EMBODIED

ENERGY

EMBODIED ENERGY
1.ENERGY AMOUNT CONSUMED
BY ALL OF THE PROCESSES ASSOCIATED
WITH THE PRODUCTION OF A
BUILDING
2. SUM OF ALL THE ENERGY
REQUIRED TO PRODUCE ANY
GOODS OR SERVICES
*CONSIDERED AS IF THAT ENERGY WAS INCORPORATED OR
'EMBODIED' IN THE PRODUCT ITSELF
BOTTOMLINE: The LOWER EMBODIED ENERGY, the more SUSTAINABLE it is
since it employs lesser power, energy and new resource extraction in the
production of such material..

Therefore, in order to determine if there is SUSTAINABLE

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN / PLANNING or not,
LIFE CYCLE of a site or a building is carefully considered

We impact the
environment for
every building
construction we
undertake!!!
The Life Cycle System Boundaries (SAIC, 2006)

Dealing with DISASTERS: Rethinking the GREEN mindset

Lecture + Workshop Series
Arch./EnP. Sylvester David Seno, uap, piep, page, icomos, pgbi aa+adp, MArch-CTM

For example, lets examine the life cycle of a single piece of

concrete hollow block: (in determining its EMBODIED
ENERGY):
Is the resource material not
RESOURCE
EXTRACTION

easily replenished?

PRODUCTION

Did it consume much

energy to produce
one single CHB?

TRANSPORT
AND HANDLING

Did it consume much gas

to transport a CHB to the
site?

INSTALLATION

Did it cause pollution?

DEMOLITION

Did it cause pollution?

END OF USEFUL
LIFE

Can it still be recycled to be

reused?

Dealing with DISASTERS: Rethinking the GREEN mindset

Lecture + Workshop Series
Arch./EnP. Sylvester David Seno, uap, piep, page, icomos, pgbi aa+adp, MArch-CTM

WHY EMBODIED ENERGY

1. TO UNDERSTAND HOW BUILDING MATERIALS
ARE MANUFACTURED
2. SPECIFY SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS

3. CONSIDER ENTIRE LIFE-CYCLE OF PRODUCTS

4. ENCOURAGE MANUFACTURERS TO FIND
MORE EFFICIENT PROCESSES

5. COMMITMENT TO REDUCE CARBON

FOOTPRINT OF BUILDINGS

TOTAL EMBODIED ENERGY (2 TYPES)

INITIAL EMBODIED ENERGY
EXTRACTION
OF RAW
MATERIALS

INDIRECT
ENERGY

RECURRING EMBODIED ENERGY

DIRECT
ENERGY
MAINTENANCE

TRANSPORT
OF RAW
MATERIAL

RECYCLE;
DISPOSAL

INSTALLATION

PROCESSING

TRANSPORTATION
OF MATERIAL
DURING PRODUCTION

DURING ACTUAL USAGE UP TO THE END

OF LUSEFUL LIFE OF THE FINISHED
PRODUCT

And speaking of impact on environment, one aspect to consider is wastereduction.

Decreasing
EMBODIED
ENERGY

The Inverted Waste Pyramid (UNEP-IETC. 2003b)

Dealing with DISASTERS: Rethinking the GREEN mindset
Lecture + Workshop Series
Arch./EnP. Sylvester David Seno, uap, piep, page, icomos, pgbi aa+adp, MArch-CTM

EXAMPLE: Which of the two materials

have higher EMBODIED ENERGY?

OR

Pebble washout flooring finish

Unglazed ceramic tiles

ANSWER: The Unglazed Ceramic Tiles have higher embodied energy, based
from the energy, and effort consumed in its production. While the pebble
washout flooring is only made possible by just picking up the small stones
which are readily available in the riverbeds, which needs less electricity and
tools needed..

LOW EMBODIED ENERGY= ADAPTABLE/SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS

THE SUSTAINABILITY OF A BUILDING MATERIAL

COULD BE COMMONLY MEASURED BY:
1.THE DURABILITY OF BUILDING MATERIALS
2. SPECIFYING STANDARD SIZES OF MATERIALS
3. AVOIDING WASTE
4. HOW EASILY MATERIALS CAN BE SEPARATED
5.USE OF LOCALLY SOURCED & RECYCLED
MATERIALS
6. USING RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCED
MATERIALS

THE SUSTAINABILITY OF A BUILDING MATERIAL

COULD BE COMMONLY MEASURED BY:

1. THE RECLAMATION RATE

1. THE RECYCLABILITY OF THE RETIRED
BUILDING MATERIAL

1. THE RECYCLING CONTENT OF THE NEW

BUILDING MATERIAL

REUSE OF BUILDING MATERIALS COMMONLY

SAVES ABOUT 95% OF EMBODIED ENERGY
THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE WASTED.

MATERIALS WITH
THE LOWEST
EMBODIED ENERGY
(BRICKS, CONCRETE,
ROOF TILES)
large quantities

BRICKS AND ROOF

TILES MAY BE
DAMAGED WHEN
REUSED

CONCRETE IS
NOT ONLY VERY
ENERGY INTENSIVE IN
ITS MANUFACTURE

AND RUST & ROT

PROOF

MAINLY TO SERVE
AS ROAD BASE OR
FILL

COMMON
RECYCLING
OPTION IN URBAN
AREAS IS TO CRUSH
IT INTO COARSE
AGGREGATE

BUT ALSO EMITS

LARGE AMOUNTS
OF CO2,
AS LIMESTONE IS
CONVERTED TO
CALCIUM OXIDE

THE RECYCLED
STEEL IS BEING
MADE INTO
OTHER STEEL
PRODUCTS

MATERIALS
STEEL
STRUCTURES FACILITATE
W/ HIGH
DECONSTRUCTION
BUT ALSO
AND REUSE
ENERGY
CUTS THE
ENVIRONMENTAL
CONTENT (STEEL)
IMPACTS OF
smaller quantities but
use only when
nothing else
will do

THIS NOT ONLY

SAVES NEW
MATERIALS FROM
BEING USED

PRODUCING AND
TRANSPORTING
THOSE
MATERIALS

MATERIALS

WOOD
Embodied Energy =
40 GJ
Renewable material
Deteriorates over time
if not treated

STEEL

Embodied Energy = 56.7 MJ/kg

High tensile strength
Low costs
Most recycled material in the
world

PROCESS OF RECYCLING STEEL

STEEL VS RECYCLED STEEL

PLASTIC
Embodied energy = 140 GJ
Does not decompose
Nonrenewable resources

BRICKS
Embodied energy = 3 MJ/ kg
Offers lower utility cost
Gets molded

BAMBOO

Embodied Energy = 1.5 MJ/kg

Poor mans timber
Rapidly renewable
Reported growth rates of 250
cm (98 in) in 24 hours
Can be harvested every 6
months
Low cost production
Prone to insect attack

BAMCRETE
Bamboo concrete composite
Abundant, sustainable, and
extremely resilient

Life cycle of bamboo vs. oil: renewable vs nonrenewable

LIFE CYCLE OF BAMBOO MATERIAL

BUDDING OF BAMBOO
SHOOTS

RECYCLING OF THE
MATERIAL AGAIN
(RECYCLING)

FULL GROWN BAMBOO

TREE

DECAYING OF THE
FINISHED MATERIAL
(DISMANTLING)

EXTRACTION OF RAW
MATERIAL
(HARVESTING)

MAINTENANCE OF THE
FINISHED MATERIAL
(CLEANING)

TRANSPORTATION OF
RAW MATERIAL
(HARVESTING)

INSTALLATION OF THE PROCESSING OF RAW

FINISHED MATERIAL MATERIAL (MAKING OF
THE MATERIAL)
(ASSEMBLING)

Bamboo is a RAPIDLY-RENEWABLE material, since it can

grow within a couple weeks before being cut and used

LIFE CYCLE OF A CONCRETE HOLLOW BLOCK

Not a RAPIDLY RENEWABLE MATERIAL

Is a mixture of CEMENT, SAND and GRAVEL
During its production, cement, sand and gravel
with water are mixed. However considering all
the energy needed in its production (baking to
harden the mixture, gasoline needed to deliver
this bulky material to jobsite, etc., it has a higher
embodied energy than the bamboo.

STRIVE FOR MATERIALS WITH LOWER EMOBIED ENERGY!!!

Example: a RECYCLED STEEL has a LOWER EMBODIED ENERGY
compared to NEW STEEL.

Life cycle of bamboo vs. oil: renewable vs nonrenewable

QUARRY VS. HARVESTING

HARVESTING REQUIRES LESS ENERGY AND DOES
NOT NEED TO USE EQUIPMENT

QUARRY: ROCKS

HARVEST: BAMBOO
(MORE SUSTAINABLE)

CONCRETE HOUSE

During typhoon
BAMBOO HOUSE

Bamboo cannot withstand

strong calamities unlike
concrete

MATERIAL

EMBODIED ENERGY (MJ/KG)

DURABILITY/ LIFE SPAN

IF RECYCLABLE OR NOT

ALUMINUM

155

LONG LASTING

RECYCLABLE

PLASTIC

140

INDEFINITE LIFE SPAN

RECYCLABLE

STAINLESS STEEL

56.7

1200 YEARS

GLASS

15

UNTIL THE GLASS BREAKS

TIMBER

8.5

2000 YEARS

BRICKS

500 YEARS

BAMBOO

1.5

120 YEARS

RECYCLABLE

CONCRETE BLOCK

0.67

20+ YEARS

RECYCLED INTO
AGGREGATE

AGGREGATE

0.083

6-10 YEARS

RECYCLABLE

Natural Fibres
2009- International Year of
Natural Fibers

bio-based fibers or fibres

from vegetable and
animal origin

Table 1 - Estimated
global production
volume
averages of different
natural fibres (in million
metric
tons per year average
over the recent years).

Abaca
MANILA HEMP
CLOSELY RELATIVE TO BANANA
IT IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE
STRONGEST MATERIALS FOR MARINE
CORDAGE.

MAJOR PRODUCING PROVINCES:

1. CATANDUANES
2. NORTHERN SAMAR
3. LEYTE
4. DAVAO ORIENTAL
5. DAVAO DEL SUR
6. SULU

6. SULU
7. SURIGAO DEL SUR
8. LANAO DEL SUR
9. BUKIDNON
10. AKLAN

Abaca

FIBER BOARDS

WALL FACADE
REINFORCED CONCRETE

FLOOR

Abaca

Coir (Coconut Fibers)

CAME FROM THE MALAYALAN
WORD KAYAR
COIR FIBRES ARE FOUND BETWEEN THE
HARD, INTERNAL SHELL AND THE OUTER
COAT OF A COCONUT.

Coir

COIR ROLLS

Can be successfully utilized in

controlling even the steepest of
slopes from erosion
100% Bio-degradable
Can dissipate the energy of following
water and absorb the excess solar
radiation

Coir

Coir as Reinforment

Coconut fiber can be used as reinforcement and to

substitute sand in the development of composite
cement reinforced coconut fiber

It provides a natural, non-toxic replacement for

asbestos
Fiber-reinforced concrete is strong, flexible and may
be less expensive to produce than other
reinforcement methods such as wire mesh or rebar

Coir

Benefits:
Increase the modulus of rupture.
Gives concrete higher compressive strength.
High durability.

It contributes to the environment and

economical.
Decrease the mechanical properties.
Increase the percentage of water absorption and
moisture content.

Coir

Disadvantages:
It is hard to
prepare.
Crack bridging
and fiber push
out.

Fracture Behavior
Coir

Cogon Grass
(Imperata cylindrica)

ALSO KNOWN AS ALANGALANG, OR BLADY GRASS

USED FOR HANDICRAFTS,

THATCHING, FODDER, AND

EROSION CONTROL

roofs - these catches fire easily

but its thick and waxy coating

makes it a resistant

Cogon Grass

Advantages

Disadvantages

If Cogon grass would be used

as roofing, the prevention of a
fire hazard would greatly
decrease.

It is hard to process the rhizomes

because of its sharp blades.

The access to Cogon grass is

easy since it is a widespread.

It takes time for making.

No water proof.

Pandan

(Pandanus amaryllifolius)

IT IS AN UPRIGHT, GREEN PLANT WITH

FAN-SHAPED SPRAYS OF LONG,
NARROW, BLADE-LIKE LEAVES AND
WOODY AERIAL ROOTS.

KNOWN AS THE SCREW PINE

MAINLY USED FOR HOUSE THATCHING

Pandan

Buri Palm
The buri palm has large

fan-shaped leaves with

stout petioles ranging from
two to three meters in
length. The palm reaches a
height of 20 to 40 meters
and its trunk attains a
diameter of one to 1.5
meters.

Used for house thatches,

wall materials and lumber
for building/construction
materials

Dayami

Straw-bale construction is a building method

that uses bales of straw (commonly wheat,
rice, rye and oats straw) as structural
elements, building insulation, or both
sustainable method for building, from the

standpoint of both materials and energy

needed for heating and cooling.

ADOBE
Adobe is a building material made from
earth and often organic material. Most
Adobe buildings are similar to cob and
rammed earth buildings. Adobe is
among the earliest materials used
throughout the world.

nonengineered construction
Material thickness (mm) Time lag (hours)
Autoclaved aerated
concrete (200)

7.0

Mud brick/adobe (250)

9.2

Rammed earth (250)

10.3

Compressed earth
blocks (250)

10.5

wall thicknesses
ranging from
0.25 m to 0.80 m
Typically,
3 m high

Architectural
Characteristics:
rectangular plan
single door
small lateral windows
The foundation- made of medium to-large
stones joined with mud or coarse mortar
Walls are made with adobe blocks joined
with mud mortar.
Sometimes straw or wheat husk is added to
the soil
Size of adobe blocks:
mild climate- thinner walls than cold highlands
or in the hottest deserts
The roof is made of wood joists
Roof covering - corrugated zinc sheets or
clay tiles

EARTHQUAKE PERFORMANCE

2001 EARTHQUAKES IN EL SALVADOR:

EARTHQUAKE IN THE SOUTH OF PERU:
2003 BAM EARTHQUAKE:
1976 GUATEMALA EARTHQUAKE:
2010 CHILE EARTHQUAKE

SEISMIC REINFORCEMENT