Matching Items (216)
Description
Today, we use resources faster than they can be replaced. Construction consumes more resources than any other industry and has one of the largest waste streams. Resource consumption and waste generation are expected to grow as the global population increases. The circular economy (CE) is based on the concept of a closed-loop cycle (CLC) and proposes a solution that, in theory, can eliminate the environmental impacts caused by construction and demolition (C&D) waste and increase the efficiency of resources’ use. In a CLC, building materials are reused, remanufactured, recycled, and reintegrated into other buildings (or into other sectors) without creating any waste.
Designing out waste is the core principle of the CE. Design for disassembly or design for deconstruction (DfD) is the practice of planning the future deconstruction of a building and the reuse of its materials. Concepts like DfD, CE, and product-service systems (PSS) can work together to promote CLC in the built environment. PSS are business models based on stewardship instead of ownership. CE combines DfD, PSS, materials’ durability, and materials’ reuse in multiple life cycles to promote a low-carbon, regenerative economy. CE prioritizes reuse over recycling. Dealing with resource scarcity demands us to think beyond the incremental changes from recycling waste; it demands an urgent, systemic, and radical change in the way we design, build, and procure construction materials.
This dissertation aims to answer three research questions: 1) How can researchers estimate the environmental benefits of reusing building components, 2) What variables are susceptible to affect the environmental impact assessment of reuse, and 3) What are the barriers and opportunities for DfD and materials’ reuse in the current design practice in the United States.
The first part of this study investigated how different life cycle assessment (LCA) methods (i.e., hybrid LCA and process-based LCA), assumptions (e.g., reuse rates, transportation distances, number of reuses), and LCA timelines can affect the results of a closed-loop LCA. The second part of this study built on interviews with architects in the United States to understand why DfD is not part of the current design practice in the country.
Designing out waste is the core principle of the CE. Design for disassembly or design for deconstruction (DfD) is the practice of planning the future deconstruction of a building and the reuse of its materials. Concepts like DfD, CE, and product-service systems (PSS) can work together to promote CLC in the built environment. PSS are business models based on stewardship instead of ownership. CE combines DfD, PSS, materials’ durability, and materials’ reuse in multiple life cycles to promote a low-carbon, regenerative economy. CE prioritizes reuse over recycling. Dealing with resource scarcity demands us to think beyond the incremental changes from recycling waste; it demands an urgent, systemic, and radical change in the way we design, build, and procure construction materials.
This dissertation aims to answer three research questions: 1) How can researchers estimate the environmental benefits of reusing building components, 2) What variables are susceptible to affect the environmental impact assessment of reuse, and 3) What are the barriers and opportunities for DfD and materials’ reuse in the current design practice in the United States.
The first part of this study investigated how different life cycle assessment (LCA) methods (i.e., hybrid LCA and process-based LCA), assumptions (e.g., reuse rates, transportation distances, number of reuses), and LCA timelines can affect the results of a closed-loop LCA. The second part of this study built on interviews with architects in the United States to understand why DfD is not part of the current design practice in the country.
ContributorsCruz Rios, Fernanda (Author) / Grau, David (Committee member) / Chong, Oswald (Committee member) / Parrish, Kristen (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2018
Description
In this era of high-tech computer advancements and tremendous programmable computer capabilities, construction cost estimation still remains a knowledge-intensive and experience driven task. High reliance on human expertise, and less accuracy in the decision support tools render cost estimation error prone. Arriving at accurate cost estimates is of paramount importance because it forms the basis of most of the financial, design, and executive decisions concerning the project at subsequent stages. As its unique contribution to the body of knowledge, this paper analyzes the deviations and behavior of costs associated with different construction activities involved in commercial office tenant improvement (TI) projects. The aim of this study is to obtain useful micro-level cost information of various construction activities that make up for the total construction cost of projects. Standardization and classification of construction activities have been carried out based on Construction Specifications Institute’s (CSI) MasterFormat® division items. Construction costs from 51 office TI projects completed during 2015 and 2016 are analyzed statistically to understand the trends among various construction activities involved. It was found that the interior finishes activities showed a much higher cost of construction, and a comparatively higher variation than the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) trades. The statistical analysis also revealed a huge scope of energy saving measures that could be achieved in such TI projects because of the absence of energy management systems (EMS) found in 66% of the projects.
ContributorsGhosh, Arunabho (Author) / Grau, David (Thesis advisor) / Ayer, Steven (Committee member) / Parrish, Kristen (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2016
Description
Residential air conditioning systems represent a critical load for many electric
utilities, especially for those who serve customers in hot climates. In hot and dry
climates, in particular, the cooling load is usually relatively low during night hours and
early mornings and hits its maximum in the late afternoon. If electric loads could be
shifted from peak hours (e.g., late afternoon) to off-peak hours (e.g., late morning), not
only would building operation costs decrease, the need to run peaker plants, which
typically use more fossil fuels than non-peaker plants, would also decrease. Thus, shifting
electricity consumption from peak to off-peak hours promotes economic and
environmental savings. Operational and technological strategies can reduce the load
during peak hours by shifting cooling operation from on-peak hours to off-peak hours.
Although operational peak load shifting strategies such as precooling may require
mechanical cooling (e.g., in climates like Phoenix, Arizona), this cooling is less
expensive than on-peak cooling due to demand charges or time-based price plans.
Precooling is an operational shift, rather than a technological one, and is thus widely
accessible to utilities’ customer base. This dissertation compares the effects of different
precooling strategies in a Phoenix-based utility’s residential customer market and
assesses the impact of technological enhancements (e.g., energy efficiency measures and
solar photovoltaic system) on the performance of precooling. This dissertation focuses on
the operational and technological peak load shifting strategies that are feasible for
residential buildings and discusses the advantages of each in terms of peak energy
savings and residential electricity cost savings.
utilities, especially for those who serve customers in hot climates. In hot and dry
climates, in particular, the cooling load is usually relatively low during night hours and
early mornings and hits its maximum in the late afternoon. If electric loads could be
shifted from peak hours (e.g., late afternoon) to off-peak hours (e.g., late morning), not
only would building operation costs decrease, the need to run peaker plants, which
typically use more fossil fuels than non-peaker plants, would also decrease. Thus, shifting
electricity consumption from peak to off-peak hours promotes economic and
environmental savings. Operational and technological strategies can reduce the load
during peak hours by shifting cooling operation from on-peak hours to off-peak hours.
Although operational peak load shifting strategies such as precooling may require
mechanical cooling (e.g., in climates like Phoenix, Arizona), this cooling is less
expensive than on-peak cooling due to demand charges or time-based price plans.
Precooling is an operational shift, rather than a technological one, and is thus widely
accessible to utilities’ customer base. This dissertation compares the effects of different
precooling strategies in a Phoenix-based utility’s residential customer market and
assesses the impact of technological enhancements (e.g., energy efficiency measures and
solar photovoltaic system) on the performance of precooling. This dissertation focuses on
the operational and technological peak load shifting strategies that are feasible for
residential buildings and discusses the advantages of each in terms of peak energy
savings and residential electricity cost savings.
ContributorsArababadi, Reza (Author) / Parrish, Kristen (Thesis advisor) / Reddy, T A (Committee member) / Jackson, Roderick K (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2016
Description
The efficiency of communication in the construction industry is crucial for the successful management of construction projects. Frontline Supervisors are construction professionals that have daily impact on physical construction. These supervisors have the unique challenge of managing various tasks, schedules, and people in order to complete their scope of work on time. With many methods of communication today, construction managers are searching for the most effective way to communicate with supervisors on all levels. This research project aims to study the quality of communication and quantity of communication methods among front line supervisors working on construction sites in Phoenix, Arizona. Findings may inform what types of communication, e.g., face-to-face individual conversations, in-person meeting, cell phone conversations, emails, etc., are most effective for frontline supervisors.
The results of this research paper will be used to aid general contractors in their communication decisions. This research will also serve as a jumping point for future research on construction communication. Researchers at Arizona State University will be able to use the information collected in this research paper to continue communication surveys in the Phoenix metro area. By continuing this project, researchers will be able to inform contractors to make decisions that benefit trade partners and contractors.
ContributorsBorgman, Harrison (Author) / Becker, Timothy (Thesis director) / Sullivan, Kenneth (Committee member) / Parrish, Kristen (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Del E. Webb Construction (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
This duo thesis is an autoethnography of what it means to be Filipino-American in the United States. Being raised in varying backgrounds yet with the similarity of being Filipino, there are aspects of our lives that are simultaneously similar and different. The goal of this project is the exploration of one’s cultural, familial and personal identities and how they intersect with their individuality and sense of belonging. Through this project, we documented our experience as Filipinos in the United States and our travel back to the Philippines and showcased it through videos. It is a means to document our reflections on this project to share with the Filipino community and individuals who share the same sentiments.
ContributorsTamayo, Rianne Daisy (Author) / Onayan, Youla Tricia (Co-author) / O'Flaherty, Katherine (Thesis director) / Fedock, Rachel (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / College of Health Solutions (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
This duo thesis is an autoethnography of what it means to be Filipino-American in the United States. Being raised in varying backgrounds yet with the similarity of being Filipino, there are aspects of our lives that are simultaneously similar and different. The goal of this project is the exploration of one’s cultural, familial and personal identities and how they intersect with their individuality and sense of belonging. Through this project, we documented our experience as Filipinos in the United States and our travel back to the Philippines and showcased it through videos. It is a means to document our reflections on this project to share with the Filipino community and individuals who share the same sentiments.
ContributorsOnayan, Youla Tricia (Author) / Tamayo, Rianne Daisy (Co-author) / O'Flaherty, Katherine (Thesis director) / Fedock, Rachel (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / College of Health Solutions (Contributor)
Created2024-05