BUILDING MATERIALS AND THEIR ENERGY DEMAND: A CASE IN GHANA
Keywords:
Architecture, Building materials, Methods, Energy, Climate change, Ghana.Abstract
Building design and construction have evolved from a lot of theories and styles. The first cities were created when humankind decided to take on farming on a more regular basis. To facilitate their farming, there was the need to settle down to raise permanent homes, shrines, temples and palaces. The development of these cities resulted in the birth of architecture as man needed to settle and improve their new cities. Even though energy conservation was not known until the 1950s, the early theories dwelt on the use of locally available materials. The advent of industrialization brought in its wake a lot of materials which gave birth to architectural movements, including modernism and post modernism. Currently, there is the flexibility of material taste and use in the world and the energy use of a building has become a great concern. The world seeks to reduce energy use in buildings due to the fact that energy-related CO2 pollution is a contributory factor to climate change. This study, therefore, looks at various construction and material uses in a benchmark building for less energy demand. Autodesk simulation tool Ecotect is used as a case study in Ghana. The benchmark (hypothetical) building in Accra, Ghana is oriented to an optimum position and materials and construction methods are changed for results. The results of this study reveal that the concrete roofing tile is the most optimum for less energy use while block work with cladding is the best for walls and slab with wooden finish is the most appropriate for floor construction. However, with some modifications in construction systems, brick is the best option for wall construction in Ghana.
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