Nouri, H; Safehian, M and Mir Mohammad Hosseini, S M (2023) Life cycle assessment of earthen materials for low-cost housing a comparison between rammed earth and fired clay bricks. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, 41(2), pp. 364-377. ISSN 23984708
Abstract
Purpose: Although the use of diverse types of bricks as the primary construction materials has been considered for many years, vernacular earthen materials are also widely used for construction with low potential environmental impacts in developing countries. In this study, the life cycle of two types of building materials for wall building is investigated. Design/methodology/approach: For this purpose, life cycle carbon emissions (LCCO2) are compared and embodied energy calculation for rammed earth and fired clay bricks as two construction materials. The complete construction chain using rammed earth, as a modern norm, and fired clay bricks, as the most common construction materials in buildings, is investigated in this research. Findings: Studies on the constructions in Kashan city in the north of Isfahan province, Iran, as a case study, showed that replacing the fired bricks with rammed earth would reduce the CO2 emissions up to 1,245 kg/ton and 4,646 MJ/ton (i.e. more than 95%) of the embodied energy. It also shows that the choice of building materials should be important for building practitioners to consider the environmental impact. Originality/value: This paper provide life cycle assessment of building materials. The findings of this study help builders and owner to choose sustainable building materials.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | carbon emission; fired clay brick; life cycle assessment; rammed earth |
| Index terms: | developing country, builder, low-cost housing, life cycle assessment, environmental impact, sustainable building material, methodology, earthen material, carbon emission, CO2 emissions, case study, owner, life cycle, building material, building practitioner, construction material, embodied energy |
| Subjects: | practitioner, value management, climate science, sustainable materials, environmental impact, air quality, data collection methods, energy systems, sustainability and energy, building materials, development economics, research methods, sociology, housing and residential development |
| Topics: | International Construction, Design Practice, Urban Studies, Sustainability, Stakeholder Management, Roles and Professions, Research Practice, Project Management, Engineering Principles |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
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