Embodied energy minimisation techniques towards sustainable construction: A case study of Nigerian construction industry
Kabiru Rogo USMAN, Abdulrahman HARUNA, Shamsuddeen USMAN, Ibrahim SHU’AIBU, Abbas USMAN
Abstract. The principle of the embodied energy (EE) has drawn greater attention by various professionals within the construction industry. This is in line with the sustainable development goal (SDG), towards minimisation of environmental footprints caused by construction activities. Thus, a paradigm shift is important in light of the continuous efforts towards embrasing a less embodied energy structures by Nigerian construction professionals. To contribute to the cause for sustainable construction by reducing the EE impacts, this study investigates the EE minimisation techniques in the Nigerian construction industry. This prompt the identification of numerous EE minimisation techniques from literatures from four categories consisting of design, material management, manufacturing and policy makers’ considerations. Subsequently, a questionnaire survey consisting of 105 was conducted to gather insight from the Nigerian construction processionals. The findings indicate that design for deconstruction and selecting low embodied energy material are the most significant design factors towards achieving building with low embodied energy. The material management factors are: using energy efficient material, substitution for bio-based material and distance in transporting material.
Keywords
Energy Minimisation, Embodied Energy, Nigerian Construction Industry, Sustainable Construction
Published online 2/25/2025, 11 pages
Copyright © 2025 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA
Citation: Kabiru Rogo USMAN, Abdulrahman HARUNA, Shamsuddeen USMAN, Ibrahim SHU’AIBU, Abbas USMAN, Embodied energy minimisation techniques towards sustainable construction: A case study of Nigerian construction industry, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 48, pp 1244-1254, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644903414-133
The article was published as article 133 of the book Civil and Environmental Engineering for Resilient, Smart and Sustainable Solutions
Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
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