Assessment of Sustainability and Efficiency Metrics in Modern Methods of Construction: A Case Study Using a Life Cycle Assessment Approach

López, Hector Hernández; Ossio, Felipe; Silva, Michael

doi:10.3390/su15076267

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 84 publications

(189 reference statements)

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“…While simplified approaches may not capture all of the intricacies of a thorough LCA, they nonetheless provide useful decision-making insights and can assist identify areas for improvement in environmental performance [20]. It has been employed in a range of studies in different applications of building/construction engineering and is a widely accepted approach [21]; for example, Hernández et al [22] used it for assessing a new structure system, Hou et al [23] used it for assessing cementitious composite materials (mixture design), and Eleftheriou et al [24] used it for assessing the use of cement bamboo frame technology.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimizing Concrete Grade for a Sustainable Structural Design in Saudi Arabia

Almulhim,

Al Masmoum

2024

Buildings

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Buildings and facilities undergo several stages: the product stage, the construction stage, the use stage, the end-of-life stage, and the recycling stage. The life cycle of any facility or building contributes to embodied carbon (EC) emissions. The product stage, also known as the cradle-to-gate stage (A1–A3), registers the highest emissions, estimated to account for 70% of the total environmental impact. The continuing population growth in Saudi Arabia necessitates urgent action to identify and implement solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating environmental risks. This study investigates the optimal method to analyze the grade of concrete for specific structural elements (columns) in a particular work area, adhering to accurate and methodological standards outlined in the Saudi Building Code (SBC). The bill of quantities (BOQ) determined the amount of building materials for the structure considered in this study. Reliable embedded carbon coefficients (ECCs) for structural materials such as concrete and steel were determined following life cycle assessment principles. They were analyzed using the Inventory of Carbon and Energy (ICE; Version 2.0) and Global Warming Potential (GWP). The obtained values varied based on the components of each mixture. This study determined the cost of each concrete mixture and steel, selecting the optimal mixture based on both EC and material cost. Since the quantity of cement significantly affects EC emissions in a concrete mixture, it is essential to select appropriate plasticizers and concrete types. This study evaluated the C30, C40, C50, C60, and C70 mixtures. Among these, the C70 mixture demonstrated the best environmental impact and was the least expensive compared to the basic C40 mixture for the estimated quantities of concrete and steel. The estimated reductions in cost and environmental impact were 33% and 27%, respectively. This groundbreaking study paves the way for low-carbon structural design in large hotels across Saudi Arabia, offering valuable insights for future projects and contributing significantly to energy conservation.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimizing Concrete Grade for a Sustainable Structural Design in Saudi Arabia

Almulhim,

Al Masmoum

2024

Buildings

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“…The predominant methodologies employed in the research regarding carbon footprints are the input-output analysis, life-cycle assessment [37][38][39], and the methodology stipulated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), etc. [40,41]. For example, Dong and Geng (2012) conducted a study regarding the characteristics of the direct and indirect carbon footprints of residents in Beijing City using the input-output analysis in 2007 [42].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Life Cycle-Based Carbon Emission Reduction Benefit Assessment of Centralized Photovoltaic Power Plants in China

Deng,

Wu,

Yang

et al. 2023

Sustainability

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Developing clean energy is the key to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and addressing global climate change. Photovoltaic energy systems are considered to be clean and sustainable energy resources due to their wide distribution and easy deployment. However, the environment can still be impacted during the processes from the production to recycling of such systems. Therefore, this study was conducted based on the whole life-cycle analysis to establish a mathematical model for carbon emissions during the processes of production, transportation, and waste disposal of photovoltaic power systems. The main conclusions are as follows. (1) The carbon emissions of a centralized photovoltaic power station with a unit installed capacity of 1 kWp during its entire life cycle would be 2094.40 kg, while the carbon recycling period would last 1.89 years, which would be shorter than the expected life cycle of a photovoltaic system of 25 years, indicating significant environmental benefits. (2) The calculated results from 2022 showed that the newly constructed centralized photovoltaic power stations in China could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 31,524.26 tons during their life cycles, and their carbon emissions from 1 kWh are approx. 1/10 of those of thermal power generation, which is significantly lower than that of thermal power generation. (3) From the perspective of the soil carbon sequestration capacity and opportunity cost, the economic cost of carbon emissions from the new centralized photovoltaic power stations in China in 2022 was 1.083 billion yuan. (4) The analysis of the relationship using the Granger causality test revealed that, with a lag of one period and a significance level of 5%, the carbon emissions from the new centralized PV power stations from 2013–2022 were the Granger cause of the added value from the secondary industry in China, while the added value from the secondary industry was not the Granger cause of the carbon emissions from the new PV power stations. The findings of the performed study could increase the utilization rate of photovoltaic energy by ensuring it is a secure sustainable low-carbon emission resource, while also reducing the impact of climate change on the planet and promoting individual well-being and social development.

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