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Energy Procedia 00 (2017) 000–000

www.elsevier.com/locate/procedia

1876-6102 © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Peer-review under responsibility of the organizing committee of AREQ 2017.

International Conference – Alternative and Renewable Energy Quest, AREQ 2017, 1-3 February 2017, Spain

Practical case study for life cycle assessment of the Egyptian brick

industry: A comparative analysis of the Japanese industry

Mona Ibrahim1,*, Ahmed AbdelMonteleb M. Ali2,*

1 Dean of School of Energy Resources, Environment, Chemical and Petrochemicals Engineering, Egypt-Japan University of Science and

Technology, New Borg Al-Arab City 21934, Alexandria, Egypt

2 Assistant Professor at Architectural Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Assiut University, Assiut City 71515, Egypt

Abstract

Life Cycle Assessment application in buildings is typically implemented at the envelope scale, chiefly for assessment of

numerous sample-solutions, and offers in-depth investigates of the related energy and environmental performances. It is likely to

classify those solutions that achieve best in energy and environmental respects, thereby are appropriate for construction of

sustainable buildings. The article is aimed at investigating energy and environmental assessments to compare among six Egyptian

(Cement, Clay and sandstone bricks) and Japanese products (3/each). All cases were investigated using MiLCA. Moreover, one

kg of brick products sets as a functional unit and from cradle to gate phase are the study’s boundary. The life cycle impact

assessment results are drawn. As for the characterization (mid-point) results, the Cement brick (CEB), almost impact categories

have exceeded more than 60%, however, the waste impact records around 15.83% and 0.69% of total waste produced due to the

CEB and sandstone brick (SSB) in Egypt has been using machineries to mix and blend the raw material so there is a few waste

could be produced in these both industry. On the contrary, only 0.22%, 0.08%, and 0.53% have been enumerated from waste

impact of the three Japanese products studied respectively, as the refractory technology, introduced in Japan, mainly depend on

the electrical and mechanical devices. For highlighting the GWP, 2.51 kg-CO2 eq. is recorded by CEB with 69.00% increased

rate compared to Japanese firing refractory bricks (FRB), mainly due to the calcination process occurred in the cement industry.

Finally, the end-point results namely the weighting results, (1) the high percentage of photochemical ozone, ecotoxicity, and HTs

in which are recorded by CEB, (2) the high proportions of waste and eutrophication in which is valued by the Egyptian clay

brick, and (3) the high percentages of resources, acidifcation which are enumerated by FRB.

© 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Peer-review under responsibility of the organizing committee of AREQ 2017.

Keywords: Life cycle assessment; Energy conservation; Environmental impacts; Construction building.

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +20-100-155-8771; fax: +20-3-459-9520.

E-mail address: mona.gamal@ejust.edu.eg, ahmed.abdelmonteleb@aun.edu.eg

2 Mona Ibrahim, Ahmed AbdelMonteleb M. Ali / Energy Procedia 00 (2017) 000–000

Nomenclature

HTPs Human toxicity potentials

IDEA Inventory Database for Environmental Analysis

ISO International Organization for Standardization

JRPs Japanese refractory products

LCA Life cycle assessment

LCI Life cycle inventory

LCIA Life cycle impact assessment

LIME Life cycle Impact assessment Method based on Endpoint modeling

MiLCA Multiple Interface Life Cycle Assessment

CEB Cement brick

CLB Clay brick

EBPs Egyptian brick products

EEAA Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency

EPA Environmental Protection Agency

P.Sc. Proposed scenario

GWP Global warming potential

HH Human health

HTc Human toxicity (Carcinogenic and Chronic Disease)

1. Introduction

1.1. Egyptian brick products

Fundamentally, mixing the raw materials with water; to make adhesive, and casting this admixture in given

shapes of regular standard size are the main two stages to produce the artificial brick. Then the machining process

takes place in which are finally dehydrated and incinerated at high temperature to shape an intense and compact

product [1]. Many types of brick have been producing for instance; straw, clay, Cement, sandstone, refractory, glass

blocks, Brick stone industrial, gypsum and rubber bricks. Most of them have robust and hollow brick product. In

2011, it was reported in a certain survey in which was conducted in Qena, Egypt and funded by an EES Centenary

Award [2]. This project motivation was focusing on the practical features of mud-brick structures, ancient and

modern, in cooperation with studying the social and cultural issues of life. It shows as follows in Fig. 1, the old

process to produce the straw or mud-brick. It is worthy to note that all of these stages have been carried out without

any restrictions or regulations from the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA). This unofficial, small-

scale manufacturing sector, predominantly unlicensed and unregulated industry processes generally deficiency in the

monitoring of pollution and henceforth lead to negative environmental impacts. In India is the existed same case as

it is reported by [3], [4].

(a) Straw pieces ready to be blended with

mud. (b) The zone of mud brick production (c) An example of mud-brick

Fig. 1. The mud-brick manufacturing process at the temple of Hathor at Dendera, the ancient sites of Koptos and Naqada, Egypt.

Mona Ibrahim, Ahmed AbdelMonteleb M. Ali / Energy Procedia 00 (2017) 000–000 3

Based on designated questioner results (see Appendix A) in which is designed to investigate the commonly used

brick in Egyptian construction industry, the research will illustrate the brief manufacturing process of clay brick

(CLB), sandstone brick (SSB), and Cement brick (CEB).

1.2. Japanese brick products

As shown in Fig. 2, the refractory production flow varies based on the refractory method. Fired, unfired, and

unshaped bricks are the common types of Japanese refractory products (JRPs). In this regard, [5], [6] clarified that

the unshaped one as transported from the refractory producer is not a refractory; it would be a refractory after it

subjected to blending, shaping, dehydrating, preheating processes.

The colors legend means the type of emitted pollutants of each stage; the gray one indicates to the PM emissions and gaseous emissions; the red

color is gaseous emissions, and the yellow color represents the PM emissions.

Fig. 2. The flow diagram of fired and unfired shaped bricks (refractory manufacturing processes).

1.3. Emissions from brick manufacturing process

Many emissions could be emerged from the brick industry based on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

and National Pollutant Inventory Agency (NPIA) [7], [8]. An particulate organic matter (PM), metals, and gaseous

pollutants, including sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2),

fluorides, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Regarding the PM and metal substances emit during the

pulverizing, calcination, and dehydrating of the raw materials; firing process; and packing of the bricks [9]. The

fabric scrubbers are readily responsible for catching the PM emissions from crunching stage. Furthermore, the wet

scrubbers and baghouse are also installed on the calcination and drying processes. And so for highlighting the

gaseous emissions, the source of most of the SO2 emissions is the fuel used for the kiln furnace. Moreover, the

composition of the clays in which are added to the brick industry affect the amount of SO2 formed. As for the VOCs

emitted from the incineration stage [10]. Based on [3], the combustion stage in the kiln chamber is the most

contributor of gaseous emissions particularly the CO2. According to the type of the kiln namely intermittent kilns

4 Mona Ibrahim, Ahmed AbdelMonteleb M. Ali / Energy Procedia 00 (2017) 000–000

and continuous kilns. In the former one, the bricks are incinerated in batches form. Samples of this kind contain

Clamp, Scove, Scotch and Down Draft kilns. In a continuous one, on another hand, the furnace is usually burning,

and bricks are being warmed, fired and cooled simultaneously in different parts of the kiln. Instances of such kilns

include Bull's trench kiln, Hoffmann, Zig-zag kilns, Tunnel kiln and vertical shaft brick kiln. The vast majority of

the Japnese kilns are of the continuously operated kiln the tunnel kiln, as shown in the last figure. Referring to the

Egyptian kiln used is neither intermittent nor continuous kiln, almost the firms have been burning the brick products

on the land. Thanks to Delta-block company in Egypt which is using the traditional intermittent kiln in its brick

plants. The Certain project was conducted by [11] in the Arab Abu Saed Cluster also the El Saff cluster is

considered as well, where brick kilns are similar. The main findings of this project rehabilitated fifty conventional

intermittent brick kilns from using heavy oil to natural gas. From 11,704 ton CO2 eq. in 2005 to 35,975 ton CO2 eq.

in 2009 the emissions was mitigated given the fuel alteration.

2. Material and methods

2.1. Goal and scope definition

LCA studies in the building sector have steadily increased since the 1990s due to the environmental concerns

particularly the global warming increment. Nevertheless, the methods applied are varied, most research used

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14040 series [12], [13] as a basic guideline [14].

This study highlights an analysis that is based on a detailed, quantitative LCA of cement (attributional LCA),

which is then used to update a basic LCA model. Therefore, the chief goal of the study here presented is to

contribute to the environmental impact assessment of the brick industry in Egypt and Japan. This study is trying to

establish the Egyptian National LCI (ENLCI) database for Egyptian brick industry and to hold a comparison

between the EBPs and JRBs. Thus, a comparison was carried out between the Egyptian and Japanese cement

industry. As well as the scenario proposed to enhance the EBPs also to mitigate the air emissions. Comparative

analyses will also be carried out between all of these products to reap the advantages of every brick product

severally. From the “cradle” to the “site” and the four LCA stages in which are designated by ISO 14040, this study

has been investigated; (a) Definition of the goal and scope, (b) LCI analysis, (c) LCIA and (d) Interpretation. Fig. 3

presents the LCA framework.

Fig. 3. LCA approach according to [12], [13].

2.2. Functional unit

The choice for the functional unit (FU) can facilitate the comparison among the whole case studies. Three EBPs

(CLB, CEB, and SSB) and the three JRPs (firing refractory bricks (FRBs) (clay-based), unfired refractory brick

(UFRBs) (clay-based), and monolithic refractory bricks (MRBs) (silica-based)) have been evaluated. Moreover, the

proposed scenarios will be compared with the EBPs and JRPs. To ensure that all data collected are homogeneous,

the analytical approach was implemented properly according to the unique FU regarding the quantification of the

environmental impacts. The FU of this study is 1 Kg of the brick product. The selection of this FU was chosen

Mona Ibrahim, Ahmed AbdelMonteleb M. Ali / Energy Procedia 00 (2017) 000–000 5

according to the results of the precedent literature review such as [4]. As formerly carried out by other scholars for

example, [15] a lifespan of 50 years was taken into account for the brick mentioned above products. In the context

of allocation process [16] clarified that minimum allocation should be considered as per ISO 14040:2006. In this

research given multi-output operations will be performed; therefore, an allocation definition was not estimated

necessary. In the meanwhile, the dataset compiled from the Egyptian and Japanese plants were recalculated as an

average output plant as the figures did not require to be allocated. The transportation system, as well as the

allocation of cement industry to produce the CEB, have been excluded from these calculations.

2.3. System boundary of brick

The raw material consumption, electricity, fuel types and water are the considered input for all life cycle stages.

In the previously published articles, it was noticed that the utter wastes produced during brick life cycle are

insignificant [15], [17]. Thereby, the study will focus on the gaseous emissions only. Furthermore, the transportation

calculations are neglected from this study.

2.4. Compiling the dataset and life cycle inventory calculations

The dataset for the ECBs and JRPs denote to 2015. Fig.4 and Appendix A highlight the Egyptian data collected

during the field visits and survey of the brick plants. In this table lists the information required to establish the first

Egyptian brick database, with the aid of [18] in which an organizational and managerial framework were proposed

for the development of the Egyptian National Life Cycle Inventory (ENLCI). Then, Table 2 is considered the key

result of the questioner designed in Table 1. The previous table summarizes the fuel type used in the machines and

heavy trucks, types of emissions and the electricity in each stage. It is worth mentioning that in every stage may use

human workers instead of machinery and heavy trucks that could reduce the total emissions of brick manufacturing.

It is worth mentioning that all of the data presented per one piece of the brick studied.

Fig. 4. The questioner designed for the Egyptian brick plants.

6 Mona Ibrahim, Ahmed AbdelMonteleb M. Ali / Energy Procedia 00 (2017) 000–000

2.5. The life cycle impact assessment calculations

Based on [12], [13], [19], the MiLCA V.1.1.6.0 has been organized into four tabs. (1) case study information and

product system where the network flow will be created. (2) Inventory analysis in which the dataset calculations have

been taken place. (3) Impact assessment is enumerated. Finally (4) the interpretation stage. To quantify the Japanese

inventory database and linked to the Japan Standard Industrial Classification, the Inventory Database for

Environmental Analysis (IDEA) have been evolved the gate-to-gate and cradle to gate methodologies directly

integrated into the MiLCA software. For the impact assessment is the stage by the findings of the inventory database

to evaluate the potential environmental impacts quantitatively. This appraisal can be conducted of characterization

recommended by Life-cycle Impact assessment Method based on Endpoint modeling (LIME) [20]. The

Environmental Footprint Pilot Projects (EFPP) [21] and weighting methods based on endpoint modeling (LIME)

and TORAY Eco-Efficiency Analysis (T-E2A) which the latter is mainly focusing on plotting the environmental

loads and economic efficiency of different products. This study will chiefly rely on the characterization method

based on [20] as it is listed in Table 1 and weighting method under damage assessment results will be exhibited

directing four tiers, Human Health, social welfare, primary production, and biodiversity.

Table 1. Standard environmental impact categories and methods are merged in MiLCA

Environmental impact category Unit Method name Calculation basis

Global warming Kg CO2eq. 100 Year Index IPCC, 2007

Resource consumption Kg Sb eq. 1/R (Sb eq.) LIME, 2006

Acidification Kg SO2 eq. DAP

Waste m3 Landfill volume

Photochemical oxidant Kg ethylene eq. OCEF

Eutrophication Kg phosphate eq. EPMC

Human toxicity (Carcinogenic) Kg benzene air eq. HTP Carcinogenic

Human toxicity (Chronic disease) Kg benzene air eq. HTP Chronic disease

Eco-toxicity (Aquatic) Kg benzene water eq. AETP

Eco-toxicity (terrestrial) Kg benzene soil eq. TETP

Energy consumption MJ Freshwater Quantitative

Water consumption m3 High heating value

3. Results and discussions

The P.Sc. will be compared here among the EBPs and JRPs products to improve the EBPs also to reduce the

atmospheric air emissions. It is clearly observed in Fig. 5, that the CEB and CLB have the highest share of adverse

environmental impacts such as global warming potential (GWP), resource consumption (RC), acidification, waste,

human toxicity carceinogen (HTc), and eco-toxicity (terrestrial). Referring to the CEB, almost impact categories

have exceeded more than 60%, however, the waste impact records around 15.83% and 0.69% of total waste

produced due to the CEB and SSB in Egypt has been using machineries to mix and blend the raw material so there is

a few waste could be produced in these both industry. This is due to the cement industry has been allocated in this

study to be more realistic. Furthermore, 81.62% of waste has been yielded in CLB manufacturing because of the

clay slurry in which is usually bleneded on the earth, in accordance with [22], they are cited that there are many

wastes might be produced in the clay brick manufacturing. On the contrary, only 0.22%, 0.08%, and 0.53% have

been enumerated from waste impact of FRB, UFRB, and MRB respectively, as the refractory technology,

introduced in Japan, mainly depend on the electrical and mechanical devices according to [23]. And so for

highlighting the GWP, 2.51 kg-CO2 eq. is recorded by CEB with 69.00% increased rate compared to FRB, mainly

due to the calcination process occurred in the cement industry based on [24], as well as due to the fuel and electricity

consumption, based on [25]. In this regard, [26] clarified that only 1.41E-01 kg-CO2 eq. has been calculated in their

Mona Ibrahim, Ahmed AbdelMonteleb M. Ali / Energy Procedia 00 (2017) 000–000 7

study from the clay mine process in which is totally different from the EBI. As for JRPs, this number is almost

similar to the UFRB and MRB in which are 4.25E-01 and 3.15E-01 kg-CO2e respectively. Regarding the

acidification, 6.33E-03 kg-SO2 eq. has been measured by the FRBs. On the other hand, the lowest numbers have

been investigated by CLB with 9.54E-04 kg-SO2 eq. It is clearly shown that JRPs are recording higher than the

EBPs, due to the low-grade coal with high sulphur content has been uttilized in Japan. As well as, JRPs are

recording the highest percentage of NO2 and SO2 compared to the EBPs. In which is considered one of the most

important factor of increasing the acidification impacts based on [27], [28], they have clarified that 5.44E-04 kg-

SO2 eq. has been claculated in their investigation in which is similar to the FRBs and CLB results. Referring to the

eutrophication impact, due to using the natural gas in drying and firing of the EBI based on [26], the highest values

are measured by CLB and CEB, 6.84E-08 kg-PO4 eq. and 4.98E-08 kg-PO4 eq. respectively. Actually, this is lower

than [26] in which was reported 7.24E-05 kg-PO4 eq. beacuase of this figure include the combustion of fuels in

transportation sector. Given the different of fuel used in Japan, the lowest numbers have been obtained by the JRPs.

It is worth mentioning, that the JRPs record the lowest percentages in the photochemical oxidant impact owing to

recycling the waste produced considerably attenuates the involvement to this impact according to [25]. More

attentions have to be paid to the P.Sc., that has indicated the lowest environmental impacts. Honestly, the P.Sc.

could never completely discard the existing technology in the EBPs. As the FA has been introduced in the P.Sc.,

there is a remarakable reduction in the GWP, RC, acidification, eutrophication, and HTc, its sharing percentages are;

as 6.68%, 10.57%, 10.60%, 3.66%, and 0.55% respectively among all products studied. The high share percentage

of eutrophication since the FA has high sulphur content based on [29]. These categories are considered a highly

contribution to the atmospheric environment, thus these are acceptable proportions.

Fig. 5. The characterization results (Mid-point method) of the Egyptian and Japanese brick products

8 Mona Ibrahim, Ahmed AbdelMonteleb M. Ali / Energy Procedia 00 (2017) 000–000

Complementing of the previous illustration of the last figure. Fig. 6 depicts the end-point results namely the

weighting results. Eco-points (Pt) is the measured value of 1 Pt corresponds to one thousand of the annually

environmental burdens of one average European inhabitant. This figure comes to confirm what is highlighted

before. For example; (1) the high percentage of photochemical ozone, ecotoxicity, and HTs in which are recorded by

CEB, (2) the high proportions of waste and eutrophication in which is valued by CLB, and (3) the high percentages

of resources, acidifcation in which are enumerated by FRB. However, this study will focus on the achievement that

has been obtained by P.Sc. 50.45%, 74.22%, and 24.48% are the saving percentages in which has been achieved by

the P.Sc. compared to the CLB, CEB, and SSB respectively. As it is clearly presented that the highest reduction has

been attained when the extent of substitution of FA for Cement in given raw materials are carried out. In that case all

the adverse atomspheric pollutants in which are emitted from the Cement industry has been omitted by using the FA

as an alternative raw material as it is mentioned in Section 2.3. before. On the contrary, the waste impact negatively

effect on the total environmental categories, when the comparison between the P.Sc. and SSB is done, due to the

EBI has been using machineries to mix and blend the raw materials therefore a few waste could be produced as it is

highlighted former. In the meanwhile, there is an increase in the acidification impact about two-folds, comparing the

P.Sc. to the CLB, given the FA has high sulphur content based on [29] rather than the clay. As well as due to

existence of hydrogen fluoride and chloride in the FA based on [17].

Fig. 6. The weighting results (End-point method) of the Egyptian and Japanese brick products

For greater comprehending of the study here presented, the comparative analysis was detailed by providing the

damage assessment results of the P.Sc. and others products studied. In doing so, the authors have emphasised upon

endpoint approach in Fig. 7. This figure is evidence that the P.Sc. has the lowest adverse atmospheric environment

impacts in terms of the Human Health (HH) (measured by Disability Adjusted Life Year (DALY)), Primary

productivity (PP), and Biodiversity (calculated by the Expected Increase in Numbers of Extinct Species (EINES)) in

Mona Ibrahim, Ahmed AbdelMonteleb M. Ali / Energy Procedia 00 (2017) 000–000 9

which are considered as the corresponding amounts of damage produced in accordance with [30]. The 64.63%,

81.53%, and 77.00% are the reduction percentages in which have been conducted due to the P.Sc. compared to the

CLB, CEB, and SSB respectively. As it is clearly shown, that there is a high decreasing compared to the CEB

because of the high diminshed proportion in which is achieved by the biodiversity impact (94.91% saving) this

might be due to the fact that is linked with additional fuel provided essentially to dissolve the water content and

maintain the kiln situations according to [30]. Regarding the biodiversity assessment, it is worthy to note that these

figures are totally neglected, for instance, 1.62E-15 Pt is measured by the P.Sc compared to the PP is 1.20E-03 Pt.

Furthermore, the majority of scholars [14]–[16], [25], [31], [32] have studied and focused on the HH only. Thus,

there is a neglected reduction attained from applying the P.Sc., this is due to the PM10 that could be emitted using

the FA as an alternative material as it is cited by [31]. As well as because of the high sulpur contents in FA material

in accordance with [15]. Therefore, P.Sc. could be considered as decent eco-friendly solution for the sustainable

construction materials and low energy demand. Referring to the comparative analysis of the EBPs and JRPs

products, the highest adverse impacts has been carried out by the CLB, in particular, the PP and biodiversity

impacts, numerically to get an interpretation, due to the high proportions of CO2 and SO2. In the context of the HH,

a 28.95% (7.23E-07 Pt) has been calculated by the FRB, then 20.61% (5.46E-07 Pt) by the SSB, in consonant with

[22], [33] in which were 5.45E-06 Pt and 8.61E-07 Pt respectively. Due to the high percentage of emitted NO2 and

SO2 form coal combustion in FRB [34]. On the contrary, only a 7.29% has been achieved by the UFRB.

Fig. 7. The damage assessment results of the Egyptian and Japanese brick products

4. Conclusions

Now so for highlighting the LCIA results, (1) Regarding the characterization method, given the machinery in

which in charge of mixing and blending the raw material admixture have generally been using in Egypt, the waste of

CEB and SSB were 15.83% and 0.69% of total waste produced. However, the CEBs have exceeded more than 60%

of total impact investigated. Particularly, 69.00% is the increase rate of CEBs compared to the FRB mostly because

of the calcination process occurred in the cement industry according to [24]. On the other hand, the lowest numbers

have been investigated by CLB with 9.54E-04 kg-SO2 eq. According to the eutrophication impact, and owing to the

natural gas utilization in drying and firing of the EBI based on [26], the results have presented that the highest

values have been calculated by CLB and CEB, 6.84E-08 kg-PO4 eq. and 4.98E-08 kg-PO4 eq. respectively. As the

10 Mona Ibrahim, Ahmed AbdelMonteleb M. Ali / Energy Procedia 00 (2017) 000–000

FA has been introduced in the P.Sc., there is a remarkable reduction in the GWP, RC, acidification, eutrophication,

and HTc; its sharing percentages are; as 6.68%, 10.57%, 10.60%, 3.66%, and 0.55% respectively among all

products studied. (2) From the weighting method point of view, the 50.45%, 74.22%, and 24.48% are the saving

percentages in which has been achieved by the P.Sc. compared to the CLB, CEB, and SSB respectively. As it is

clearly presented that the highest reduction has been obtained when the substitution of FA for Cement are replaced.

(3) From the damage assessment point of view, the highest adverse impacts have been carried out by the CLB, in

particular, the PP and biodiversity impacts, due to the high proportions of CO2 and SO2. As for the HH, a 28.95%

(7.23E-07 Pt) has been measured by the FRB, then 20.61% (5.46E-07 Pt) by the SSB, in which are account for the

high percentage of HH impact. Ultimately, the 64.63%, 81.53%, and 77.00% are the reduction percentages in which

have been conducted by the P.Sc. Therefore, P.Sc. could be considered as a decent eco-friendly solution for the least

harmful emissions to the atmospheric environment, sustainable construction materials, and low-energy consumed.

Acknowledgement

The first author would like to thank the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) for providing the

financial support (Ph.D. scholarship) for this research, as well as the Egypt-Japan University of Science and

Technology (E-JUST) for offering the facility and tools needed to conduct this work. Furthermore, the authors

would like to thank Prof. Norihiro Itsubo, for his supporting to perform such this study in his LCA laboratory in

Tokyo City University, Japan. In particular, special thanks go to the expert team at the Japan Environmental

Management Association for Industry (JEMAI) and LCA Business Promotion Center for the initiation and the

constant support of this research represented in providing Multiple Interface Life Cycle Assessment (MiLCA)

software to carry out this study. Ultimately, the authors thank the anonymous referees for their expected constructive

and valuable comments.

Appendix A.

A.1. The questionnaire of the Egyptian brick products

A questionnaire on

Determination of brick types used in constructing the buildings in Egyptian City

This questionnaire is part of the Ph.D. study of Engineer/ Ahmed AbdelMonteleb M. Ali – Ph.D. student, Egypt-

Japan University of Science and Technology, Alexandria, Egypt. We request you kindly help him to complete this

task.

There are various building materials used in Egypt. All such materials have detrimental impacts on the surrounding

environments as a direct result of their manufacturing. This is attributed to harmful substances emitted by the

chimneys of these plants, such as CO2, SO2, NO2, particulate matter emissions. So, it was necessary to set a

questionnaire to determine materials most commonly used in constructing the buildings in Egyptian City for the

purpose of conducting a study to investigate the possibility of reducing such harmful emissions.

Personal information:

- Age: --------------- Gender--------------------- Occupation: ------------------------------------

1- Do you think it is important to study the influence of manufacturing building materials on the surrounding

environment?

Yes No Somehow

2- Do you live near a plant for manufacturing building materials; particularly the cement plants?

Yes No

3- If the previous answer was yes; do you feel deterioration of the surrounding environment because of smoke

emitted by these plants?

Yes No

4 Considering brick products, which types of brick do you use when constructing residential buildings?

Straw brick Clay brick Cement brick Sandstone brick Mud brick

Mona Ibrahim, Ahmed AbdelMonteleb M. Ali / Energy Procedia 00 (2017) 000–000 11

Other types (please write its name) ................................................................................................

Thanks for your help, response, and precious time. You are welcome to write your notes here:

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

A.2. Presenting the questionnaire results

Number of samples 30 sample from executive engineers from government and private business sector in Assiut,

Egypt

Age question Age ranges between 27 and 45 years old

First question 14 for Yes, 9 for No and 7 for Somehow

Second question 9 for Yes, 21 for No and no records for Somehow answer

Third question 9 for Yes and no records for No answer

Fifth question Clay, Cement, sandstone brick. * Been clarified to the executive engineers (the samples), the goal of the questionnaire and that is related to the

scientific research only.

References

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[2] M. Correas-Amador, “A Survey of the Mud-Brick Buildings of Qena,” Egypt. Archaeol., vol. 38, pp. 14–16, 2011.

[3] U. Rajarathnam, V. Athalye, S. Ragavan, S. Maithel, D. Lalchandani, S. Kumar, E. Baum, C. Weyant, and T. Bond, “Assessment of air

pollutant emissions from brick kilns,” Atmos. Environ., vol. 98, pp. 549–553, 2014.

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112, pp. 443–452, 2015.

[5] K. B. Heller and A. M. Bullock, “Refractories Manufacturing NESHAP : Industry Profile , Methodology , and Economic Impact Analysis

Refractories Manufacturing NESHAP : Industry Profile , Methodology , and Economic Impact Analysis Draft Report Prepared for,” 2001.

[6] T. Kayama, H. Ebisawa, K. Asano, and K. Ueno, “Recent Technology of Refractory Production,” Nippon STEEL Tech. Rep., no. 98, pp. 29–

34, 2008.

[7] NPIA, Emissions Estimation Technique Manual for Bricks, Ceramics, & Clay Product Manufacturing. 1998.

[8] EPA, United States Environmental Protection Agency. UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative, 2011.

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[10] C. P. Drive, “Manufacturing of Brick,” no. December, pp. 1–7, 2006.

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[12] EN ISO 14044, Environmental Management – Life Cycle Assessment – Requirements and Guidelines. 2006.

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