Loading...
Environmental Sustainability Assessments on Water Distribution Networks: A Life-Cycle Approach
Alshaikh, Abdulaziz Salah
Alshaikh, Abdulaziz Salah
Date
2024-05
Author
Advisor
Type
Thesis
Degree
Citations
Altmetric:
Files
35.232-2024.30a Abdulaziz Salah Alshaikh.pdf
Adobe PDF, 2.59 MB
- Embargoed until 2026-05-25
Description
A Master of Science thesis in Construction Management by Abdulaziz Salah Alshaikh entitled, “Environmental Sustainability Assessments on Water Distribution Networks: A Life-Cycle Approach”, submitted in May 2024. Thesis advisor is Dr. Md. Maruf Mortula. Soft copy is available (Thesis, Completion Certificate, Approval Signatures, and AUS Archives Consent Form).
Abstract
Water Distribution Networks (WDNs) are considered one of the vital aspects in an infrastructure. Their significance in supplying good quality water to the end user is undeniable. Nevertheless, the processes, methods, and materials used to create WDNs are contributing towards increased environmental impacts, threatening the sustainability of the entire water supply system. Depending on its operation and maintenance throughout the life cycle, the environmental impact can be quite significant, threating its functionality, and shortening its service life. The thesis proposes a holistic approach to quantify the environmental sustainability of four different WDNs which are the Grid, Ring, Radial, and Tree WDNs using a life-cycle assessment (LCA) approach. The LCA was done using Simapro 8. The LCA is aimed at quantifying seven different environmental sustainability indicators in the form of Global Warming Potential (GWP), Ozone Layer Depletion (OLD), Cumulative Energy Demand (CED), Air Pollution and Water Pollution, Eutrophication Potential (EP), and Acidification Potential (AP) of each WDN. This will be assessed against each of the material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, and disposal life-cycle phases. The above-mentioned parameters were used to formulate the Environmental Sustainability Model and rank the four WDNs. The model was created to function beyond the reach of the study to investigate the environmental sustainability of any piping material relative to those examined. The results portrayed that the material extraction phase has the greatest influence and emissions in the LCA for each WDN. In addition, the Grid WDN is the most sustainable with an Environmental Sustainability Index (ESI) of 23.9 compared to 24.9 for Tree, 25.0 for Ring, and 25.1 for Radial.