consideration.
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Massive Head Buttress Dam

 In this type of buttress dam, no slab or arch is provided at the upstream face,
instead of that buttress head is enlarged and joined with adjacent buttress
head. Like this all buttresses heads makes strong water supporting surface.

 The enlargement of buttress heads can be done in different shapes like

rounded, diamond shape etc. So, these shapes can resist the water pressure
very well. The joining of heads is strengthened by providing copper strips.

 Construction of massive head buttress dam is easier compared to other types

and no reinforcement is required only mass concrete is laid whole over the
dam body. Because of such a huge concrete body, it is heavier and resists
against sliding.
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Deck Type Buttress Dam

 In this type of dam, a deck slab is provided which is supported by the

corbels of buttresses. This type of dam is constructed to smaller
heights generally from 20 to 50 meters.
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Embankment Dam
 An embankment dam is a large, artificial dam that is constructed with
natural excavated materials or industrial waste materials, such as
compacted plastics, and various compositions of soil, sand, rock, and
clay. 
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Coffer dam

 A cofferdam is a temporary, portable dam used for a variety of

projects including bridge repair, shoreline restoration, pipeline
installation, and many other construction projects. A cofferdam is used
to close off some or all of a construction area.
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Storage dam

 These dams are not mean to divert or keep water out, but to keep water
in. Storage dams are constructed to store water during the rainy
seasons, supply water to the local wildlife, and store water for
hydroelectric power generation, and irrigation. Storage dams are the
most common types of dams.
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Detention dam
 Detention dams are specifically constructed for flood control by
retarding flow downstream, helping reduce flash floods (to some
extent). The water is retained in a reservoir to be later gradually
released.
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Gravity dam

 A gravity dam is a massive, man-made concrete dam designed to hold

large volumes of water. Because of the heavy concrete used, it is able
to resist the horizontal thrust of the water, and gravity essentially holds
the dam to the ground. They are used to block rivers in wide valleys
and must be built on a strong foundation of bedrock.
GREEN BUILDINGS OR SUSTAINABLE
BUILDING DEVELOPMENT
 INTRODUCTION
• Green building (also as
construction or sustainable building) green
known
expands
and complements the building design concerns
of economy, utility, durability, and comfort.
• A Green Building is one which uses less water,
optimizes energy efficiency, conserves natural
resources, generates less waste and provides
healthier space for occupants as compared to
conventional buildings.
 CONCEPT ON GREEN
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CONSTRUCTION OR
• The design…... BUILDING
• ...of our homes is fundamental to
our quality of life, comfort and
how affordable they are to run
• ...of our schools leaves a life-long
imprint on those who learn within
them, influencing pupil
concentration and how
environmentally aware the next
generation is
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CONCEPT ON GREEN
CONSTRUCTION OR
• The design…... BUILDING
• ...of our workplaces impacts
employee productivity, health and
the prosperity of our companies
• ...of our hospitals affects patient
recovery times and National
Health Service bills
• ...of our cities and communities
strongly determines their
economic and social dynamics
 OBJECTIVES OF GREEN BUILDING
• Low Impact
– Minimize impact on natural environment
• Energy Efficient
– Reduced Energy usage and Water usage
• Healthy
– Protect occupant health and increase
productivity
• Minimize waste
– Designed and constructed in a manner that
minimizes waste, pollution, and
environmental degradation
 KEY ATTRIBUTES OF SUSTAINABLE
BUILDING
• Consideration of sustainability aspects in all
phases of building design and planning
• Use of healthy and environmentally
friendly building materials and products
• Use of efficient systems
• Use of constructions and systems which
are easy to maintain and service
• High aesthetic and urban design quality;
high public acceptance
 FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
INVOLVED IN DEVELOPMENT OF
GREEN BUILDING

• Structural efficiency
• Energy efficiency
• Water efficiency
• Waste efficiency
 z STRUCTURAL EFFICIENCY

• Its main intensions is

to minimize the
total environment
impact associated
with all life- cycles.
• It has the largest
impact on cost and
performance of
building.
 ENERGY
EFFICIENCY

• The strategy is to reduce

the operating energy use.
• Renewable energy
through solar power,
wind power, hydro power
and biomass can
significantly reduce the
environmental impact of
a building.
 WATER EFFICIENCY
• Reducing water
consumption and
protecting water
quality is the key
objectives of
sustainable building.
• The use of non-sewage
and greywater for
on- site use such as
site- irrigation will
minimize demands on
 MATERIALS EFFICIENCY
• Buildings materials
should be renewable
materials , recycle and
friendly to the
environment.
• Examples are lumber
from forest, renewable
plant materials like
bamboo and straw and
other products that
are non-toxic,
reusable, etc.
 GREEN BUILDING RATING SYSTEM
• The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC)
provides LEED ratings to structures in India and
Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment
(GRIHA) is the National Rating System of India.
• Each rating system divided into different level of
certification is as follows:
• ‘Certified’ to recognise best practices.
• ‘Silver’ to recognise outstanding performances.
• ‘Gold’ to recognise national excellence.
• ‘Platinum’ to recognise global leadership.