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Uncertainty Analysis of Embedded Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Using BIM in Early Design Stages

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  • Patricia Schneider-Marin

    (Institute of Energy Efficient and Sustainable Design and Building, Technische Universität München (Technical University of Munich, TUM), 80333 München, Germany)

  • Hannes Harter

    (Institute of Energy Efficient and Sustainable Design and Building, Technische Universität München (Technical University of Munich, TUM), 80333 München, Germany)

  • Konstantin Tkachuk

    (Institute of Energy Efficient and Sustainable Design and Building, Technische Universität München (Technical University of Munich, TUM), 80333 München, Germany)

  • Werner Lang

    (Institute of Energy Efficient and Sustainable Design and Building, Technische Universität München (Technical University of Munich, TUM), 80333 München, Germany)

Abstract

With current efforts to increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of buildings in the operational phase, the share of embedded energy (EE) and embedded GHG emissions is increasing. In early design stages, chances to influence these factors in a positive way are greatest, but very little and vague information about the future building is available. Therefore, this study introduces a building information modeling (BIM)-based method to analyze the contribution of the main functional parts of buildings to find embedded energy demand and GHG emission reduction potentials. At the same time, a sensitivity analysis shows the variance in results due to the uncertainties inherent in early design to avoid misleadingly precise results. The sensitivity analysis provides guidance to the design team as to where to strategically reduce uncertainties in order to increase precision of the overall results. A case study shows that the variability and sensitivity of the results differ between environmental indicators and construction types (wood or concrete). The case study contribution analysis reveals that the building’s structure is the main contributor of roughly half of total GHG emissions if the main structural material is reinforced concrete. Exchanging reinforced concrete for a wood structure reduces total GHG emissions by 25%, with GHG emissions of the structure contributing 33% and windows 30%. Variability can be reduced systematically by first reducing vagueness in geometrical and technical specifications and subsequently in the amount of interior walls. The study shows how a simplified and fast BIM-based calculation provides valuable guidance in early design stages.

Suggested Citation

  • Patricia Schneider-Marin & Hannes Harter & Konstantin Tkachuk & Werner Lang, 2020. "Uncertainty Analysis of Embedded Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Using BIM in Early Design Stages," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-19, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:7:p:2633-:d:337384
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Maximilian Schildt & Johannes Linus Cuypers & Maxim Shamovich & Sonja Tamara Herzogenrath & Avichal Malhotra & Christoph Alban van Treeck & Jérôme Frisch, 2023. "On the Potential of District-Scale Life Cycle Assessments of Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-33, July.
    2. Rabaka Sultana & Ahmad Rashedi & Taslima Khanam & Byongug Jeong & Homa Hosseinzadeh-Bandbafha & Majid Hussain, 2022. "Life Cycle Environmental Sustainability and Energy Assessment of Timber Wall Construction: A Comprehensive Overview," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-30, March.
    3. Jakub Veselka & Marie Nehasilová & Karolína Dvořáková & Pavla Ryklová & Martin Volf & Jan Růžička & Antonín Lupíšek, 2020. "Recommendations for Developing a BIM for the Purpose of LCA in Green Building Certifications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-17, July.
    4. Sebastian Theißen & Jannick Höper & Jan Drzymalla & Reinhard Wimmer & Stanimira Markova & Anica Meins-Becker & Michaela Lambertz, 2020. "Using Open BIM and IFC to Enable a Comprehensive Consideration of Building Services within a Whole-Building LCA," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-25, July.
    5. Patricia Schneider-Marin & Werner Lang, 2022. "A Temporal Perspective in Eco 2 Building Design," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-28, May.
    6. Mustafa S. Al-Tekreeti & Salwa M. Beheiry & Vian Ahmed, 2022. "Commitment Indicators for Tracking Sustainable Design Decisions in Construction Projects," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-16, May.

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