Selection of sustainable composite partition material for Sri Lankan context

Abstract

Building materials are deemed to play a vital role in increasing buildings sustainability while contributing to the economic prosperity. Usage of large quantity of non-renewable resources in the building materials has a major impact on the environment, depriving future generations of its usage. These building materials are used to construct different types of building element. Thus, it is believed that the appropriate selection of building materials for different purposes is one of several factors that contribute to sustainability within the built environment. However, traditionally the selection of such materials depends on consensus-based understanding of environmental issues in designing and construction of facilities. On this note, this study investigates the most suitable composite material that can be used for partition wall construction in Sri Lanka with respect to sustainable parameters. The research is quantitative in nature where a preliminary market survey and a subsequent questionnaire survey were conducted to identify the available materials used in partition wall and evaluate the materials' performance, in terms of embodied energy, toxicity, locally produced material, price, maintainability, aesthetics, resistance and durability respectively. The questionnaire survey was administered to 35 professionals (Architects, Engineers, Quantity Surveyors and Facility Managers) practicing in the construction industry. In order to compare the materials pair wise, an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) based on was employed. Research findings show that Medium Density Fibre (MDF) board, Gypsum Board (GB) and paddy straw composite board (DURA) are alternatives of composite partitioning materials. In terms of embodied energy (EE), Cost (C), toxity (T), natural and local available materials (N&L) and maintainability (M) with recieving a relative weight (RW) of 0.471, 0.487, 0.420, 0.398, 0.339 Dura board is preferred over the other materials. However, in terms of aesthetic (A) and resistance (R) criterions with obtaining a RW of 0.414, 0.421 GPD board serves better than other materials. MDF board is at the top in terms of durability with a RW of 0.351. When the overall performance is focused, DURA offers the best value while MDF and GPD board occupy the next places respectively. This study, therefore identifies the most suitable composite alternatives to assist professionals in the selection of most suitable materials for partition walls in Sri Lanka.