Thesis (DTech (Civil Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016. / South Africa’s government is faced with the challenge of providing housing for its citizens, especially the historically disadvantaged population who seek job opportunities and improvement on their life style in urban areas. To achieve this laudable goal, the South African construction industry must be proactive in its approach to the construction of affordable housing, and must adopt construction strategies that enhances sustainable housing development. Born from this challenge is the need for research to establish how sustainable development concepts could be integrated into housing construction processes, with a view to develop strategies to achieve affordable housing that enhances sustainability, to cater for South Africans in need of decent accommodation. The study developed a conceptual model through extensive review of extant literature; South Africa housing policy and legislation, sustainable construction and development, socioeconomic considerations for sustainable building development, and strategies for sustainable building construction amongst other were reviewed. The study adopted a sequential mixed method approach for data gathering, whereby an initial qualitative pilot survey was conducted to test the existence of the research problems identified in this study and to validate the conceptual model constructs.

Thesis (MTech (Construction Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. / The study investigates the predominant factors responsible for increase in the cost of building materials and the effect of this cost increase on housing delivery in Western Cape, South Africa. Sustainable housing is buildings produced to meet the present housing needs of people without conceding the ability of the future generation to meet their future needs. However, a significant increase in the cost of building materials has been a major constraint to the delivery of sustainable housings, as made evident in the literature, leading to project cost and time overruns or even project abandonment. However, building materials consume up to 65% of the total cost of construction. This factor on cost has, over the years, threatened the ability of the construction industry to deliver projects within budgeted cost, at stipulated time, and at satisfactory quality. This prompted the need to proffer solutions to these factors identified which are causing increases in the cost of building materials towards sustainable housing delivery in Western Cape. Based on this research study, housing is termed to be sustainable when it is available and affordable for the masses timely and at quality expected. The research study adopted a mixed methodological approach, involving the use of semi-structured qualitative interviews and closed-ended quantitative questionnaires administered to construction stakeholders (architects, quantity surveyors, engineers, construction managers, project managers, site supervisors and material suppliers) in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. SPSS version 24 software was used for analysing the quantitative data collected and ‘content analysis’ method was used to analyse the information collected through the qualitative interviews. The findings revealed that the major factors responsible for increasing the cost of building materials are inflation, wastages of building materials by labourers, cost of transportation and distribution of labour, design changes, client contribution to design change and change in government policies and regulation. Moreover, the research showed that fluctuation in the cost of construction and high maintenance costs due to poor workmanship also impact the cost increase of building materials for housing delivery. In addition, research findings affirmed that for optimum materials usage for the enhancement of sustainable construction, the following criteria should be considered in the selection of building materials: maintenance cost, energy consumption and maintainability. The adoption of these findings by construction stakeholders in the South African construction industry would enhance the delivery of affordable housing at reduced cost, at the required time and at the expected quality. Therefore, an adequate implementation of the framework presented in this study will enhance sustainable housing delivery.

Proposta: O desenvolvimento de empreendimentos mais sustentáveis no Brasil apresenta desafios para o setor da construção civil, devido à incorporação de parâmetros inovadores, que a maioria de intervenientes na cadeia produtiva dos empreendimentos não coordena adequadamente. Embora exista uma quantidade considerável de estudos que apontem as vantagens das edificações sustentáveis, poucos referem as exigências e as novas atividades na gestão desses empreendimentos, que surgem em decorrência da necessidade de atender aos objetivos de sustentabilidade propostos e da complexa interação entre eles. Ainda, uma das melhores formas para disseminar os princípios da construção sustentável, é através das instituições educativas. Assim, esta pesquisa insere-se no contexto da discussão do processo de projeto de edificações educacionais, com foco na sustentabilidade. Objetivos: O objetivo principal desta pesquisa foi: avaliar como a interação sistêmica afeta o atendimento aos objetivos de empreendimentos com foco na sustentabilidade. Esse objetivo foi desdobrado nos objetivos específicos: propor uma forma de explicitar os objetivos de sustentabilidade; identificar as interações mais importantes no atendimento aos objetivos de sustentabilidade; identificar as causas do não atendimento aos objetivos de sustentabilidade. Método: A estratégia de pesquisa adotada foi o estudo de caso, realizado sobre dois empreendimentos já executados e em operação no Rio Grande do Sul. A pesquisa foi realizada em três etapas principais: compreensão, desenvolvimento e análise. A primeira etapa teve como objetivo caracterizar os estudos de caso, entender o processo de desenvolvimento e identificar os objetivos de sustentabilidade. Nesta etapa foram empregadas técnicas de análises de documentos, visitas e entrevistas com os diferentes intervenientes. A segunda etapa teve como objetivo a avaliação dos objetivos de sustentabilidade, contando com a ajuda de especialistas externos para a validação das análises. Nesta etapa foi proposta uma ferramenta gráfica para a estruturação dos critérios de sustentabilidade. Na última etapa foram discutidas as possíveis causas que levaram ao não atendimento dos objetivos propostos, e as recomendações para o desenvolvimento de futuros projetos desse tipo. Resultados: Os resultados da avaliação mostraram uma forte semelhança entre ambos estudos de caso, expondo o baixo atendimento dos objetivos de sustentabilidade. Foi percebido que a maior ocorrência das causas está relacionada à etapa de planejamento e projeto, considerando como aspecto importante, a definição efetiva do projeto, de modo que possibilite a mudança dos objetivos e a forma como eles serão atendidos, ao longo de todo o processo de projeto. / The development of sustainable projects in Brazil introduces challenges to the construction industry, on account of new variables that most stakeholders don’t manage properly. A fair amount of studies show the green building advantages, but just a few points out the new activities and demands on the project management, emerging by the existence of sustainable targets and the complex relations between them. Moreover, educational buildings are a good way to disseminate the sustainable construction principles. Thus, this study approaches the project development process of educational buildings with sustainability focus. The main objective of this study was to assess the influence of systemic relations on the achievement of sustainable project targets. This main objective was unfolded in three secondary objectives: propose how to (a form) make explicit the sustainable targets; identify the most important relations to the sustainable targets achievement; and identify the causes of failure in the sustainable targets achievement. The strategy followed was a case study research, developed on two building projects already built and in use in the Rio Grande do Sul state. The research was divided in three main phases: the first phase comprised the cases characterization, development process understanding and sustainable targets identification. The second phase consisted of sustainable targets assessment, supported by specialist validations. In this phase was proposed a graphic tool for organize the sustainable targets. The third phase comprised the discussion of failure causes in the sustainable targets achievement, and suggestions for future projects development. The assessment results showed a strong similarity between the two cases, having a poor achievement of the sustainable targets. Was concluded that most failure causes occurs at the programming and design phase, and a key aspect in this kind of projects is an early and effective definition of sustainable targets, to allow possible modifications along the project development process.

A construção civil é, atualmente, apontada como responsável pela extração de grande parte dos recursos naturais do planeta consumidos pela humanidade. Nesse sentido, a utilização de materiais construtivos nãoconvencionais, como a terra, surge como alternativa para construir edificações mais amigáveis com o meioambiente e, assim, também, modos de vida mais saudáveis, mais sustentáveis. Entretanto, a falta de informações, por parte de grande parte da população, inclusive de instituições de ensino e de profissionais atuantes no ramo da construção civil, em relação ao tema, faz com que o preconceito para com esse tipo de bioconstrução seja considerável. Surge, pois, a possibilidade de promoção da utilização da terra enquanto material construtivo, para que esse método de construção amigável com o meio-ambiente possa, aos poucos, recuperar o importante papel que desempenhava no passado, quando tais construções eram tidas como convencionais por nossos ancestrais. Através da investigação das técnicas de construção em terra e dos programas que favorecem esse tipo de iniciativa, o presente estudo tem como meta estabelecer um conjunto de diretrizes para orientar profissionais do ramo da construção civil e entidades interessadas em contribuir com a promoção da arquitetura em terra. Além disso, pretende prover de informação a sociedade em geral, para que haja o resgate da técnica e uma maior conscientização, no sentido de gerar edificações mais saudáveis e, portanto, menos prejudiciais ao meio-ambiente. Como no Uruguai, país que se limita com o Rio Grande do Sul e que tem clima semelhante a este, a utilização da terra enquanto componente construtivo ocupa papel de destaque, o presente estudo fundamenta-se nas edificações desta natureza, construídas no país vizinho. De tal modo, o objetivo principal deste trabalho é formular diretrizes para o desenvolvimento da arquitetura de terra no Rio Grande do Sul, a partir da interpretação de estratégias uruguaias, para bioconstrutores gaúchos e instituições financeiras / administrações municipais. Como objetivos secundários, têm-se: identificar programas de apoio do governo uruguaio e incentivos de instituições financeiras, além de outras iniciativas visando a promoção da arquitetura de terra naquele país; identificar bioconstrutores uruguaios, obras recentemente edificadas em terra naquele país e verificar quais são as técnicas construtivas utilizadas e como as mesmas são executadas; identificar bioconstrutores gaúchos que trabalhem com terra, bem como suas obras recentemente edificadas, além de verificar quais as técnicas utilizadas e como as mesmas são executadas; identificar possíveis programas de incentivo à utilização da terra enquanto material construtivo, bem como eventuais instituições financeiras que aprovem esse tipo de solução no Rio Grande do Sul. Como estratégia de pesquisa, utiliza-se o estudo de casos múltiplos, desenvolvido no Rio Grande do Sul e no Uruguai, sempre apoiado na bibliografia. Por final, as contribuições deste trabalho atingem os objetivos propostos, na medida em que se proporcionam ferramentas de informação à população em geral, auxílio a construtores interessados em desenvolver o tema e orientação a instituições financeiras e administrações municipais que permitam e apóiem esse tipo de solução inovadora e ambientalmente responsável, aplicada ao ramo da construção civil. / Civil construction is identified as the sector of human activities that more extracts natural resources from the Earth´s crust. On this way, the use of non conventional building materials, like earth, comes as an alternative towards the construction of more environmentally friendly buildings and, also, more sustainable and healthy ways of life. However, the lack of information by a large fraction of the population, including Educational Institutions and professionals working in the civil construction area, in relation to the subject, causes considerable prejudice to such type of bioconstruction . It’s therefore necessary to promote the use of earth as a building material. In this way, this building technique, friendly to the environment, can gradually recover the role it played in the past, when such type of construction was considered conventional by our ancestors. Through the investigation of earth building techniques and programs, which encourage this type of initiative, this study aims to establish a set of guidelines to guide professionals in the field of construction and the entities interested in support the promotion of earth architecture. Furthermore, it aims at providing information to society, so that the rescueying of this technology and the increase of the awareness on the subject, can contribute to a healthier environment in buildings. As in Uruguay, a country that borders the Rio Grande do Sul, with a similar climate, the use of earth as a building material, plays a leading role, this study is based on buildings built with such technology in the neighboring country. In this way, the main objective of this study is to formulate guidelines for increasing the use and the awareness on the benefits deriving from the use of earth buildings in the State Rio Grande do Sul, that may arise from the interpretation of Uruguayan strategies. This may be of interest both to builders interested in work with earth as a building material in the State of Rio Grande do Sul and to financial institutions or different levels of local government. The following secondary objectives were aimed at: to identify support programs, offered by the Uruguayan government as well as incentives by financial institutions, in addition to other initiatives aimed at promoting earth architecture in that country; to identify Uruguayan builders that work with earth architecture, their most recent works and also to check what techniques are being used in that country and how they are implemented; to identify builders in Rio Grande do Sul that work with earth architecture,their most recent works and to check what techniques are being used in that country and how they are implemented; to identify possible programs to encourage the use of earth as a building material, and any sort of financial institution that encourage this solution in the State Rio Grande do Sul. The research strategy used is the study of multiple cases and was developed in Rio Grande do Sul and Uruguay, always supported by the literature. Finally, the study intends to verify whether the resulting guidelines can achieve their objectives, to the extent that they may constitute tools of information to the general population, and to aid to builders interested in enrolling with the theme and to guide financial institutions and municipal governances to allow and support this type of innovative and environmentally responsible solution, in its application to the civil construction field.

Proposta: O desenvolvimento de empreendimentos mais sustentáveis no Brasil apresenta desafios para o setor da construção civil, devido à incorporação de parâmetros inovadores, que a maioria de intervenientes na cadeia produtiva dos empreendimentos não coordena adequadamente. Embora exista uma quantidade considerável de estudos que apontem as vantagens das edificações sustentáveis, poucos referem as exigências e as novas atividades na gestão desses empreendimentos, que surgem em decorrência da necessidade de atender aos objetivos de sustentabilidade propostos e da complexa interação entre eles. Ainda, uma das melhores formas para disseminar os princípios da construção sustentável, é através das instituições educativas. Assim, esta pesquisa insere-se no contexto da discussão do processo de projeto de edificações educacionais, com foco na sustentabilidade. Objetivos: O objetivo principal desta pesquisa foi: avaliar como a interação sistêmica afeta o atendimento aos objetivos de empreendimentos com foco na sustentabilidade. Esse objetivo foi desdobrado nos objetivos específicos: propor uma forma de explicitar os objetivos de sustentabilidade; identificar as interações mais importantes no atendimento aos objetivos de sustentabilidade; identificar as causas do não atendimento aos objetivos de sustentabilidade. Método: A estratégia de pesquisa adotada foi o estudo de caso, realizado sobre dois empreendimentos já executados e em operação no Rio Grande do Sul. A pesquisa foi realizada em três etapas principais: compreensão, desenvolvimento e análise. A primeira etapa teve como objetivo caracterizar os estudos de caso, entender o processo de desenvolvimento e identificar os objetivos de sustentabilidade. Nesta etapa foram empregadas técnicas de análises de documentos, visitas e entrevistas com os diferentes intervenientes. A segunda etapa teve como objetivo a avaliação dos objetivos de sustentabilidade, contando com a ajuda de especialistas externos para a validação das análises. Nesta etapa foi proposta uma ferramenta gráfica para a estruturação dos critérios de sustentabilidade. Na última etapa foram discutidas as possíveis causas que levaram ao não atendimento dos objetivos propostos, e as recomendações para o desenvolvimento de futuros projetos desse tipo. Resultados: Os resultados da avaliação mostraram uma forte semelhança entre ambos estudos de caso, expondo o baixo atendimento dos objetivos de sustentabilidade. Foi percebido que a maior ocorrência das causas está relacionada à etapa de planejamento e projeto, considerando como aspecto importante, a definição efetiva do projeto, de modo que possibilite a mudança dos objetivos e a forma como eles serão atendidos, ao longo de todo o processo de projeto. / The development of sustainable projects in Brazil introduces challenges to the construction industry, on account of new variables that most stakeholders don’t manage properly. A fair amount of studies show the green building advantages, but just a few points out the new activities and demands on the project management, emerging by the existence of sustainable targets and the complex relations between them. Moreover, educational buildings are a good way to disseminate the sustainable construction principles. Thus, this study approaches the project development process of educational buildings with sustainability focus. The main objective of this study was to assess the influence of systemic relations on the achievement of sustainable project targets. This main objective was unfolded in three secondary objectives: propose how to (a form) make explicit the sustainable targets; identify the most important relations to the sustainable targets achievement; and identify the causes of failure in the sustainable targets achievement. The strategy followed was a case study research, developed on two building projects already built and in use in the Rio Grande do Sul state. The research was divided in three main phases: the first phase comprised the cases characterization, development process understanding and sustainable targets identification. The second phase consisted of sustainable targets assessment, supported by specialist validations. In this phase was proposed a graphic tool for organize the sustainable targets. The third phase comprised the discussion of failure causes in the sustainable targets achievement, and suggestions for future projects development. The assessment results showed a strong similarity between the two cases, having a poor achievement of the sustainable targets. Was concluded that most failure causes occurs at the programming and design phase, and a key aspect in this kind of projects is an early and effective definition of sustainable targets, to allow possible modifications along the project development process.

M.Ing. (Engineering Management) / New and enlarged energy consumption behaviours driven by manufacturing, processing, transportation and an ever growing human population drives the increased extraction and consumption of earths' natural energy sources to such a degree that the energy sources once thought of as infinite now dwindle on the brink of exhaustion. The earth and all systems related to, and contained within it can be regarded as a finite system in which the different components interact and depend on one another. It is through the recognition of this interdependence and the dire situation thereof that a movement towards renewable energy and ultimately survival has been awakened. A movement powered by numerous commissions and associations working tirelessly to decrease environmental impacts and to improve the lives of all people living on the planet Earth. The current research investigates the Green Building Design Movement and how it contributes to a safer and healthier work and global environment. The current research not only investigates the background of the movement and reveals it as a multi facetted approach stemming from the depletion of existing energy sources and social consciences, but also provides insight to the direction which Green Design and future technological advancements are moving From the conclusions contained in this study the reader will gain a better understanding of the technology, processes and development phases used in Green Building design and how these contribute to lower emissions, lower energy consumption and a more responsible habitation of Earth and its finite systems. In conclusion, the author employs a product and alternative energy source discussion, along with a case study to practically illustrate how the knowledge gained can be applied to optimize a building and the systems within it, while reducing energy consumption and the environmental impact of the building.

The purpose of the study was to conduct an evaluation on the effectiveness of the change communications distributed to the occupants of Barclays Towers West, Barclays Africa‟s first green building, in ensuring the sustainability of the change after the move into the building. In addition, recommendations are made to improve the change communications directed towards the building occupants to ensure the sustainability of the change and for future moves to green buildings. The research paper is made up of the following three distinct sections: Section One – Evaluation Research Report: this section outlines the organisational and research context for the study, the objectives of the research and rationale for conducting the research. A brief overview of the key theories and models on change communication that were utilised in the study are discussed, and definitions of important terms are presented. The research methodology is also described which includes an explanation on the evaluation research approach utilised as well as the use of both qualitative and quantitative data in the study. In addition, the results from the research conducted are presented, based on three data collection methods utilised: document analysis, semi-structured interviews and a survey. The results are then analysed and discussed in relation to the literature reviewed on change communication. Recommendations are made on improvements that can be made to the change communications to ensure the sustainability of the change. Section Two – Literature Review: the literature, theories and important concept definitions of organisational change management, change sustainability, change communication and green buildings which are relevant for the research topic and have been used as the theoretical base of the study are explored in this section. A key component of the literature review is the description of the change communication theories and models: communication theory, Armenakis, Harris and Field (2007) Model, and the Barrett (2002) Model. An understanding of the theories and models is imperative, as the effectiveness of the change communications after the move into Barclays Towers West is assessed based on the elements of the change communication theories and models. Section Three – Research Methodology: the research methodology for the study is described in this section. Specifically, the research aims and objectives, the research paradigm, the population and sampling, data collection, data analysis and ethical considerations are outlined. A key component of the section is the explanation on how the data was collected and analysed in the study and the sequence. The post move communications and artefacts and meeting presentations were collected first. The qualitative data was analysed and used to determine the questions for the semi structured interviews. Semi-structured one on one interviews were then conducted. The qualitative data and the change communication theories and models used in this study were used to determine the questions for the online survey. An online survey tool was used to administer a predominantly five point Likert scale questionnaire with an invitation to participate emailed to the building occupants. The quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistical analysis. Research Findings: The key research findings revealed that the messages communicated to the occupants after the move into the building have been mainly focused on operational matters and rarely on educating occupants on the green aspects of the building. A large majority of the survey respondents were aware of the building facilities, details and required behaviour. However it was found that the occupants, Line Managers and Senior Management are not displaying the required behaviour for a green building and do not know how to use some of the building facilities. A major gap was found in communicating with people moving into the building. In addition it was found that some of the information communicated to occupants is outdated. Written communications are used extensively and face to face communication is rarely used to communicate with the occupants. As a result, a number of changes are required to improve the effectiveness of the change communications to the occupants of Barclays Towers West. The improvements include communicating to new occupants; utilising additional communication channels; focusing communication messages on educating occupants on the strategic objectives for the building; rationale for building features and facilities; how to use the facilities and the impact of their behaviour on the building objectives being achieved.

Submitted by Nadir Basilio (nadirsb@uninove.br) on 2018-08-09T18:51:03Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Angelica Felicidade Guiao Marcato Costa.pdf: 6983771 bytes, checksum: e089e3b3d7f78909e4f38042918f6ae1 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-09T18:51:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Angelica Felicidade Guiao Marcato Costa.pdf: 6983771 bytes, checksum: e089e3b3d7f78909e4f38042918f6ae1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-06-28 / This research aimed to compare the thermal performance provided in experimental modules, one of these was performed with conventional cover, made of asbestos cement tiles, and another with green cover. As an experimental research proposal of methodology, we sought alternatives of a sustainable nature to elaborate the studied modules, opting for the use of dry construction in Light Steel Frame. From the construction of the modules, in a wide place and without the interference of shading, measuring instruments were installed in the inner part of themselves, where the of air temperature and relative humidity were collected. From the data, representative episodes were determined for the studies, which were evaluated for the degree of thermal comfort provided to the modules by the cover systems under study. As a result, it was observed that the module with green roof had better performance than the module with conventional cover, in all the selected episodes, maintaining with lower internal temperature fluctuation throughout the days, indicating that the green roof has characteristic Thermal insulation, reducing the heat flow from the roof. / Esta pesquisa visou comparar o desempenho térmico proporcionado em módulos experimentais, sendo um executado com cobertura convencional, constituída por telhas de fibrocimento, e outro dotado de cobertura verde. Como pesquisa experimental, buscou-se alternativas de cunho sustentável para elaboração dos módulos estudados, optando-se pelo uso de construção seca, em Light Steel Frame. A partir da construção dos módulos, em local amplo e sem a interferência de sombreamento, foram instalados instrumentos de medição na parte interna destes, onde foram coletados dados de temperatura do ar e umidade relativa do ar. A partir dos dados, foram determinados episódios representativos para os estudos, que foram avaliados quanto ao grau de conforto térmico proporcionado aos módulos pelos sistemas de cobertura em estudo. Como resultado, constatou-se que o módulo com telhado verde, teve melhor desempenho que o módulo com cobertura convencional, em todos os episódios selecionados, mantendo-se com menor flutuação de temperatura interna ao longo dos dias, indicando que o telhado verde possui característica de isolante térmico, reduzindo o fluxo de calor proveniente da cobertura.

This paper aims to explore how well green facility management has performed in Shanghai office building and finds the possible way to improve the situation. Together with two interviews, questionnaire based on benchmarking approach is conducted in a case study of the Asia Building, which lead to the conclusion that green facility management has done a fair work in Asia Building, and suggestions that laws and regulations related to green facility management should be established; governmental organization, the Trade Association of Shanghai Property Management, should take responsibility to improve the situation concerning to the issue; property management company should develop a healthy relationship with property owner and occupiers.

Decreasing the carbon footprint through use of renewable materials has environmental and societal impact. Foams are a valuable constituent in buildings by themselves or as a core in sandwich composites. Kenaf is a Southeast USA plant that provides renewable filler. The core of the kenaf is porous with a cell size in a 5-10 micrometer range. The use of kenaf core in foams represents a novel multiscalar cellular structural composite. Rigid polyurethane foams were made using free foaming expansion with kenaf core as filler with loadings of 5, 10 and 15 %. Free foaming was found to negatively affect the mechanical properties. An innovative process was developed to introduce a constraint to expansion during foaming. Two expansion ratios were examined: 40 and 60 % (decreasing expansion ratio). MicroCT and SEM analysis showed a varying structure of open and closed cell pores. The mechanical, thermal insulation, acoustic properties were measured. Pure PU foam showed improved cell size uniformity. Introducing kenaf core resulted in decreasing the PU performance in the free expansion case. This was reversed by introducing constraints. To understand the combined impact of having a mixed close cell and open cell architecture, finite element modeling was done using ANSYS. Models were created with varying percentages of open, closed, and bulk cells to encompass entire range of foam porosities. Net zero energy building information modelling was conducted using EnergyPlus was conducted using natural fiber composite skins. Environmental impacts for instance global warming potential, acidification, eutrophication, fossil fuel consumption, ozone depletion, and smog potential of the materials used in construction was studied using life cycle assessment. The results showed improvement on energy consumption and carbon footprint.