Low Embodied Carbon and Energy Materials in Building Systems: A Case Study of Reinforcing Clay Houses in Desert Regions

Abstract

Over 40% of the world's energy consumption occurs in the construction sector. However, some countries do not address environmental criteria as design requirements in their construction codes. Accordingly, this research aims to provide a solution that reduces embodied energy and carbon while preserving historical and traditional textures of Iran. The comparison of embodied carbon and energy between new concrete and traditional buildings was performed by calculating the amount of construction materials. By examining both types of buildings, the reduction of embodied carbon and energy in a combined building system was evaluated. In the following, using SWOT analysis, the strategies of this combination were investigated. Clay building has less embodied energy and carbon than concrete one despite containing more mass of materials. According to SWOT analysis, the strategy of integrating clay and concrete systems is presented. The proposed system in compare to the concrete structure resulted in around 40% and 35% reduction in embodied carbon and energy, respectively. Extending this strategy throughout the country saves 13 million tons of embodied carbon and 130 million GJ of embodied energy. Finding a solution based on sustainability considerations to preserve historical texture is one of the basic concerns of countries where these textures form a part of their identity. The presented combined system, while paying attention to sustainable building and urban development, is a desirable solution to reduce buildings' embodied carbon and energy.