Browsing by Author "Domingo N"

Now showing 1 - 9 of 9
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    Closing the Loop: A Comprehensive Review of Circular Repurposing Options for Decommissioned Wind Turbine Blade Materials
    (Ubiquity Press, 2024-08-14) Vishnupriya V; Meldrum J; Kahandawa R; Domingo N; Shahzad W; Shen X
    Growing global concern about how to dispose of wind turbine blades has sparked an investigation into more sustainable alternatives. This research delves into finding eco-friendly solutions for managing the waste generated by wind turbine blades, specifically by exploring options for repurposing them. To put this into action, this study has focused on a New Zealand wind farm with 196 wind turbine blades at the end of its life cycle. Through a thorough review of documents, 60 potential ways were identified to repurposing these blades. Options falling under the downcycling category were excluded, thus narrowing down to 45 promising solutions to repurpose. Futher 7 practically applied global solutions are identified. Implementing these repurposing solutions would divert 331 tonnes of waste material from landfills from the New Zealand Wind Farm. This study is significant because it highlights the potential for a circular and sustainable approach and provides an example of how wind turbine blade waste can be diverted from landfill. The findings of this study contribute to practical insights and support initiatives across New Zealand to encourage the adoption of wind turbine blade repurposing. This, in turn, will foster environmentally conscious waste management practices within the renewable energy sector and promote a more sustainable future.
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    Decision making in reducing carbon emissions for building refurbishment: Case studies of university buildings in New Zealand
    (Elsevier B.V., 2023-07-05) Bui PTP; Wilkinson S; MacGregor C; Domingo N
    The refurbishment of existing buildings offers the greatest opportunity to maximise carbon reduction within the built environment. Although the conceptual framework of the refurbishment process incorporating various methods, tools, and systems to support decision making in reducing whole-of-life carbon emissions exists in the literature, empirical research reporting on how and why the decisions are made in current industry practice is lacking. This paper aims to address this knowledge gap by investigating the decision-making process of building refurbishment considering whole-of-life carbon reduction using three real-life case studies that incorporate decarbonisation decisions. The important findings emerged from an interactive analysis between theoretical propositions and cross-case synthesis. The study sheds a new insight into (1) the effective adoption of building rating systems, (2) the required whole-of-life carbon reduction targets, (3) the importance of establishing a dedicated financial budget for carbon-reduction refurbishment solutions, (4) the need for adaptable refurbishment designs and long-term strategies, (5) holistic design reports, (6) the promotion of early contractor involvement (ECI) approach, (7) government funding and incentives, and (8) the availability of supply chains and data. The originality of the paper is providing a new understanding of the decision-making practices and challenges faced in the refurbishment process, in which lessons learnt for improving the implementation of building refurbishment towards zero carbon are recommended. The research expands theoretical knowledge and practical experience in whole-of-life carbon analysis and performance estimation for building refurbishment. The insights gained from this study offer practitioners and researchers a streamlined interdisciplinary guide to better deliver refurbishment projects towards zero carbon.
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    Developing a Framework for Construction Sector Capacity
    (UTS ePRESS, 2022-11-28) Le ATH; Domingo N; Macgregor C; Potangaroa R
    Understanding construction sector capacity allows stakeholders to assess the ability to deliver construction projects critically. However, the capacity concept in the construction sector is dynamic, and interrelationships of capacity at different levels have not been explored thoroughly. Accordingly, this paper reviewed studies on capacity at different levels: sector, organisational, and individual to (1) identify attributes of capacity at each level; (2) map relationships of the capacities in the construction sector; and (3) develop a conceptual framework of project capacity in the construction sector and propose future research directions. This study used an integrative literature review approach to synthesise literature from various domains to describe different levels of the construction sector’s capacity. The findings of the literature review conceptualised a construction sector capacity framework at four levels: sector, organisational, individual, and project. The detailed descriptions of the relevant attributes at each level advance our understanding of capacity within the construction sector and are fundamental to developing capacity assessment tools for the construction sector. The relationships formed in the proposed framework help explain how the capacity at each level affects the system. Findings also serve to identify areas for future research, including investigating interrelationships of attributes in the capacity framework.
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    Earthquake Damage Repair Loss Estimation in New Zealand: What Other Variables Are Essential Based on Experts’ Opinions
    (MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2021-08-28) Kahandawa RKAV; Domingo N; Chawynski G; Uma SR; Yepes V
    Major earthquakes can cause extensive damage to buildings and alter both the natural and built environments. Accurately estimating the financial impact from these events is complex, and the damage is not always visible to the naked eye. PACT, SLAT, and HAZUS are some of the computer-based tools designed to predict probable damage before an earthquake. However, there are no identifiable models built for post-earthquake use. This paper focuses on verifying the significance and usage of variables that specifically need to be considered for the post-earthquake cost estimation of earthquake damage repair work (CEEDRW). The research was conducted using a questionnaire survey involving 92 participants who have experience in cost estimating earthquake damage repair work in New Zealand. The Weighted Average, Relative Importance Index (RII), and Exploratory Factor Analysis were used to analyse the data. The research verified that eleven major variables that are significant to the CEEDRW and should be incorporated to cost estimation models. Verified variables can be used to develop a post-earthquake repair cost estimation tool and can be used to improve the pre-earthquake loss prediction tools.
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    Embodied Energy Consumption in the Residential Sector: A Case Study of Affordable Housing
    (MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2022-04-22) Anderson N; Wedawatta G; Rathnayake I; Domingo N; Azizi Z; Muldoon-Smith K; Kumar B; Singh SP
    Embodied energy has a significant effect on the total environmental impact of a project. However, emphasis is often placed primarily on operational energy, resulting in a knowledge gap about the current state of embodied energy use in affordable housing. To address this, the study investigates the level of embodied energy consumption in affordable housing, as well as the drivers, barriers, and techniques to reduce embodied energy. Based on a single embedded case study covering the period from cradle to end of construction, data were collected using embodied energy calculations of three affordable housing units in the project, semi-structured interviews with five design team members, and a cross-examination of findings with contract documents. The results were analysed using sensitivity analysis and thematic analysis. The findings revealed that all three house units fulfilled the baseline embodied carbon target of 800 kg CO2 /m2 and both detached properties fell within the LETI (2020) target of 500 kg CO2 /m2 . However, all three properties would fail to meet the RIBA or 2030 LETI target of 300 kg CO2 /m2 . This suggests that improvements are necessary to achieve future targets. The results show that financial capabilities and operational energy prioritisation act as the main enabler and barrier for reducing embodied energy. Local contractors/suppliers, minimising material use or intensity, and modular construction were highlighted as the key reduction techniques that can be used to help achieve future targets concerning embodied carbon in residential developments. The study contributes significantly to understanding the current state of embodied energy use in affordable housing and provides new insights on how to deal with embodied energy if we are to meet future energy targets.
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    Generalised Linear Modelling for Construction Waste Estimation in Residential Projects: Case Study in New Zealand
    (MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2024-02-27) Domingo N; Edirisinghe HM; Kahandawa R; Wedawatta G; Zhang T
    Construction waste is a global problem, including in New Zealand where it makes up 40–50% of landfill waste. Accurately measuring construction waste is crucial to reduce its impact on New Zealand’s landfills and meet carbon targets. Waste can be effectively managed if predicted correctly from the start of a project. Waste generation depends on factors such as geography, society, technology, and construction methods. This study focuses on developing a model specific to New Zealand to predict waste generation in residential buildings. By analysing data from 213 residential projects, the study identifies the design features that have the greatest influence on construction waste generation. A generalized linear model is constructed to correlate these design features with waste generation. The findings are valuable for construction stakeholders seeking to implement waste reduction strategies based on predicted waste quantities. This research serves as a starting point, and further investigation in this area is necessary.
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    Policy Mapping for Net-Zero-Carbon Buildings: Insights from Leading Countries
    (MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2023-11-01) Le A; Rodrigo N; Domingo N; Senaratne S
    The construction industry is a key contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, with buildings alone accounting for 39% of the global energy-related carbon emissions. Global carbon emissions from building operations increased by 5% in 2021 compared to 2020. However, the United Nations signed the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015 with global leaders, setting a limit to temperature increases below 2.0 °C or 1.5 °C. To achieve this goal, countries have established net-zero targets to reach carbon neutrality by mid-century. However, while some countries are making significant progress, others lag behind. Therefore, this study focuses on evaluating the actions taken by countries toward carbon neutrality, and on developing a policy roadmap for the construction industry to meet the net-zero-carbon commitments. This research adopted a systematic document review, including document analysis. The evaluation of countries’ practices towards achieving net-zero targets reveals both similarities and differences. The policy maps developed can be customised for decarbonising a country’s overall construction industry and building sector. This study provides insights for research, practice, and society, emphasising the importance of achieving net-zero targets through the implementation of policies, roadmaps, plans, and strategies.
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    Statistical cost modelling for preliminary stage cost estimation of infrastructure projects
    (IOP Publishing, 2022-12-15) Atapattu C; Domingo N; Sutrisna M
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    Zero Carbon Building Practices in Aotearoa New Zealand
    (MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2021-08-01) Bui TTP; Wilkinson S; Domingo N; MacGregor C
    In the light of climate change, the drive for zero carbon buildings is known as one response to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Within New Zealand, research on climate change mitigation and environmental impacts of buildings has received renewed attention. However, there has been no detailed investigation of zero carbon building practices. This paper undertakes an exploratory study through the use of semi-structured interviews with government representatives and construction industry experts to examine how the New Zealand construction industry plans and implements zero carbon buildings. The results show that New Zealand’s construction industry is in the early stage of transiting to a net-zero carbon built environment. Key actions to date are focused on devising a way for the industry to develop and deliver zero carbon building projects. Central and local governments play a leading role in driving zero carbon initiatives. Leading construction firms intend to maximise the carbon reduction in building projects by developing a roadmap to achieve the carbon target by 2050 and rethinking the way of designing and constructing buildings. The research results provide an insight into the initial practices and policy implications for the uptake of zero carbon buildings in Aotearoa New Zealand.