Sustainability concepts in Civil Engineering - Module-2

Sustainability Concepts in Civil Engineering (18CV654)
ABHILASH B.L. M.Tech, IGBC-AP.
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Civil Engineering
Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering
Mysuru – 570002.
Sustainability Concepts in Civil
Engineering (18CV654)

Module 2 - Global Environmental Issue
• Resource degradation
• Climate change
• Regional and Local Environmental Issues.
• Carbon credits and carbon trading, carbon foot print Carbon sequestration-Carbon
capture and storage (CCS).
• Environmental management standards
• ISO 14000 series
• Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)-Scope and Goal
• Bio-mimicking.

 Environmental issues are any such issues created due to human activities and cause harm to the
environment.
 Environmental issues are harmful effects of human activity on the biophysical environment.
 They relate to the anthropogenic effects on the natural environment, which are loosely divided
into causes, effects and mitigation, noting that effects are interconnected and can cause new
effects.
 Environmental Issues are interconnected, that means one issue accelerate the other e.g. water
pollution accelerate the rate of air pollution causes global warming.

Resource
stock or supply of money material staff and other assets that can be drawn on by a person
or organization in order to function
Resource degradation
is the deterioration of the resources such as air water and soil the Destruction of ecosystem
and the extinction of wildlife
According to UN it is the reduction of the capacity of the environment to meet social and
ecological objectives and needs
RESOURCE DEGRADATION

Environmental Degradation
• Deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such as air,
water and soil;
• the destruction of ecosystems and the extinction of wildlife.
• Environmental degradation is one of the ten threats officially cautioned by
the High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change of the United
Nations.

DEGRADATION TYPES
1. Water pollution
2. Land degradation
3. Air pollution
4. Mining degradation
Prithvi – Earth
Jal – Water
Agni – Fire
Vayu – Air
Akaash – Space / Ether

o Air quality
o Asthma
o Birth defect
o Developmental disability
o Endocrine disruptors
o Environmental impact of the coal industry
o Environmental impact of nanotechnology
o Electromagnetic radiation and health
o Lead poisoning
o Leukemia
o Nanotoxicology
o Nature deficit disorder
o One Health
o Sick Building Syndrome
o Environmental impact of hydraulic fracturing

WATER DETERIOTION
It is Estimated that 1 in 3 people over the entire globe are already facing water shortages.
1/5th of the world’s population live in areas of physical water scarcity.
The worst sufferers are the rural people as they do not have the luxury of municipal water
supply.

LAND DEGRADATION
The reduction in the capacity of the land to provide ecosystem goods and services and assure
its function for a period of time

AIR POLLUTION
Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, Particulate Matter or biological materials into
the atmosphere that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or cause
damage to the natural environment.

 Global warming
 Global dimming
 Fossil fuels
 Sea level rise
 Greenhouse gas
 Ocean acidification
 Environmental impact of the coal industry
 Urban Heat Islands
 Flooding
Climate Change

Climate change refers to a change in average weather conditions, that exists for an extended
period of time.
Many frequent changes in climate had occurred on our earth.
A number of natural factors like continental drift, earth’s tilt, ocean currents etc were
responsible for such climatic changes. Recently , many anthropogenic (originating in human
activity) causes have led to an alarming variations in climatic patterns all over the world.
These include :-
1. Increase in the usage of fossil fuels
2. Deforestation
3. Population growth, urbanization and industrial revolution

Increase in the usage of fossil fuels : Fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas ) are used as
energy sources all over the world. Burning of fossil fuels produce CO2 ,which spreads into the
atmosphere leading to global warming and increase in the temperature.
Deforestation: When trees are cut down on a large scale, the amount of atmospheric CO2
increases, leading to global warming and increase in the temperature.
Population growth, urbanization and industrial revolution: More and more needs of the
people have to be satisfied for which cities were developed and industries were set up on a
large scale. All these have led to an increase in the amount of greenhouse gases resulting in
global climatic changes.

Increase in global surface temperature: climatic changes lead to increase in temperature levels all over the world
and thereby disturbing the balance of whole eco-system.
Changes in climate can put pressure on the whole natural system, leading to ecological imbalance.
Melting of glaciers : It leads to rise in sea levels
Ocean acidification: oceans absorb CO2 into the atmosphere, making them more acidic.
Availability of fresh water decreases.
Changes in rainfall pattern (high and low rainfall) may occur.
Occurrence of drought, heat waves and flood.
Breeding pattern, migration pattern and the entire life cycle of plants
and animals are disturbed due to climatic change.
Climatic change will increase
Effects of climatic change

Control measures
Promote renewable energy usage(solar energy, wind energy etc)
Depend more on public transport system to reduce the use of fossil fuels.
Afforestation and reforestation
Adopt 3R concept whenever possible.
Reduce energy consumption at home, office etc

Regional and Local Environmental Issues . . .
• Waste Disposal.
• Fresh Water Scarcity.
• Global Warming.
• Polar Melting.
• Ocean Acidification.
• Desertification.
• Pollution.
• Endangered Species.

 Environmental Impact of Reservoirs-
• Fragmentation of river ecosystems
• Riverline and coastal erosion
• Change in Water temperature
• Reservoir sedimentation
 Drainage
 Flooding
 Landslide
 Water Scarcity in Agriculture
Waste Disposal.

-In the I=PAT equation, the variable P represents the
population of an area, such as the world. Since the rise
of industrial societies, human population has been
increasing exponentially.
-The variable A, in the I=PAT equation stands for
affluence. It represents the average consumption of
each person in the population. As the consumption of
each person increases, the total environmental impact
increases as well.
-The T variable in the I=PAT equation represents how resource intensive the production of
affluence is; how much environmental impact is involved in creating, transporting and
disposing of the goods, services and amenities used. the unit for T is often tailored for the
situation I=PAT is being applied to. For example, for a situation where the human impact
on climate change is being measured, an appropriate unit for T might be greenhouse gas
emissions per unit of GDP.

• CARBON CREDITS

• CARBON CREDITS
A carbon credit (often called a carbon offset) is a financial instrument or permit representing the
right to emit one tonne of CO2 (carbon dioxide) or CO2 e (carbon dioxide equivalent gases) into
the atmosphere.
It represents the amount of GHG s removed or reduced from the atmosphere from an emission
reduction project. This carbon credit can be used by governments, industry or private individuals
to offset damaging carbon emissions that they are generating. Thus carbon credits are used as a
permit to emit certain amount of CO2 into the atmosphere.
So, in a nutshell, carbon credit (often called carbon offset) is a credit for greenhouse emissions
reduced or removed from the atmosphere from an emission reduction project, which can be used,
by governments, industry or private individuals to compensate for the emissions they are
generating.
One carbon credit corresponds to one tonne of CO2 .

• CARBON CREDITS
Carbon credits are acquired through :-
Project based transactions - credits are acquired as a result of successful implementation of
carbon reduction projects. For eg:- If a private organization has successfully implemented
afforestation project and if it is found to have reduced carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, then
that private company can acquire carbon credits equivalent to their reduction levels.
Allowance based transactions - Regulatory authority issues allowances or permits to industries.
If one carbon credit is issued to an industry, it means that they can emit one tonne of carbon
dioxide or equivalent.

CARBON TRADING
It refers to buying and selling of carbon credits that have been either distributed by a
regulatory authority or generated by GHG emissions reduction projects. In cap & trade
mechanism, a regulatory authority limits (cap) the amount of GHG to be released over a
period of time. If organizations have a shortfall or surplus in GHG allowances, they can
engage in trade with each other.
Name
Allotted
Used
Company A
10 carbon credits
8 carbon credits
2 carbon credits not used
Company B
12 Carbon credits
14 carbon credits
2 carbon credits overused
Here company A can sell 2 carbon credits to company B for financial benefit. Thus a carbon market is created.

CARBON FOOT PRINT
Carbon footprint
Primary footprint - direct emission
of carbon dioxide as in the case of
burning of fossil fuels
Secondary footprint – indirect
emissions associated with manufacture
of a product

CARBON SEQUESTRATION
CARBON CAPTURE AND STORAGE (CCS).

CARBON SEQUESTRATION

CO2 separation/recovery methods are classified into the following three types:
• Chemical absorption method
• Physical absorption method
• Membrane separation method
Flue gas has low CO2 content and low pressure, and therefore, the chemical
absorption method is considered suitable for separating and recovering CO2 from
flue gas. Chiyoda is continuing efforts with a focus on the chemical absorption
method, aiming to put a CO2 separation/recovery system that allows for improved
energy efficiency in an entire plant to commercial use.

Population – more people lead to more carbon emission
Energy – Here, carbon footprint emissions are collective, coming from a variety of
sources, namely industrial processes, transport and electricity and fuel emissions.
Industrialization – Since the industrial revolution began during the middle of the
twentieth century, CO2 has continued to rise unchecked and at alarming rates.
Agriculture – Most agricultural processes within developed and developing nations are
still being carried out commercially with the result that mass production of livestock has led
to large levels of methane gas being released into the atmosphere.
Main Contributors to Carbon Footprint

Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Energy efficiency at home Buy renewable energy
Recycle and re-use – Vegetable produce can be converted into compost (or manure) for
gardens, even vegetable gardens. Instead of buying more food containers, plastic containers
sourced from the supermarket can be refashioned as ideal kitchen utensils
Plant a Tree – One of the best way to give it back to the environment is to plant trees.
Plants absorb CO2 and release oxygen that is then used by humans and animals. According to
the Urban Forestry Network, a single young tree absorbs 13 pounds of carbon dioxide each
year.
Buy local – Adding to the above remark, buying local, organic produce effectively
counters mass produced agricultural outcomes. There is a dramatic reduction in the amount of
plastic being used to package products and fuel usage during long road transits is also
reduced.

• Environmental management standards
Population explosion, rapid industrial growth – depletion of natural resources-
unsustainable.
Environmental management came as a response to the increasing seriousness
of the human impact on our environment.
Impacts – controlled – applying a systematic approach.
EMS – “Tool that enables an organization to control impact of its activities, products or
services on the natural environment.”

Advantages:
• Serves as a tool to provide a systematic way of managing an
organization’s environmental affairs.
• Focuses on continual improvement of the system.
• Restrict and regulate overexploitation of natural resources.
• Set targets to reduce the use of energy and water and waste going to
landfill.
• Set environment friendly purchasing procedures.

Basis EMS framework PDCA Cycle
• Plan-Do-Check-Act
Plan Planning, identifying environmental aspects and establishing goals in
accordance with the organizations environmental policy
Do Implement the planned processes which includes training and
operational controls
Check Checking (monitoring) and corrective actions
Act Reviewing, includes progress reviews and actions to make needed
changes which continually improve performance of the environmental
management system

Environmental Management Standards
• EMS cannot be implemented in a random manner.
• Requires regular and robust verification to ensure its operation effectively.
• A set of standards are required.

• ISO 14000 series
Series of internationally recognized standards for
structuring the EMS of an organization and managing
the environmental performance of the system to
induce environmental improvement and cost savings.
Managed by the International
Organization for Standardization (ISO)
https://www.iso.org/iso-14001-environmental-management.html

• Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)-Scope and Goal
Life Cycle Assessment/Cradle-to-grave analysis.
Process to assess the environmental impacts associated with all the
stages of a product, process or activity from cradle to grave by
identifying the materials used and waste generated.

Raw Material
Acquisition
Material
Processing
Manufacture
&Assembly
U s e &
Service
Retirement
& Recovery
Treatment
Disposal
open-
loop
recycle
remanufacture
closed-looprecycle
M, E
W W W
reuse
W W
M, E M, E M, E M, E
M, E
W
M, E = Material and Energy inputs to process and distribution
W = Waste (gas, liquid, or solid) output from product, process, or distribution
Material flow of product
component
• Product Life Cycle

Procedure for LCA
• Goal & Scope
Definition
What is the purpose of the LCA and
who is the audience?
• Inventory Analysis
(LCI)
1. What is the function &
functional unit?
2. Where are the boundaries?
3. What data do you need?
4. What assumptions are you
making?
5. Are there any limitations?
• Impact Assessment (LCIA)
What are the environmental, social, and economic
affects?
• Interpretation
Ways to reduce environmental impacts.
What conclusions can you draw from the study?
What recommendations can be made?

Goal and Scope
Wooden Pencil vs. Mechanical Pencil
Goal = Compare 2 writing utensils for classroom use.
Scope: Wooden Pencil (T = Transportation)
Retaile
r Use
End of
Life
S h a r p en in g
ng
(Electricity)
(Landfill)
Rubber
Graphit
e
Packagi
ng
Brass
T
T
T
T
T Process T Flow diagram
T T

Scope: Mechanical Pencil
Retaile
r Use
End of
Life
(Landfil
l)
Rubber
Graphit
e
Packagi
ng
Spring
T
T
T
T
T T T T T
PE = Polyethylene PP = Polypropylene
Both materials are plastic polymers (large molecules) used to make many products.
T =
Transportation

Life Cycle Inventory Analysis(LCI) Function & Functional Unit
Function
Service provided by a
system
What it does!
Functional Unit
Gives the function a
number value
Allows comparison
between products
Reference point
•
•
•
•
•
Exam ple
•
•
Wooden Pencil vs.
Mechanical Pencil
Function = “Writing” Functional
Unit = “1 meter of writing”

Biomimicry Howcanbiomimicryhelpindeveloping new materials?

• Bio-mimicking.
• From
– bios, meaning “life” + mimesis, meaning “to imitate”
• Biomimicry = to imitate life
• Viewing nature as role model/teacher– nature has already solved many
of the technological and sustainability problems that we face today -
learning from nature, not about nature
• Imitate nature’s processes, not products

Biomimicry Principles
Nature…..
1: Runs on sunlight
2: Uses only the energy it needs
3: Fits form to function
4: Recycles everything
5: Rewards co-operation
6: Banks on diversity
7: Demands local expertise
8: Curbs excesses within
9: Taps the power of limits

Biomimicryisanadaptivesystemwhere natureisusedasadetailed
‘model, measureandamentor’todevelop innovativeandsustainable
solutionsto hurdleswearefacingasaglobal community.It isthe
mergeofbiology andtechnologyandisalsonewviewto solve
environmentalissueswearefacing (eg. globalwarming)Byusing
creatures’ naturaladaptivetechniquesorstructuralcomposition,which
havebeenevolved frommillionsofyearsago, could revolutionise
thewaywe;construct materials,generateenergyandmany more.
Eventhroughsimplestructural adjustmentstocurrentsystems,like
the shapeofatrain,couldsaveusenergy.
What is the current theory relating to this topic?

How valid/reliable is this theory?
Biomimicry hasalreadymadecontributions
to this worldasmanysustainable solutions
hasemergedinconnectiontothisfield.
Current applicationsinclude:
ImitationofSharkskinpatternsonto
fabricsforswimwearsandmetallic
structuresofAirplanesandshipstomake
thembacteriaresistantanddecreases
frictioninwater.
Viscoussecretions (Mucus), whichcould
withstandevenflowingwater,usedasa
modeltodevelopstronggluetoreseal
incisedorgans.Useful forseptaldefects.
Spiderwebs(whichisstrongerthan
steel) areimitatedontotapeusedon
newbornstoattachwiresfrommedical
machines.
MaterialwithintheAbaloneshells(similartopearl)aretwice
thestrengthofhightechceramics.
Porcupinequillsusedasarepresentation todevelopmedical
needlesandadhesives.

Airplane
Imitated not the bird (product)
but the air flow around the wings (process)

FLIGHT OF BIRD LEONARDO DA VINCI’S FLYING MACHINE
WRIGHT BROTHER’S FIRST PROTOTYPE
AEROPLANE TODAY

Kingfishers Termites (No air conditioning…)

Mercedes-Benz’s bionic car
and Boxfish

GECKO TAPE
Inspiration Product
Textiles Surfaces
Inspiration Precedence
Precedence
SHARKLET TECHNOLOGIES

STEPS TOADOPT
BIOMIMCRY

Form/ process mimicry at ORGANISM LEVEL
Waterloo International Terminal , London

Process/function mimicry at BEHAVIOUR LEVEL
Eastgate
Centre ,
Harare
Council
House 2,
Melbourne

Function mimicry at ECOSYSTEM LEVEL
Mithūn Architects and GreenWorks Landscape
Architecture
Lloyd Crossing Project proposed for Portland,
Oregon.

FACTORS IMPACT
SOCIAL
Biomimicry has been evolving in front of our eyes yet in certain parts of the world there is still
lack of knowledge in that area of science. In the past and present times humanists have found
nature to be influential among communities to develop engagement and empowerment. With the
involvement of psychology, along with ecology, eco-psychology was developed to help companies
and entrepreneurs to face complex situations.
Biomimicry is aiding humans to building up resilience to face any issues.
ENVIRONMENTAL
&ECONOMIC Business have started looking at the pros and cons of their product. Rather than their short term
profit, they are keen on initiating a more sustainable outcome. An example of this is the use of
bacteria to make cement.
Manufacturing cement needs a very long heating time. It contributes to very large carbon footprints
hence loss of money. Bacteria Sporosarcina pasteurii has been used to produce bricks as they
secrete calcium carbonate under ambient temperatures. This reduces the over production of waste
rather than useful material.
Biomimicry’s impact on society

CONCLUSION
For nature has been field-tested for millions of years through evolution

For any Information contact
E-mail - abhireddy.bdvt@gmail.com
MOB- 8971567533

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