The sustainability of construction: Techniques and technologies for energy efficiency and the reduction of greenhouse gases - methodological aspects

Abstract

In order to adapt densely packed cities to climate change, there is a pressing need for the adoption of techniques that contribute to the sustainability of constructions and, therefore, of the cities themselves, so that they become more appropriate places to enable their citizens to live and work. Indeed, adopting techniques for greening built-up environments and making use of non-energyintensive construction technologies has proven to be an environmentally friendly and energetically efficient alternative, enhancing the micro-climate of adapted buildings and the meso-climate of the built up environment, creating ecologically appropriate alternatives for renewal of areas vulnerable to degradation and the expansion of sustainable newly constructed areas. In this context, with the support of the Rio de Janeiro State Research Funding Agency (FAPERJ), a practical experiment is currently underway at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) involving the application of naturation. This is a practical experiment that consists of applying vegetation to constructed surfaces using the COMPEC brick, which is comprised of organic and inorganic matter derived from solid urban waste. The aim is to evaluate energy and thermal comfort aspects by measuring the potential for energy conservation and efficiency gains when compared with conventional building materials. At present, 3 prototypes measuring 25m2 each are being built with conventional and ecological materials: Prototype 1 (slab covering made of concrete and walls made of ceramic brick), Prototype 2 (slab covering made of concrete and walls made of COMPEC bricks) and Prototype 3 (slab covering naturated and walls made of ceramic bricks), into which heat-sensing equipment will be installed internally. The methodology of this experiment calls for monitoring the thermal behavior of the materials employed, analyzing and comparing each prototype, as well as calculating the greenhouse gas emissions of the materials employed. The purpose of all this is to see whether the resulting data corroborates the hypothesis that it is possible to improve the thermal comfort of buildings via the application of naturation, as well as to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using and recycling solid urban waste. © 2012 WIT Press.