11. |
- Mikaelsson, Lars Åke, et al.
(författare)
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Integrated planning for sustainable building production : an evolution over three decades
- 2017
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Ingår i: Journal of Civil Engineering and Management. - : Vilnius Gediminas Technical University. - 1392-3730 .- 1822-3605. ; 23:2, s. 319-326
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper reviews the authors' work on Integrated Planning (IP) as a construction site management tool. IP integrates the different planning skills used by site managers, construction workers and craftspersons into an interactive group which manages a production planning process from the earliest stages to the end of a building project. The studies reviewed in this paper, performed over the last three decades, tested, longitudinally evaluated and refined the IP model for use in modern sustainable building sites. The refined model, Integrated Planning for Sustainable Building Production (SBP), includes the factors: leadership, health and safety, quality management and environmental management.
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12. |
- Salzer, Corinna, 1984, et al.
(författare)
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Innovation for Low-Rise Construction in the Urban Tropics: Utilization of Structural Bamboo for Cost-Efficient Housing
- 2015
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Ingår i: 8th Conference of the International Forum on Urbanism (IFoU). - Basel, Switzerland : MDPI.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper deals with a cost-efficient construction technology using load bearing bamboo for urban low-rise housing in tropical Asia-Pacific. The potential of the technology to be applied at larger scale is discussed at the example of the Philippines as pilot country for its application. The assessment of alternative construction methods such as this one is motivated by a tremendous need for more affordable, sustainable and resilient housing around the globe. The urban poor, being the most underserved group in need of housing, often cannot afford conventional building technologies offered by the formal industry. Using locally available bamboo as structural component within the introduced standardized and quality controlled construction method is an entry point to provide performing and safe housing at lower cost. The paper highlights, however, that cost-efficiency and technical performance are not the only requirements for innovations to succeed on a market, especially due to the complex challenge of urban poor housing. Through learnings from the construction of 50 houses in the Philippines and interviews with various stakeholders along the value chain of the technology, barriers and opportunities for a scale-up are retrieved. For this paper, a conflated none-exhaustive overview of the identified aspects is documented. It was found that both barriers and opportunities directly linked to this technology are closely tied to a complex local value chain which ranges from upstream supply of raw material to downstream customer acceptance. The pilot application has shown further, that participatory product development reduces the acceptance barrier significantly by directly addressing the needs of low income customers. Material and skills availability, enabling policies and approval by legal entities as well as sustainability in supply of the organic raw material play important roles too. This complex set of interlinked aspects needs to be addressed according to targets in implementation-pace, and -scale as well as its intended social value creation. While multi-stakeholder participation is required for a successful up-scaling, a facilitating social enterprise, providing knowledge and services around the technology, can guide through the up-scaling.
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13. |
- Shahbazi, Sasha, et al.
(författare)
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Material efficiency in manufacturing: swedish evidence on potential, barriers and strategies
- 2016
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Ingår i: Journal of Cleaner Production. - : Elsevier BV. - 0959-6526 .- 1879-1786. ; 127, s. 438-450
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Improved material efficiency is a key to improve the circular economy and capturing value in industry. Material efficiency reduces the generation of industrial waste, the extraction and consumption of resources, and energy demands and carbon emissions. However, material efficiency in the manufacturing sector, as a means of improving the recyclability, reusability, reduction and prevention of industrial waste, is little understood. This study aims to investigate, on a micro-level, further material efficiency improvement opportunities, barriers and strategies in selected manufacturing companies in Sweden, focusing on increasing waste segregation into high quality circulated raw material. Improvement opportunities at large global manufacturing companies are investigated; barriers hindering material efficiency improvement are identified and categorized at two levels; and strategies that have been deployed at manufacturing companies are reviewed. Empirical findings reveal (1) further potential for improving material efficiency through higher segregation of residual material from mixed and low quality fractions (on average, 26% of the content of combustible waste, in weight, was plastics; 8% and 6% were paper and cardboard, respectively); (2) the most influential barriers are within budgetary, information, management, employee, engineering, and communication clusters; (3) a lack of actual material efficiency strategy implementation in the manufacturing companies. According to our analysis, the majority of barriers are internal and originate within the manufacturing companies, therefore they can be managed (and eradicated if possible) with sufficient resources in terms of man hours, education and investment, better operational and environmental (waste) management, better internal communication and information sharing, and deployment of material efficiency strategies.
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14. |
- Cossio Grageda, Claudia, 1974, et al.
(författare)
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Wastewater management in small towns - understanding the failure of small treatment plants in Bolivia
- 2018
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Ingår i: Environmental Technology (United Kingdom). - : Informa UK Limited. - 1479-487X .- 0959-3330. ; 39:11, s. 1393-1403
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Wastewater management in developing countries is a challenge, especially in small towns with rapid population growth. This study aims at assessing the performance and management of five treatment plants (TPs) in rural areas of Cochabamba, Bolivia. Pollutants’ concentrations, wastewater flows, hydraulic and organic loads and hydraulic retention times were determined in three small treatment plants (2000–10,000 population equivalent [p.e.]; flow > 432 m3/d) and two very small treatment plants (<2000 p.e.; flow < 432 m3/d). The performance assessment was based on operational parameters, treatment efficiency and effluent quality. Management data were collected through semi-structured interviews with managers of local water associations. The results support that the poor performance of the TPs is due to lack of operational expertise and financial resources for adequate operation and maintenance (O&M). Additionally, effective treatment was affected by the type of technology used and whether the plant design included plans for O&M with available resources. This study contributes to a better understanding of actual operating conditions of wastewater TPs in small towns, thus providing needed information regarding technology selection, design, implementation and operation.
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15. |
- Hammar, Linus, 1979, et al.
(författare)
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Introducing ocean energy industries to a busy marine environment
- 2017
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Ingår i: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. - : Elsevier BV. - 1879-0690 .- 1364-0321. ; 74, s. 178-185
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The immense energy potential of the oceans is being increasingly recognized the world over, at the same time the integrity of marine ecosystems is challenged by pressure from multiple human activities. For good reasons environmental licensing procedures are precautionary and new industries must declare their detrimental impacts and provide mitigation measures. New ocean energy industries target renewable energy sources thus, on a grand scale, partly mitigating climate change. However, on-site environmental impacts are yet to be established. In this review we compare ocean energy industries with a wide range of conventional, better understood, human activities and outline environmental risks and research priorities. Results show that ocean energy systems are thought to incur many pressures, some familiar and others with yet unknown effects. Particular uncertainties regard ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) and large fast-moving turbines. Ocean energy industries should not be considered in isolation because the significance of environmental impacts depend on the full spectra of human activities in each area. Marine spatial planning provides a platform for holistic assessments and may facilitate the establishment of ocean energy industries, as long as risk-related uncertainties are reduced.
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16. |
- Akram, Asif, 1978, et al.
(författare)
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AEOLIX Living Labs Operational ImpactsAssessment
- 2019
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This document provides the AEOLIX impact assessment of living labs at the operational level. It is based on three main impacts namely business, environment, and socio-economic impacts. The three impacts are sub-divided further into sub-categories. The report collects data from twelve living labs involved in with AEOLIX. One of the main goals of AEOLIX was to reduce the costs for various logistics activities as implemented in twelve living labs. The expected benefits in the business area are from reducing the consumption of different resources, reducing the time used for various activities, and from increasing the productivity in certain areas. The economic or business benefits came along two dimensions: (i) in terms of time and (ii) in terms of money. In terms of time, AEOLIX facilitated reducing the time spent on various activities at the companies. In terms of money, AEOLIX helped to save the costs of specific logistics activities within the living lab. For the environmental aspect an overall value of 20% was set as target value for reduction in CO2 emission using AEOLIX. Only one of all living labs reached this target value, but there was anyhow a reduction found in all living labs. AEOLIX and its functions have also helped in reducing noise pollution at some of the living labs. In some cases, there was quite a considerable reduction. For the socio-economic aspects the job creation, SME empowerment, and the improved quality of life are addressed. This study has explored the impact of AEOLIX on job creation in terms of drivers’ and operators’ jobs. Since the AEOLIX implementation is still in its initial phases, respondents were unable to estimate how many jobs (drivers and/or operators) were created in the long run. SME Empowerment was measured as the increase in SMEs’ market share and the increase in direct collaboration between SMEs and large organizations. The results were meager both with regard to the market share and the extent of collaboration. The improved quality of life is measured in the way AEOLIX puts more focus on work, the less stress at work and a positive attitude towards people using it. The results reflect that AEOLIX has greatly helped employees to put more focus on work and to reduce stress levels. Managers consider this as a positive side of the return on investment (ROI) as the business processes are improved. AEOLIX impact on various socio-economic aspects is in principle positive but as this process is very slow to emerge it takes time to observe any changes in social aspects. Acceptance and trust on AEOLIX can be captured as a majority of the evaluation managers of the living labs found the AEOLIX functions (dashboard, connectivity engine and toolkit) useful to a great extent. The willingness to continue using AEOLIX functions and their usefulness are directly related to each other. This means that the more useful a function is, the more users are willing to continue using it. The AEOLIX platform, through various services and functions, has a positive impact on society in general and on workers in particular. Although this impact cannot be evaluated financially for the first year of the AEOLIX implementation, numerous studies show that a more satisfying and less stressful job, together with a more welcoming and stimulating environment, have an important economic impact in the long-term period. Therefore, the fact that AEOLIX has a positive impact on society will also prove to be an economic benefit for the different companies.
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17. |
- Zackrisson, Mats, et al.
(författare)
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Sustainability Performance Indicators at Shop Floor Level in Large Manufacturing Companies
- 2017
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Ingår i: The 24th CIRP Conference on Life Cycle Engineering. - : Elsevier. ; 61, s. 457-462
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- This article investigates sustainability in the performance measurement systems of Swedish manufacturing companies. It builds on a previous study that documents relatively few direct environmental indicators at shop floor level, which raises questions about possible indirect links between existing indicators and the environment that could be used to improve the environmental aspect of company's sustainability ambitions. A method for identifying and categorizing indirect links to sustainability issues was defined and used. The results suggest that at shop floor level 90% of the indicators have at least an indirect relation to one or more of the sustainability dimensions economy, environment and social, of which 26% are at least indirectly related to the environmental dimension. Despite the many indirect connections, participating companies perceive a need to improve sustainability indicators and some ideas are suggested.
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18. |
- Salzer, Corinna, 1984
(författare)
-
Sustainability of Social Housing in the Urban Tropics: A Holistic Development Process for Bamboo-Based Construction
- 2018
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis is motivated by a tremendous need for more inclusive, sustainable and disaster resistant social housing in rapidly developing countries such as the Philippines. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the New Urban Agenda name the use of local raw materials as one area for action. In the Philippines bamboo is an available, culturally rooted material, which is frequently used by rural and urban low-income groups. However, its current use in buildings does not meet the regulatory, technical and social requirements of urban spaces. The general objective of this thesis is to guide the development, implementation, and continuous assessment of a bamboo-based building technology for social housing in the Philippines, according to the multi-dimensional requirements of sustainability. The conceptual framework of the thesis is aligned to the standards EN 15643 and ISO 15392 on the sustainability assessment of buildings. A localization of the standards has been achieved through a multi-stakeholder participatory process. Beyond stakeholders from within the Philippines, this process builds on a learning exchange with Latin America, where significant knowledge on bamboo-based building exists, as well as Europe, where timber frame construction is established. Issue-focused research captured the performances in technical, environmental, social, economic and governance dimensions. It was shown that the most common bamboo species in the Philippines is of a structural grade that is suitable for low-rise house construction. With quality selected, treated bamboo culms and climate-adjusted house designs, the construction of reliable and durable buildings was possible, designed to withstand the impacts of their surrounding environment. The walls received a fire resistance rating of 60 minutes and full-scale test houses withstood the storm impacts of four typhoons with 120–213 km/h wind speeds. A thorough life cycle assessment predicted that the building method results in a 74%-reduction in carbon emissions. Furthermore, surveys and physical measurements attested that a higher indoor thermal comfort is achieved. Active participation was applied throughout the research and implementation activities, and acceptance barriers were overcome among involved stakeholders. Beyond savings from a life cycle cost perspective of the buildings, the use of the renewable local material strengthened local economies and created rural-urban linkages. Sustainability theory was used as a tool for decision-making for the planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of 500 social houses across the Philippines. These were erected by the Base Foundation, an initiative supported by the Hilti Foundation, and its partners. In a continuous improvement process, the achievements and learning obtained in the research and implementation were exchanged in feedback loops over a period of 4 years. Sustainability is shown to be a continuous, balancing process that can be used to transparently discuss and evolve a holistic value proposition. Because adequate housing is only one of many components required for sustainable cities and resilient communities, this thesis aims to contribute to holistic integrated projects and policy advocacy.
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19. |
- Mathern, Alexandre, 1986, et al.
(författare)
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Experimental study of time-dependent properties of a low-pH concrete for deposition tunnels
- 2018
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Ingår i: fib Symposium. - 2617-4820. ; , s. 1726-1735
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company developed a method for the final disposal of canisters for spent nuclear fuel in tunnels at depths of about 500 meters. The concept for closure of the deposition tunnels is based on a bentonite seal supported by a spherical concrete dome structure. In order to fulfil the requirements specific to the repository concept, a special mix of low-pH self-compacting concrete was developed. A series of large-scale castings and laboratory tests were conducted to gain experience on this low-pH concrete mix, in conjunction with the full-scale demonstration test of an unreinforced concrete dome plug in the underground hard rock laboratory in Äspö, Sweden. The laboratory tests aimed at studying the creep properties under high sustained compressive stresses of the low-pH concrete mix, its shrinkage properties and the properties of the rock-concrete interface. This paper provides an overview of these tests and analyses the latest results of the recently completed creep tests, which include 6 years of measurements. These results allow to improve understanding of the structural behaviour of the concrete plug and to assess the effects of the very high pressure acting on the plug on its deformations, cracking and water tightness.
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20. |
- Litter, M. I., et al.
(författare)
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Arsenic in Argentina : Occurrence, human health, legislation and determination
- 2019
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Ingår i: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier B.V.. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 676, s. 756-766
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- An overview about the presence of arsenic (As) in groundwaters of Argentina, made by a transdisciplinary group of experts is presented. Aspects on As occurrence, effects of As on human health, regulations regarding the maximum allowable amount of As in drinking water as well as bottled water, and analytical techniques for As determination are presented. The most affected region in Argentina is the Chaco-Pampean plain, covering around 10 million km 2 , where approximately 88% of 86 groundwater samples collected in 2007 exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline value. In the Salí river basin, As concentrations ranged from 11.4 to 1660 μg/L, with 100% of the samples above the WHO guideline value. In the Argentine Altiplano (Puna) and Subandean valleys, 61% of 62 samples collected from surface and groundwaters exceeded the WHO limit. Thus, it can be estimated that, at present, the population at risk in Argentina reaches around four million people. Pathologies derived from the chronic consumption of As, the metabolism of As in the human body and the effects of the different As chemical forms, gathered under the name HACRE (hidroarsenicismo crónico regional endémico in Spanish, for chronic regional endemic hydroarsenicism) are described. Regarding the regulations, the 10 μg/L limit recommended by the WHO and the United States Environmental Protection Agency has been incorporated in the Argentine Food Code, but the application is still on hold. In addition, there is disparity regarding the maximal admitted values in several provinces. Considerations about the As concentrations in bottled water are also presented. A survey indicates that there are several Argentine laboratories with the suitable equipment for As determination at 10 μg/L, although 66% of them are concentrated in Buenos Aires City, and in the Santa Fe, Córdoba and Buenos Aires provinces. Conclusions and recommendations of this first part are provided.
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