Consequences of Design Decisions on Material Waste during Construction Survey of Architects’ Point of View, the Case of Jordan

Abstract

The price of crude oil is ever increasing in Jordan. Energy is the main and most fundamental source for economy and construction industries. Given the fact that material manufacturing and construction in building sector need certain amounts of energy, which is called “embodied energy”. The increase of energy prices is reflected on material manufacturing and therefore, any waste means energy waste and more environmental pollution. Construction waste minimization and management are considered as indicators for sustainable construction. Construction industry is considered as one of the major pillars in the Jordanian economy; consequently, it contributes to a high percent of the national energy bill among many other sectors. This may be considered one of the major reasons to consider the study of building materials in the Jordanian construction sector. Construction waste increases the cost of building as the energy and natural resources are consumed during manufacturing. The construction industry fundamental aims are to reduce the wastage of construction materials. This study addresses the incidence of material waste in the Jordanian construction industry and sheds light on decision making during the design phase and its effect on material wastage during construction. This study is intended for the material wastage reduction during construction as a tool to reduce construction costs in Jordan and consequently to reduce the oil bill. At the end, this paper points out the design related major causes of material wastage during construction through a questionnaire designed by the authors.