MODIFICATION OF BUILDING ENVELOPE MATERIALS TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION : A CASE STUDY OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION BUILDING.

Abstract

            This research studied the amount of greenhouse gas emissions concerning the building envelope of educational institutes under the Office of the Vocational Education Commission (VEC) from the standard model in order to find ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by comparing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions by conducting building envelope material modification  which meets the minimum energy efficiency criteria for office buildings and educational institutions (Building Energy Code (BEC)). In which the Overall Thermal Transfer Value (OTTV) of the walls did not exceed 50 watt/sq.m. (W/m²) in addition, the Roof Thermal Transfer Value (RTTV) was not more than 15 watt/sq.m. (W/m²).  The numbers were calculated using BEC v.1.0.6 program consisting of opaque walls, transparent walls and roof adopted for calculating the amount of greenhouse gas emissions to be in the unit of kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent (kgCO₂eq) by applying Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) which is the analyzing tool for environmental impact of buildings. In this research, SimaPro 9.1.1 program was used by IPCC 2013 GWP 100a V1.03 assessment method. The scope of the study was Cradle to gate, considering the acquisition of construction materials and also transport to the construction site. This excluded the building construction process.

            From the result of the study considering greenhouse gas emissions by Academic Resource Building envelope before the modification, the total greenhouse gas emission of the entire Academic Resource Building envelope was 51,197.99 kgCO₂eq, of which half-panel brick walls accounted for the highest emissions more than 33.48%, followed by the gas emission from roof at 26.35%, the reinforced concrete column represented 21.08%, the reinforced concrete beam represented 12.74% and the Clear Float Glass 5 mm. showed up at 6.36%, respectively. From the study of the amount of greenhouse gas emissions over modifying the building envelope materials that meet the BEC of education building. It was found that the opaque wall consisted of concrete hollow block wall+ fiberglass insulation + gypsum board. The transparent wall material was Dark Coolgray Float Glass 5 mm. and the roof material is the roof with the addition of fiberglass insulation, density of 32 Kg/m³, thickness of 25 mm. which reduces greenhouse gas emissions at the highest amount. After the modification the OTTV was 34.471 W/m² and the RTTV was at 13.276 W/m²

            In summary, it was found that the entire building envelope after the modification reduced greenhouse gas emissions for 1,168.63 kgCO₂eq. In case of considering the amount of greenhouse gas decrease from all vocational education institutions throughout Thailand. The greenhouse gas reduction would count up to 1,068,127.82 kgCO₂eq. Consequently, the alternative building envelope materials will need to meet the BEC criteria and also should study further about the amount of greenhouse gas emissions in order to support the material selection for architects, building owners and interested parties as to achieve behavioral change and awareness towards energy conservation and environmental impact.