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SUSTAINABILITY. What Does it Mean for Civil Engineers? Developed by Yvette Pearson Weatherton, Ph.D., P.E. This work was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation (project no . 0935202). Prioritize alternatives based on resource conservation/waste management hierarchy
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SUSTAINABILITY What Does it Mean for Civil Engineers? Developed by Yvette Pearson Weatherton, Ph.D., P.E. This work was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation (project no. 0935202).
Prioritize alternatives based on resource conservation/waste management hierarchy • Categorize project elements into life cycle stages • Use the Sustainable Design Checklist to compare alternatives Objectives
Meeting today’s needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. (Brundtland Commission, 1987) What is Sustainability?
Renewable Resources • Can be replaced within a few generations • Examples: • Timber • Surface Water • Solar Power • Wind Resources Photo Credit: http://renewables-energy.net
Non-renewable Resources • Can only be replaced on geological time scales • Examples: • Fossil Fuels • Coal • Oil • Natural Gas • Metal Ores • Aluminum • Copper • Iron Resources Photo Credits: www.webmineral.com, www.darvill.clara.net
Why is reuse preferred above recycling? Photo Credit: www.merchantcircle.com
Consider the Following Aluminum is a non-renewable resource. Titanium alloy is created by adding other elements to titanium to improve its properties. Aluminum is more easily recycled than titanium. Titanium is more durable than aluminum. A bicycle manufacturer is considering changing from steel wheel rims to rims made from either aluminum or titanium alloy. From a resource conservation point of view, which alternative would you recommend? Explain your choice. Activity 1: Resources Source: Davis, M. L. and Masten, S. J. (2009). Principles of Environmental Engineering and Science, 2nd edition. McGraw-Hill, Boston.
Design • Material Selection • Site Selection • Construction Life Cycle Stages
Distribution • Operation • Maintenance Life Cycle Stages
Destruction • Disposal Life Cycle Stages
Ground Water Water Treatment Storage Surface Water Wastewater Disposal and Treatment Customer Use Distribution Life Cycle Stages Example: Water Supply and Treatment
Ground Water Water Treatment Storage Surface Water Wastewater Disposal and Treatment Customer Use Distribution Life Cycle Stages Example: Water Supply and Treatment
Ground Water Water Treatment Storage Surface Water Wastewater Reuse (Irrigation) Wastewater Disposal and Treatment Customer Use Distribution Life Cycle Stages Example: Water Supply and Treatment
Ground Water Water Treatment Storage Surface Water Wastewater Reuse (Irrigation) Wastewater Disposal and Treatment Customer Use Distribution Life Cycle Stages Example: Water Supply and Treatment
Energy,equipment, chemicals, etc. Raw wastewater from domestic and industrial sources Treated wastewater to receiving stream Wastewater Treatment Reuse of treated wastewater for irrigation Inputs and Outputsfor a Single Stage
Create three separate headings on your paper, one for each life cycle stage. Consider a highway resurfacing project. • List as many components of the project as you can, placing each under the proper life cycle heading. • Consider the demolition stage. List the inputs and outputs associated with that stage. Activity 2: Life Cycle Stages
Sustainable Design Checklist Alternative Analysis Safety Cost Usefulness/Feasibility Sustainability Other Material Use Energy Use Water Use Solid Waste Generation Emissions Generation Water Pollution Discharges Land Impacts Other