Question

As per the National Building Code of India, 2016, choose the correct option where materials are arranged in the increasing order of their embodied energy.

• A. Medium Density Fibreboard \(<\) Aluminium \(<\) Float Glass \(<\) Fly-ash Bricks
• B. Fly-ash Bricks \(<\) Medium Density Fibreboard \(<\) Float Glass \(<\) Aluminium
• C. Medium Density Fibreboard \(<\) Fly-ash Bricks \(<\) Float Glass \(<\) Aluminium
• D. Fly-ash Bricks \(<\) Aluminium \(<\) Medium Density Fibreboard \(<\) Float Glass

Hint:

When selecting materials for sustainable construction, consider their embodied energy to minimize environmental impact.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Embodied energy refers to the total energy required to produce a material, including extraction, processing, and transportation.

Step 1: Fly-ash Bricks are the least energy-intensive material among the listed options. They are made from industrial byproducts, making them relatively energy-efficient.

Step 2: Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) is made from wood fibers, which require more energy than fly-ash bricks to process.

Step 3: Float Glass requires significant energy for manufacturing due to the high-temperature process involved in its production.

Step 4: Aluminium has the highest embodied energy because the extraction and processing of bauxite to aluminum require a lot of energy.

Thus, the materials are arranged in the order: Fly-ash Bricks < Medium Density Fibreboard < Float Glass < Aluminium.

Therefore, the correct answer is (B) Fly-ash Bricks < Medium Density Fibreboard < Float Glass < Aluminium.