Notas:
|
Using recycled rubber crumbs as drainage layer in extensive green roofs have high potential to reduce the
heating and cooling loads in buildings over traditional materials used as drainage layer, such as
pozzolana gravel. However, the environmental impact due to the life cycle should be analyzed to assess
its environmental benefit. This paper evaluates the environmental performance of green roofs in which
the drainage layer is made of rubber crumbs, a recycled material the use of which is still experimental for
this purpose. In this paper Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is applied to compare the environmental impact
of four constructive systems, two extensive green roofs without insulation layer and with different
drainage materials, e a recycled material, rubber crumbs, and a conventional one, pozzolana gravel -, in
front of two conventional flat roofs, with and without thermal insulation (polyurethane), built in an
experimental set-up consisting of four monitored house-like cubicles, located in Mediterranean continental
climate (Lleida, Spain). The LCA considered the production, construction, operational, and disposal
phases of the roofs, according to UNE-EN 15643-2. The operational phase was carried out using data
measured in the experimental set-up, considering heating and cooling energy consumptions in the
winter and summer period, respectively.
The work was partially funded by the Spanish Government
(ENE2011-28269-C03-02 and ENE2011-28269-C03-03) and the
European Union (COST Action COST TU0802). The authors would
like to thank the Catalan Government for the quality accreditation
given to their research group (2009 SGR 534), to the City Hall of
Puigverd de Lleida, and to Gestión Medioambiental de Neumáticos
S.L and Flag Soprema S.L.U. companies. |