Masters' fund projects: 21-22
Case studies from the work our students do through the Built Environment Innovation Masters Fund.
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University of Dundee’s Abigail Burrows worked with Aberdeen City Council (ACC) to uncover insights into deploying low carbon technologies from a local planning authority. This represents a step forward in producing efficient implementation nationwide.
Background
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2019 has set a target for Scotland to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2045. A significant proportion of greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland results from the energy consumed in buildings. This research project investigated the application of low and zero carbon generating technologies (LZCGT) within Scotland, particularly in new developments.
Abigail worked in collaboration with Aberdeen City Council (ACC), which is responsible for approving development project applications and constructing policies for the inclusion of LZCGT and one of 32 local authorities in Scotland. They were chosen as they would be able to offer insight into how LZCGT is applied in new development projects. As ACC construct the policies that guide developments and determine requirements for incorporating LZCGT in new developments, they made up a major component of this research.
Innovation
The research project investigated the disparity among policy goals and implementation of solutions, a potential barrier to attainment of Scotland’s net zero targets. Through increased understandings of the barriers impeding effective application of Section 3F policies in increasing the rollout of LZCGT in new developments, the role of planning policy can be better utilized to secure more efficiency in the incorporation of LZCGT. This has direct implications for the construction industry, as developers in Aberdeen operate in compliance with ACC policy.
Impact
Abigail’s research demonstrated the necessity of LZCGT in the pursuit of the LCT and Scotland’s net zero targets. The availability of LZCGT is demonstrated to be increasing, offering more mechanisms for reducing the CO2 emissions of new developments. Ensuring planning policy is utilised to effectively instigate efficient rollout of LZCGT is vital to harnessing the benefits of these technologies.
The research concluded that more policy for LZCGT in new developments is needed in the pursuit of Scotland’s net zero targets. Combatting the various barriers identified will be paramount to delivering policy that effectively promotes uptake of LZCGT. This implores investigation of the areas of opportunity such as education of planners and policymakers, policy construction, and developer requirements.
Partners
Aberdeen City Council
University of Dundee
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Andrew Shields, UWS worked with Balfour Beatty to offer a new perspective to analyse the data as a member of the construction industry – research rarely conducted from construction itself.
Background
The construction industry faces many challenges, including the issue of fire safety installation. It is crucial to address this problem as it can cause significant damage and even loss of life. Therefore, Andrew conducted research to investigate the history and problems of fire safety installation in the construction industry, to analyse fire installation data provided by a construction company, to provide a method to improve installation, and to gain insights into statements made on fire safety installation from the construction industry.
Innovation
This project provides a new perspective to analyse the data as a member of the construction industry, which is rarely conducted within construction itself. It provides a background to fire installation in the UK and aims to produce a solution to analyse data provided by a large construction company. This may be used by any relevant member in the industry to analyse their own data in a new way and to improve their outcomes in terms of fire safety faults and subsequently project cost.
The benefits of this project directly related to the industry partner are the analysis of company data of the top fire safety issues facing the company. The analysis and framework provided can then be used or developed further with more company insight or research to address multiple stages of construction involved, including procurement, design, and operation. The framework covers several aspects of installation issues, and if issues were addressed in a methodical manner presented in the framework, future projects involving the industry partner would be more effective in preventing fire safety installation problems, resulting in reduced costs of potential retrofit and chance of fire safety inspection failure.
The benefit to the wider construction market is the same principle of using the framework, reworking it for specific company data and circumstances, and then testing or using it in real projects to help prevent fire safety installation problems.
Impact
This project addresses an important issue in the construction industry, namely fire safety installation, and provides a new perspective to analyse the data. It offers a framework that can be adapted and used in future projects to help prevent fire safety installation problems, ultimately improving project outcomes and reducing costs.
Partners
Balfour Beatty
University of the West of Scotland
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Timber fabrication company Roubo teamed up with RGU’s Conner Midwood for help scoping out a new process using robotics.
Background
This research focused on the housing shortage in Scotland and how design for manufacture and assembly can tackle issues involving housing supply, material waste, build time, and energy efficiency.
To tackle this, Conner Midwood investigated the design of an adaptable timber joint system for prefabricated Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) panels that could be produced through robotic fabrication and assembled on-site without external fixing components. Computational design methods were used to create a parametric model of the joint system, enabling mass customization and easy project integration. Roubo Ltd, a robotic timber fabrication company, provided valuable research support and are providing the opportunity to robotically manufacture the panels using a 6-axis CNC milling machine for testing.
Innovation
The study established key design rules for the timber joint design by examining existing timber joints commonly used within timber construction and traditional carpentry.
The design criterion established the outlining goals for the new joint system, including the joint's strength, adaptability for cross laminated kit home designs, no impact on the building's interior, no need for external connecting brackets or adhesives, and the design must take into account the building's operational energy efficiency while allowing for easy panel assembly on-site.
A parametrical model of the CLT corner joint was digitally replicated within Rhino Grasshopper, allowing for the creation of a timber joint design that could be adapted for various design requirements and fully customizable. A generative digital design model was also explored to create a program that could produce a variety of floor plans for the timber home designs using a user-determined set of parameters. Additionally, a grasshopper plugin was applied within the design to investigate the application of a Timber Folded Plate system for the roof structure as an alternative design feature.
Impact
The adaptable timber joint system designed in this thesis investigation could provide a solution to the housing shortage in Scotland by offering a more sustainable and efficient method of construction. The use of digital design and robotic fabrication methods can ensure mass customization and reduce material waste, while the joint's design considers the building's energy efficiency and ease of assembly on-site. The project's successful completion can potentially lead to the robotic manufacturing of CLT panels and the adoption of the adaptable timber joint system in the construction industry.
Partner
Roubo Ltd
Robert Gordon University
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David McCall found that CLT outperforms LTF in terms of time and environmental impact, but is more expensive, in research with CALA Homes and University of the West of Scotland.
Background
In the UK, the demand for housing exceeds the current supply, and the government has adopted legislation to increase sustainability in the construction industry. The construction sector is encouraged to adopt more environmentally friendly construction materials and methods. Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) is gaining prominence as an engineered timber product that emits less carbon than the current methods used in the residential sector.
Innovation
Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) as an alternative to Lightweight Timber Frame (LTF) construction for low-rise buildings in Scotland is a topic of growing interest, especially as sustainability within the construction industry is being encouraged. The dissertation determined the feasibility of using CLT instead of LTF, examining the properties of each construction method, availability of the products in the UK, and cost, time, and environmental impact. The study found that CLT properties were equal or greater than LTF, but availability of suppliers was an issue.
CLT outperformed LTF in terms of time and environmental impact, but it was substantially more expensive. While CLT could be a feasible alternative, it is not recommended for commercial use in low-rise construction at this time.
Impact
The benefits of completing this project include providing an understanding of CLT as a construction material from an engineering perspective in comparison to LTF, providing an understanding of the manufacturing, transport, and construction processes for both CLT and LTF, highlighting the positive environmental impact that CLT could provide, and showing how CLT compares to LTF in terms of cost and time aspects. This project will benefit the wider Scottish construction market as it answers questions companies, including CALA, have on how CLT could be used in low-rise structures and if the benefits of CLT outweigh the disadvantages.
Partners
CALA Homes
University of the West of Scotland
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David Webb, Edinburgh Napier University conducted research on what would be first for Scotland, finding useful data to encourage the use of a new panel system with EcoCocon.
Background
As the ecological emergency accelerates, the construction industry contributes 38% of yearly carbon emissions and a significant proportion of waste to landfill, much of which is toxic. Policymakers are now seeking to reduce the ecological impact of the built environment and require robust data to inform decision-making. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a methodology for establishing environmental impacts of products or processes over their whole lifespan. Bio-based materials offer an attractive solution for reducing the ecological impact of construction. The project involved undertaking an LCA of a timber-straw bio-based panel product from EcoCocon for use in Scotland. By increasing knowledge about the environmental footprints of lower embodied carbon bio-based products, better decisions can be made.
Innovation
The straw-based panel is yet to be used in Scotland, but has huge potential thanks to Scotland's experience with timber kit construction techniques. Government and industry are seeking low embodied carbon solutions, which straw-based panels offer.
The project produced an LCA study of a timber-straw prefabricated panel from EcoCocon. The LCA highlighted 'hotspots' in the footprints of the product allowing recommendations to be made for improvement and examined the impact of large travel distances on the ecological benefits of using bio-based products. The project also aims to contribute to the discussion in Scotland around low-carbon construction materials and systems.
Impact
The project provided useful data to encourage the use of the panel system in Scotland, helping to promote low-carbon solutions that utilize skills already present within the Scottish market. However, the project concludes that much of the ecological benefit from the panel is lost when transporting over large distances from Eastern Europe. Material sourcing and production close to the construction site are key components in lowering embodied emissions of construction and for bio-based products in particular. The project concludes that due to their higher average mass per unit area, bio-based products are particularly sensitive to emissions from transport, especially when compared to lighter, conventional wall systems. Under certain scenarios explored in the project, conventional insulating materials produced from petroleum-based products performed better across some impact categories, highlighting a disadvantage of high mass bio-based products.
Partners
EcoCocon
Edinburgh Napier University
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A case study investigation of the variables associated with the generation of embodied carbon during the infrastructure and master planning stages of new-build residential developments.
Background
The aim of this study is to identify and analyze the generation of embodied carbon during the planning and construction of new-build residential infrastructure. The investigation further identified and evaluated the limitations currently affecting embodied carbon reductions within the construction industry. The study conducted a critical analysis of quantitative data to conduct embodied carbon calculations to identify and discuss highly carbon emitting processes. The investigation used a recently completed residential development as a case study to acquire and conduct a comprehensive analysis of the embodied carbon generated on-site.
Innovation
The research has contributed to the construction sector through the identification that a number of variables are required to generate large embodied carbon reductions. Although the implementation of sustainable materials was previously known to provide embodied carbon savings, the likelihood of these materials being used was identified to be worthless without awareness of issues affecting embodied carbon. The study identifies the importance of developing awareness within the sector so that more professionals promote embodied carbon saving strategies. The strategies within the research paper are likely to become more common within practice throughout future years.
Raising awareness of the severity of neglecting embodied carbon will be conveyed during the research project. Due to the increasing legislation and government standards, the construction industry, as well as construction organizations, will likely face pressure to reduce embodied carbon generated on-site during the development of new residential developments. Although tough legislative measures have been set for operational carbon, embodied carbon is now the focus of attention and will be of high priority for the government to target. Due to company policies, raising awareness and adapting to new legislative measures will prove to become detrimental to construction organizations aiming to become more sustainable. For organizations that identify and implement embodied carbon savings at the earliest point of construction will likely gain industry gratification and valuable statistical data which could be used for marketing campaigns. CALA Homes provided documentation regarding one of their residential developments, which allowed the embodied carbon generated during that project to be determined. A summer placement of 3-months was also provided in which Ianna researched sustainability considerations currently affecting the residential construction sector. The work Ianna completed for CALA homes aided in her dissertation findings.
Impact
6% reduction in embodied carbon by adapting site layout which reduced hard surfaces through the implementation of a one-way system. No effect on the amount of completed units within the site.
4% reduction in embodied carbon through the use of sustainable materials. This could’ve been higher if the development site was situated closer to suppliers.
Education, regulation, green machinery, promotion of LCA methods, Government grants, increased availability of sustainable materials, reduced cost of sustainable materials and extensive manufacturers carbon data are all required should embodied carbon be reduced.
Partner
CALA Homes
Robert Gordon University
BE-ST
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Jack Sampson explored the strength of steel circular hollow columns under blast and debris impact with University of Dundee and Thornton Tomasetti.
Background
Steel circular hollow columns have been widely used in the construction industry for their strength, durability, and cost-effectiveness. They provide support and structural integrity to buildings, bridges, and offshore jacket platforms. However, they are also vulnerable to blast and impact loading that can occur from accidental and deliberate events. These events can have significant human impacts, making it essential to minimize the damage caused by blast and impact loading to the structural members.
Innovation
The objective of this research project is to investigate the importance of the post-blast transverse impact of structural debris to the survivability of steel circular hollow columns subject to blast loading. A finite element model will be formulated using the finite element analysis software ABAQUS and validated against experimental test data. A concrete masonry block will be modeled within the analysis to apply the debris impact to the model. A parametric study will then be conducted to identify the parameters that influence the column the most to generate conclusions and recommendations to help mitigate the damage caused to such column elements from blast and debris impact.
Impact
The results of the research project showed that the axial load carrying capacity of cylindrical hollow steel columns is lessened when subject to blast loading and blast and impact loading. The effects of cross-sectional geometry, the distance between impact block and the column, and the impact velocity all have a significant effect on the response of the column.
Steel circular hollow columns are widely used in the construction industry for their strength, durability, and cost-effectiveness. However, they are vulnerable to blast and impact loading that can occur from accidental and deliberate events. The research project investigated the importance of the post-blast transverse impact of structural debris to the survivability of steel circular hollow columns subject to blast loading. The results of the research project showed that the axial load carrying capacity of cylindrical hollow steel columns is lessened when subject to blast loading and blast and impact loading. The effects of cross-sectional geometry, the distance between impact block and the column, and the impact velocity all have a significant effect on the response of the column. These results can be used to generate recommendations to mitigate the damage caused by blast and debris impact to steel circular hollow columns.
Partners
University of Dundee
Thornton Tomasetti