Evaluation of waste as a comparative criterion for building materials

Abstract

In this paper, it analyzes and compares the use of three different materials (Reinforced Concrete -R. C.-, Steel and Wood) usable for the building, and construction processes that this entails. The analysis aimed to investigate which of the three materials is the most appropriate from the perspective of sustainability in order to propose alternatives that minimize the impact they have on the environment. Today, concrete is the material most commonly used in construction, and therefore must be environmental objective for reflection, that after analyzed, we can propose other typologies or alternative materials. The analysis included projects single-family housing for each of the materials and building systems proposed, these cases involved comparable properties within their specific environments (rules and context Spanish) and process variables normalization that validate the analysis. The work was developed using the software tool for managing, scheduling and forecasting of construction waste Net Waste Tool (NWT) Waste & Resources Action Programmer, in which, it proceeded entering data, characteristics, volumes, consumption and emissions of each entry or supplies described in the study variables, and in this way, determine and quantify the pollutants vectors generated by these. The analysis of the results obtained have been able to argue a selection of materials for building sustainable new approach to waste generation, understanding that at the end of a life cycle, process or matter that pollutes less is best