Construction in extreme environments: Definition of extremeness and parameter analysis of case projects

Abstract

With an aim to gain a better understanding of human habitats and contribute to the enhancement and sustainability of built environments, this paper focuses on the reciprocal of our living environment and first attempts to define the 'extremeness' of environments; an 'extreme environment' is defined as an environment unsuitable for human habitation. Factors that determine extremeness are examined, and a matrix to categorize and qualitatively evaluate the extremeness of environments is constructed. The discussion then proceeds to the composition of a framework for case studies on construction projects in extreme environments. Three sets of parameters are given as the constituents of the framework: the project's scope, environmental conditions, and elemental technologies. By applying the framework to case projects, interdependencies between the parameters are identified.