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Comparative Study on Life-Cycle Assessment and Carbon Footprint of Hybrid, Concrete and Timber Apartment Buildings in Finland

Author

Listed:
  • Roni Rinne

    (Faculty of Built Environment, School of Architecture, Tampere University, P.O. Box 600, FI-33014 Tampere, Finland)

  • Hüseyin Emre Ilgın

    (Faculty of Built Environment, School of Architecture, Tampere University, P.O. Box 600, FI-33014 Tampere, Finland)

  • Markku Karjalainen

    (Faculty of Built Environment, School of Architecture, Tampere University, P.O. Box 600, FI-33014 Tampere, Finland)

Abstract

To date, in the literature, there has been no study on the comparison of hybrid (timber and concrete) buildings with counterparts made of timber and concrete as the most common construction materials, in terms of the life cycle assessment (LCA) and the carbon footprint. This paper examines the environmental impacts of a five-story hybrid apartment building compared to timber and reinforced concrete counterparts in whole-building life-cycle assessment using the software tool, One Click LCA, for the estimation of environmental impacts from building materials of assemblies, construction, and building end-of-life treatment of 50 years in Finland. Following EN 15978, stages of product and construction (A1–A5), use (B1–B6), end-of-life (C1–C4), and beyond the building life cycle (D) were assessed. The main findings highlighted are as following: (1) for A1–A3, the timber apartment had the smallest carbon footprint (28% less than the hybrid apartment); (2) in A4, the timber apartment had a much smaller carbon footprint (55% less than the hybrid apartment), and the hybrid apartment had a smaller carbon footprint (19%) than the concrete apartment; (3) for B1–B5, the carbon footprint of the timber apartment was larger (>20%); (4) in C1–C4, the carbon footprint of the concrete apartment had the lowest emissions (35,061 kg CO 2 -e), and the timber apartment had the highest (44,627 kg CO 2 -e), but in D, timber became the most advantageous material; (5) the share of life-cycle emissions from building services was very significant. Considering the environmental performance of hybrid construction as well as its other advantages over timber, wood-based hybrid solutions can lead to more rational use of wood, encouraging the development of more efficient buildings. In the long run, this will result in a higher proportion of wood in buildings, which will be beneficial for living conditions, the environment, and the society in general.

Suggested Citation

  • Roni Rinne & Hüseyin Emre Ilgın & Markku Karjalainen, 2022. "Comparative Study on Life-Cycle Assessment and Carbon Footprint of Hybrid, Concrete and Timber Apartment Buildings in Finland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-24, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:2:p:774-:d:722126
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zhongjia Chen & Hongmei Gu & Richard D. Bergman & Shaobo Liang, 2020. "Comparative Life-Cycle Assessment of a High-Rise Mass Timber Building with an Equivalent Reinforced Concrete Alternative Using the Athena Impact Estimator for Buildings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-15, June.
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    7. Markku Karjalainen & Hüseyin Emre Ilgın & Lassi Tulonen, 2021. "Main Design Considerations and Prospects of Contemporary Tall Timber Apartment Buildings: Views of Key Professionals from Finland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-18, June.
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    1. Henriette Fischer & Martin Aichholzer & Azra Korjenic, 2023. "Ecological Potential of Building Components in Multi-Storey Residential Construction: A Comparative Case Study between an Existing Concrete and a Timber Building in Austria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-18, April.
    2. Moein Hemmati & Tahar Messadi & Hongmei Gu & Mahboobeh Hemmati, 2024. "LCA Operational Carbon Reduction Based on Energy Strategies Analysis in a Mass Timber Building," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-20, August.
    3. Yan Wang & Xi Wu, 2022. "Research on High-Quality Development Evaluation, Space–Time Characteristics and Driving Factors of China’s Construction Industry under Carbon Emission Constraints," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-19, August.
    4. Laura Corti & Giovanni Muciaccia, 2023. "Stiffness Warming Potential: An Innovative Parameter for Structural and Environmental Assessment of Timber–Concrete Composite Members," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-19, October.

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