Cairo University

Faculty of Engineering
Postgraduate Studies - Environmental Design Program
Green Architecture

Achieving sustainability
by using recycled
materials
( Straw bale as example )
DONE BY :

1.
2.
3.
4.

Aya El-sherbeny .
Basma Ghanem .
Sarah Adel .
Merna morice .

PRESENTED TO:
Prof/Dr . Ahmed fekry

 The concept of Environment

Eco-system and its elements

Study the current problems and environmental issues

The impact of urban and architectural activities on the

environment
Energy and Environment

Energy problem in Egypt

Energy consumed in the building
Energy impact on the ecological balance

Direction of Sustainable Architecture

The concept of sustainable architecture
Sustainability development

King span lighthouse

Example for sustainable building

Gando primary school

Protect the environment and energy saving in the building

through the selection of building materials
The life cycle of building materials
Re-use and manufacture of
construction materials

Pre-construction
Construction phase
Post-construction

 Research Problem :
The industrial increase in production of the building
materials has great consumption of energy . As these
industries negatively affect the environment due to the
inefficient usage of energy , which disturb the
environmental balance.

Research Objectives :
Limit the negative effects of construction materials on the
environment and energy by using recycled materials.
Identify construction materials ,their life cycle and their
relation with the ecosystem , along with studying the huge
consumption of energy during production and usage of these
materials.
2

Ecosystem:
Its the whole system for all living organisms including the surrounding areas , and all the
ways they interact . Ecosystem is defined as a functional unit for living and non-living
components , which means that it consists of an infinite number of living and non-living
organisms with various relations with each other.

Its Elements:
It consists of 2 main elements
Man made environment

Natural environmental system

Indoor environment
Its the community in which man lives and gets his life supplies from food ,shelter
and practices his relations with people.

outdoor environment

 Study current problems & environmental issues:

From the environmental problems in the present time :
Environmental problems

Analysis

1-Non Renewable Energy

Sources

Non renewable energy sources

cause a lot of complicated problems
resulting from extraction and
consumption of fuel

2-Human Activity

Usage of natural resources and

getting rid of consumption and
production wastes cause a lot of
serious changes in Earths
landscape

Figure

Environmental problems

Analysis

3-High temperature
degrees

Its expected that the world s

average temperature will reach
105 degrees in 2025 due to
pollution , that threatens coastal
regions due to melting of ice
and increasing seas and oceans
levels .

4-Air pollution

The increasing percentage of

harmful gases in air cause green
house gas effect which result in
acidic rains and also harms the
ozone layer .

Figure

Environmental problems

Analysis

5-Pure water

Earth contains limited quantities

of water resources, 40% goes to
saving water for consumption
purposes . If water pollution
continues in the present rate ;
with increasing consumed water
amounts in a higher rate than
population growth . This will
lead to drainage of pure water.

6-Soil

Figure

Soil is exposed to sweeping

every year ,as a result of
structural activities ,
maintenance and salinization .

 Effect of Architectural and Urban activities on the

Environment :
The different rising rates of pollution due to domestic and industrial usage affect air
and water pollution.

Urban activities effect on the

environment :
- Accumulation of material as wastes
which remain on earth or thrown in rivers .
- Increase the need in non-renewable
Primary materials consumption.
- Cities consume huge amounts of fuel ,
which converts to harmful gases that
Increase environmental pollution .

 Energy problem in Egypt :

1- The very fast growth of population in the developing countries which is attached with
an irresponsible urban development represents a very problem facing policy makers in
these countries .
1975
2- At the same time , policies taken
all over the world in the framework
7
of design construction buildings are
1995
still a part from understanding
peoples real needs , surrounding
environment and how to manage it 12 million
2015
to serve the people in an
economic manner , without
negatively affecting the
2050
environment .
18 million
These old policies are
rapidly degrading the
Population
earths life support
increase rate in
systems .
40 million

Egypt

 Energy problem in Egypt :

3- energy production in Egypt in 2013 is 27 gaga watt .

fossil fuel pwer

stations=87%
water stations=10%
wind and solar
energy stations=3%

4- Residential buildings represent 50% of total energy requirements, industry

represents 20%,while governmental buildings represent 17% .
9

 Energy problem in Egypt can be summarized in the following points :

1-Limited resources of energy; as the petrol strategic reserve is sufficient for only 10
years . Excessive consumption of energy , especially in building construction , compared
with global rates.
2-A lot of energy is wasted due its conversion to petrol , natural gas and electricity ,
during its transportation , distribution and storage (which consumes 16-18% of energy).
3-In comparing the average share of a person from energy with the density of energy
usage, its found that the average share is low, while the usage density is high. That
reflects the inefficiency of energy usage in Egypt.
4-Energy consumption in building sector reaches about 20% of total energy
consumption . Transportation and building materials consume a lot of energy .
Accordingly , building sector and its activities reach about 50% of total energy
consumption.
10

 Energy consumed in a building :

- Presence of huge waste of energy in buildings , with different percentages
according to each element of the building ; these elements can be defined as follows :

Lost Energy in building elements

External envelope=40%

External openings=20%

Walls=10%

Ceilings=12%

Ground or basement
floor=10%

11

 Energy Impact of a building on Ecological balance:

-The development of energy consumption in a building ,needs understanding of
environmental problems and building relation with these issues as : corruption of ozone
layer , green house effect , and acidic rains . As production of building materials causes the
disturbance of ecological balance.
The following table shows building relation with environmental problems :
Environmental problems

Analysis

1-Corruption of ozone
layer

50% of the produced

chlorofluorocarbon in the world
is consumed in buildings as
types of insulation , cooling
circuits in HVAC units and
refrigerators . Which is the main
chemical element in the
corruption.

Figure

12

Environmental problems

Analysis

2-Global warming
effect

Large percentage of green

house gases is directly related to
energy use in buildings
,represented in electric energy
generation by fossil fuel.

3-Acidic rains

Building materials as stones and

metals are affected by acidic
rains resulting from the
emissions of sulpher dioxide
resulting from burning of fossil
fuels.

4-Drainage of nonrenewable energy

sources

50% of fossil fuel consumption

has direct relation with building
services as cooling , heating,
ventilation and lighting
-consumed energy in
construction materials
production & transportation

Figure

13

 Definition of sustainability :
Sustainability could be defined as an ability or
capacity of something to be maintained or to sustain
itself. Its about taking what we need to live now,
without jeopardizing the potential for people in the
future to meet their needs.

sustainability

Principles of sustainability :
1- reduce .
2- reuse .
3- recycle .
4- protect .
5- eliminate .

land

material

Water

Energy

Ecosystem

Carbon
foot print

14

 Sustainable development :
"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Sustainability
Development
Contains within
it two
Key concepts :

The concept of
needs, in particular
the essential needs
of the world's poor,
to which overriding priority should
be given .

The idea of limitations

imposed by the state of
technology and social
organization on the
environment's ability to meet
present and future needs."

15

 The Organization's in the context of Sustainable Development :

L (correspondence of the
environment to social
needs, which can refer to
the concept of quality of
life) .

Environmental
livable

V (economic
development must abide by
the supportive capacity of
the ecosystems, and
depletion of non-renewable
resources must be avoided.

Viable

Sustainable

Social
E (interaction
between the
economic & social
dimension)

Economic
Equitable

16

 Energy is the core of Sustainable Development :

1- climate change .
2- land .
3- water .
4- minerals .
5- Sustainability .
6- emissions .

1- population .
2- labor .
3- health .
4- education .
5- poverty .
6- infrastructure .

Environmental

1- production .
2- investment .
3- technology .
4- government .
5- row .
6- households .

Sustainable

Social

Economic

17

The way we live is changing.

Today home ownership is an environmental responsibility;
individually we have a duty to cut energy consumption and
collectively we must create communities which are sustainable
and can be adapted to deal with future climate change.

Location :
Building Research Establishment Ltd (BRE). UK

Building type :
Residential .
was the first net zero carbon house within the United Kingdom in
2007.

18

Section

Ground floor plan

first floor plan

entrance
South
facing roof

Bedroom

Bathroom
work

live

utility

Bedroom

Dinning
room

Kitchen

Living room

sleep

19

The Code for Sustainable Homes is the single national standard

for house building. Its ambition is clear; guiding the design and
construction of sustainable homes to set world class standards
that reduce the impact homes have on the UKs carbon
emissions.
The Code uses a rating system - indicated by stars (1 to 6) - to
communicate the overall sustainability performance of a home.
Surface
Manage
water
run
health & Water
off
well-being use
Pollution
Energy
waste
ecology
&
materials
carbon
dioxide

Sustainability

20

Energy & carbon dioxide

The structure of the lighthouse by Potton is
a simple barnlike form, derived from a 40
degree roof pitch accommodating a
Photovoltaic (PV) array, which generates all
the electricity for the house.

The sweeping roof envelops the central space

a generous, open-plan, light and airy, double
height living space which also includes a
mezzanine study area.
The living space uses a timber portal structure so
floors can be slotted between the frames or left
open as required.
21

Materials
Walls and roof Cladding with sweet chestnut from
managed coppice .All timber products from FSC or
PEFC sources Paved surface from recycled or
sustainable Sources . It was a low-embodied energy
material .
Natural rubber flooring with 50% recycled content .
Walls, roof, floor U-values = 0.11W/mK
Windows = 0.7W/mK (timber frame), triple glazed

Solar gain & shading

Shading to the west elevation is provided by
retractable shutters restricting direct sunlight,
minimizing heat gain in the summer.

22

Water
Around 30% of the water in the house has been
provided from rainwater harvesting or gray water
recycling system. This rainwater was used for the
garden and washing machine, while the used shower
and bath water for the WC (CBE News, 2008). This
meets the codes requirement that no more than
around 80% iters of potable water should be
consumed per person per day (Insite09, 2009).
The systems used make an average saving of 50%
compared to a traditional house.

South
chimney
Glass lid
(single
glazed )
Aluminum
louvers

Wind catcher/Light funnel

Located on the roof, above the central void over
the staircase, the wind catcher provides passive
cooling and ventilation. Its design, while functional,
architecturally defines the lighthouse by Potton.
When open, it catches the wind, no matter which
direction it is travelling. The air (which is at a lower
temperature than the still air in the house)
descends through the house, supplying fresh air and
displacing the stale air turbo charging the
stack effect.

23

Wind catcher secure

passive cooling system

Rainwater
collection

Building integrated
photovoltaic (BIPV)
Solar thermal array
Mechanical ventilation
with heat recovery
Biomass

Selective
thermal mass

Free air
movement
Rainwater storage
tank
and recycling system

Low volume, water efficient

sanitary ware and appliances
incorporating grey water
recycling

Heat
store

boiler
(MVHR)

24

This chart compares the estimated energy

use for Kingspan with benchmarks and
measured data. The Building Regulations
estimates were done for a similar size and
shape house .

lighthouse Energy Use

this model would cost

about 500 a year in
energy bills

The entire energy cost of running the

lighthouse by Potton would be about
31 per year for the wood pellets

25

26

Location :
Burkina faso West Africa .

Designed by :
Architect Francis Kr .

Climate in
Burkina faso :

Characterized by high temperatures , specially in the dry season .

Maximum temperatures ranging from 104 to 119 F .from may to October , the climate is hot and wet , and from
November to march , comfortable and dry .
January temperatures range from 44 to 55 F . Average annual rainfall varies from 45 in to less than 10 in .the rainy
season lasts from four months to six months , from may through October .

27

Plan

Elevation
28

Environmental

Economic

4 Cultural

3 Social

29

1
Economic

4 Cultural

Environmental

material
Passive techniques

Social

Natural
ventilation

Daylighting

Water
collection

30

1
Economic

4 Cultural

Natural ventilation

Environmental

3 Social
The space are kept cool through the
use of natural ventilation through
the windows directly and the
combination of wind flowing through
the covered space between classes
and airspace between ceiling and
roof membrane .
31

1
Economic

4 Cultural

Day lighting

Environmental

3 Social
The same shuttered windows that
allow the crossbreeze through the
space also provides the classrooms
with ample natural light to carry out
classroom activities .
32

1
Economic

4 Cultural

Water collection

Environmental

3 Social
To assist and remove some strain on the villages wells
, the building also contains a rainwater gathering
system on the north side to catch some of the water in
the rainy season to be used for the trees and crops .

material
Corrugated
metal sheets

Clay brick

Reinforcing
steel
33

1
Economic

4 Cultural

Environmental

3 Social
Clay brick :

consisting of local mixed with 6-8% cement for strength . Clay for bricks was
gathered , refined , and pressed by the villagers .
Reinforcing steel : welded rebar forms both truss work for roof and support for bricks
ceiling . To deal with having no electricity, the structure was designed to be assembled with
nothing but handsaws, a simple welding machine and hand carried .
Corrugated metal sheets : sheets from a roof membrane that allows cooling by
allowing a breeze between membrane and ceiling , while protecting clay construction from
weathering by sun and rainfall in wet season .

34

35

Environmental

Economic

4 Cultural

3 Social

Economic
Being within the top 10 poorest
countries of the world , economic
efficiency is highly important .
This is resolved through the
concept of locality ; using materials
and labor coming from within or
near the village as much as possible
. Clay that forms the bricks comes
from local sources , and all
construction was carried out by the
villagers .

Social
Burkina faso is amongst the poorest countries in the world
. With an illiteracy rate of over 80% the majority of its
people have no alternatives to agriculture as a living .
The village Gando -3000 inhabitants is situated 124 km
from burkina fasos capital ouagadougou .
Existing school suffered from lack of light and cooling , and
was suited for making bread , but certainly not learning .

36

37

38

 Define of building materials :

Is a solid or liquid materials is extracted from nature in the form of raw materials
and are manufactured beard is used to configure Facilities moved or fixed .

39

Validity cycle of building materials

It is the period which start from manufacturing to it used it useful and it consist of :

First :
Operations of Assembly
and maintenance .

Second
It :ends up process
of demolition and
construction
materials to
transform waste

40

Validity cycle of building materials

The life of any building is divided into three phases :

3- After construction

A waste
process:
Recycling .
Reusing .

2- construction

Using process:
Building .
Installation .
Maintenance .

1- Before construction

A manufacturing
process:
Extracting .
Equipment .
Packaging.
Freighting .
41

Validity cycle of building materials

The life of any building is divided into three phases :

3- After construction

A waste
process:
Recycling .
Reusing .

2- construction

Using process:
Building .
Installation .
Maintenance .

1- Before construction

A manufacturing
process:
Extracting .
Equipment .
Packaging.
Freighting .
42

Validity cycle of building materials

The life of any building is divided into three phases :

1- Before construction
Upsetting the
balance of nature
and the
environment and
Systems
Alaaklogih

The erosion of the

ground
layer and the
depletion
of soil fertility .

Air pollution by
mining
&manufacturing
operations .

Surface and
groundwater
pollution

43

Validity cycle of building materials

The life of any building is divided into three phases :

3- After construction

A waste
process:
Recycling .
Reusing .

2- construction

Using process:
Building .
Installation .
Maintenance .

1- Before construction

A manufacturing
process:
Extracting .
Equipment .
Packaging.
Freighting .
44

Validity cycle of building materials

The life of any building is divided into three phases :

3- After construction

A waste
process:
Recycling .
Reusing .

2- construction

Using process:
Building .
Installation .
Maintenance .

1- Before construction

A manufacturing
process:
Extracting .
Equipment .
Packaging.
Freighting .
45

Validity cycle of building materials

The life of any building is divided into three phases :

3-After construction

Environmental impact at

Toxic

this stage through the

Toxic

decomposition of waste to
toxic substances begin to
spread in the atmosphere .

Toxic

Toxic

46

Study of the energy consumed in the production and operation of building materials
All materials must pass a group of stages :
Mining process

The nature
of the
extracted raw
material from
the site .
T he
obstacles in
the site .
Manufacturing process

The nature of the

raw materials.
Screening process.
Quantity of
impurities.
Stages of treatment

The transfer process

The distance
between
extraction
sites and
places of
Manufacturing
Assembly process
. Form of
assembly.
The nature of
the positioning
of materials
Sort materials .
47

Transport to the
building site

The distance
between places
of
manufacturing,
distribution and
location of the
building

Maintenance Operation

The function of the

building.
Building users .
The nature of the
construction
material.

Assembly & Construction

at the site
Nature of Aldjaraveh.
Nature of Climate .
Structural nature of the
system.
Building design.
Cover the outside of the
building design .
Interior and exterior finishes
48
.

Energy consumption and the emission of co2 rate in some fields :

Production of building
materials 5%
Agriculture
15 %

Others fields
34 %

Transportation
16 %

Heating buildings
30%

Co2
Kg /m3 kg/t

Energy consumed
MJ/m3
MJ/kg

Building materials

55

110

750

105

Timber
Air Dried

103

205

1390

208

Timber
Dryer oven

440

799

6000

12

Plywood

733

1129

10000

20

Particle Board

19507

2587

266000

35

Iron

80887

31900

1100000

435

Aluminum

440

183

4800

Concrete

49

 The principles of construction materials in modern architecture :

1. Prevention of
pollution during
the manufacturing
process

2. Reduce waste during

the manufacturing
process

3.Recycling
4. Reducing energy
consumption

50

5. using of
natural
materials

7. Use the
local
materials

6. Reduce
waste during
the
construction
process

8. Energy
efficiency
51

9. Water
treatment

11.
Renewable
energy
systems

10. Prevent
the use of
toxic
materials

12. Longer
life in
building
materials
52

13. reusing

53

 Straw bale in Egypt & Environmental Effect:

Each year grain farmers battle with the remains of their harvest,
straw. Straw doesn't decompose very rapidly and becomes a
burden for the farmers. The burning of straw produces CO2.
Enough straw is already produced in Egypt, it reaches 33 million ton
every year and its burning produces 1.65 million ton of CO, for that
many efforts were directed to find alternatives to burning of straw .

Applications for straw bale :1-Constructions .

2-Ropes industries .
3-Animals Food .

54

 Ropes industries .

55

 Constructions

The most direct way to use straw in building is

through straw-bale construction. During grain
harvest, a baler compresses straw into rectangular
bales tied with either two or three wires .

56

 Why straw bale building?

Apart from the most important environmental issues there are plenty more good reasons
to choose straw bales as your favorite building material. The benefits of building with bales
include .
Energy
Efficiency

Healthy
Choice

Cost
Advantage

Structural
capabilities

Comfort,
Creativity &
Aesthetics

Resistance
against
termites and
pests

Fire
resistance

1-Energy Efficiency
One of the leading reasons to choose straw bales over other building materials is their
high level of energy-efficiency. This is due to the exceptional insulating properties of the
bales.
CONSTRUCTION

R- VALUE

Conventional wall
system

2.0 to 3.5

Straw bale walls

3.5 to 8.5

COMENTS
depending on climatic conditions, building code
regulations,
building material and type of insulation
depending on widths, type, quality and density of
straw bales
and on how the bales are stacked

R- Value of Construction materials

57

 Why straw bale building?

Apart from the most important environmental issues there are plenty more good reasons
to choose straw bales as your favorite building material. The benefits of building with bales
include .
Energy
Efficiency

Healthy
Choice

Cost
Advantage

Structural
capabilities

Comfort,
Creativity &
Aesthetics

Resistance
against
termites and
pests

Fire
resistance

2- healthy choice
Straw bales are a healthy choice. They do not contain the paints, chemicals, glues and
toxins Combined with clay and lime renders and natural paints or oxides to finish the
structure, straw bale walls can breathe and provide a natural, fresh and healthy living
environment. The thick walls seal out noise .

58

 Why straw bale building?

Apart from the most important environmental issues there are plenty more good reasons
to choose straw bales as your favorite building material. The benefits of building with bales
include .
Energy
Efficiency

Healthy
Choice

Cost
Advantage

Structural
capabilities

Comfort,
Creativity &
Aesthetics

Resistance
against
termites and
pests

Fire
resistance

3- cost advantage
Straw bale is a low cost material. At best, the bale walls can reduce your overall budget by
5 to 10 %. But you'll be getting more than twice the insulation value and great aesthetic
potential, and savings in energy costs will stay with you for the life of the buildings. Heating
costs can be reduced by up to 75% annually compared with modern style housing.

59

 Why straw bale building?

Apart from the most important environmental issues there are plenty more good reasons
to choose straw bales as your favorite building material. The benefits of building with bales
include .
Energy
Efficiency

Healthy
Choice

Cost
Advantage

Structural
capabilities

Comfort,
Creativity &
Aesthetics

Resistance
against
termites and
pests

Fire
resistance

4- structural capabilities
Research has shown that structural load
bearing straw bale walls can withstand loads of
more than 48,826 kg/m2. In the load-bearing
straw bale method, walls of up to 3 stories have
been constructed, with infill walls, in post and
beam type structures; the straw does not take
weight anyway .

60

 Why straw bale building?

Apart from the most important environmental issues there are plenty more good reasons
to choose straw bales as your favorite building material. The benefits of building with bales
include .
Energy
Efficiency

Healthy
Choice

Cost
Advantage

Structural
capabilities

Comfort,
Creativity &
Aesthetics

Resistance
against
termites and
pests

Fire
resistance

5- comfort , creativity
Straw bale buildings have their own unique feel and character. The thickness of the walls
provides a feel of calm, safety and comfort. Deep window seats, alcoves, niches, and subtle
curves are creative features

61

 Why straw bale building?

Apart from the most important environmental issues there are plenty more good reasons
to choose straw bales as your favorite building material. The benefits of building with bales
include .
Energy
Efficiency

Healthy
Choice

Cost
Advantage

Structural
capabilities

Comfort,
Creativity &
Aesthetics

Resistance
against
termites and
pests

Fire
resistance

6- resistance against
termites and pests
Walls built with tightly pressed straw bales provide fewer spaces for pests to live in than
conventional timber frame houses do. Also, because clean and dry straw has very little
nutritional substance, it is unable to support a pest population for long in itself if the
render is well applied .

62

 Why straw bale building?

Apart from the most important environmental issues there are plenty more good reasons
to choose straw bales as your favorite building material. The benefits of building with bales
include .
Energy
Efficiency

Healthy
Choice

Cost
Advantage

Structural
capabilities

Comfort,
Creativity &
Aesthetics

Resistance
against
termites and
pests

Fire
resistance

7- fire resistance
Straw bales are tightly packed and covered with a skin of cement render. Fire cant burn
without oxygen, and the dense walls provide a nearly airless environment, so the fire
resistance of compacted straw is very good. A test of a plastered wall panel showed a twohour fire resistance, and an unplaster bale wall had a 30-minute resistance
MATERIAL

FIRE RESISTANCE

Un-rendered straw bale

30 minutes

Rendered straw bale

2 hours

Timber framed and cladded building

8 minutes

63

 Methods of construction using straw bale :

There are three main methods to build with straw bale

1 Structural
Bale
2
Light-weight
frame

3
Nonstructural
Bale

65

1- Structural Bale (Nebraska-style)

Construction Method:
Bales are placed together like giant building blocks, pinned to the
foundations and to each other with coppiced hazel, and have a wooden
roof plate on top which is fastened to the foundations and the bales
with coppiced hazel and strapping, and the roof is constructed in the
usual manner on top of the roof plate .

Building Style:
Designs from one room to two-storey homes can be created using a
simple, step by step approach. Curves and circles are easy to achieve,
for little extra cost

Stability and size of openings:

Low stability for windows and doors in the wall openings for windows
and doors must not exceed 50% of the wall surface area in any wall.

Speed of construction:
Fast .

Need of Skills:
No skills are needed. Easy for non-professionals to design, following readily comprehensible basic
principles .

66

2- LIGHT-WEIGHT FRAME
Construction Method:
It uses a timber framework that is so light-weight that it cannot
stand up alone, it requires temporary bracing and/or the use of a
crow props to give it stability Until the straw is in place.

Building Style:
Building up to three floors can be made.

Stability and size of openings:

Provides greater stability for window and door frames than
in the load bearing style .

Speed of construction:
Take more time than load bearing method .

Need of Skills:
Greater technical ability is required to make the structure
stable whilst the straw is being placed .

67

3- IN-FILL METHOD
Construction Method:
Posts and beams are constructed of timber or steel to form the structural frame work the roof is then
added and finally straw bales in-fill the frame work.

Building Style:
Any number of floors can be constructed since the weight is
supported in the frame. In conjunction with a steel frame,
can create large warehouse space (and gives an even temperature
throughout the year) .

Stability and size of openings:

Provides greater stability for window and door frames than in the
load bearing style

Speed of construction :
Take more time than load Bearing method.

Need of Skills :
This method requires a high level of carpentry skill .

68

Resources

, , ) 2008( ,
, , .
, , ) 2012( ,
, ,
.
, , )2013( ,
, , .
, , )2006( ,
, , .

Thank you