Abstract Background Construction industry greatly affect the environment in the aspect of energy consumption and its contribution to global warming. Accordingly, green building construction is significantly growing, which makes it an interesting topic for researchers. Green buildings are defined as buildings constructed according to sustainability standards that keeps the natural environment healthy. However green construction is challenging in the economic aspect and the cost efficiency. Based on the researches, uncertainty is a main reason for cost overrun. In addition, procedures in early stages of the project is of great importance and have influence on the costs. However, further study is needed to identify the differences between conventional and green construction companies regarding uncertainties, cost overrun, and uncertainty mitigation techniques. Purpose The focus of this research is to compare two types of construction companies (conventional and sustainable) in the aspect of uncertainties as inevitable part of risks, it’s effect on cost overrun, and techniques being used in the pre-construction phase to mitigate them. Method Multiple-case study was conducted, and two construction companies were selected of each type. This research is a qualitative study with abductive approach. The empirical data were collected by conducting semi-structured interviews with several positions in each company. Also, secondary data were collected from companies’ archival reports and documents, and from scientific blogs. Conclusion The findings of this research indicate that sustainability creates fields of uncertainties extra to those existing in conventional construction. The study revealed the direct effect of uncertainties on cost, and the indirect effect by generating events which cause overruns in cost. Moreover, Companies work on improving managerial skills in the preconstruction phase to mitigate the effect of uncertainties and to reduce probability of cost overrun occurrence in both sustainable and convention construction companies. While in sustainable construction, additional techniques and efforts are needed as technology, artificial intelligence, and hiring external resources and staff.

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在巴拿馬的火山鎮建造永續住宅區的可行性研究 / The thesis aims to determine the feasibility of building a sustainable community in the town of Volcan, province of Chiriqui, Republic of Panama. There is a great opportunity to be pioneers in offering an environmentally friendly residential project in Panama, and to fill the void of tenders for the medium to high range of retirement residences and second homes in the province of Chiriqui. After conducting a demand-side analysis, I determined that there are enough people that qualify as target market for the project in terms of age and income. From the supply-side perspective, the sustainable nature of the project represents a low to moderate over cost, which will turn into savings for the final user in the long run. After estimating costs and calculating the profit margin, I concluded that the project could be profitable. I will pursue a niche marketing strategy, targeting environmentally concerned college educated Panamanian and foreign residents, looking for a retirement or second home in the mountains, in harmony with nature. By conducting a sensitivity analysis, I identified that the most relevant variable for the success of the project is the ability to sell the houses at the expected price. Therefore, it is mandatory to execute an effective marketing strategy in order to reach the potential customers, project the right image, and to raise awareness about the benefits of environmentally friendly development. Finally, I conclude that the project is feasible and profitable, as long as an adequate marketing strategy is implemented.

O aproveitamento de partículas de pneus inservíveis no concreto tem sido objeto de estudo de diversos pesquisadores, pois se justifica como uma alternativa atraente de disposição desses resíduos ao mesmo tempo em que resulta em modificações das propriedades do concreto que podem ser benéficas para certas aplicações, que requerem características específicas, tais como maior capacidade de deformação e comportamento à fratura menos frágil do que o concreto convencional. Essas características do concreto com borracha de pneu (CBP) podem ser interessantes para a redução do risco de fissuração de concretos submetidos a variações volumétricas, caso típico dos concretos massa. Nesta pesquisa se buscou averiguar como a adição de partículas de pneu afeta as propriedades mecânicas, térmicas e viscoelásticas do concreto massa, com o intuito de verificar se era possível obter um compósito menos suscetível aos riscos de fissuração devido a efeitos térmicos. As dosagens de concreto massa com borracha de pneu estudadas foram analisadas em função do teor, da granulometria e do tratamento superficial aplicado às partículas de borracha de pneu. O programa experimental foi desenvolvido em três etapas. A primeira delas envolveu uma ampla faixa de teores de borracha, sendo realizados ensaios básicos para identificar a eficácia dos tratamentos superficiais em proporcionar uma boa interface borracha/matriz do concreto e o maior teor de substituição das partículas de borracha sem prejuízo das propriedades mecânicas. Nessa etapa foram também selecionadas amostras para análise microestrutural por microscopia eletrônica de varredura, a fim de correlacionar a qualidade da interface borracha/matriz do concreto com as características mecânicas. Na segunda etapa foram selecionados os parâmetros que resultaram em melhor desempenho dentre as variáveis analisadas na primeira etapa e buscouse avaliar o efeito da adição de partículas de pneu nas propriedades referentes à tenacidade e à permeabilidade do concreto. Para o desenvolvimento da terceira etapa do estudo foram selecionadas duas composições mais promissoras dentre aquelas utilizadas na primeira e na segunda etapas, a fim de analisar o efeito da borracha de pneu nas propriedades térmicas, elásticas e viscoelásticas do concreto, bem como o comportamento termomecânico. Adicionalmente, algumas amostras foram submetidas a ensaios com vistas à avaliação de características referentes à durabilidade. Os resultados indicaram que o máximo aproveitamento da borracha de pneu no concreto, sem prejuízo considerável das propriedades mecânicas, ocorre para o teor de 10% de partículas de borracha de 1,5mm e 4,8mm em substituição parcial do volume de areia. Teores mais elevados e partículas de menor dimensão levaram a uma contínua redução das propriedades mecânicas e aumento do teor de ar aprisionado. Não houve diferença significativa de propriedades nem na microestrutura das amostras contendo partículas com e sem tratamento superficial. As análises termomecânicas indicaram que o uso de concretos com borracha de pneu pode ser uma alternativa eficiente para minimizar o risco de fissuras de origem térmica, quando comparados a um concreto convencional. Com base nos resultados obtidos até a idade de 2 anos, verifica-se que o consumo de 29 kg/m3 de borracha de pneu no concreto não prejudica as características de durabilidade do material. / The use of waste tire rubber particles in concrete has been studied by several researchers, because it constitute both an attractive alternative for the final disposition of these residues and offers a possibility to modify certain concrete properties that might contribute for a better performance in certain applications that require specific characteristics, such as increased deformation capacity and more ductile behavior than conventional concrete. These characteristics of rubberized concretes might be interesting because they reduce the risk of cracking when concrete is subjected to volumetric changes, as occurs with mass concretes. In this research, it was studied how the introduction of rubber particles would affect the mechanical, viscoelastic and thermal properties of mass concretes, with the aim to check if it is possible to obtain a composite less susceptible to cracking due to thermal effects. The mixtures were analyzed based on the following features: rubber content, granulometry and surface treatment applied to the tire rubber particles. The experimental program was performed in three stages. The first one involved a wide range of mixtures, with varying rubber contents. At this stage, basic tests were carried out in order to identify how effective surface treatments were in generating a good tire rubber/matrix interface as well as how much high tire rubber contents would impact the mechanical properties of the concrete. Samples were selected for microanalysis through scanning electron microscopy to correlate the quality of the rubber/matrix interface with mechanical characteristics. In the second stage, the mixtures that resulted in the best performance in the first stage were further studied. The effects of the addition of tire rubber particles on the properties related to tenacity and permeability of concrete were evaluated. During the third stage, the best two mixtures used in the first and second stages were selected in order to analyze the effect of the addition of rubber particles in the thermal, elastic and viscoelastic properties of concrete, as well as in the thermo mechanical behavior of structures made with this material. Additionally, some samples were subjected to tests for the assessment of features related to the durability of concrete. The results indicated that the best use of tire rubber on concrete, without reducing the mechanical properties, occurs for a 10% content of rubber particles of 1.5mm and 4.8mm, used in partial replacement of the river sand. Higher contents and smaller particles led to greater reductions of the mechanical properties and an increase in the trapped air content. There was no significant difference either in the microstructure or in the properties of the samples containing particles with and without surface treatment. The thermo mechanical analysis indicated that the use of concrete with tire rubber can be an efficient alternative to minimize the risk of cracking due to thermal effects, compared with a conventional concrete. Based on the results obtained until the age of 2 years, the consumption of 29 kg/m3 of tire rubber on concrete did not seem to affect the durability characteristics of the material.

O aproveitamento de partículas de pneus inservíveis no concreto tem sido objeto de estudo de diversos pesquisadores, pois se justifica como uma alternativa atraente de disposição desses resíduos ao mesmo tempo em que resulta em modificações das propriedades do concreto que podem ser benéficas para certas aplicações, que requerem características específicas, tais como maior capacidade de deformação e comportamento à fratura menos frágil do que o concreto convencional. Essas características do concreto com borracha de pneu (CBP) podem ser interessantes para a redução do risco de fissuração de concretos submetidos a variações volumétricas, caso típico dos concretos massa. Nesta pesquisa se buscou averiguar como a adição de partículas de pneu afeta as propriedades mecânicas, térmicas e viscoelásticas do concreto massa, com o intuito de verificar se era possível obter um compósito menos suscetível aos riscos de fissuração devido a efeitos térmicos. As dosagens de concreto massa com borracha de pneu estudadas foram analisadas em função do teor, da granulometria e do tratamento superficial aplicado às partículas de borracha de pneu. O programa experimental foi desenvolvido em três etapas. A primeira delas envolveu uma ampla faixa de teores de borracha, sendo realizados ensaios básicos para identificar a eficácia dos tratamentos superficiais em proporcionar uma boa interface borracha/matriz do concreto e o maior teor de substituição das partículas de borracha sem prejuízo das propriedades mecânicas. Nessa etapa foram também selecionadas amostras para análise microestrutural por microscopia eletrônica de varredura, a fim de correlacionar a qualidade da interface borracha/matriz do concreto com as características mecânicas. Na segunda etapa foram selecionados os parâmetros que resultaram em melhor desempenho dentre as variáveis analisadas na primeira etapa e buscouse avaliar o efeito da adição de partículas de pneu nas propriedades referentes à tenacidade e à permeabilidade do concreto. Para o desenvolvimento da terceira etapa do estudo foram selecionadas duas composições mais promissoras dentre aquelas utilizadas na primeira e na segunda etapas, a fim de analisar o efeito da borracha de pneu nas propriedades térmicas, elásticas e viscoelásticas do concreto, bem como o comportamento termomecânico. Adicionalmente, algumas amostras foram submetidas a ensaios com vistas à avaliação de características referentes à durabilidade. Os resultados indicaram que o máximo aproveitamento da borracha de pneu no concreto, sem prejuízo considerável das propriedades mecânicas, ocorre para o teor de 10% de partículas de borracha de 1,5mm e 4,8mm em substituição parcial do volume de areia. Teores mais elevados e partículas de menor dimensão levaram a uma contínua redução das propriedades mecânicas e aumento do teor de ar aprisionado. Não houve diferença significativa de propriedades nem na microestrutura das amostras contendo partículas com e sem tratamento superficial. As análises termomecânicas indicaram que o uso de concretos com borracha de pneu pode ser uma alternativa eficiente para minimizar o risco de fissuras de origem térmica, quando comparados a um concreto convencional. Com base nos resultados obtidos até a idade de 2 anos, verifica-se que o consumo de 29 kg/m3 de borracha de pneu no concreto não prejudica as características de durabilidade do material. / The use of waste tire rubber particles in concrete has been studied by several researchers, because it constitute both an attractive alternative for the final disposition of these residues and offers a possibility to modify certain concrete properties that might contribute for a better performance in certain applications that require specific characteristics, such as increased deformation capacity and more ductile behavior than conventional concrete. These characteristics of rubberized concretes might be interesting because they reduce the risk of cracking when concrete is subjected to volumetric changes, as occurs with mass concretes. In this research, it was studied how the introduction of rubber particles would affect the mechanical, viscoelastic and thermal properties of mass concretes, with the aim to check if it is possible to obtain a composite less susceptible to cracking due to thermal effects. The mixtures were analyzed based on the following features: rubber content, granulometry and surface treatment applied to the tire rubber particles. The experimental program was performed in three stages. The first one involved a wide range of mixtures, with varying rubber contents. At this stage, basic tests were carried out in order to identify how effective surface treatments were in generating a good tire rubber/matrix interface as well as how much high tire rubber contents would impact the mechanical properties of the concrete. Samples were selected for microanalysis through scanning electron microscopy to correlate the quality of the rubber/matrix interface with mechanical characteristics. In the second stage, the mixtures that resulted in the best performance in the first stage were further studied. The effects of the addition of tire rubber particles on the properties related to tenacity and permeability of concrete were evaluated. During the third stage, the best two mixtures used in the first and second stages were selected in order to analyze the effect of the addition of rubber particles in the thermal, elastic and viscoelastic properties of concrete, as well as in the thermo mechanical behavior of structures made with this material. Additionally, some samples were subjected to tests for the assessment of features related to the durability of concrete. The results indicated that the best use of tire rubber on concrete, without reducing the mechanical properties, occurs for a 10% content of rubber particles of 1.5mm and 4.8mm, used in partial replacement of the river sand. Higher contents and smaller particles led to greater reductions of the mechanical properties and an increase in the trapped air content. There was no significant difference either in the microstructure or in the properties of the samples containing particles with and without surface treatment. The thermo mechanical analysis indicated that the use of concrete with tire rubber can be an efficient alternative to minimize the risk of cracking due to thermal effects, compared with a conventional concrete. Based on the results obtained until the age of 2 years, the consumption of 29 kg/m3 of tire rubber on concrete did not seem to affect the durability characteristics of the material.

O aproveitamento de partículas de pneus inservíveis no concreto tem sido objeto de estudo de diversos pesquisadores, pois se justifica como uma alternativa atraente de disposição desses resíduos ao mesmo tempo em que resulta em modificações das propriedades do concreto que podem ser benéficas para certas aplicações, que requerem características específicas, tais como maior capacidade de deformação e comportamento à fratura menos frágil do que o concreto convencional. Essas características do concreto com borracha de pneu (CBP) podem ser interessantes para a redução do risco de fissuração de concretos submetidos a variações volumétricas, caso típico dos concretos massa. Nesta pesquisa se buscou averiguar como a adição de partículas de pneu afeta as propriedades mecânicas, térmicas e viscoelásticas do concreto massa, com o intuito de verificar se era possível obter um compósito menos suscetível aos riscos de fissuração devido a efeitos térmicos. As dosagens de concreto massa com borracha de pneu estudadas foram analisadas em função do teor, da granulometria e do tratamento superficial aplicado às partículas de borracha de pneu. O programa experimental foi desenvolvido em três etapas. A primeira delas envolveu uma ampla faixa de teores de borracha, sendo realizados ensaios básicos para identificar a eficácia dos tratamentos superficiais em proporcionar uma boa interface borracha/matriz do concreto e o maior teor de substituição das partículas de borracha sem prejuízo das propriedades mecânicas. Nessa etapa foram também selecionadas amostras para análise microestrutural por microscopia eletrônica de varredura, a fim de correlacionar a qualidade da interface borracha/matriz do concreto com as características mecânicas. Na segunda etapa foram selecionados os parâmetros que resultaram em melhor desempenho dentre as variáveis analisadas na primeira etapa e buscouse avaliar o efeito da adição de partículas de pneu nas propriedades referentes à tenacidade e à permeabilidade do concreto. Para o desenvolvimento da terceira etapa do estudo foram selecionadas duas composições mais promissoras dentre aquelas utilizadas na primeira e na segunda etapas, a fim de analisar o efeito da borracha de pneu nas propriedades térmicas, elásticas e viscoelásticas do concreto, bem como o comportamento termomecânico. Adicionalmente, algumas amostras foram submetidas a ensaios com vistas à avaliação de características referentes à durabilidade. Os resultados indicaram que o máximo aproveitamento da borracha de pneu no concreto, sem prejuízo considerável das propriedades mecânicas, ocorre para o teor de 10% de partículas de borracha de 1,5mm e 4,8mm em substituição parcial do volume de areia. Teores mais elevados e partículas de menor dimensão levaram a uma contínua redução das propriedades mecânicas e aumento do teor de ar aprisionado. Não houve diferença significativa de propriedades nem na microestrutura das amostras contendo partículas com e sem tratamento superficial. As análises termomecânicas indicaram que o uso de concretos com borracha de pneu pode ser uma alternativa eficiente para minimizar o risco de fissuras de origem térmica, quando comparados a um concreto convencional. Com base nos resultados obtidos até a idade de 2 anos, verifica-se que o consumo de 29 kg/m3 de borracha de pneu no concreto não prejudica as características de durabilidade do material. / The use of waste tire rubber particles in concrete has been studied by several researchers, because it constitute both an attractive alternative for the final disposition of these residues and offers a possibility to modify certain concrete properties that might contribute for a better performance in certain applications that require specific characteristics, such as increased deformation capacity and more ductile behavior than conventional concrete. These characteristics of rubberized concretes might be interesting because they reduce the risk of cracking when concrete is subjected to volumetric changes, as occurs with mass concretes. In this research, it was studied how the introduction of rubber particles would affect the mechanical, viscoelastic and thermal properties of mass concretes, with the aim to check if it is possible to obtain a composite less susceptible to cracking due to thermal effects. The mixtures were analyzed based on the following features: rubber content, granulometry and surface treatment applied to the tire rubber particles. The experimental program was performed in three stages. The first one involved a wide range of mixtures, with varying rubber contents. At this stage, basic tests were carried out in order to identify how effective surface treatments were in generating a good tire rubber/matrix interface as well as how much high tire rubber contents would impact the mechanical properties of the concrete. Samples were selected for microanalysis through scanning electron microscopy to correlate the quality of the rubber/matrix interface with mechanical characteristics. In the second stage, the mixtures that resulted in the best performance in the first stage were further studied. The effects of the addition of tire rubber particles on the properties related to tenacity and permeability of concrete were evaluated. During the third stage, the best two mixtures used in the first and second stages were selected in order to analyze the effect of the addition of rubber particles in the thermal, elastic and viscoelastic properties of concrete, as well as in the thermo mechanical behavior of structures made with this material. Additionally, some samples were subjected to tests for the assessment of features related to the durability of concrete. The results indicated that the best use of tire rubber on concrete, without reducing the mechanical properties, occurs for a 10% content of rubber particles of 1.5mm and 4.8mm, used in partial replacement of the river sand. Higher contents and smaller particles led to greater reductions of the mechanical properties and an increase in the trapped air content. There was no significant difference either in the microstructure or in the properties of the samples containing particles with and without surface treatment. The thermo mechanical analysis indicated that the use of concrete with tire rubber can be an efficient alternative to minimize the risk of cracking due to thermal effects, compared with a conventional concrete. Based on the results obtained until the age of 2 years, the consumption of 29 kg/m3 of tire rubber on concrete did not seem to affect the durability characteristics of the material.

Although rice straw and other grains have been used in building since pre-history, in the past two decades, there has been a move to utilize this rapidly renewable, locally available, agricultural byproduct as part of the sustainable construction movement. Up to this point, this has been done by simply stacking up the full straw bales. Stak Block, invented by Oryzatech, Inc., is a modular, interlocking block made of a composite of rice straw and binding agent that serves as an evolution in straw construction. This study investigates the feasibility of using these Stak Blocks as a structural system. The report was divided into four main parts: material testing, development of effective construction detailing, full-scale physical shear wall testing, and a comparison with wood framed shear walls. The first section investigated the feasibility of using the Stak Blocks in a load-bearing wall application. Constitutive properties of the composite straw material such as yield strength and elastic stiffness were determined and then compared to conventional straw bale. Next, the decision was made to prestress the walls to create a more effective structural system. Various construction detailing iterations were evaluated upon the full-scale shear wall testing using a pseudo-static cyclic loading protocol. Finally, the available ductility of the prestressed Stak Block walls in a lateral force resisting application is quantified along with an approximation of potential design shear forces. It was determined that the Stak Block material performed satisfactorily in gravity and lateral force resisting applications, in some respects better than conventional wood-framed construction, and has great potential as a seismically-resistant building material.