TRY

36





RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1Introduction

Thischapterwilldiscusson the research methodology used to
analyzeandevaluatethesubjectmatters.Thematterscoveredinthe
researchmethodologyincludetheproceduresincollectingdataand
analysis procedures. As a result, the comparative analysis of
embodiedenergyvaluecalculationdatawillbeconductedbaseon
thedatagiveninLifeCycleAssessment(LCA)inascopeofMalaysia.
Thevariableswillbeintheform ofmaterialsusedinbuildingstructure
andfaçadeenvelopebyusingtheauthorproposedbuildingdesign.
A3DmodelinSketchUpModelingwillbeconductedtoanalyzethe
functionality ofthe materials.The resultofthe variableswillbe
compared to find outwhichmaterialshave the lowestembodied
energyvalue.

3.2ResearchOperationalFramework

Thetheoreticalframeworkwillbeaguidelinefortheresearchwhich
followsbythemethodologicalframeworktoconductresearchstudy
asshown in figure 3.2. The data collection willinvolvesspecific
instruments such as content from theoretical literature study,
qualitativeandquantitativeresearch.Thecollecteddatathenwillbe
review and analyze asto generate the design strategiesto the
subjectmatter.Allofthecollected data and data analysiswillbe
elaborate in chapter4.Finally,the conclusion and suggestion for
researchstudywillbediscussedinthechapter5.

3.3ResearchMethod

In orderto furtherexplore the potentialofreuse and recycle
materialsasbuilding materialalternative towardslow embodied
energy building,a data analysiswilloutlinesthe measuresand
methodsextractedfrom datacollection.Toachievetheobjectivesof
theresearch,aresearchquestionisconductedwherethemethods
comprisedofthreetaskshadbeendevelopedasshownintable3.3.
Above all,the fundamentalideas are to fully understand the
objectivesandconnectittowardsthedataprocessinglatertowards
the discussion in Chapter5.Furtherdiscussion willinclude the
breakdown between the chosen case studies and the data
collectionandanalysisapproachtowardstheresearchmatters.

39

Figure3.1:ResearchFramework(Author,2018)
40

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Table3.1:Summaryofresearchobjectives,researchquestions,
principlestheories,instrumentstoolsanddataanalysis.(Author,2018)
41

3.4DataCollectionProcedure

Throughout the research, the data are collected through
qualitativeand quantitativemethod wherethedata iscarried out
throughprimaryandsecondarysource.Theprimarysourceofdatais
developedbasedontheobservationonsiteandmaterialresources
locationaswellasanalyzesabandonedbuildingwithinproposedsite
areaandafew casestudyanalysis.Throughtheobservationonsite,
materialresourceslocationandanalyzesofabandonedbuilding,this
method help to identifythe data contribute in embodied energy
calculationsuchasmaterialtransportationdistance and materials
potentialinlowerdownembodiedenergyvalue.

Meanwhile,thesecondarysourceofdata used inthestudyare
literature review,journals,booksand building case studywhere the
sourcesmaysupportingtheresearchquestionandmaybecomeone
oftoolstocreatedesignstrategiesand actasresearchevidence.
Throughoutthe study,a quantitative method is applied where
comparativeanalysiscalculationofembodiedenergyisconducted
to evaluate the value ofembodied energyconsumption through
comparisonstudybetweentheapplicationofconventionalmaterial
and reuse and recycle materialin orderto achieve the research
question.

3.5ComparativeAnalysisMethodology
3.5.1BuildingModelDescription

In orderto conductcomparative analysisofembodied energy
value,a modelofa buildingdesignbyauthorisused.Thetypeof
building conducted for this comparative analysis study is an
educationandtrainingcentrefor3RIskandar.Therearetwovariable
ofdifferentmaterialapplicationonbuildingdesign.VariableAisusing
conventional building material such as concrete and steel
reinforcement,claybricks,glass,aluminium andtimber.VariableBis
using reused and recycle materialfrom demolition waste such as
recycle concrete and steelreinforcement,reused steelstructural
member,recycleglassandreusedplywood,timberwindow frame.
Bothvariablesareusingpostandbeam steelstructuralsystem with
steelframingroofsystem aswellasusethesamefoundationmethod
whichare constructed from pre-castreinforced concrete pile with
pilecapsandusingnonloadbearingwallsystem.

42

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Figure3.2:GroundFloorPlan(Author,2018)
Figure3.3:FirstFloorPlan(Author,2018)

Figure3.4:SecondFloorPlan(Author,2018)
43

Figure3.5:Sectionoftargetedarea(Author,2018)

Figure3.6:SketchUp3Dmodeloftargetedarea(Author,2018)
Figure 3.2 –3.5 show the targeted area ofembodied energy
calculationtakesplace.Thechosenareaisasemi-publicareawhere
itcanbe used byschoolclasses,universitiesstudentand general
public which are dependson program conducted byclient.The
spacesareaconsistofcompostingworkshop,fertilizerroom,steeland
carpentryworkshop,computerlab,discussionarea and greenroof
balcony.Thetotalgrossfloorarea(GFA)is396squaremeter.

44

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.5.2VariableA –ConventionalBuildingMaterial

Forvariable A,the building is constructby using reinforced
concrete structure which are made by 3 majorcomponents;
formwork,concreteandsteelreinforcement.Thebuildingfoundation
isconstructbyusingpre-castreinforcedconcretepile.Thereinforced
concreteascolumnwithclaybrickaswallwithcementsandplaster
whereastheroofismadeofbysteelstructurecovered withmetal
decking roofcover.Forwindowsand doorsframe are made of
aluminium frame.Glasswindowsare4mm thickclearfloatglassand
floorfinishesaremadeoffrom ceramictilesandcementrendering.

3.5.3 VariableB –ReuseandRecycleMaterial

ForvariableB,thebuildingisconstructbyusingreinforcedconcrete
floorslab which are made by3majorcomponents;reused steel
formwork,concrete and reused steelreinforcement.The building
foundationisconstructbyusingpre-castreinforcedconcretepile.The
wallsarefrom reusedpetbottlebrickwithcementsandplasteron
bothsideswhereastheroofsstructuresarefrom recyclesteelstructure
coveredwithmetaldeckingroofcover.Forwindowsanddoorsframe
are made ofreclaimed timberframe and glasswallsfacade are
madefrom recycleglassbottle.

3.5.4EmbodiedEnergyAnalysisMethod

The embodied energy ofvariable A and variable B willbe
estimated byenteringtheweightand quantitiesofeachmaterials
and construction component.Asexample quantitiesofstructural
system,brickwallscomponentsand façade.Those quantitiesare
taken in the principle dimension which isin persquare meter.
Quantitiesarethenwillbeconvertedintomassofeachmaterialby
multiplying the densityofmaterial.The totalembodied energyof
eachmaterialisobtainedbymultiplyingthemassofmaterialwiththe
energycoefficient(MJ/kg)wherethedata ofenergycoefficientis
retrievefrom LifeCycleAssessmentToolsforMalaysia.Thecalculation
ofembodied energy isdivided by fourcomponentswhich are
structuralsystem,groundfloorarea,firstfloorareaandsecondfloor
areaasitiseasiertoidentifywhichcomponenthassignificantresults
in reducing embodied energy. Below is the example of the
calculationcarriedouttofindoutthetotalembodiedenergyvalueof
materials.

45

Table3.2:ExampleofEmbodiedEnergyValueCalculationof
VariableA(Author,2018)

3.5.5PotentialMaterialResources
LocationMapping

Inorderto calculate a totalembodied energyofa material,a
location ofmaterialresourcesisneeded asto identifythe travel
distance between the materialresourcesand proposed site.The
method oflocation mapping isthrough observation and informal
interview with materialsupplier.With the resultsoftotalmassof
materialcarriedoutinembodiedenergyanalysismethod,atypeof
transportation can be decided and how much tripsrequired in
transportingthematerialstotheproposedsite.

3.6 SummaryandConclusion

Therearevariouspotentialreuseandrecyclematerialcanbeused
asbuildingcomponents.Thisresearchmethodhelpstheresearcher
tostructureandorganizetheresearchaccordingtotheprocessto
the end ofthe chapter.The qualitative and quantitative ofdata
collectionfrom theresearchwillhelptoidentifytheissues,thefindings
and suggestion to the design thesisand willbecome partofthe
supportivespecialstudyforthedesignthesis.

46





RESULTSAND DISCUSSION

4.1Introduction

Thischapterwillshow theresultsofthecomparativeanalysisoftotal
embodied energyvalue betweenthe applicationofconventional
building materialand reuse and recycle building material.As
described in chapter3,the calculation data willbe conducted
basedonthedatagiveninLifeCycleAssessmentMalaysia(LCA)ina
scopeofMalaysia.Theselectedmaterialsareaccordingtoresources
hierarchywherethefirstoptionisreusematerialoverrecyclematerial
asmodifying materialresourcesmay lead to additionalenergy
require.Attheendofthischapter,theresultofcomparisonanalysis
willbe compared and evaluated to identify the mostpotential
buildingmaterialsinreducingembodiedenergy.

4.2MappingofPotentialMaterialResources

Inordertoidentifytheembodiedenergyofmaterialtransportation,
themappingofpotentialmaterialresourcesisrequiredastoidentify
distance and type oftransportationisused.The propose site ofthe
building designbyauthorislocated atJalanGertakMerah,Johor
Bahru.Hence,themappingofpotentialmaterialresourcesneedsto
bewithinthearea.Throughobservationand sitevisit,a numberof
potentialresourceshavebeenidentifiedasbeingavailablewithinthe
area.Table4.1showsthemappingofpotentialresourceswhichhas
beencategoriesaccordingtotheresourceshierarchy.

Table4.1:Themappingofpotentialresourceswithintheareaof
proposesite.(Author,2018)

49



RESULTSAND DISCUSSION

ResourcesLocation :TES-AMM (Malaysia)SdnBhd,PasirGudang

Distance :23km

TypeofTransportation:DieselLorry35tan

Materials :Recyclesteelbeam,concrete,roofframing

Trips :2Trips

4.3 BuildingComponentBreakdown
4.3.1 StructuralSystem

Figure4.3:Structuralsystem diagram oftargetedarea(Author,2018)

BothvariableAandvariableBareusingthesamestructuralsystem
which are using postand beam steelstructuralsystem and steel
framingroofsystem.Thedifferenceswithbothvariablesaretypeof
steelused.VariableA isusingvirginsteelstructuralsystem whereas
variableBusingrecyclessteelstructuralsystem.

51

4.3.2MaterialsBreakdown

Forthis research,there are three componentare involve in
embodied energycalculationwhicharedoorsand windows,walls
andfaçade.ForvariableA,allthematerialsinvolveareconventional
materialssuchasclaybrickwall,virginglasswindow,virginaluminium
windowsframeandtimberfaçade.Onthecontrary,variableA are
usingreuseandrecyclematerialssuchasrecyclesteel,glassbottleas
partofwallsystem andnew approachhasbeenintroducedwhichis
useapetbottleasasubstitutetoclaybrick.

Figure4.4:Materialsbreakdownofcomponentinvolveinembodied
energycalculation(Author,2018)

52

RESULTSAND DISCUSSION

Table4.2:Buildingcomponentmaterialbreakdownspecificationandits
strategy(Author,2018)

53

4.4ComparativeAnalysisCalculation
4.4.1EmbodiedEnergyValueperkg

Table4.3:EmbodiedEnergyvalueMJ/kg(LCAMalaysia,2018)

Table4.3showsembodiedenergycoefficient(MJ/kg)ofmaterials
usedincomparativeanalysiscalculationwhichisretrievedfrom Life
CycleAssessmentAnalysisToolsMalaysia.

4.4.2 EmbodiedEnergy–StructuralSystem

Table4.4:Structuralsystem totalmass(kg)(Author,2018)

54

RESULTSAND DISCUSSION

4.4.2.1VariableA:ConventionalMaterial

Table4.5:VariableATotalEmbodiedEnergyvalueMJ/kg

4.4.2.2VariableB:RecycleandReuseMaterial

Table4.6:VariableBTotalEmbodiedEnergyvalueMJ/kg

4.4.2 EmbodiedEnergy–StructuralSystem

Figure4.5:Comparisonoftotalembodiedenergy
betweenbothvariables

Accordingtotable4.5,energycoefficientofvirginsteelis35MJ/kg
whilerecyclesteelis17MJ/kg.Itshowsthattheenergycoefficientof
recyclesteelisahalflowerthanvirginsteel.Basedonfigure4.5,50%
ofembodied energy structuralsystem can be reduced by using
recyclessteel.
55

4.4.3EmbodiedEnergy-GroundFloorLevel

Table4.7:Groundfloorlevelbuildingmaterialstotalmass(kg)

4.4.3.1VariableA:ConventionalMaterial

Table4.8:VariableATotalEmbodiedEnergyvalueMJ/kg

4.4.3.2VariableB:RecycleandReuseMaterial

Table4.9:VariableBTotalEmbodiedEnergyvalueMJ/kg

56

RESULTSAND DISCUSSION

4.4.3.3ResultSummary

Figure4.6:Comparisonoftotalembodiedenergybetweenboth
variables

According to figure 4.6,there isa significantdifference between
variableAandvariableBwheretotalembodiedenergyofvariableA
isextremelyhigherthanvariableB.Itisbecause,theuseofclaybrick
asawallcomponentinvariableAcontributealargeamountintotal
embodiedenergy.Energycoefficientofclaybrickis2.5MJ/kgwhich
iscanbereducebysubstitutetheuseofclaybrickwithpetbottleas
awallcomponent.Besides,thesecondlargestnumbercontributein
totalembodied energy is aluminium frame where its energy
coefficientis30MJ/kg.

4.4.4EmbodiedEnergy-FirstFloorLevel

Table4.10:Firstfloorlevelbuildingmaterialstotalmass(kg)

57

4.4.4.1VariableA:ConventionalMaterial

Table4.11:VariableATotalEmbodiedEnergyvalueMJ/kg

4.4.4.2VariableB:RecycleandReuseMaterial

Table4.12:VariableBTotalEmbodiedEnergyvalueMJ/kg
58

RESULTSAND DISCUSSION

4.4.4.3ResultSummary

Figure4.6:Comparisonoftotalembodiedenergybetweenboth
variables

AccordingtotheresultoftotalembodiedenergyofvariableAand
variableBintable4.13andtable4.14,therewas65.9% reductionof
embodied energyvalue byusing reuse and recycle material.The
applicationofrecyclealuminium frameisthehighestcontributionin
embodied energy reduction where itsenergy coefficientisonly
8.1(MJ/kg)while virgin aluminium frame energy coefficientis30
(MJ/kg).

4.4.5 EmbodiedEnergy-SecondFloorLevel

Table4.13:Groundfloorplanbuildingmaterialstotalmass(kg)

59

4.4.5.1 VariableA:ConventionalMaterial

Table4.14:VariableATotalEmbodiedEnergyvalueMJ/kg

4.4.5.2 VariableB:RecycleandReuseMaterial

Table4.15:VariableBTotalEmbodiedEnergyvalueMJ/kg

4.4.5.3 ResultSummary

Accordingtograph4.4.6.3,totalembodiedenergyofvariableAis
extremelyhigherthanvariableB.Itisbecauseoftheuseofclaybrick
aswallcomponentsinvariableA contributealargeamountintotal
embodiedenergy.

60

RESULTSAND DISCUSSION

4.5AnalysisResultsandSummary

Table4.16:Totalembodiedenergybetweenbothvariables
Table 4.18 shows the totalofembodied energy ofallarea
components where total embodied energy of variable A is
significantly higherthan totalembodied energy variable B.The
embodiedenergyofvariableA structuralsystem ishighduetothe
usageofvirginsteelwhereitsenergycoefficientishigh(35MJ/kg).By
using recyclesteel,theembodied energycanreduced up to50%
reductionwhereitsenergycoefficientisonly17MJ/kg.
Besides,clay bricksare the second highestcontribution in total
embodiedenergywhereitsenergycoefficientis2.5MJ/kg.Byusing
petbottleasasubstituteofclaybrick,thetotalofembodiedenergy
can be reduced up to 80% reduction from wallcomponent.In
addition,the application ofrecycle aluminium frame aswellas
reclaimedtimberframealsocontributesinreducingtotalembodied
energy.

Figure4.9:Comparisonoftotalembodiedenergybetweenboth
variables

61

Figure4.9showsthecomparisonresultoftotal
embodied energy ofboth variableswhere
51.92% oftotalembodied energy can be
reducedbyusingreuseandrecyclematerials.
Therefore,itis proven thatthis study has
successfullydemonstrated the applicationof
reuse and recycles materials towards low
embodied energy approach could reduce
50% oftotalembodiedenergyascompared
toconventionalbuildingmaterials.

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CONCLUSIONS& RECOMMENDATION

5.1Introduction

Thischapterwillshow theconclusionoftheresearchwhichanswer
theresearchobjectivequestionandrespondtotheresearchaim as
stated inchapter1.The researchobjective and related studyhas
beendiscussed withinchapter2and chapter4.Attheend ofthis
chapter, the research study limitations are stated for future
recommendationresearch.

5.2Conclusion

The aim ofthe research is to derive strategies ofreducing
embodied energy in building materialand design through the
potentialofreuseandrecyclematerialforarchitecturalapplication.
Thefollowingsub-chapterwillconcludethefindingsandresultofthe
research.Theaim highlightedthreeresearchobjectiveswhichare;to
identifythepotentialandtypesofreuseandrecyclematerialsuitable
forarchitecturalapplication,to analyze the strategiesofreducing
embodiedenergyinbuildingproductionsthroughtheapplicationof
reuseandrecyclematerial,andtoevaluatethevalueofembodied
energy consumption through comparison study between the
applicationofconventionalmaterialandreuseandrecyclematerial.

5.2.1 PotentialandTypesofRecycleandReuse
Material

Theresearchobjective1istoidentifythepotentialand typesof
reuse and recycle materialsuitable forarchitecturalapplication.
Based on the literature review in chapter2,severalstudieshas
suggested thatthe application ofreuse and recycle materialas
building materialhas given positive potentialthrough different
aspects.Thepotentialcanbeseeninenhancingthesustainabilityof
theconstructionindustrywherethecostcanbereduceandreduce
the demand ofvirginand naturalresources.Notonlythe need of
naturalresourcescanbelessen,butwiththeincreasedemand of
usingreuseandrecyclematerialsasbuildingmaterials,itwillproviding
solutionstoenvironmentalpollutionandreducethenumberofwaste
generation.

65

Inaddition,literature review inchapter2also hasdiscussed the
types ofreuse and recycles materialsuitable forarchitectural
application.Therearevariouswayswhererecycleandreusematerial
canbe employed inarchitecturalapplication.Forinstance,waste
materialfrom buildingdemolitioncanbereuseandrecyclesuchas
steelstructure,aluminium and timber.Beside,wastematerialsfrom
domesticwastealsohaveagreatpotentialasbuildingmaterial.This
matterhasalsobeendiscussedinchapter4.Allthesematerialshave
anaesthetic value and designopportunitieswhichare unique and
the resultsofapplication cannotbe obtained with the use of
conventionalmaterials.

Ontopofthat,thereareseveralexamplesofinnovativeapproach
toreuseandrecyclematerialsinarchitecturalapplicationwhichhas
been discussed in chapter2 and applied in comparison analysis
reportinchapter4.A few ofbuildingcasestudyofusingreuseand
recyclematerialastheirconstructionmaterialhasbeendiscussedin
chapter2.These case studieshave successfullydemonstrated the
potentialandpossibilitiesofreuseandrecyclematerial.

66

CONCLUSIONS& RECOMMENDATION

5.2.2 EmbodiedEnergyinBuildingMaterials

The research objective 2isto analyze the strategiesofreducing
embodiedenergyinbuildingproductionsthroughtheapplicationof
reuse and recycle material.Based on literature review and case
studiesdiscussed inchapter2,a studymodelhasbeendeveloped
and adopted the designstrategiesofreducing embodied energy
throughtheapplicationofreuseandrecyclematerial.Inchapter3,
based on comparison analysisresult,Variable B showsa highest
reduction ofembodied energyofa building byusing reuse and
recyclesasbuildingmaterial.Afewstrategieshadbeendevelopedin
reducingembodiedenergysuchassubstitutionofclaybrickwithpet
bottle.

According to life cycle assessment Malaysia (LCA), energy
coefficientofclaybrickis2.5MJ/kg,whereasbyusingpetbottlebrick,
energy coefficient can be reduced up to 0.2MJ/kg.Besides,
substitutionofvirginsteelstructuretorecyclesteelstructureplaysa
majorroleinreducingembodiedenergy.Energycoefficientofvirgin
steelishigherthanrecyclesteelwhichis35MJ/kgreducedto17MJ/kg
respectively.50%ofembodiedenergyfrom structuralsystem canbe
reduced byusing recycle steelstructure.Steeland aluminium are
highlyrecyclable and reusable whichatthe same time provide for
easerecyclinganddisassembly.

Apartofmaterialschosen,materialsavailabilityandlocalityplaysa
role in reducing embodied energy.In chapter4,a mapping of
potentialmaterialresourceswithintheproposedsitehasbeendone
asone ofthe strategiesinreducing embodied energybyreducing
transportationenergy.Asa result,byadopting variousstrategiesin
reducing embodied energy in building productionsthrough the
applicationofreuseandrecyclematerial,atotalembodiedenergy
ofabuildingcanbereduced.

67



















APPENDIX

DESIGN PROPOSAL:
PERSPECTIVEVIEW FROM JALAN GERTAK MERAK,
JOHOR BAHRU



APPENDIX

DESIGN PROPOSAL:
PERSPECTIVEVIEW TOWARDSRECYCLEPLAZA









FINALTHESISASSESSMENTPRESENTATION
WORKING MODELPROCESS

AUTOGRAPH