Integrating Sustainability into Civil Engineering and the Construction Industry

Abstract

In terms of the impact of human activity on the natural environment, civil engineering is one of the most significant productive pursuits. The production and use of building materials, the advancement of engineering and construction, the use of the project after it is completed, the removal of discarded components, and other procedures all require significant energy expenditure and ongoing waste generation, which can have severe consequences for the natural environment. To meet the demands of both economic and social development, advancements in civil engineering must be made while also protecting the natural world, limiting the use of natural resources, and promoting sustainable development. This study examines the long-term strategy in civil engineering and explores the role of environmental sustainability throughout the various stages of the civil design process, including the conceptual stage, the technical design stage, and the building stage. The research finds that the construction industry should adopt practices that adhere to sustainability principles such as environmentally-friendly design, durability, energy efficiency, waste reduction, improved indoor air quality, water conservation, and the use of sustainable building materials in construction.

Balancing Ethics and Efficiency in Civil Engineering: Navigating Construction Challenges

“…Civil engineers have a professional and ethical responsibility to ensure that their work upholds the highest standards of quality, safety, and sustainability (Chance et al, 2021;Quapp & Holschemacher, 2016). Their decisions and actions should consider the impact on society, the environment, and future generations (Kodeboyina, 2023a;Tiza, 2023).…”

“…Efficient resource management is another crucial strategy for balancing ethics and efficiency. This involves adopting practices that prioritize the optimal use of resources, minimize waste generation, and reduce energy consumption (Tiza, 2023). By implementing energy-efficient technologies, sustainable design principles, and waste reduction strategies, civil engineers can enhance efficiency while minimizing environmental impact.…”

Innovations and applications of Laterized concrete in sustainable construction

“… Durability: The durability of the laterized concrete was assessed through various tests, including resistance to corrosion, sulfate attack, and freeze-thaw cycles. These tests aimed to determine whether the incorporation of laterite soil contributed to enhanced durability in real-world conditions (Tiza, 2023).  Workability: During construction, the workability of the concrete mixture was evaluated to ensure it could be effectively placed, compacted, and finished.…”

“… Longevity: Monitoring the performance of the structure over time allowed for an assessment of the concrete's long-term behavior. By tracking properties like strength development and durability over months and years, the effectiveness of the chosen mix design and construction practices could be validated (Tiza, 2023).…”

“…The laterite soil, sourced locally, was combined with traditional aggregates and cement, following a well-defined mix design (Alabi and Arum 2021).  Conventional Concrete: A similar road section was constructed using conventional concrete, adhering to established mix proportions of cement, aggregates, and water (Tiza, 2023). This provided a baseline for comparison against the laterized concrete section.…”