WHILE the buildings of yesteryear were designed to last for decades, many are now succumbing to the effects of climate change, says Prof Sudharshan N. Raman.
The Monash University Malaysia Department of Civil Engineering head said buildings are increasingly being affected by rising temperatures, more frequent heatwaves, heavier rainfall, flooding, stronger winds, sea-level rise, and changing humidity patterns.
These hazards, he added, accelerate material deterioration, increase structural and non-structural damage, raise cooling energy demand, disrupt building operations and shorten service life.
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“Since buildings are typically designed to last 50 years or more, many existing structures were not engineered to withstand today’s evolving climate conditions,” he told StarEdu.
Thus, he said, there is an urgent need to develop innovative, climate-resilient construction materials, and adopt advanced material testing and durability assessment methods.
“These are needed to address the needs of the changing climate in the future, and implement adaptive design strategies to ensure buildings remain safe, durable, energy-efficient and fit for purpose throughout their intended lifespan,” said Prof Sudharshan, who is also Monash Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Research Hub director.
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Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment civil engineering undergraduate programme head Assoc Prof Dr Shahrizan Baharom said there are three main aspects to consider when ensuring construction projects are sustainable beyond the building phase.
The first is the environmental aspect, such as material consumption. Here, he said, developers and contractors can look into recyclable materials or consider Industrialised Building System (IBS), where building parts are made at a factory and then assembled on site.
In fact, he said, the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) has made it compulsory to use IBS for government projects over RM10mil and private projects worth over RM50mil since 2008.
Next, he added, there are the economic and social aspects, which relate to how long a building can last and how much maintenance it requires.
Adaptability to weather conditions and social factors such as an ageing population is another key concern, said Shahrizan.
He added that climate change has changed the way civil engineers and other built environment talents approach planning and construction.
“Previously, when we design buildings, we just look at loading – how well it can withstand the weight. Now, we need to consider how the building can withstand climate change. Floods, heatwaves, storms... these affect the structure, material and ultimately, the maintenance of the building.
“The thought process needs to change,” he said, adding that facets such as the direction of sunlight and airflow need to be taken into account to improve energy efficiency.
Meanwhile, at the township level, UKM Smart and Sustainable Cities Research Centre (Sutra) head Assoc Prof Dr Siti Fatin Mohd Razali said changing demographics and climate conditions will impact town planning.
“Higher temperatures, urban heat and larger populations all increase demand for water and energy resources.
“It also increases demands on buildings, roads, bridges, drainage systems and public health,” she said.
From rainwater harvesting to flood-resilient drainage systems, Siti Fatin said buildings must be designed to be more climate-resilient and resource-efficient.
As for an ageing nation, Siti Fatin, who is also a lecturer at UKM’s Civil Engineering Department at the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, said building designs need to be universal.
“Every age, every race, every health condition, everything,” she added.
