Rolf André Bohne

Dynamic Eco-Efficiency Projections for Construction and Demolition Waste Recycling Strategies at the City Level

In this article we have elaborated a consistent framework for the quantification and evaluation of eco-efficiency for scenarios for waste treatment of construction and demolition (C&D) waste. Such waste systems will play an increasingly important role in the future, as there has been for many years, and still is, a significant net increase in stock in the built environment. Consequently, there is a need to discuss future waste management strategies, both in terms of growing waste volumes, stricter regulations, and sectorial recycling ambitions, as well as a trend for higher competition and a need for professional and optimized operations within the C&D waste industry. It is within this framework that we develop and analyze models that we believe will be meaningful to the actors in the C&D industry. Here we have outlined a way to quantify future C&D waste generation and have developed realistic scenarios for waste handling based on todays actual practices. We then demonstrate how each scenario is examined with respect to specific and aggregated cost and environmental impact from different end-of-life treatment alternatives for major C&D waste fractions. From these results, we have been able to suggest which fractions to prioritize, in order to minimize cost and total environmental impact, as the most eco-efficient way to achieve an objective of overall system performance.

Evaluating Sustainability of Building Projects in Urban Planning

Abstract If building projects are going to be sustainable in the future, we need to use sustainability as a criterion for choice of concepts. The evaluation of projects needs to address more aspects than just the properties of single buildings. In this paper, the new evaluation model NTNU SBPis presented, for the evaluation of the whole urban planning situationincluding the neighbourhood and the transport infrastructure. The model has the potential to help practitioners achieve better results in terms of real sustainability in urban planning. The successful use of the NTNU SBP model may lead to more conscious choices in urban planning and a more sustainable community.

A global overview of residential building energy consumption in eight climate zones

AbstractThis study provides a global overview and comparison of residential building energy consumption (RBEC) in 8 climate zones in order to provide a visible foundation for policymakers and decision-makers with respect to sustainable future levels of RBEC. A total of 31 countries and 14 provinces/municipalities within these 8 climate zones are furthermore grouped into 20 different regions based on income. Demographic statistics regarding housing and RBEC of these regions are collected for analysis in this study. The results indicate that: 1) RBEC per capita and per m2 in most Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries has decreased over the past two decades; 2) in developing countries, such consumption does not follow the same pattern of change; 3) within each climate zone, RBEC per m2 is not significantly different for regions and countries in the same income groups, but there is significant difference in RBEC per capita for different regions and countries, even within the ...

Long-Term Performance of Rigid Plastic Foam Building Insulation

AbstractThis article focuses on the characteristics of rigid plastic foam building insulation (RPFBI), one of several types of insulation available for new and retrofit applications. Most RPFBI currently in service incorporates a low thermal conductivity and low-flammability blowing agent within the cells of the foam matrix to enhance thermal and fire performance. Blowing agents diffuse out of the foam matrix with time, and environmental gases diffuse in, with concomitant changes in performance. To address the thermal performance issue, international standards organizations have developed standards that define thermal performance averaged over a specific time frame or assumed lifetime. These standards have several limitations that may result in inaccurate estimates of long-term performance, as well as confusion among stakeholders. None of the standards address possible changes in fire performance through time. This paper presents a review of the standards and literature regarding thermal and fire performa...

The effect of highway geometry on fuel consumption of heavy-duty vehicles operating in eco-driving mode

This paper presents an analysis of the effects of the geometry of a highway on fuel consumption of heavy-duty vehicles operating in eco-driving mode. Field data from a high traffic volume highway in Norway are used in this study. Vertical and horizontal profile layers of the same road sections are considered individually and merged with vehicle field data. The study includes a correlation and regression analysis to investigate the relationship between the road gradient and the rate of fuel consumption of a representative truck. The effect of road gradient is examined in both acceleration and deceleration (retardation) mode. Different models are devel-oped, which can serve as a tool for decision making at early design and planning phases of a highway project, where information on fuel consumption and its environmental impacts may influence design choices.