Eco-Friendly Construction Methods.

 Eco-Friendly Construction Methods.

The increase in the world population leads to a steady increase in construction activities. Environmental imbalances are produced by the different activities we carry out. Construction activities contribute greatly to this. Poor planning of construction activities results in a high level of environmental pollution and reduction in natural resources. Therefore, Environmental friendly construction methods are introduced to reduce environmental pollution and keep the environment clean and green. Eco-friendly constructions are important not only for environmental reasons but also for its profitability.

Construction Technologies
Different Eco friendly construction technologies are available these days. When combined, they will automatically lead to a high performance structure. These technologies are used to select the materials, design the structure and implement waste management systems at all phases of construction work. Some of the modern eco-friendly building design technologies are,

1. Zero Energy Building

Normally buildings consume large amounts of energy from the power stations. So this can cause energy scarcity in the future. New zero energy technologies are introduced to solve the energy crises in a global concern. Zero energy buildings have a facility that consumes zero energy from power stations and generates energy itself. They generate energy from renewable energy sources such as Solar panels, Wind turbine, Hydro turbine, Geothermal and many more. To achieve zero energy consumption in a building, site selection, orientation selection for the amount of sun received, and high performance building envelope design are also important.

2. Eco friendly façade design

Energy, day lighting, sound adsorption, ventilation and aesthetics aspects mainly focus when constructing façade for a building. Depending on the location, material selection for the façade and the design of the façade would vary to obtain the maximum benefits in the performance of the building. Plants on the living façade designs help to reduce the amount of air pollution. This green façade provides natural views and also helps people to be calmer, happier and more productive.

3. Green roof

In green roof design concept, the roof of a building is partially or completely covered with vegetation over a waterproofing membrane. Green roofs mainly help to reduce the effect of global warming by absorbing greenhouse gases. This natural roof makes a temperature difference of 4-10 degree Celsius between outside and inside. So it helps to reduce air conditioning costs in buildings.

Natural Material Selection
The use of cement in the construction industry is of a high level. The cement production process leads to a high level of CO2 gas emission. The use of natural materials are important to address environmental challenges in construction activities. There are several natural building materials that offer sustainable alternatives to concrete and steel. Construction with natural materials is mainly focused in rural areas, which helps to reduce the total cost of construction.

1. Cob Building
Cob is a natural building material made from soil, straw and water. Cob houses usually have thick walls which are called breathable walls. It provides better thermal conditions which helps warm in winter and cool in summer. Cob is strong, durable, fire proof and earthquake resistance material. Sometimes clay bricks or natural stones add to get additional strength in the cob house constructions.
2. Bamboo construction
The strength of bamboo construction is considerably higher than the mud wall construction. Therefore bamboo construction is suitable for flood prone areas. Also its hollow form gives much stiffness in construction. Bamboo is easily available material so it reduces the cost of construction. Some of its uses are in scaffolding, reinforcement, roofing, walling, flooring, fence, doors, and windows.

3. Straw panel building

Using new technologies, straw transforms a durable and highly energy efficient building material. Straw panels can be used for building homes with one or more stories. Clay plaster used to apply to the top of the straw surface. Straw is a flexible material. Therefore, it is suitable for earthquake resistance.

Conclusion
Eco-friendly construction methods help to reduce all the challenges in the construction industry. Therefore, we must improve modern energy efficient eco-friendly construction technologies. And we should also focus on reviving old traditional construction techniques to improve eco-friendly constructions.

We will be eco-friendly, we will create eco-friendly constructions and will make the world a better place for all of us.

References:
1. Kibert, C., 2016. Sustainable Construction: Green Building Design and Delivery. 4th ed. John Wiley & Sons, pp.12-20.
2. Wilson, A., 2006. Your green home. Gabriola, B.C.: New Society Publishers, pp.1-8.
3. SUTTON, R., 2016. GREEN ROOF ECOSYSTEMS. [Place of publication not identified]: SPRINGER INTERNATIONAL PU, pp.1-11.
4. Xiao, Y., Inoue, M. and Paudel, S., 2008. Modern bamboo structures. Boca Raton: CRC Press, pp.23-35.