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IMPACT OF LOW ENERGY GREEN BUILDING MATERIALS

Table of contents

Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1 Introduction

The current chapter of the research project includes the benefits imposed by green building materials on the reduction of energy consumption. Furthermore brief discussion related to the motivation of the research project is also included here. Moreover, the current chapter deals with the significance of this research project in case of illustration of the relationship between green building material and energy consumption. It also elaborates the objective and design of research project. In this chapter, the main questions related to research topic are also included along with research aim. Finally, dissertation structure is elaborated with a proper diagram.

1.2 Background

According to Ren, Wang & Wang (2015), the main issue related to the energy consumption can be reduced effectively by the adoption of the green building material in the construction project works. Green building material such as hempcrete, grasscrete can help to reduce the pollution level and is also helpful for saving the energy related to the construction project (Kibert, 2016). Basically, natural resources like wood and bamboo are used to make the proper design of a green building. With the proper and effective implementation of design of eco-friendly material in building the aesthetic value of construction can also be enhanced. As commented by Chew, Conejos & Asmone (2017) application of eco-friendly and natural material with the implementation of internal gardens in construction can help to reduce the level of the pollution and the greenhouse effect. In modern green buildings, internal gardening is adopted for reducing the demands of energy consumption. In these buildings, the greenhouse effect is adopted to make proper harvesting of the vegetables and fruits (Pacheco-Torgal et al. 2014). Moreover, in these buildings, renewable energy sources also are included and due to this reason these buildings are quite energy efficient and is able to make reduce the global energy crisis of the world. Application of the renewable sources of energy is cost effective and can help to reduce the cost related to the energy consumption of these buildings effectively (Zuo & Zhao, 2014). Additionally, application of recycling process in these buildings related to the water supply of harvesting vegetables and fruits can help to maintain reduce the cost of excess power supply effectively. Additionally, the maintenance cost of this green building materials and technologies is also very low. Simultaneously application of internal gardening in green building can help to reduce the emission of CFC and CO2 thus can help to mitigate the issue related to the greenhouse and global warming (Tsai, 2017).

1.3 Motivation

The main issue related to the building is excess uses of energy to fulfill the basic requirements. This can impose further energy crisis in the world and can scale down the availability of natural fuel. This problem must be solved. Otherwise it can impose energy problem on the future generation of the human being and can make theme energy blind. In addition, these buildings are producing harmful greenhouse gases like CFC and CO2 (MacNaughton et al. 2017). These gases are responsible for global warming and thus modern buildings are mainly responsible for increasing rate of global warming of this world. Emission of these greenhouse gases must be reduced otherwise this can meltdown the ice glacier of the polar region and can be the cause of the devastating event. In addition, these buildings also increase the level of pollution in the environment. This can increase the diseases of human and can cause an epidemic (Wang, Toppinen & Juslin, 2014). Thus this must be controlled. Otherwise it can take several lives of human being. This research gives the direction by which the way application of green building material can help to mitigate the issues related to these modern building can be understood.

1.4 Research aim

The aim of this research is to elaborate the way application of green building material can help to reduce energy consumption level. Additionally, this research paper focuses on the impact green building material in the environment.

1.5 Research objective

●      To understand the way green building material can help to lower down the energy consumption level

●      To determine the applicability of green building materials on the environment

●      To understand the application of relevant technology to reduce the energy consumption in the building

●      To understand the way of recycling procedure can mitigate the cost and required energy for maintenance of the green building

Research questions

●      What can be the reason behind the action of green building materials in reducing energy consumption?

●      What can impact on the environment be imposed by green building material?

●      In what way application of relevant technology help in reducing energy consumption?

●      In what way does recycling help in minimizing cost for green building material?

1.6 Research hypothesis

H0: Inclusion of green building materials will lead to reduced cost of the construction project

H1: Inclusion of green building materials will not lead to reduced cost of the construction project

1.7 Research design

In this research, the way green building material can reduce the energy utilization level is determined by secondary quantitative-based analysis. Moreover in this research paper analysis of the effective application of conventions theory and prospect theory is adopted.

1.8 Implication of the research paper

This research paper can help to determine a way of application of green building material can help to reduce the energy consumption level. Furthermore, this research paper also is helpful to determine the relationship between green building material and reduced level of the pollution on the ecosystem. This research paper also helps to identify the way recycling process and the application of renewable energy can help to reduce the energy consumption related to the maintenance of the building.

1.9 Dissertation structure

Figure 1.1: Dissertation structure

(Source-created by author)

1.10 Summary

In this chapter, the negative effect of modern building in energy consumption is elaborated. This chapter can help to identify the way green building material can help to lower down the level of energy consumption.

Chapter 2: Literature Review

2.1 Introduction

In this chapter of the research paper brief theoretical evaluation of technologies which are undertaken in the construction of the green building is included. The factors that make an impact on these green technologies like photovoltaic cell based power supply, wind turbine are also elaborated in this chapter. In addition, critical analysis related to green building material like grasscrete, hempcrete is included. Critical evaluation of the environmental effects of this green building material has been included here. Additionally, the usefulness of these materials in case of saving the energy is illustrated in this chapter. Finally, the flaws related to this research paper are explained in this chapter.

2.2 Conceptual framework

Figure 2.1 Conceptual framework

(Source-created by the researcher)

2.3 Theoretical analysis of green technology

According to Kibert (2016) application of green technologies in green building can help to make the environment free from pollution and can increase the level of saving of energy. As per Conventions theory, this is due to the application of several green building technologies application of solar cell, the wind turbine can help to lower down the level of emission of the carbon and can allow using natural energies. Also, these kinds of renewable energies due to their abundance can help to mitigate the energy crisis forever. Pacheco-Torgal et al. (2014) added that adoption of eco-friendly technologies can reduce the expenses related to the energy and this can increase the rate of growth of countries economy. This also can help to generate the revenue by producing the energy from natural sources without expending too much money for energy generation.

On the contrary, Zuo & Zhao (2014) argued not only economic issues but also eco-friendly technologies can reduce the greenhouse effects. Due to this reason application of green technologies in buildings can help to reduce the level of global warming. This can help to reduce average global temperature and thus is helpful to mitigate the probability of global disaster. Tsai (2017) opposed this and commented that implementation cost related to eco-friendly technologies in the green building is very cost effective. As per Prospect theory, due to this reason in small green building projects, the implementation of eco-friendly technologies is not possible.

2.4 Critical analysis of factors governing green technology

According to Wang, Toppinen & Juslin (2014), the main factors related to the adoption of eco-friendly technology is the quality and specification of these technologies. Energy specifications related to the adoption of eco-friendly technology is not clear and this can reduce the quality of the insertion of eco-friendly technology in green building projects. Allen et al. (2016) added that another main factor related to the insertion of eco-friendly technology in green building projects for saving energy is the amount of energy produced by these technologies. This is one major issue related to the application of the green technologies in green building project because the inefficient power supply is not able to fulfill the needs of people.

Figure 2.2: Factors affecting green building materials

(Source- Allen et al. 2016)

On the contrary, Pacheco-Torgal (2014) argued that factor that governs the application of green technologies in a green building project is the cost related to the implementation of these technologies in green building. Implementation cost is an important factor related the green building projects because in small green building projects the application of green technologies cannot be adopted due to this cost problem. On the other hand, Yang, & Zou (2014) supported this and added that another factor related to the application of the green technologies in a green building project is improper human resource activities and lack of skills of labors related to this application. This can reduce the quality of green building project and in turn, can make the project inefficient for reducing the energy consumption.

2.5 Critical evaluation of the significance of green building materials

As stated by Li & Lin (2016), application of the green building material can help to reduce the uses of natural resources and thus is helpful to save the natural resources. Application of green building materials to make the building can help to minimize the uses of natural resources at the same time it is helpful to increase the level of resources. This is because in this era green buildings have their own garden and natural power sources broader use of this can help to mitigate the global energy crisis. Kumar & Sahu (2015) supported this and commented that application of green building material can help to save the money which is needed for incurring energy supply in the building. This is beneficial for the economy of a country as well as for a business organization and it can help to increase the revenue generation by selling excess energy to other countries. Broader application of green materials thus is able to fulfill the energy demand of a country. Kumar & Sahu (2015) supported this and commented that application of the green materials like grasscrete, woods can also help to maintain a reduced level of pollution due to the artificial building technologies. Additionally the application of green building materials like woods, Hempcrete can able to reduce the accidental issue and issue related to the biohazards. This is because concrete buildings use cement as the main material and cement and it can pollute the environment. This can be reduced by the application of grasscrete and hempcrete in place of cement.

Wang et al. (2014) added that green building materials also can help to retain the weather condition this is because in green buildings gardens are included and due to this reason it can help to reduce the level of CO2. This can help to lower down the effect of the global warming and thus wider application of green building materials in the construction can help to reduce the level of global temperature. On the other hand, Santamouris (2014) opposed it and commented that location is the main disadvantage related to the green building. This is because in town area basically the materials which are needed to make green buildings are less available. Thus importing these materials in the town area is a difficult and cost-effective factor. Moreover, high rate of pollution in town area can reduce the sustainability of green building projects.

2.6 Critical analysis of the relation between energy consumption and green building material

According to Hunag, Wang & Wang (2015) application of renewable technologies and application of green building materials can help to reduce the energy uses related to the livelihood of people. This is because application of green technologies and materials can help to maintain the energy supply from natural resources at low maintenance cost. Simultaneously application of green building material can help to reduce the energy related to the construction project. Ab et al. (2017) added that the maintenance cost related to green building is much lower and the energy uses for the maintenance purpose also is lower than the energy produced by green buildings. This can help to reduce the energy uses of the green building and can help to mitigate global energy crisis.

Lee (2018) supported this and added that green building materials could help to save the consumption of energy by using recycle process of the materials and water supplies. This is due to green building materials like woods, grasscrete can be reused after the demolition of green building and garden in green building can also use the recycle procedure in case of water supply. Thus the application of green building material can effectively reduce the energy consumption and able to mitigate global energy crisis.

2.7 Gap analysis

The main drawback related to these research papers is these research papers do not elaborate the main disadvantages related to the use of green building technologies and materials. The main disadvantage of the previous research papers in regards to the green building materials is that less information is available related to the application of the green technologies. This can introduce barriers to maintain the efficiency of the green technologies that can be applied in green building projects. In turn, this can make the total project of green building inefficient.

Additionally, application of green building material in construction projects can make the project cost-effective. In addition, another main flaw related to these research papers is that these research papers do not elaborate the drawbacks of the green building materials in case of saving energy. This is because the implementation procedure related to the green building material is more complex and needs the effective design. In order to meet these needs, the huge amount of energy must be applied and this is the main drawback of the application of green building material in construction projects. Additionally in these research papers proper and effective implementation procedure of green building material is not elaborated thus this is another main drawback of these research papers.

2.8 Conclusion

Thus it can be concluded that application of the green building material and green building technologies in the construction projects can help to mitigate the energy crisis of the world. This is because application of the renewable energy sources in green building project can allow using the natural sources of energy at low cost. It also can be concluded that in case of reduction of the pollution green building material and technology can effectively help human. Green building material and technologies can do this by reducing the level of the emission of Carbon dioxide gases. Thus the application of green material can in turn help to reduce the cost and can help to reduce the energy uses of the world.

Chapter 3: Methodology

3.1 Introduction

The current chapter illustrates the methods and philosophies that are used in this research project. The brief explanation of the application of the relevant method is also included here. Additionally, this chapter elaborates the reason for the adoption of exploratory research design for this research project. Moreover, in this chapter, a brief illustration of the data analysis method and data collection method is included. Finally, in this chapter, the data collection tool that is used for this research project is also included.

3.2 Research onion

Figure 3.1: Research onion

(Source- Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill, 2009)

3.3 Research Philosophy

In a research project, different types of research philosophy can be applied like interpretivism, realism, positivism. In case of interpretivism, this research philosophy includes natural properties in a research project. Application of these natural and realistic properties can make the research project more viable (Flick, 2015). Furthermore, application of interpretivism can exclude additional assertion of the researcher which is irrelevant for the research project. Moreover, interpretivism includes brief and descriptive analysis of the issues related to the research topic. In case of realism, it includes real-time quantitative analysis in order to determine the main problems and the solution related to the issues of the research projects (Kothari, 2004). This research philosophy mainly deals with the primary method of a research project. On the other hand positivism, research philosophy deals with the experimental research works and includes the experimental way to justify the solution of the issues related to the research topic. Positivism philosophy mainly includes natural and realistic phenomena in order to check the effectivity of the relevant solution of the issues related to the research topic (Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill, 2009). Due to this reason in this research project, the positivist philosophy is applied.

Figure 3.2: Research Philosophy
(Source: Flick, 2015)

3.4 Research approach

In order to maintain the normalcy and the effective progression of the research works, there are mainly two types of research approaches are available one is deductive and other is the inductive approach (Yin, 2013). In case of the deductive approach, this approach includes the theories to make the proper check of the solution that is concluded by the research project. On the other hand in case of the inductive approach, this approach helps to derive new theories from the conclusion of a research project. To do so inductive approach includes qualitative assessment in the research project to find out new theories from the conclusion of the project (Flick, 2015). However deductive approach is based on the application of the previous hypothesis of different research works in a research project. This helps to make proper justification of the solution related to the issues of the research project. Hence in this research paper application of the deductive approach is included to understand the effectivity of green building material in case of saving the energy effectively (Kothari, 2004).

Figure 3.4: a Research approach

(Source: Flick, 2015)

3.5. Research design

Three main types of research design are descriptive research design, explanatory research design, and exploratory research design. Descriptive research design mainly uses observational data to justify the solutions of the research issues. In order to do this descriptive research design applies case study based analysis in the research project (Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill, 2009). Descriptive research design also includes group based study to maintain the quality of the analysis of the observational data. On the other hand, explanatory research design includes the cause and effect procedure to analyze the solution of the issues related to the research project. In order to do this explanatory research design applies previous theories and hypotheses for testing the results of the research project (Yin, 2013). However, in case of exploratory research design, this research design deals with the exploration of new possible solution related to the issues of the research project. In this research project to find proper relationship between the energy saving and green building material exploratory research design is used (Flick, 2015).

Figure 3.3: Research Design

(Source: Yin, 2013)

3.6 Research method

Research method can be either primary or it can be secondary depend upon the research work relevant method of the research work must be adopted. In case of primary research method mainly interview and survey-based data analysis are taken into the consideration. On the other hand in case of secondary research method analysis on the basis of the study of journals and books is conducted (Kothari, 2004). In this research project, the second method of research works is applied and the analysis is made on the basis of the consideration of conclusions of different journals and books. The secondary method is chosen in this research because it allows developing an effective idea about the green building materials. It also allows the researcher to get in-depth knowledge about the use of the green building material in the construction and their impacts (Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill, 2009). Apart from the secondary research does not involve any response from any individuals thus it is bias-free and is used for relevant research data.

3.5 Data collection method

The data collection method involved the use of quantitative data collection through secondary research was in the researcher used the different reports and journals to collect the data. Data regarding the use of green building materials and other renewable materials were collected from project reports of construction in Australia (Yin, 2013). In addition, the carbon emission, the energy utilization as well as the use of renewable sources of energy along with the greenhouse gas emission data were collected on the different construction projects in Australia. Such as the report of Ponds shopping center, the Karratha Project, Stockyard Hill Wind Farm and the Home of Renewable Project.

3.6 Data analysis technique

The quantitative data collected is analyzed by SPSS were in the researcher analyzed the data collected from the construction project reports. It is beneficial in this research because it allows the use of small sample size to get proper results. In addition, it led to the establishment of a relationship between variables for better proving of the hypothesis (Flick, 2015).

3.7 Ethical consideration

The ethics in this research is maintained by protecting the data as per the Privacy Act 1988 of Australia. As per this act, the data collected from the research is protected by encoding them and by keeping them in the safe vault. In addition, the data will not be used for any commercial purpose and will be used only with the permission of the guide (Kothari, 2004).

3.8 Summary

The chapter clearly highlights that positivism has been used as the research philosophy along with exploratory research design and deductive research approach. The research method includes secondary quantitative data collection method which will be analyzed by SPSS.

Reference list

Books

Flick, U. (2015). Introducing research methodology: A beginner's guide to doing a research project. Sage Publication: United States

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Websites

Green Building Materials (2018). repositories.lib.utexas.edu Available from: https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/bitstream/handle/2152/13325/9-Fithian_Sheets-Green_Building_Materials [Accessed on: 10/1/2018]

Green Building Guide (2018). builditbackgreen.org Available from: http://www.builditbackgreen.org/bushfires/interactive-green-building-guide/building-materials.aspx [Accessed on: 10/1/2018]