Low Embodied Energy Materials
Low Embodied Energy Materials
Low Embodied Energy Materials
MATERIALS
Embodied energy
The term embodied energy refers to the energy that is used during
construction.
This includes the energy needed to obtain raw materials; the energy needed
to then turn these raw materials into building materials such as timber,
concrete, steel, or bricks; the energy used to transport the materials; and
finally, the energy needed to power the tools and machinery needed for
construction.
Energy in basic building materials
Type of material Energy (MJ per kg)
Cement 4.5
Lime 5.63
Lime- pozzolana 2.33
Steel 42
Aluminium 236.8
Glass 25.8
Mangalore tile 6-15 per tile
Energy in masonry materials Energy in masonry
Hydraulic press
astram
Balram
1) Earth is a local material and the soil should preferably extracted from the site itself or
not transported too far away
2) Earth construction is a labour-intensive technology and it is an easily adaptable and
transferable technology.
3) It is a cost and energy effective material.
4) It is much less energy consuming than country fired bricks (about 4 times less).
5) It is much less polluting than country fired bricks (about 4 times less).
INITIAL EMBODIED ENERGY PER M3 OF POLLUTION EMISSION (Kg of CO2) PER M3
WALL OF WALL
CSEB wall = 582 MJ / m3 CSEB wall = 57.1 Kg / m3
Kiln Fired Brick (KFB) = 2,935 MJ / m3 Kiln Fired Brick (KFB) = 287.6 Kg / m3
Country Fired Brick (CFB) = 5,090 MJ / m3 Country Fired Brick (CFB) = 498.8 Kg / m3
CSEB are consuming 4 times less energy CSEB are polluting 4 times less than
than country fired bricks: country fired bricks:
CSEB produced on site with 5 % cement = CSEB produced on site with 5 % cement
1,112.36 MJ/m3 = 110.11 Kg of CO2 /m3
3) Timber
Roofing
Traditional pitched timber roofs with tile or slate covering have relatively low embodied
energy. Steel framed roofs are not so good and flat concrete and asphalt roofs should be
avoided.
Windows
Timber framed single-glazed windows have the lowest embodied energy, but double-
glazed units have a short energy payback - probably about one year.
Internal partitions
Traditional studwork and plasterboard partitions have low embodied energy, although if
noise insulation is taken into account they may not be much better than a block wall. Avoid
high-tech plastic and/or aluminium partitioning.
In terms of embodied energy, and indeed many other environmental measures, insulation
made from recycled newsprint is excellent
4) Concrete blocks
5) Precast concrete
Precast Concrete is a construction product produced
by casting concrete in a reusable mould or "form"
which is then cured in a controlled environment,
transported to the construction site and lifted into
place.
Utilizing a Precast Concrete system offers many
potential advantages over site casting of concrete.
The production process for Precast Concrete is
performed on ground level which helps with safety
throughout a project. There is a greater control of the
quality of materials and workmanship in a precast
plant rather than on a construction site. A precast concrete wall
6) AAC
Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) is effectively concrete with lots of closed air pockets in
it. It is lightweight and energy efficient, and is manufactured by the process of mixing Fly
Ash, Quick Lime, Cement and Gypsum along with water in a high speed mixer to form a
slurry, a small amount of foaming agent is added and mixed, and poured into moulds, then
are wire cut into blocks or panels.
AAC has moderate embodied energy content and
performs very well as thermal and sound
insulation, due to the aerated structure of the
material and the unique combination of thermal
insulation and thermal mass properties. AAC is
light, does not burn, is an excellent fire barrier,
and is able to support quite large loads.
7) Recycled materials
Using recycled products, or products with recycled content helps the environment and the
economy in several ways.
A significant effect is that of lessening the need for manufacture with virgin, non-renewable
resources, which saves precious resources and also saves manufacturers money
Newspapers can be reprocessed into cellulose insulation, for instance. Plastic milk cartons
can be shredded, melted and reprocessed into toilet partitions. Rubber from automobile
tires can be processed into roofing and flooring materials.
Here is a project designed by Biome in
Malleshwaram, Bangalore in the year 2000. This is a
2 bedroom house on a plot of dimensions 15 feet x
40 feet. Given similar constraints of plot size,
neighbours had already built till the edge of this
plot. To provide for light, ventilation and privacy,
the house has a staircase around a central skylit
court. The court provided the light and air to the
house and also enables the owners to have privacy
from the neighbours and has murals by artist Sanjay
Singh along the stairs.
Designed by Deepak Godhi and built by
Mr.Ranganath this house is a framed RCC structure
with 6″ thick SMB(stabilized Mud Blocks) walls . It
harvests it’s water and has ample daylight. At a cost
of about Rs.600/Sft, it costed much less than a
conventional structure of a similar size at that
time.Besides it also saves money on water, and use
of external energy for ventilation and lighting.
Chitra vishwanath’s residence: