Abstract:
This study seeks to develop an index which estimates the environmental
suitability of selected wall elements. The wall elements in consideration are
brick work with both side plastering, cement block work without plastering,
cabook work with one side plastering, rubble work with one side
plastering and a wattle and daub wall. The environmental suitability is
estimated in terms of Embodied energy, Life cycle cost, Reusability.
Calculations of these three parameters help rank the elements according to
their environmental suitability. Such an index will help professionals like
Architects to carry out their work with best consideration for environmental
suitability in the selection of building materials. More research along these
lines on other building materials and other parameters are necessary to
develop a comprehensive system of evaluating the environmental suitability
of building products
